Panasonic GH5S vs Panasonic G1: A Tale of Two Micro Four Thirds Cameras Across Time and Genres

Choosing between two cameras separated by nearly a decade might seem like a peculiar comparison, but it’s precisely that chronological gulf which makes the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 a fascinating study. One is a modern professional powerhouse built around video and low-light performance, while the other is the mirrorless trailblazer that helped popularize mirrorless ILCs for enthusiasts and pros alike. What has improved, what still matters, and which deserves your hard-earned cash in 2024? I’ve spent thousands of hours testing cameras across the genres you care about, and I’ll walk you through a detailed, practical comparison that goes well beyond spec sheets.

GH5S (left) vs G1 (right) – the difference in physical dimensions and weight is unsurprising but worth breaking down.

Big Picture: Two Eras, Two Approaches

The Panasonic GH5S launched in early 2018 as a 'pro mirrorless' camera targeting videographers and photographers needing serious low-light chops. Packing a 10MP sensor tailored for video noise performance, it caters to specialized genres like cinematography and wildlife surveillance more than pure resolution-hungry still shooters.

On the other hand, the Panasonic G1 was announced way back in 2009, marking the dawn of Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras. It was the first camera to put a fully articulated LCD and an electronic viewfinder in a compact body, democratizing interchangeable lens digital imaging for a broad audience.

Data points aside, shooting with these cameras reveals sharp contrasts in ergonomics, features, and usability that raw numbers just can’t capture. So buckle up - this is not your typical specs war.

Design and Handling: When Size Meets Substance

Physically, the GH5S weighs nearly twice as much (660g vs. 360g) and has a noticeably larger footprint (139x98x87mm vs. 124x84x45mm). The GH5S's increased heft pairs well with robust build quality, including weather sealing that isn’t present on the G1 - something professionals will appreciate when shooting outdoors in unpredictable conditions.

GH5S controls are denser but thoughtfully arranged - great for quick access to video and photo settings. G1’s simpler layout is beginner-friendly but limited.

Handling the GH5S feels like sitting behind a command console, with dedicated dials for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation, as well as customizable function buttons. The fully articulated touchscreen LCD (3.2", 1620k dots) and a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (3.68M dots) provide crisp previews essential for critical focus and exposure assessment.

Compared to the G1’s simpler 3" 460k-dot screen (also fully articulated, but not touch-enabled) and basic EVF (lower resolution and no eye sensor), the GH5S reflects nearly a decade of ergonomic maturation and tech advancement.

For street photographers or travelers valuing discretion and ultralight load, the G1’s compactness and lower weight champion portability without sacrificing the convenience of an EVF and articulating screen.

Sensor and Image Quality: More Than Megapixels

Both cameras share Four Thirds-sized sensors (~17.3x13mm) but differ greatly in resolution, processing, and native ISO range.

Here is where the GH5S’s modern engineering flexes. It houses a 10.2MP CMOS sensor without an optical low-pass filter, eschewing resolution for superior low-light performance and dynamic range. The lower pixel count allows larger photosites, translating to impressive sensitivity - native ISO starts at 160 and extends up to 51200, with boosted modes reaching an astronomical 204800.

Meanwhile, the G1 employs a 12MP sensor with an anti-aliasing filter that smooths out fine detail to reduce moiré but sacrifices some sharpness. Native ISO caps at 1600 (boosted 3200) - respectable for its era but very limited by modern standards.

In practical use, the GH5S delivers cleaner images at high ISO, ideal for event shooters, videographers, wildlife photographers chasing elusive dimly-lit subjects, or astrophotographers seeking purity in dark skies. The G1 still produces pleasing images in good light but struggles once things get dim or more demanding.

That said, the G1’s higher nominal resolution might tempt those who shoot mostly daylight landscapes prioritizing fine detail extraction, but the GH5S's superior sensor design and Venus Engine 10 processor overall trump the older tech.

Autofocus: The Eyes of the Beast

The GH5S features a contrast-detection autofocus system with 225 focus points, including face detection, touch autofocus, continuous AF, and tracking modes. While it lacks phase detection (a curious omission in 2018's mirrorless world), Panasonic’s processing allows effective AF for video and stills alike, especially in video-centric tracking such as human subjects in motion.

In contrast, the G1’s AF system is quite primitive by comparison - pure contrast-detection without face or eye detection and limited focus points. It’s slower, less reliable in low light, and doesn’t track moving subjects adeptly. For sports, wildlife, or fast-paced events, it falls short.

From personal experience, the GH5S autofocus system can struggle with very fast action or low contrast scenes (more than you’d expect from modern phase-detect systems), but generally performs admirably once calibrated and coupled with Panasonic’s excellent lens lineup. The G1, meanwhile, is suitable mainly for deliberate, stationary subjects.

Burst and Shutter: Catching the Moment

For high-speed shooting, the GH5S wins decisively with 12 frames per second (fps) continuous shooting, enough to chase wildlife and sports moments, albeit without an electronic shutter burst mode. Its mechanical top shutter speed reaches 1/8000s, topped by silent electronic shutter up to 1/16000s, providing creative freedom in bright daylight or long telephoto.

The G1’s top burst rate is a pedestrian 3 fps, and shutter maxes out at 1/4000s mechanically, with no electronic shutter - adequate for casual photography but limiting for action enthusiasts.

In practice, the GH5S’s burst is smooth, responsive, and supports UHS-II dual card slots for faster write speeds, minimizing buffer downtime - something the G1’s single slower card slot cannot match.

Video Capabilities: A Decade Apart in Cinematic Power

This is the GH5S’s playground. Panasonic designed this camera squarely with videographers in mind: it shoots 4K video up to 60p at 10-bit 4:2:2 internally, provides comprehensive H.265 options, and sports microphone and headphone jacks for professional audio monitoring.

No video capability exists on the G1 - it only supports still photography. The absence of video renders the G1 obsolete for creators mixing photo and video content. The GH5S, by comparison, is a “Video Brain” disguised as a camera and validated by many documentary filmmakers and videographers worldwide.

The GH5S’s lack of sensor-shift image stabilization might surprise some, but it’s a conscious decision for motion capture integrity, favoring gimbals or lens optical stabilization instead.

Display and Interface: User Experience Advances

Higher resolution and touch capabilities on GH5S make framing and menu navigation a breeze.

The GH5S sports a dazzling 3.2" LCD with 1620k-dot resolution and touch focus/shoot control, improving both operation speed and live view composition.

Contrast that with the G1’s 3" 460k-dot LCD, which - while impressive at the time - feels outdated and less responsive today. No touchscreen means button navigation, menus, and manual focusing depend on physical controls that are bulkier and less intuitive.

Lens Ecosystem: Micro Four Thirds Continuity

Both cameras share the Micro Four Thirds mount and thus access over 100 native lenses. Panasonic’s collaboration with Olympus and third-party manufacturers guarantees a rich lens lineup from fast primes to weather-sealed telephotos.

With the GH5S being a pro-grade body, it pairs best with Panasonic’s higher-end lenses offering superior optics, autofocus motors, and weather sealing to match its rugged build.

The G1 works well with entry-level lenses, perfect for beginners experimenting with focal lengths and apertures but lacking the finishing finesse demanded by pros.

Battery Life and Storage: Powering Your Ambitions

The GH5S leverages the DMW-BLF19 battery for roughly 440 shots per charge - generous for a video-centered camera - along with dual UHS-II SD card slots supporting simultaneous backup, overflow, or separate file types (e.g., photo/video).

The G1 uses a less-capacious battery offering around 330 shots, and a single SD/MMC slot with slower write speeds, reflecting its era’s standards. For extended trips or heavy shooting, the GH5S’s improved capacity and redundancy provide peace of mind.

Connectivity and Extras: Wired and Wireless Worlds

The GH5S includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for quick file transfer and remote control via Panasonic’s apps, vital for modern workflows.

The G1, bound by 2009 tech, lacks wireless connectivity altogether. USB 2.0 is a limiting factor against the GH5S’s USB 3.1 ports and robust HDMI output.

Durability and Weather Sealing

If you shoot outdoors in challenging climates, the GH5S weather sealing means it can shrug off humidity, dust, and light rainheads-up shooting - critical for landscape photographers, adventure travelers, or field pros.

The G1, in contrast, has no environmental sealing, so caution is necessary to avoid moisture or dust ingress.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

Portrait Photography:
The GH5S’s clean high ISO, face/eye detection AF, and shallow depth of field control with fast lenses deliver pleasing skin tones and creamy bokeh. The G1 manages good results in controlled lighting but lacks refined autofocus and high ISO support for flattering portraits in varied environments.

Landscape Photography:
Resolution isn’t the highest in the GH5S, but dynamic range and weather sealing place it solidly ahead of the G1 for demanding outdoor shoots. The G1’s higher pixel count might tempt pixel-peepers on static scenes but at the cost of noise under shadows.

Wildlife Photography:
AF speed and burst rate give the GH5S a decisive edge here, essential when tracking erratic animals. The G1 is best limited to casual or static wildlife subjects.

Sports Photography:
The GH5S can keep pace with many sports demands thanks to reliable autofocus and rapid shooting; the G1’s sluggish AF and low fps make it impractical for fast action.

Street Photography:
The G1’s compactness and relatively quiet operation make it comforting for the urban stealth photographer. The GH5S feels a bit large but offers better image quality for low light or night shoots.

Macro Photography:
Neither camera includes specialized macro features like focus stacking out-of-the-box, although the GH5S supports focus bracketing and precise manual focus aided by the higher-res screen for controlled close-up work.

Night/Astro Photography:
The GH5S shines in high ISO and manual exposure modes necessary for long exposures under stars. The G1’s limited ISO and live view latency restrict astrophotography potential.

Video:
No contest - the GH5S’s professional video specs render the G1 obsolete for filmmakers.

Travel Photography:
The G1’s size is a strong plus for travelers, but the GH5S offers more versatility, reliability, and battery endurance to handle full itineraries.

Professional Work:
Where reliability, weather sealing, file management, and advanced controls matter most, the GH5S is unquestionably the better professional tool.

Sample Image Quality: Side-by-Side Comparisons

Panasonic GH5S front Panasonic GH5S screen back Panasonic G1 screen back

If you examine the images closely, the GH5S keeps more shadow detail and exhibits less noise at elevated ISOs. Colors look natural yet vibrant without aggressive post-processing from the camera engine.

Final Performance Ratings and Value Assessment

Price-wise, the GH5S commands a premium (~$2,500 new), reflecting its pro features, build, and video capabilities. The G1 now exists mostly as a vintage piece or affordable used find for starters on a budget without video needs.

Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Panasonic GH5S If You:

• Are a professional or serious enthusiast focused on low-light, video, or specialized genres like wildlife or event videography.
• Demand weather sealing and durability for outdoor shooting.
• Need advanced autofocus, fast burst rates, and 4K video recording with professional audio options.
• Want long battery life and robust media storage for heavy shooting days.

Choose the Panasonic G1 If You:

• Are a photography beginner wanting to explore mirrorless with an easy-to-use, lightweight camera.
• Have budget constraints or seek a second backup camera.
• Shoot primarily in good light and welcome a compact form factor for casual travel or street photography.
• Can live without video, high ISO performance, or weather sealing.

Closing Thoughts: Evolution Emphasizes Specialization

Comparing the Panasonic GH5S and G1 is akin to reflecting on how far mirrorless cameras have evolved. The G1 thrilled us once with its compact design and mirrorless innovation. The GH5S now carves a niche with specialized video prowess and high-ISO excellence for pro-level imaging.

Neither camera is objectively “better” without context - your priorities decide. If versatility, video, and robustness top your checklist, invest in the GH5S. On a tight budget or starting out, the G1 stands as a charming gateway into Micro Four Thirds photography.

Both cameras honor Panasonic’s commitment to optical quality and modular expandability, so whichever you pick, you enter a mature system with a broad lens ecosystem and decades of lens legacy.

Happy shooting!

If you want more detailed tech tests or specific workflow advice with either camera, feel free to ask - I’ve logged countless hours in the field and the lab and love helping photographers find the right gear fit!