gh series in 2025

[zlfan]

are they outdated?

which one do you prefer?

pros and cons

[eatstoomuchjam]

There isn't a single camera in the entire GH line that wouldn't be usable today.  If you want 4K, you'd need to go GH4 or newer.  If you want reliable video autofocus, the only option is the GH7.  For the best low-light performance, the GH5s is probably your best bet (though I'm not sure if the GH6 or GH7 have great low light performance).

The older models struggled more in low light.  With the GH1 and GH2, hacking them for more bitrate is suggested for best quality.

The most popular models were the GH2 and GH5, but the GH7 seems also to be well-regarded.

[newfoundmass]

1 hour ago, zlfan said:

are they outdated?

which one do you prefer?

pros and cons

They are outdated in that they are older cameras that don't have all the bells and whistles of the most modern camera released but in terms of image quality, I think every single one still holds up. 

I'd very much miss the lack of IBIS and shutter degree, but I could absolutely do my work with three GH3 bodies if I had to and I don't think most people would notice or care. 

The cons were low light and auto focus (though I still think the GH5's auto focus was usable in real situations despite others proclaiming it to be unusable.) You also needed to hack the GH2 to get the most out of it, so that could be seen as a con for it.

The pros? Great IBIS in the cameras that have it (the GH5's IBIS still blows away IBIS in Sony's newest cameras), the battery life was incredible (at least up to the GH5; haven't used the GH6 or 7), no overheating, excellent image quality, decent audio preamps (GH3 on, from my experience), plus you get all the benefits of usinga M43 camera, like the smaller lenses and the ability to adapt anything. 

[zlfan]

i still remember that viral video clip taken by gh1 bragging that it can match red one. 

i personally went the canon and later ml road. i bought 2 brand new g3, hacked one, but sent as gifts. i liked em5's color and ibis. 

[Davide DB]

It worths mentioning G9II, a sort of GH7 in a S5 body.

 

[Piet Haag]

G9 II has a few gotchas: 

* no fan, so overheats 

* audio nerfed so you can’t use TC1 / tentacle etc

* no hdmi out when recording with hybrid zoom

Otherwise, I really liked it but it’s gone to MPB and been replaced by GH7.

[Benjamin Hilton]

My firsts GH camera was the GH4, great camera in a lot of ways but definitely tough to work with overall image wise. The GH5 was really something special though, just a really good 4k 10bit image, and also some of the best 1080p I've worked with out of a mirrorless. 

[FHDcrew]

GH series are no way outdated. I definitely think older bodies line the Gh5 and Gh5s are excellent values. Even the OG Panasonic G9 which I’ve seen go for just over $400 USD before…and that’ll do 19 bit HLG which you can CST into v-log L in Davinci resolve. These cameras are also a solid value in the live broadcast space, an industry I’ve been continuing to work in. I work on some broadcast truck shows for American sports tv broadcasts; many of the cameras used there are very expensive 3CCD b4 mount cameras; small sensors but often with not just SDI but even FIBER connections and all kinds of tools necessary for high-level broadcast. 
 

Older lumix cams are solid ultra-low budget cams for multicam setups. MFT lenses are dirt cheap, Gh5 and Gh5s have full size HDMI, older models look the gh4 and gh3 still have clean hdmi out albeit micro…basically nice affordable cams you can use in multicam setups. I’ve seen some churches use Panasonic Gh5, gh4 and even g7/g85 and build entire multicam production setups around them. Super versatile. 
 

And I love how the gh5 has all the features that are just now all in full frame bodies. A 8+ yr old camera with 6k open gate, 10bit422, etc etc. Crazy!

 

I wish the Gh5 autofocus’s was good; I’d honestly switch to the gh5 if it were haha. 

[FHDcrew]

Also if I upgrade my camera body sometime soon it will very likely be the Panasonic G9II. I’d save a few hundred versus a gh7 body. Just love the form factor, high frame rate options without having to crop, autofocus and class-leading IBIS. I’ve also heard that the e-stabilization high mode doesn’t crop in as much as previous cams. I briefly owned a LUMIX S9 this summer; sold it and reverted back to my OG Nikon Z6 for financial reasons (Nikon Z6 is still going strong though here in 2025 I’ve got no “need” to upgrade even IQ wise).  Loved throwing it into e-stabilization high but it gave me a near-apsc crop from full frame. From eBay I’ve heard, the G9II doesn’t crop in as much in this mode. 
 

id get a g9II, metabones 0.64x, and a sigma 18-35. I figure I’d get good lowlight performance from that setup; seems the g9II and gh7 don’t suck in lowlight and having an f/1.15 in terms of light gathering would be sweet.