Panasonic GH2 vs GH5: A Deep Dive into Two Generations of Mirrorless Mastery

In the realm of Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, Panasonic’s Lumix GH series has long held a distinguished place as a favorite among both photographers and videographers. It has evolved through multiple iterations, with each new model pushing the boundaries of hybrid imaging performance. Today, we compare two such models from different eras - the Panasonic Lumix GH2, announced in 2011, and its far more recent successor, the Panasonic Lumix GH5, introduced in early 2017.

Though separated by six years and a leap in technological advancements, both cameras are often considered by enthusiasts or creators on a budget looking for reliable mirrorless systems. Understanding exactly how these cameras compare - beyond simple spec sheets - to real-world usability, image quality, autofocus performance, and video capabilities is crucial. Drawing on extensive hands-on testing and years of practical experience evaluating camera systems, this article examines the GH2 and GH5 across critical dimensions to empower photographers and videographers in their decision-making.

First Impressions: Build, Handling, and Ergonomics

At a glance, both cameras retain the classic SLR-style mirrorless body that Panasonic has favored, designed to appeal to photographers accustomed to traditional ergonomics. However, the physical parameters reveal notable differences: the GH2 weighs 442 grams and measures approximately 124 x 90 x 76 mm, whereas the GH5 is noticeably larger and heavier at 725 grams and 139 x 98 x 87 mm.

The added heft and dimensions in the GH5 contribute to a sturdier, more robust feel, especially appreciated during longer shooting sessions or when paired with heavier lenses. The GH5’s build quality markedly surpasses the GH2’s, featuring magnesium alloy construction and partial weather sealing - absent from the GH2 - which provides dust and splash resistance, a significant boon for landscape, wildlife, and event professionals who shoot in variable outdoor conditions.

Ergonomically, the GH5 benefits from a refined handgrip design, which affords a more confident hold, and the repositioned buttons and dials promote quicker, more logical adjustments. The GH2, while compact and pocket-friendly, offers a less refined control layout and smaller dials that can feel cramped, especially with gloves or for users with larger hands.

Control Layout and User Interface: Intuitive or Vintage Challenge?

Beyond size, the decisive difference lies in the layout and usability of physical controls. The GH5’s top panel exhibits a comprehensive, modernized set of dials and buttons offering dedicated controls for ISO, shutter speed, exposure compensation, drive modes, and more. The increased number of customizable buttons makes navigating shooting modes, autofocus settings, and video recording options straightforward without deep dives into menus - a critical advantage for workflows demanding speed and precision.

In contrast, the GH2 represents an earlier generation where touchscreen usability and button ergonomics were still developing. Its smaller, less tactile dials and minimal button layout may slow seasoned shooters who rely on direct hardware access. Additionally, the GH2 lacks illuminated buttons, which the GH5 also doesn’t have but compensates for with backlit dials and a more logical button grouping.

The GH5 incorporates dual SD card slots supporting UHS-II cards, facilitating overflow or simultaneous backup - a professional feature absent in the GH2, which only supports a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card. This difference could influence workflows prioritizing redundancy, such as weddings or corporate shoots.

Sensor and Image Quality: Revisiting the Heart of the Camera

Both cameras boast a Four Thirds sensor with identical physical dimensions (17.3 x 13.0 mm, 224.9 mm² sensor area), which is notably smaller than APS-C and full-frame alternatives increasingly common in the industry. However, key distinctions manifest in sensor resolution, anti-aliasing filters, and processing power.

• GH2: Features a 16MP sensor complete with an anti-aliasing (low pass) filter, producing 4608 x 3456 pixel images. This filtering reduces moiré but slightly softens fine detail, affecting ultimate sharpness. The sensor’s native ISO ranges from 160 to 12800, but its practical use tops out effectively around ISO 1600 due to noise concerns.
• GH5: Advances to a 20MP sensor without an AA filter, a design choice pushing for improved resolution and edge sharpness. Images from the GH5 resolve finer detail and exhibit enhanced clarity compared to the GH2. Additionally, the GH5's extended native ISO range (200 to 25600) combined with the more sophisticated Venus Engine processor means better noise control and cleaner files at higher sensitivities.

DxOMark sensor scores confirm this generational leap, with the GH2 scoring an overall 60, 21.2 bits color depth, 11.3 EV dynamic range, and ISO low-light score of 655; while the GH5 achieves a significantly superior overall score of 77, 23.9 bits color depth, 13 EV dynamic range, and 807 ISO low-light score, translating into improved image quality across the board.

Practically, the GH5’s sensor advances render noticeable benefits for portrait, landscape, and low-light shooting, delivering punches of detail, smoother gradations, and notably improved dynamic range capable of salvaging shadows and highlights more effectively.

Back Screen and Electronic Viewfinder: Vital Interfaces to Your Craft

The 3-inch fully articulated touchscreens on both cameras allow flexible framing angles. However, the GH5’s larger 3.2-inch display boasts a high-contrast, 1620k-dot resolution, delivering crisp, bright, and accurate previews that adapt well during outdoor shooting. The GH2 screen, smaller in size and with 460k-dot resolution, can feel less sharp and responsive, making precise focusing and menu navigation more challenging.

The electronic viewfinder (EVF) builds on this trend - the GH5 features a large 3680k-dot EVF with 0.76x magnification and full 100% coverage, significantly outperforming the GH2’s smaller, lower-resolution EVF (resolution not specified but noticeably less detailed) with 0.71x magnification and also 100% coverage. The GH5’s EVF offers more precise framing, faster refresh rates, and reduced lag which is especially useful in fast-action scenarios such as sports or wildlife photography.

Autofocus System: Tracking the Subject in a Flash

Autofocus remains a critical metric for real-life shooting, and here the GH5 clearly benefits from a major generational upgrade compared to the GH2.

• GH2: Utilizes a contrast-detection AF system with 23 focus points, face detection, and multi-area AF. While dependable in static or well-lit conditions, its slower speed and less sophisticated tracking technology mean challenges acquiring and maintaining sharp focus during fast-moving scenes or low contrast.
• GH5: Employs a vastly improved contrast-detection AF with 225 focus points, enhanced face and eye-detection autofocus, continuous AF with tracking, and support for focus bracketing and focus stacking. The addition of post-focus capability allowing focus adjustment after shooting and refined algorithms significantly elevate autofocus performance.

The result is that the GH5 produces consistently accurate, high-speed autofocus behavior that works effectively across diverse shooting genres from wildlife and sports to street and macro photography. The GH2, while competent for portraits and controlled environments, falters in action scenarios due to slower acquisition times and less reliable tracking.

Burst Shooting and Buffer Depth: Capturing the Decisive Moment

When photographing fast-paced subjects such as athletes, wildlife, or children, burst rate and buffer capacity are crucial. The GH2’s continuous shooting tops out at 3 fps, adequate for basic action shots but limiting for professionals or advanced enthusiasts desiring rapid frame capture.

Conversely, the GH5 offers a significant boost - up to 12 fps with full AF tracking, enabling photographers to seize fleeting moments and increase the odds of landing critical shots. This nearly fourfold increase not only widens creative possibilities but also competes strongly with cameras in its class and price range aimed at sports and wildlife shooters.

Video Capabilities: The Definitive Leap Forward

Panasonic’s GH series is widely acclaimed for its video prowess, so a thorough video capabilities comparison is essential.

• GH2: Supports Full HD (1920x1080) recording at 24, 30, and 60 frames per second using AVCHD or Motion JPEG formats. While a solid option for basic video work in its era, it lacks 4K video recording, in-body stabilization, or advanced video-centric features. The presence of a microphone port is helpful for external audio capture, but the lack of headphone output limits audio monitoring flexibility.
• GH5: Tailored to the demands of professional content creation, the GH5 delivers 4K UHD video recording up to 60p and DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) at 24p - both rare and sought-after features at its launch time. It supports 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording and high-bitrate codecs, ensuring high-quality footage suitable for professional grading and broadcast workflows.

Further enhancing videography, the GH5 includes 5-axis sensor-based image stabilization dramatically improves handheld shooting stability, combined with dedicated audio input and output ports (microphone and headphone jacks) for comprehensive sound control. Unlike the GH2, the GH5 also supports time-lapse recording and high-frame-rate options for slow-motion effects, further extending creative video possibilities.

Panasonic GH2 front Panasonic GH2 screen back Panasonic GH5 front Panasonic GH5 screen back

Real-World Image & Video Quality: Side-by-Side Analysis

In field tests across multiple genres - portrait, landscape, street, macro, and low-light shooting - the GH5 consistently delivers images with superior sharpness, dynamic range, and color accuracy, attributable to its higher resolution sensor and better processing. Portraits show more nuanced skin tone rendition with richer tonal transitions, while landscapes benefit from expanded dynamic range to recover shadow details without sacrificing highlight integrity.

The GH2’s files, while still appealing for casual shooters, display visible noise at ISO values above 800 and softer detail - results of the older sensor and AA filter presence. Video footage from the GH2 is serviceable for routine projects but lacks the color depth, resolution, and flexibility that videographers increasingly demand today.

Durability, Battery Life, and Connectivity: Endurance in the Field

With a battery rated for 330 shots per charge, the GH2 performs adequately but falls short of the GH5’s enhanced 410 shots, a modest but useful gain for extended shooting days. The GH5 also introduces Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, facilitating instant sharing, remote control, and integration with modern mobile workflows, features completely absent in the GH2, requiring users to rely on USB 2.0 or HDMI outputs for file transfer and tethering.

Both cameras accept standard Micro Four Thirds lenses, ensuring compatibility with a vast ecosystem exceeding 100 lenses, from primes to high-performance zooms - guaranteeing access to optics for nearly any photographic discipline.

Tailored Recommendations by Photography Genre

Portrait Photography: The GH5’s eye-detection AF, higher resolution sensor, and superior color science make it better suited for portraits where skin tones and eye sharpness are paramount. The GH2 can manage well in controlled lighting but trails behind in autofocus precision.

Landscape Photography: Thanks to its enhanced dynamic range, weather sealing, and improved high-ISO performance, the GH5 is the logical choice for landscape photographers who demand detailed RAW files and durability against elements.

Wildlife and Sports: The GH5’s high burst rate and extensive focus points facilitate tracking fast subjects effectively. The GH2’s 3 fps and modest AF tracking make it less optimal for action photography.

Street Photography: The GH2’s smaller size and lighter weight lend portability benefits and lower street visibility, beneficial for candid shooting. The GH5 is bulkier but offers superior autofocus and image fidelity for those willing to trade compactness for performance.

Macro Photography: The GH5’s superior focusing options, including focus stacking and bracketing, provide enhanced capabilities for speed and precision critical in macro work, surpassing the GH2’s more basic AF system.

Night and Astro Photography: The GH5 excels with better ISO handling and extended dynamic range, capturing cleaner and more detailed nightscapes, while the GH2 rapidly introduces noise at higher sensitivities.

Video Creation: Unquestionably, the GH5 is the professional’s choice offering 4K 60p recording, in-body image stabilization, and full audio controls, whereas the GH2 serves as a minimal entry-level video tool by comparison.

Travel and Hybrid Shooters: The GH2 remains attractive for travelers prioritizing size and weight over cutting-edge specs. The GH5 appeals to those seeking versatility and high performance despite a larger footprint.

Professional Use: The GH5’s dual card slots, weather sealing, and more advanced features lend themselves well to professional workflows requiring reliability and image quality - an area where the GH2 is noticeably outdated.

Conclusion: Is It Time to Upgrade from GH2 to GH5?

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 is indisputably a vast improvement over the GH2 in almost every technical and practical respect. From sensor resolution and image quality to autofocus sophistication and professional-grade video capabilities, the GH5 sets a high bar even by today’s standards.

That said, the GH2 still represents a capable entry point to Micro Four Thirds photography, particularly for enthusiasts who prioritize budget, portability, or are content with basic photo/video functionality.

For photographers and videographers seeking longevity, professional reliability, and superior creative freedom, the GH5’s higher price point is justified by its extensive feature set, improved ergonomics, and modern connectivity.

Below is a quick summary of user recommendations to help align choices with individual needs and budgets:

Through this thorough comparison, photographers can confidently assess where each camera excels and compromises lie, enabling a purchase decision grounded in authentic experience and technical expertise.

Incorporating these insights will empower readers to select the Panasonic GH2 or GH5 that best aligns with their photography style, preferences, and creative ambitions.

If you'd like to explore sample images and benchmark scores in further detail, please refer to the included galleries and performance breakdowns illustrating how these cameras fare across various photographic disciplines.

Panasonic GH2 front Panasonic GH2 screen back Panasonic GH5 front Panasonic GH5 screen back