I love everything about my GH4s except the low light abilities. I've used 3 GH4s since they were first available. I've mentioned before even using fast glass like 1.2 doesn't help enough not to mention it's almost impossible to keep a subject in focus.

I will wait to see what the GH5 will bring but I may need to move onto the likes of the FS7 as I would be interested to have 10bit 4:2:0 internal as well as better low light and dynamic range. All features we won't likely see soon in the GH range.

To be honest I would love if Panasonic had some options between the GH4/DVX-200 and the Varicams. Something in the $5,000-$10,000 range to compete with the others.

If Panasonic would just come out with the equivalent of the LS 300 and a Sensor that is better in low light than the FS7, I would jump on it. I have had "Hands On" the DVX-200 and did not like it.

So let's wait for the APS-C S35 sensor inside the GH5 and also a new set of some superfast prime and zoom lenses for it.

As soon as APS-C appears it'll be huge wining due to absent lenses, and another whining why it was not FF, or at least(!), not same dynamic range as FF.

they can fill the apsc s35 with 3840x2160, but then the m43 crop will NOT be 4k... this way the camera will be a niche product, low sales... this is the reason JVC did the LS300 with 3840x2160 inside the m43 crop and the s35 with more pixels, so it can record 4k with m43 lenses also.

these considerations points to Panasonic and Olympus not going to s35 sensor in m43 cameras... or they will do like JVC did, because they will not want to make the m43 crop with less than 3840x2160.

if they do the s35 apsc with 3840x2160 it will be an expensive camera due to low amount of sales, niche product. the 3840x2160 inside the m43 crop increase sales because m43 lenses can record 4k.

Signal processors. I think they can reduce the noise on existing sensors if they work on the signal processors; there is still a lot of room there.

They could also get rid of that annoying 4k crop factor, if they did a full sensor readout and downsize it to 4k / UHD internally, like Samsung did. This I think also reduces the recorded noise.

For more light and bokeh they could also produce a set of fast video lenses.

Electronic ND filter.

Square sensor, so in 1:1 (anamorphic!) the full image circle can be used, and in 4k a GH2 like width.

Phase detect focus would awesome.

And 5 axis IBIS, that works with video.

4k 50/60p 200Mbs

I don't expect this to happen but if the GH5 had a 8MP sensor instead of the 16MP sensor would't the low light performance double? Since you only need 8MP or so for 4K

Kind of how the A7S's sensor is able to catch more light than the A7R.

Put aside low light for a bit, I own both a GH4 and also a blackmagic pocket. So far I have been unable to buy the shogun for improving in the GH4's internal codec due to the significant and high cost. Therefore when I want a more cinematic look and excellent skintones straight out of the cameraI with even just 1 LUT applied in post, I use the BMPCC even though it is a much more difficult camera to shoot with. However even with just internal 8 bit 4K, the GH4 is still my main choice for anything with a lot of detail such as certain wide shots and nature - leaves, grass etc. What will make me buy a GH5 is internal 10 bit, 4K, ProRes 422 recording with a new sensor that has a bit more of that organic look which somehow blackmagic achieves with even their smaller sensors! Otherwise I will be saving for the new URSA mini 4.6K. I hope you hear that loud and clear Panasonic!!!

Thanks RRRoger, agreed regarding most picture profiles except when recording in V-LOG log apparently the external recorder does make for significant improvement. Being able to record in V-LOG on the GH5 internally in 10 bit would eliminate the need for an external recorder and motivate many of us to upgrade I think...

I think in many ways, the GH5 will have to compete with the Nikon D500. Double the resolution on the TouchScreen and keep the swing out feature. Quadruple the Low Light Performance Much faster Processor for Better 4k Codec and 1080P120.

If it cannot do this, I will pass on the upgrade and keep my GH4 for travel and hiking.

@mrbill Are you sure about that? The ever loved aging Alexa is 2.8k, a good bit higher than 2k, and everyone raves about using it. Why would anyone complain about 4k, especially if the standard is moving towards that anyway? Film scans provide at least 4k resolution.... I dont see the issue.

When you are all talking about 10 bit, Im assuming you are all expecting 10 bit 4:2:0, right? I cant imagine they would put 10 bit 4:2:2 in cam... Id personally rather have 8 bit 4:2:2 than 10 bit 4:2:0 in cam. EDIT: Well... I guess Im just thinking about 1080p. With 4k, 4:2:0 color is still at 1080p detail levels, so that is manageable. 10 bit would be nice at that point for banding issues, but man 4:2:2 makes things noticeably crisper.

I'd be surprised if anything other than 4:2:2 subsampling was implemented with 4K 10 bit. Current spec for AVC-Intra is 4K 10 bit 4:2:2 @ 320-800 Mbps for 24/30/60P. There's also 4K 12 bit 4:4:4 @ 640-800 Mbps for 24/30P. If they implement a long-GOP version they can probably get it down to 150-200 Mbps for smaller file sizes. I don't see any 10 bit 4:2:0 formats under AVC-Ultra v2.0 except for a proxy version http://pro-av.panasonic.net/en/sales_o/p2/AVC-ULTRAoverview.pdf

It's unlikely they will implement any of those Specs.. The most I see them Implementing would be internal 8bit 4:2:2 and keeping all the GH4 features. The best policy is be happy with the camera you have right now and make the best out of it.