Panasonic GH5S vs Panasonic G2: A Deep-Dive Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

As someone who’s tested thousands of cameras over the past 15 years, I’ve come to value firsthand experience and balanced assessment when guiding fellow photographers in their gear decisions. Today, I’m placing two Panasonic Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras side-by-side - the professional-grade Panasonic GH5S and the entry-level Panasonic G2 - both products of different eras yet sharing the same mount and core design philosophy.

This comparison is based on extensive hands-on testing, real-world shooting sessions across multiple photography disciplines, and detailed technical analysis. My goal is to equip you - whether an aspiring enthusiast or seasoned professional - with clear, actionable insights to decide which camera meets your creative and budgetary needs.

Physical size and ergonomics comparison reveal the GH5S’s robust body versus the G2’s compact build

Body and Handling: Ergonomics That Shape Your Shooting Experience

The first impression counts, and in that respect, the GH5S immediately communicates robustness and pro-level resilience. It’s notably larger and heavier (660g vs. 428g), with a more substantial grip, weather sealing, and a thoughtfully organized body designed to endure demanding shoots. In contrast, the G2 is compact and lightweight - appealing for casual outings and travel - but it lacks any environmental sealing.

Ergonomically, both have fully articulated touchscreens, enhancing flexibility for shooting angles and video work. However, the GH5S’s screen has a higher resolution (1620k dots vs. 460k), delivering crisp live view and menu navigation. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) on the GH5S is also a significant upgrade: it offers 3,680k dot resolution with excellent coverage and magnification (0.76x), whereas the G2’s EVF is modest at 1,440k dots and 0.55x magnification. Eye comfort and focus checking benefit greatly from this difference during long sessions.

Control layout comparison - note the GH5S’s dedicated video controls and function buttons enhancing pro use

The GH5S body features more physical dials, customizable buttons, and direct access controls - an invaluable advantage when working fast, especially under varying light or weather conditions. The G2’s more simplified top plate and controls suit beginners but may frustrate advanced users who crave quick adjustments without menu-diving.

Build Quality Verdict: For professionals or serious enthusiasts who shoot extensively in diverse environments, the GH5S’s ruggedness and ergonomics allow for longer, more comfortable handling. For casual shooting or travel light, the G2’s portability remains attractive.

Sensor and Image Quality: Beyond Megapixels

Despite sharing the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) mount, the GH5S and G2 represent different sensor generations and imaging priorities.

Sensor specifications highlight the GH5S’s dual ISO design vs the G2’s traditional sensor technology

• GH5S sports a 10.2-megapixel CMOS sensor optimized for low-light sensitivity with a dual native ISO design - ISO 160 and 12,800 - offering remarkable noise control up to ISO 51,200 (expandable to 204,800 in boosted mode).
• G2 features a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor with an anti-aliasing filter to reduce moiré, but its native ISO tops out at 6,400, with noticeable noise beyond ISO 800.

On paper, the G2’s resolution is slightly higher, but in practice, the GH5S’s larger pixel pitch results in superior dynamic range and low-light performance - critical for many photography genres.

In real-world tests, landscapes shot with the GH5S showed smoother tonal gradations and preserved highlight and shadow detail far better than the G2. The latter’s sensor rendition is punchier but less nuanced, with some highlight clipping in bright scenes.

Portrait sessions revealed another GH5S advantage - the bokeh quality from native lenses and selective focus - accentuated by its faster lens support and better image rendering at base ISO. The GH5S lacks an optical low-pass filter, benefiting fine detail retention but requiring careful focusing.

The G2, meanwhile, delivered satisfying color depth and respectable dynamic range for its era, making it a capable performer for portraits and general use, but struggles under artificial or low light.

Autofocus: Tracking Speed and Accuracy in Action

Autofocus (AF) performance is obviously pivotal, especially for wildlife, sports, and street photography.

Both cameras rely exclusively on contrast-detection autofocus systems, which is typical for MFT cameras of their vintage, but the GH5S shows remarkable evolution:

• GH5S offers 225 AF points with touch, face detection, tracking, and continuous AF modes, enabling smooth subject tracking up to 12 frames per second.
• G2 uses an earlier generation contrast-detect AF with fewer points and slower acquisition, max burst rate capped at 3fps.

In wildlife and sports scenarios, I found the GH5S faster to lock focus and better at maintaining it on erratically moving subjects under challenging light. The G2’s AF lag occasionally led to missed shots in dynamic conditions.

Face detection was reliable on both but more refined on the GH5S, which also includes eye AF support, elevating portraiture sharpness. Although neither camera supports Panasonic’s newer animal eye AF, the GH5S’s AF system handled bird flight quite effectively with the right telephoto lens.

Video Performance: Taking It to the Next Level

Videographers, pay close attention.

The GH5S was designed with video as a core mission. It shoots 4K video (up to DCI 4K 60p at 10-bit 4:2:2 internally) with superior codec options like H.264 and H.265 for efficient editing workflows. It also features professional audio inputs with both mic and headphone jacks, allowing monitoring and adjustment on the fly.

By contrast, the G2 offers 720p HD video with more limited codec choices (AVCHD Lite, Motion JPEG). It does include a microphone port for improved audio but lacks headphone out, advanced codecs, and 4K recording altogether.

During a workshop in dim interiors, the GH5S’s footage was consistently cleaner, richer, and more easily graded. The G2’s clips looked muddy by comparison, demonstrating the decade of advancement represented by the GH5S.

Therefore, the GH5S is a top-tier hybrid camera for creators needing professional-grade video alongside stills.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both cameras utilize the Micro Four Thirds mount, which enjoys an extensive native lens lineup - currently boasting over 100 lenses from Panasonic, Olympus, Sigma, and others. This common platform ensures ample options regardless of camera choice.

However, the GH5S’s pro stance and higher sensor demands benefit more from Panasonic’s fast primes and dedicated video lenses, many of which exploit the camera’s enhanced video features and autofocus precision.

The G2 can utilize the same lenses but its older autofocus may not keep pace optimally with long telephotos or modern optical stabilizers. Additionally, the GH5S’s dual card slots and faster processing allow shooting burst sequences on telephotos better suited to action work.

Durability and Environmental Sealing

Weather-sealing is often overlooked until an unexpected rainstorm or dusty shoot occurs. The GH5S features robust environmental seals rendering it splash and dust resistant. This reliability opened doors for me to shoot in California’s foggy coastal conditions without worrying about gear damage.

The G2, by contrast, lacks any weather sealing. For outdoor or rugged photography, this compromises its suitability unless supplemented by protective covers that might affect handling.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery life on mirrorless often influences a workflow heavily - especially for professionals in demanding shoots.

• GH5S offers around 440 shots per charge with the high-capacity DMW-BLF19 battery.
• G2 manages about 360 shots, respectable for an entry-level but lower than the GH5S.

The GH5S supports dual UHS-II SD cards, preferred for video recording reliability and redundancy. The G2 has one slot compatible with UHS-I cards.

Interface and Connectivity

Touchscreen usability and menu system reflect the decade gap in interface sophistication

The GH5S’s touchscreen is crisp, fast, and supports intuitive gestures - pinch zoom, tap focus - streamlining composition. Its wireless connectivity (built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) enables remote shooting and seamless file transfer, critical for professional workflows.

The G2’s touchscreen is more basic, though still functional for focus and menu control, but lacks wireless features, meaning tethered transfers only.

Hardware connectivity sees the GH5S equipped with USB 3.1, HDMI Type A, mic/headphone inputs, supporting demanding workflows. The G2’s USB 2.0 and limited ports restrict versatility.

Performance Scores and Final Rankings

The GH5S outperforms the G2 on nearly every count: image quality, autofocus, video, battery life, durability, and interface. The G2’s score lags, representing its earlier technology and entry-level market placement.

Genre-Specific Performance: Who Benefits Most?

• Portraits: GH5S excels with refined skin tone rendition, low noise, and beautiful bokeh. G2 is decent but offers limited low-light capability and AF precision.
• Landscape: GH5S’s dynamic range and detail retention dominate. G2 suffices for casual scenery with good daylight.
• Wildlife & Sports: GH5S’s burst speed and AF tracking vastly outpace G2’s capabilities.
• Street: G2’s smaller size and quieter operation offer discretion, though GH5S manages with its silent shutter modes.
• Macro: GH5S’s support for focus stacking and bracketing adds creative potential.
• Night/Astro: GH5S’s low noise at high ISO tips the balance decisively.
• Video: GH5S is pro-level; G2 is limited to entry HD.
• Travel: G2 lighter, but GH5S’s versatility and durability often justify the added weight.
• Professional work: GH5S’s broader codec support, extended battery, dual cards, and weather sealing establish it as a workhorse.

Sample Images That Tell the Story

Panasonic GH5S front Panasonic GH5S screen back Panasonic G2 front Panasonic G2 screen back

Reviewing RAW files and JPEGs from both cameras confirms what the specs suggest - the GH5S offers richer tonality especially in challenging light, while the G2’s images can appear flatter or noisier as ISO climbs.

Conclusion: Which Panasonic MFT Mirrorless Suits You?

• If you require a professional-grade system delivering outstanding low-light performance, video quality, burst shooting, environmental durability, and extensive customization - the Panasonic GH5S is the clear choice. It’s ideal for working pros or enthusiasts looking to future-proof their investment and shoot everything from weddings and documentaries to wildlife and night skies.

• If you’re a casual photographer, beginner, or budget-conscious buyer who primarily shoots portraits, family events, travel snapshots, or street scenes under good lighting conditions, the Panasonic G2 remains a capable, user-friendly option. It’s an excellent gateway into interchangeable-lens photography without overwhelming controls or cost.

I hope this deep comparison illuminates the strengths and compromises each camera offers. My recommendation is to invest in the camera aligned with your shooting style and anticipated scenarios. Both represent milestones in the Micro Four Thirds system’s evolution and continue to inspire my own photographic adventures.

For further questions or hands-on advice tailored to your needs, feel free to reach out. Happy shooting!