Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S Camera
The GH5S, the latest in the Panasonic Lumix GH line-up, was introduced in early 2018. It looks a lot like a traditional photo camera, but was “designed for video first and stills second.” We purchased it for situations where light weight and a small footprint is important, such as on a gimbal or small jib. We’ve also had good experiences using it as a wide, full-stage camera for filming long-form performances in 4K format.
Introductory Tour
This training is designed to help Tonal Vision videographers use the GH5S for the video projects we typically handle, as well as occasional still photos. The first is an "Introductory Tour".
Essential Skills
This second video is an "Essential Skills" refresher designed for a quick over-view before using the camera.
Sections
- Introduction: 0.00
- Lens Choice: 0:22
- Photography: 1:54
- Videography: 2:15
- Focus: 2:46
- White Balance & Exposure: 3:25
- Quick Reminders: 5:14
Menu Choices
Finally, for reference, below are the menu options we've chosen as standard for the GH5S.
Creative Video Menu #1 of 2
Exposure Mode at top = M [Operating Instructions-P180] When Exposure Mode is set to all manual, can use front dial for aperture & the back dial for shutterVariable Frame Rate =ON [Operating Instructions-P182-184] This is where you can choose fast or slow motion The record format & other settings must support VFR- Anamorphic = OFF [Operating Instructions-P191]
- Loop Recording (video) = OFF [Operating Instructions-P192]
- Synchro Scan=OFF - turn ON to fine-tune shutter to reduce flickering and horizontal stripes. If you do turn it on, Shutter Speed will display differently [Operating Instructions-P193]
- SS/Gain Operation = SEC/ISO [Operating Instructions-P195]
WFM/Vector Scope = OFF [Operating Instructions-P196] If want waveform monitor=WAVE We usually turn it off because don’t capture important audio with this camera. Occasionally, we’ve unexpectedly needed to use camera audio and found it actually not that bad.
Creative Video menu #2 of 2
- Anamorphic Desqueeze Display=OFF [Operating Instructions-P197]
- V-LogL View Assist [Operating Instructions-P177] LUT Select=Vlog_709 LUT Monitor Display=ON
- Focus Transition (allows rack focusing) [Operating Instructions-P185]
- 4K Live Cropping=OFF??? [Operating Instructions-P186]
Motion Picture menu #1 of 5
- Record Format=MOV or MP4(LPCM) [Operating Instructions-P162]
Record Quality [Operating Instructions-P162] Always default to 29.97 unless requested otherwise For 4K long form performances, choose the 2nd option: 422/10bit/Long GOP 150Mbps For HD, e.g., on a gimbal, choose 1920x1080, 29.97, 422/10bit/ALL-1; 200Mbps unless you want variable frame rate/slow motion Note that VFR is not available on all settings - the menu will tell which choices allow VFR- Time Code [Operating Instructions-P162] Time Code Display=OFF Count Up=REC RUN Time Code Value=Current Time Time Code Mode=DF HDMI Time Code Output=OFF
Continuous AF =ON [Operating Instructions-P167] We are showing it on here because the camera has excellent auto focus and, in most cases where we use it, will be better than adjusting it manually When shooting an interview or staged shots, turn AF off; can leave camera in AFS/AFF mode (AF/AE LOCK dial) on upper rear so can push to focus- AF Custom Setting (video)=ON - (these are set to change slowly for dance performances; may need to change in different situations) Speed=-5 Sensitivity=-5
Photo Style [Operating Instructions-P221] This is an important choice We usually shoot in V-Log, which is designed for post production editing Other good options are Cinelike D or Cinelike V Can also record HDR motion pictures by choosing Hybrid Log Gamma- Filter Settings=OFF [Operating Instructions-P223]
Motion Picture menu #2 of 5
- Luminance Level=0.255
- Metering Mode (brightness) [Operating Instructions-P225] For dance, where the dancer is often very bright and at the center of the shot, choose Centre weighted (middle selection). Otherwise, Panasonic recommends Multiple (top)
- iResolution=OFF [Operating Instructions-P226]
- ISO Sensitivity (video) - these are the AUTO settings [Operating Instructions-P181]
- Shading Comp.=OFF (corrects for lens-caused screen periphery darkening) [Operating Instructions-P228]
- Diffraction Compensation=OFF [Operating Instructions-P229]
Motion Picture menu #3 of 5
- Stabilizer - E-Stabilization (Video)=ON (only applies to camera lenses) [Operating Instructions-P144]
- Ex. Tele Conv.=OFF (enlarges pictures w/o deteriorating picture quality) [Operating Instructions-P146-147]
- Digital Zoom=OFF [Operating Instructions-P149]
- Time Stamp Rec=OFF [Operating Instructions-P173]
- Sound Rec Level Disp.=OFF (could turn on if want to see it) [Operating Instructions-P168]
- Sound Rec Level Adj.=0dB (could adjust if recording audio) [Operating Instructions-P168]
Motion Picture menu #4 of 5
- Sound Rec Level Limiter=ON (minimizes crackling/distortion when volume is too high [Operating Instructions-P168]
- Wind Noise Canceller=STANDARD [Operating Instructions-P235]
- Mic Socket=MIC w/phantom power [plug symbol] [Operating Instructions-P205] Other options are MIC & LINE
- Sound Output=REALTIME (relates to headphones) [Operating Instructions-P208]
- HDMI Rec Output (menus & information going to an external monitor/recorder) [Operating Instructions-P198]
Motion Picture menu #5 of 5
- Color Bars=SMPTE [Operating Instructions-P174]
Custom (C with a wrench) menu
Exposure
- Dual Native ISO Setting=AUTO?? [Operating Instructions-P109]
- ISO Increments=1EV [Operating Instructions-P237]
- Extended ISO=ON [Operating Instructions-P237]
- Exposure Comp. Reset=OFF [Operating Instructions-P237]
Focus / Release Shutter
- AF/AE Lock=AF-ON [Operating Instructions-P105]
- AF/AE Lock Hold=OFF [Operating Instructions-P237]
- Shutter AF=ON [Operating Instructions-P237]
- Half Press Release=OFF [Operating Instructions-P237]
- Quick AF=ON [Operating Instructions-P238]
- Eye Sensor AF=ON [Operating Instructions-P238]
- Pinpoint AF Setting: Time=SHORT; Display=PIP [Operating
- Instructions-P238]
- AF Assist Lamp=ON [Operating Instructions-P238] Turn off if need to be unobtrusive
- Focus/Release Priority: AS/AFF=FOCUS; AFC=FOCUS [Operating Instructions-P239]
- Focus Switching for Vert / Hor=OFF [Operating Instructions-P95]
- Loop Movement Focus Frame=OFF [Operating Instructions-P239]
- AF Area Display=OFF [Operating Instructions-P239]
- AF&MF=ON [Operating Instructions-P240]
- MF Assist={Lens]FOCUS (if lens communicates w/camera, will show zoomed focus assist on monitor) [Operating Instructions-P240]
- MF Assist Display=PIP (Picture in Picture) [Operating Instructions-P240]
Operation
Fn Button Set allows you to customize camera [Operating Instructions-P59]- Q.MENU=PRESET [Operating Instructions-P241]
- Dial Set. [Operating Instructions-P45]
- Joystick Setting=D.FOCUS Movement [Operating Instructions-P47]
- Operation Lock Setting - all=ON [Operating Instructions-P241]
- Video Button=ON [Operating Instructions-P241]
- Touch Settings [Operating Instructions-P241] Touch Screen=ON Touch Tab=OFF Touch AF=AF&AE Touch Pad AF=OFF
Monitor / Display
- Auto Review - not available in video [Operating Instructions-P242]
- Monochrome Live View=OFF [Operating Instructions-P242]
- Constant Preview=ON [Operating Instructions-P242]
- Live View Most=OFF [Operating Instructions-P242]
- V-LogL View Assist: LUG=Vlog_709; LUT Monitor Display=ON [Operating Instructions-P177]
Peaking =ON (when in manual focus) [Operating Instructions-P243]Histogram =ON [Operating Instructions-P243]- Guide Line=OFF [Operating Instructions-P244]
- Video Guide Line=OFF [Operating Instructions-P244]
- Center Marker=OFF [Operating Instructions-P244]
- Highlight=OFF [Operating Instructions-P244]
Zebra Pattern =ZEBRA1 [Operating Instructions-P245]- Expo. Meter=ON [Operating Instructions-P245]
- MF Guide=ON [Operating Instructions-P245]
- LVF/Monitor Disp. Set [Operating Instructions-P48]
- Monitor Info. Disp.=ON [Operating Instructions-P246]
- Rec Area=Motion Picture [Operating Instructions-P246]
- Video-Priority Display=OFF [Operating Instructions-P246]
- Menu Guide=ON [Operating Instructions-P246]
Lens / Others
- Lens Position Resume=OFF [Operating Instructions-P247]
- Power Zoom Lens (only available when a power zoom lens is on the camera) [Operating Instructions-P150]
- Lens Fn Button Setting=FOCUS STOP [Operating Instructions-P247]
- Face Recog.=OFF (not active in video) [Operating Instructions-P248]
- Profile Setup=OFF [Operating Instructions-P250]
Setup (wrench) menu
- Online Manual [Operating Instructions-P251]
- Cust. Set Mem. [Operating Instructions-P83]
- Clock Set [Operating Instructions-P37]
- World Time [Operating Instructions-P252]
- Travel Date [Operating Instructions-P253]
- Wi-Fi [Operating Instructions-P253]
- Bluetooth [Operating Instructions-P253]
- Power / Wireless Indicator=ON [Operating Instructions-P254]
- Beep=sound off (turns off electronic sounds) [Operating Instructions-P254]
- Headphone Volume [Operating Instructions-P208]
- Economy [Operating Instructions-P254]
- Monitor Display Speed=30fps [Operating Instructions-P256]
- LVF Display Speed=60fps [Operating Instructions-P256]
- Night Mode OFF [Operating Instructions-P256]
- Monitor Display/Viewfinder (brightness & color display) [Operating Instructions-P257]
- Monitor Luminance=AUTO [Operating Instructions-P257]
- Eye Sensor - LVF/Monitor Switch=MON (keeps monitor from turning off if area near viewfinder is darkened - BUT, this can be undone by pressing the LVF button) [Operating Instructions-P257]
- Battery Use Priority (greyed out) [Operating Instructions-P343]
- USB Mode=Select on connection [Operating Instructions-P258]
- TV Connection [Operating Instructions-P258]
- System Frequency=NTSC [Operating Instructions-P259]
- Language=ENGLISH [Operating Instructions-P259]
- Version Disp. [Operating Instructions-P260]
- Activate [Operating Instructions-P260]
- Folder / File Settings [Operating Instructions-P260]
Double Slot Function =Relay Rec (When one card runs out of space, records to next card) [Operating Instructions-P262]- Save/Restore Camera Setting [Operating Instructions-P263]
- No.Reset [Operating Instructions-P263]
- Reset [Operating Instructions-P264]
- Reset Network Settings [Operating Instructions-P264]
- Pixel Refresh [Operating Instructions-P264]
- Sensor Cleaning [Operating Instructions-P264]
- Level Gauge Adjust. [Operating Instructions-P265]
Format to clear memory card [Operating Instructions-P30]
Menu settings for photo
- Start in Intelligent Photo Mode (top dial; iA symbol)
- Rec menu (camera symbol) Quality=RAW+JPEG (RAW with highest stack next to it, indicating a higher quality JPEG image) [Operating Instructions-P220]
- See Operating Instructions page 218 for additional options