At CES 2018, Panasonic unveiled its new Lumix GH5S with an updated sensor, new Cinema 4K capabilities, and additional improvements.

Fresh off the CES presses, Panasonic’s new Lumix GH5S has leaked online after much much rumor and fanfare. The predecessor to Panasonic’s popular Lumix GH5, the antecedent’s update looks to be a truly video-forward mirrorless camera that will compete with Canon and Sony in 2018. While the GH5 was a strong offering at its price point (currently around $2,000), the GH5S should stay competitive with updated capabilities at a similar opening price point (rumored to be around $2,500).

New Sensor

While the GH5 boasted a powerful 20.3MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS sensor, Panasonic has announced that the GH5S will feature a new 10.2MP multi-aspect sensor, which should improve max ISO capabilities up into the 51,200 range (while the GH5’s ceiling was around 25,600). The new sensor will also provide sufficient margin to get the same angle of view in 4:3, 17:9, 16:9, and 3:2 aspect ratios.

Record Cinema 4K at 60/50p

Perhaps the biggest headline for the GH5S’s advanced capabilities is the camera’s ability to record Cinema 4K footage at 60/50p. This is a major improvement and certainly a first in the market at this price point. The GH5S also now offers better color reproduction with new internal 4:2:2 10-bit recording capabilities with pre-installed V-Log (no longer an add-on purchase). Full HD and 4K video recording compiles with 4K HDR video with Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) for unlimited recording capabilities as well.

Full List of Improvements

For those interested, the lightweight body will remain the same, but several other updates and improvements (many the result of the new sensor), will increase the GH5S’s capabilities for both video and photography as Panasonic’s affordable 4K play will undoubtedly send ripples throughout the industry well after CES ends.

Atomos recently got their hands on the new model, testing its new capabilities.

Enjoy saturated colours and capture sparkling shots even when shooting in V-Log format in the dimmest conditions. Colours are rich and deep even in super low light and reds are really red. Huge amounts of colour information are retained with 10-bit. This technological advance puts paid to the widespread assumption that you should never shoot Log in low light with mirrorless cameras because of excess noise. Now you can get the full benefits of a wider dynamic range and punchy colours and enjoy a clean image while staying in Panasonic’s V-Log, giving you a greater ability to manipulate your image in post-production.

Specs:

10.2MP multi-aspect sensor

4:3, 17:9, 16:9, and 3:2 aspect ratios

4K 60/50p recording in Cinema 4K (4,096 x 2,160)

Max ISO 51,200 ceiling

Internal 4:2:2 10-bit recording with pre-installed V-Log

Dual Native ISO Technology

The 225-area AF arrangement and light levels as low as -5EV

Reported Price: $2,500 (body only)