Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Comprehensive Comparison

Our comparison of the Sony a7S vs GH5 looks broad but when you consider the reputation of these cameras, you can tell that this review is going to come out pretty skewed. What do we mean? Well, if you’re in the know when it comes to cameras, then you know that the Sony a7S and Panasonic GH5 have a common reputation – they are video cameras… mostly…

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Of course that’s not to say that these cameras cannot take stills. They do. However, from our tour of the features of each of these cameras, it would seem that Sony and Panasonic built these cameras strictly for video.

If you’re more into stills, here’s a comparison of two of the best cameras for stills you can get depending on your budget and needs.

But for vloggers and videographers, please stay with us as we go through these cameras.

Sony, as usual, has given us a full frame camera while Panasonic has not increased sensor size from a micro four-thirds. The choice is obvious, yeah? Well, not exactly. Stay with us to make a most informed decision.

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Comparison Overview

This section gives you a brief overview of the entire review which we will be looking into today. If you don’t have the time for a thorough review, this section will give you a general assessment of the two cameras.

We do advise, though, that you take your time to go through the entire article to avoid buyers’ regret. You want to be completely sure, after all, before you sink your money – over a thousand bucks’ worth – into any camera you plan to use long term.

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Where Both Cameras Get It Right

These cameras both feature wireless connection, an external flash shoe, an articulating screen, with ports for an external mic and headphones.

The cameras also feature RAW support, viewfinders, dual-axis electronic levels, smartphone remote control, and AE bracketing.

Another thing you’d enjoy is the fact that these cameras are highly customizable which is especially important since both cameras have a terrible menu system.

Finally, these cameras come weather-sealed.

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Where The Sony a7S Does It Better

The Sony a7S beats the GH5 hands down in low light. So, if you need a camera for wedding receptions and the likes, the camera to go for is the Sony a7S.

Besides that, the Sony a7S is a much more compact camera than the GH5 despite having a full frame sensor. It’s also a much lighter camera than the GH5.

The Sony a7S comes with NFC connection, a better AE bracketing performance and far faster autofocus than the GH5. So, this makes it better for taking selfie videos than the GH5.

Dual recording at different qualities is something users would also enjoy (720p and XAVC-S).

Furthermore, slog has a native ISO sensitivity of 3200. And Sony has also incorporated picture profiles from some of its more professional video cameras into the Sony a7S. And, thankfully, here, unlike on the GH5, you can charge with your USB.

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Where The Panasonic GH5 Does It Better

There are many areas actually.

For one, the GH5 has a built-in image stabilization system with a sharper viewfinder and LCD screen which is touch sensitive and also fully articulates.

The GH5 also has more focus points than the Sony a7S although focus is still pretty slow.

For stills, both cameras suck but the GH5, at least, has more megapixels. Its continuous shooting ability is also better at 12 frames per second with a longer battery life. Plus, time lapse recording comes in-camera rather than with an optional app.

Another thing that is in-camera is this camera’s 4K. While the Sony a7S needs an external recorder to shoot 4K, the GH5 does not. In fact, talking about 4K, the GH5 shoots almost up to 5K.

Additionally, there is a flash sync port here, with both 4K and 6K photo modes. The Panasonic GH5 also gives you focus stacking as well as a post-focus (really handy). Also, besides a wireless connection, the GH5 comes Bluetooth-enabled as well.

This camera supports UHS memory cards as well as dual storage slots. Plus, it records at a frame rate up to 180 frames per second in 1080p. And it also embraces HDR in log filming.

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Where Both Cameras Get It Wrong

These cameras have a pretty nightmarish menu system. Thankfully, the cameras are also easily customizable.

Also, these cameras both lack a built-in flash which could come in handy for casual situations where a full-fledged external flash would be overkill.

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Our Opinion On The Price/Value Ratio

Well, we’d say that these cameras are decently priced. They both sell for above a thousand bucks although the GH5 is the less expensive camera in this case. But then again, that’s not by much. It’s barely a hundred-dollar difference between these two cameras.

We think the GH5 gives better value for money though considering everything you get from the GH5 and the cost. Except we had to constantly work in low light settings constantly, we will definitely pick the GH5 over the Sony a7S.

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Comparative Brand Strengths

Sony and Panasonic are both strong Japanese brands in the world of photography. For now, though, Sony is on the lead with Panasonic still several steps behind. Sony has a stronger grip on the market with more users and, indeed fans, than Panasonic.

Part of the reasons for this is due to the fact that Sony is an older brand when compared to Panasonic. So, yeah, Sony has had some time to gather a lot of fans. However, it’s not just that. Sony makes really fine full frame cameras. The brand makes some of the best high resolution, low light sensitive cameras the industry has ever seen.

Panasonic, on the other hand, although behind Sony for now is not exactly slacking off. Panasonic has been putting its foot into things. Right now, it’s already giving Sony and the likes a run for their money when it comes to its video cameras.

The world is yet to see the best of these cameras as the competition is bound to get even stiffer. But the most exciting part of all of this is that, whatever happens, one group of people always benefit – the consumers.

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Comparison Table Of Major Specs And Features

	Sony a7S	Panasonic GH5
Announcement Date	6th April, 2014	4th January, 2017
Sensor Size	Full Frame CMOS Sensor	Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
Sensor Resolution	12 Megapixels	20 Megapixels
ISO	100 – 409600	100 – 25600
Mount	Sony E Mount	Micro Four Thirds Mount
Image Stabilization	Absent	Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
LCD Screen	3 Inch Tilting Screen	3.2 Inch Fully Articulated Screen
Touch Sensitivity	No	Yes
LCD Screen Resolution	1.230k dots	1.620k sots
Electronic Viewfinder	2359k dots	3680k dots
Video Resolution	3840 x 2160 pixels	4096 x 2160 pixels
Focus Points	25	225
Continuous Shooting	5 Frames per Second	12 Frames per Second
Flash Sync Port	No	Yes
4K Photo Mode	No	Yes
Bluetooth	No	Yes
Focus Stacking	No	Yes
Post Focus Mode	No	Yes
Storage Slot(s)	1	2
UHS Memory Cards	None	UHS-II
Sensor Pixel Area	11.16µm2	71.24µm2
Near Field Communication	Yes	No
Battery Life	360 shots	410 shots
Dimensions	127 x 98 x 48 millimeters	139 x 98 x 87 millimeters
Weight	489 grams	725 grams
	Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – What Situation Is Each Of These Cameras Better For?

Sony a7S	Panasonic GH5
The Sony a7S is a wonderful video camera especially for low light situations. That’s what the “S” stands for – sensitivity. This camera is super sensitive to low light settings and, if we were to recommend, we’d definitely recommend this to anyone who needs a camera for covering wedding receptions or other such events that are typically use a low light setting.   For those who love to play with Slog a lot, the Sony a7S more than delivers on that. With an ISO sensitivity of about 3200, the Slog mode is truly amazing.   Now, for stills, the Sony a7S performs great. However, it has a challenge with the number of megapixels it has. 12 megapixels is just too few and will limit any photographer. We must mention, though that image quality is great just not as high res as we’d have liked.   You can use this camera for taking stills you intend to share over the internet. However, if you intend to print, then get something else, the Sony a7S is not for you. Neither is it great for jobs that require you to crop heavily as well.	The Panasonic GH5 is a fantastic camera with video capabilities up to almost 5K. If you want a camera that will totally blow your mind when it comes to video, of the two cameras, we’d definitely recommend the Panasonic GH5.   Also, for videographers who love to travel light, the Panasonic GH5 is a great choice. Although it is relatively large (considering the size of its sensor), it is still quite compact. Plus, it also requires minimal setup. That’s something you’d really enjoy if you’re constantly on the go.   Now, autofocus here is kinda slow and it takes the camera a bit of time to track moving subjects. So, if you are a one man Youtuber or vlogger, this might not be the camera for you.  Go for the Sony a7S instead.   If you shoot others, on the other hand though, the manual focusing works excellently. And then again most serious videographers who shoot others use manual focusing anyhow. So, that’s fine.   As for image quality, for the size of its sensor, the GH5 is just okay. But you’d definitely miss the absence of the full frame sensor especially for the stills. While faster lenses and speed boosters might help, the result still isn’t the best you can find.   So, between these two cameras, if you want something that balances between good video and decent stills, then you might want to consider the Sony a7S.
Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

This brings us to the end of the comparison overview section of the Sony a7S vs GH5. If you want more detail, trust us, there’s lots more. Just keep reading.

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Which Features Do They Have In Common?

In this section, we point out features of the Sony a7S and the Panasonic GH5 which they both have in common. Let’s check them out:

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Common Feature 1: High ISO

The Sony a7S and the Panasonic GH5 both have a high ISO range. The Sony a7S is expectedly higher though with a max ISO of 409600 while the Panasonic has a max ISO of 25600. But, all things considered, these cameras have pretty similar ISO sensitivities.

So, how exactly do they perform?

Well, for one, the Sony a7S already has a certain advantage over the Panasonic GH5 in that it belongs to Sony’s line of sensitive cameras. These are cameras specially prepared by Sony to see in the dark.

Panasonic also has something similar – the Panasonic GH5S which many people are already crazy about. It’s like the ultimate upgrade to the GH5 but that’s not our focus for today so back to the Sony a7S vs GH5.

When we say the Sony a7S is super sensitive in low light, we’re not joking. This camera has been tested in the most extreme of low light situations and it still performed excellently. In fact, you only begin to notice noise around 25600 stops. And if the low light situation is not so extreme, you could even get away with ISO levels of 51200. Yes, this camera is that good.

In fact, the slog of the Sony a7S comes with a native ISO of 3200. So, you can see there’s no reason for the Sony a7S not to do great in low light. Just ensure you remember to carry your ND filters along.

Now, for the Panasonic GH5. Although with a max ISO of 25600, the Panasonic GH5 is not exactly magnificent in low light. It suffers the setbacks from a small sensor and small sensor pixel area as well. This camera just doesn’t even come close to the Sony a7S in terms of low light. It’s just decent at best.

If you want something from Panasonic that kills it in low light, then you’d have to go with the upgrade which is the Panasonic GH5.

So, are you constantly shooting in low light, you might want to consider the Sony a7S rather than the Panasonic GH5.

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Common Feature 2: Dynamic Range

These two cameras do great when it comes to dynamic range both in video and for stills. But let’s focus on video since that’s most likely why you’re here.

Now, in this comparison, the Sony a7S is, obviously, the better camera when it comes to dynamic range. It has 15 stops of dynamic range for you to enjoy. You’d love how the beauty of videos from the Sony a7S shines from the shadows to the highlights. So, the Sony a7s doesn’t just kill it in low light, it’s also beautiful in backlit environments.

The Panasonic GH5 also does great with dynamic range. The Sony a7S is better though as the GH5 only comes with about 13 stops. Videos come out excellent especially when ISO is at base level. The camera does an excellent job in video despite having such a small sensor.

With stills, dynamic range is also great on both cameras.

Get the Sony a7S here!          Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Common Feature 3: Articulating Screen

For cameras that do video, an articulating screen is super important for fast, convenient shooting. Besides, this is 2019 and no one shoots with a fixed screen anymore. So, score one for each of these cameras as they both have articulating screes although to different degrees.

However, score two extra points for the Panasonic GH5 as it comes with a full articulated screen as well as a touch sensitive screen too. It makes the camera much more convenient to use than the Sony a7S especially when it comes to setting focus, for instance.

This is another reason the GH5 trumps the Sony a7S as a camera for videographers. However, there’s a small challenge with the fully articulated screen. The headphone out is located too close to the screen. So, oftentimes, you might find that the cable of your headphones get in the way while trying to flip the screen.

Another issue is when you finally flip the screen to face the person being videoed. The cable stands obstructively in front of the screen and you have to keep taking it out of the way which can quickly become annoying.

But that’s about it for the Panasonic GH5’s screen.

The Sony a7S has tilting screen. So, it does not articulate fully. It just tilts a little bit. Sadly, it’s not touch sensitive which can be a small problem. Thankfully, the camera is quite customizable so that helps a bit.

But in customizability, the GH5 is still the better choice. Besides being easier to navigate thanks to a touch sensitive screen, the camera is super customizable. You can take out all the video menu settings from the main menu and move them to “my menu.” This is major convenience, guys. You’d love that.

It’s also important to note here that the GH5 has a far sharper LCD screen than the Sony a7S.

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Common Feature 4: Electronic Viewfinder

Again, these two cameras each come with an electronic viewfinder. They work great although we have to admit that the experience you’d have with the Panasonic GH5 will totally trample whatever experience you’d have with the Sony a7S.

The Sony a7S comes with your regular 2359k dot electronic viewfinder. On the other hand, the Panasonic GH5 is far crispier and sharper with an electronic viewfinder resolution of 3680k. So, in all, the viewfinder on the GH5 is a really beautiful one.

Get the Sony a7S here!          Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Common Feature 5: Shutter

Because these cameras are not exactly for stills, we won’t be dwelling too long on shutter speed. But rest assured that these cameras do excellent in shutter speed. There’s a whole range available to you whichever camera you go for.

Now, here’s the thing with the Sony a7S. In previous cameras before the Sony a7S, there was this problem with shutter sound. The Sony a7R, for instance, lacked the electronic first curtain so it was indeed super noisy.

On the Sony a7S though, there is now an electronic first curtain. This reduces the level of work but does not necessarily mean that the a7S is super quiet. The noise is reduced, definitely, nonetheless, the camera is now a little quieter. Not quiet but quieter than the a7R.

For a most silent shutter, you’d have to work with the electronic shutter. But there are some challenges with that. First off, electronic shutters are known to have issues with rolling shutter effect which is made even worse by the fact that the Sony a7S is a full frame camera. So, if you’ll constantly be moving side by side or your subject is moving laterally, you could see that rolling shutter effect even in your images as they occur in video.

One more thing, in certain lights like florescence, using the electronic shutter could cause a weird cycling effect in your photos.

And now to the GH5… The Panasonic GH5 also comes with an electronic shutter. However, right now, there are several complaints about the shutter being extremely slow. So, if you intend to ever use the GH5 in electronic shutter mode, keep that in mind. It might be silent but it’s definitely much slower.

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Common Feature 6: RAW Support

RAW support on these cameras is fantastic. So, the image quality of these cameras is pretty good although the full frame sensor of the Sony a7S gives the a7S an advantage when compared to the GH5.

Now, here’s the thing with these cameras. While the Sony a7S comes with a full frame sensor, it has only a really few megapixels – 12. So, while RAW support is fantastic, the image quality tends to suffer a little in sharpness.

On the other hand, we have the GH5 which has a smaller sensor but more megapixels at 20 megapixels. It also shoots fantastic RAW even though the small sensor would be a bit of a drawback for professional photographers.

Get the Sony a7S here!          Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Common Feature 7: Continuous Shooting / Burst Mode

In continuous shooting, the Panasonic GH5 leaves the Sony a7S far behind in the dust. While the Sony a7S comes with 5 frames per second, the Sony a7S comes with 14 frames per second. Naturally, this means that the Sony a7S is better suited as a studio camera than the GH5.

The Panasonic GH5, on the other hand, would make a fantastic camera out in the field. 14 frames per second is plenty fast enough to handle all kinds of intense activity from wildlife to sports. Again, the small sensor might be a small limitation. But, generally, this camera does well in continuous shooting mode.

Sony hasn’t been known to make cameras with impressive burst mode. The best it gets, perhaps, is the Sony a6300. With 5 frames per second, videos of intense movements will definitely come out choppy.

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Common Feature 8: Wireless Connection

Another common feature of these cameras is their wireless connection. So, with internet connection, it becomes easier to transfer your files from your camera to another device. This eliminates the need for a cable and, therefore, reduces the clutter.

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Common Feature 9: Weather-Sealed Bodies

Lastly, on our common features between these two cameras, we have their weather-sealed bodies. Weather-sealing makes these cameras rugged enough to withstand all kinds of deterioration that comes from the exposure of the camera to the elements.

With a rubber sealing protecting vulnerable parts of these cameras, these cameras are good to go with you whatever the weather condition. Of course, this doesn’t mean that your camera does not need its waterproof bag.

Get the Sony a7S here!          Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Unique Features

Now, we want to take the time to appreciate the uniqueness of each of these cameras, having checked out their common features.

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Features Unique To The Sony a7S

Full Frame Sensor

The Sony a7S comes with a full frame as expected from a Sony camera. This is wonderful news as it means that you get to enjoy all the advantages of a full frame camera. This is especially important because the camera has such a poor sensor resolution.

The size of the Sony a7S’ sensor is definitely one way the Sony a7S is ahead of the Panasonic GH5. It’s responsible for the impressive dynamic range of the Sony a7S. It’s also, in part, responsible for its better ISO performance. As you know, naturally, full frames perform better than smaller sensors in low light.

Of course, there are other benefits like the shallow depth of field which might not be as important in video. No one exactly looks out for a shallow depth of field when shooting video. However, for stills, the more encompassing field of view and more are really important even though the sensor resolution sabotages them in a way.

One thing that particularly interests us is that, usually, because full frames are larger, they typically make for larger and heavier cameras than other kinds of cameras. Interestingly, in our comparison of these cameras (the other being a micro four-thirds sensor), this camera happens to be the smaller and lighter camera.

So, in this case, the Sony a7S with it full frame is the more compact camera although it still leads as the more expensive camera. The difference isn’t much though not even amounting to a hundred bucks.

Sensor Resolution

The Sony a7S is so disappointing when it comes to sensor resolution. The camera doesn’t even get up to a decent 16 megapixels. It comes in at a miserly 12 megapixels. 12 megapixels just isn’t enough to get many things.

But then again, we’ve established that the Sony a7S isn’t exactly a stills camera. While it takes amazing RAW and JPEG photos, it suffers that lack of megapixels. This means that the details in the photos taken with the Sony a7S are not enough in the end.

So, for those who will be doing a lot of cropping or those who intend to print their photos (especially in large sizes), this isn’t the camera to consider. If you’re strictly doing this for sharing over the internet though, it might not be such a big deal in the end.

Get the Sony a7S here!          Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

25 Focus Points

25 focus points are few as you well know and if you’re out in the field, it might prove to be less than desired. However, autofocusing in continuous mode happens to be not so bad. In fact, the Sony a7S happens to track moving subjects pretty quickly and follows you rather nicely as well.

Although autofocusing might not be terribly important for shooting video, it could be terribly important for one-man vloggers and Youtubers. You definitely cannot be shooting yourself and expect to manually set your focus. That’s just tacky, and, therefore, one reason we would recommend the Sony a7S for the one-man vloggers and Youtubers over the Panasonic GH5.

Near Field Communication

Again, the Sony a7S comes with Near Field Communication, also known as NFC. This feature, which is absent on the GH5, can, many times, be a life saver. This becomes especially important in a case where there is no internet.

Simply by placing the two devices (remember the other device must be NFC-enabled), you can initiate a contactless transfer of files from the camera to the device. It does have its limitations, for sure. But, overall, it’s a great feature to have in hand.

Get the Sony a7S here!          Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

3840 x 2160 Video Resolution

Finally, to the crux, how exactly does the Sony a7S perform in video mode

Well, the Sony a7S does excellent in movie mode. We already said that it’s more of a video camera than a stills camera. It features an amazing dynamic range which makes the camera easier to use in bright, sunlit, outdoor conditions. All the highlights are preserved. We are looking at 15 stops of dynamic range, after all.

Besides the regular AVCHD and the likes, the Sony a7S records in XAVC-S codec which is really impressive and user-friendly. You get up to 50 megabits per second with this codec. On its own, this is definitely nice. However, we have seen better on the GH4 which produces a 100 megabits per second bitrate.

Frame Rate

Anyway, moving down to frame rate, the Sony a7S records at a high 120 frames per second. Sadly, though, this is only achievable with a lower grade, 720 pixels. To shoot in 4K, the highest this camera can do is 60 p. Besides the 120 and 60 frames per seconds, the Sony a7S also has the 30 and 24 frames per second as well.

Picture Profiles – Borrowed From Professional Video Cameras

Even more, we found that Sony has incorporated its picture profile which it borrowed from its pro video cameras. So, for instance, say we use the P7. This profile, on its own, is flat and boring with no color and vibrancy.

However, once we do some boosting, grading, and sharpening, the colors pop and the dynamic range improves significantly as well. It’s really a beauty watching the transformation. Plus, these picture profiles are so flexible, they give you more than enough to work with in post.

Get the Sony a7S here!          Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Slog

Now, to Slog. As usual, you want to overexpose somewhat to boost the shadows and all of that. In slog mode, Sony a7S overperforms with an excellent low light performance, dynamic range, and little to no noise.

Buttons and Ports

The Sony a7S comes with its video button to the side and that’s really nice as it removes any chance of you accidentally hitting the button when shooting stills, for instance.

As for the ports, there are ports for a microphone as well as for headphones. This is important for maintaining sound quality as well as for monitoring audio quality.

Besides that, this camera comes really customizable which could make it easier to use your camera especially because Sony’s menu system isn’t the easiest around. You can customize the back to get your zebra, peaking, punch, and magnification for the perfect cinematic platform.

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

4K Video

This camera shoots 4K. However, the sad thing is that this camera would need an external recorder to record 4K as it cannot record 4K in-camera. Also, it records at 422 but at 8 bit which is great on its own but unimpressive when placed side by side with the Panasonic GH5’s 10 bit 422.

But here’s something we really liked about the Sony a7S – the dual recording feature. The Sony a7S has a setting that allows you record two qualities of video at the same time – 720p and XAVC-S. this is great news as it means that when you need to make quick edits or fast uploads, you can easily go for the lower grade video. It’s a really handy feature.

Finally, in low light, the Sony a7S is a beast! Sony meant business when it called this a low light camera. The Sony a7S has been tested in the most extreme low light conditions and yet the camera came out tops.

In fact, we found out that the noise does not begin to creep in a Sony a7S shoot until about 25600 stops. Isn’t that amazing?

Get the Sony a7S here!          Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Features Unique To The Panasonic GH5

Micro Four Thirds Sensor

The Panasonic GH5 comes with a really small sensor – a micro four thirds sensor. Although that hardly matters for a videographer, it’s a pretty big deal for a photographer. While shooting video, you’re certainly not looking out for a shallow depth of field and the likes. But for stills, that’s pretty important.

The photographer choosing to go with the GH5 must keep in mind that they lose a number of benefits that they’d have gotten from using a larger sensor. Besides a shallow depth of field, frames also appear tighter and dynamic range and ISO performance are also reduced.

But here’s something that makes us worried about the GH5. Despite having such a small sensor, the camera is still larger and heavier than the a7S which comes with a full frame sensor. We don’t understand why Panasonic had to make this such a large camera and then fit it with such a small sensor. These days, camera makers try to do the exact opposite, fitting large sensors into tiny bodies. Whatever the reason, we don’t think Panasonic made the best choice.

If you want to though, you might be able to achieve a full frame effect by trying faster lenses or speed boosters. While these would definitely help improve image quality, keep in mind that they don’t automatically convert a micro four thirds sensor into a full frame.

20 Megapixels Sensor Resolution

The Panasonic GH5 outperforms the Sony a7S in this aspect. While the a7S only comes with 12 megapixels, the GH5 comes with 20 megapixels which puts it 8 megapixels ahead of the a7S.

In this aspect, therefore, the GH5 makes the better choice for photographers as you get more detail to work with. With 20 megapixels, for instance, you’d be able to crop pretty good. Large print sizes and downsampling, as well, are more achievable than with the Sony a7S.

The small sensor might still be a challenge though.

Get the Sony a7S here!          Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Built-in Sensor-shift Image Stabilization

Image stabilization is super important for when you’re shooting handheld. It ensures that whether you’re shooting videos or stills, the image or video formed remain intact and not blurry. As you well know, camera shake is inevitable once you’re holding the camera by hand.

Normally, Sony tends to use built-in image stabilization, especially for its more expensive camera models. However, this seems to be absent on the Sony a7S for reasons best known to Sony. Thankfully, we find that on the GH5.

We particularly like the built-in sensor-shift image stabilization system because it’s a less expensive system and a more user-friendly one too.

Sensor-shift image stabilization although not real time like optical image stabilization, allows you use any kind of lens you want. This means that you don’t need to purchase special image stabilization lenses. This reduces expenses as well as gear for lighter travel.

225 Focus Points

225 focus points is a lot more than we can say for the Sony a7S. It gives you a lot more leeway with focusing as you’re able to work with way more focus points than the Sony a7S can ever dream of. The higher number of focus points should naturally make the Panasonic GH5 faster to focus than the Sony a7S. However, this isn’t totally true.

The Panasonic GH5 actually has a slower autofocus system than the Sony a7S which is, understandably, worrisome. It tracks pretty slowly too. And, therefore, for this reason, we don’t recommend the GH5 as a selfie video camera since you can’t be using manual focus while taking selfie videos and its autofocus is so slow.

Get the Sony a7S here!          Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

4096 x 2160 pixels Video Resolution

The Panasonic GH5 has fantastic video capabilities, much better than the Sony a7S in our opinion. First off, the GH5 can shoot at up to nearly 5K besides standard 4K, cinematic 4K, and full HD. In fact, if you use an anamorphic lens, you can shoot up to 10K! Mind blowing, right?

Simply by using round or spherical lenses in anamorphic mode, you get 4 by 3 square videos. These videos are completely “croppable” in post. And you can also reframe, pan, and scan them to get what you want as well. The best part though is you don’t lose resolution when you eventually have to distribute to 4K.

Frame Rate

But let’s come back to 4K. This camera is super impressive being able to shoot 60 frames per second in 4K. This frame rate is fantastic especially for those whose video jobs involve a lot of separate video shoots. At 60 frames per second, you’d be able to achieve a great job stitching these individual coverages into one piece.

Now, besides 60 frames per second, the GH5 also has the option for 30 frames per second. You can use this frame rate to create a slow, dramatic (yet natural) effect for your videos.

Also nice about this 30p frame rate is that it gives you the ability to stretch your b-roll. Let’s explain. Sometimes, you’ve completed a shooting for b-roll and then you suddenly remember that you left something out of the voice over or you need more content. In 30p, you can easily stretch your b-roll videos to contain such issues. But you can also crop as well, if you have to do.

But that’s 4K. What frame rate does this dude produce in 1080p? Well, our research tells us that the GH5 hits 180 frames per second. This is totally amazing as it means that the camera is great for slow motion. Plus, if you ever have to, you can always zoom into the frame to fix issues with composition. It also supports in-camera cuts by zooming which could make it look like you’re using two cameras when you’re actually just using one camera.

Talking now about bitrate, again, the GH5 knocks the ball out of the park. In 4K, it records 4:2:2 just like the Sony a7S. However, unlike the Sony a7S which only produces 8 bits, the GH5 works at 10 bit 4:2:2 with an output of 400 megabits per second. And this makes log footage pretty amazing.

And talking about log footage, the GH5 comes use HDR with its powerful log filming. So, in essence, yes you can capture HDR in-camera with vlog support.

Get the Sony a7S here!          Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Ports and Buttons

The GH5 has a highly customizable back panel and is also so simple, it only requires a very minimalistic setup. There’s a joystick that makes it easier to navigate the camera. Then there’s the menu system.

Well, to be honest, the menu system of the GH5 is quite messed up but good thing is that it is highly customizable. So, there’s the “my menu.” This menu option is so neat, all you have to do is move all the video menu settings to the “my menu.” This way, you’re able to, more easily, access all your settings. In fact, you can even make the “my menu” to be the first thing that pops up when you open your menu system.

This camera comes with a port for a microphone as well as another for headphones. These work great, nonetheless, we definitely would have loved to see a wireless receiver plus the headphone jack is just so inconveniently placed. Oftentimes, the cord obstructs the movement of the articulated screen. And when that’s passed, it also dangles in front of the screen which could be a problem when you want your talent seeing themselves as you shoot. Pretty dumb setup.

Get the Sony a7S here!          Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Unique Pros

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Pros Unique To The Sony a7S

• The Sony a7S is far more sensitive in low light than the GH5. It also has a higher max ISO at 409600 while the GH5 only has 25600 stops.
• Interestingly, it is a more compact and also a much lighter camera.
• Comes with NFC connection.
• Has better AE bracketing than the GH5.
• Autofocusing is fast and so is tracking which makes the camera great for taking selfie videos. Can’t say the same for the GH5.
• Comes with dual recording – 720p and XAVC-S. This is great as it means you can easily use the lower grade video just in case you need a faster upload or you want to run quick edits.
• Slog comes with a native ISO sensitivity of 3200.
• Sony incorporated picture profiles that it borrowed from its pro video camera.

Get the Sony a7S here!

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Pros Unique To The Panasonic GH5

• Comes with built-in sensor-shift image stabilization.
• LCD screen is way sharper than that of the Sony a7S and is also touch sensitive whereas that of the Sony a7S isn’t.
• Has way more focus points than the Sony a7S although autofocus still isn’t as fast.
• Has a sharper sensor resolution – 20 megapixels – than the Sony a7S.
• Better continuous shooting ability than the Sony a7S.
• Longer battery life than the Sony a7S.
• Time lapse recording comes with the camera unlike on the a7S which only comes with the optional app.
• Viewfinder resolution is much higher on the Panasonic GH5.
• Higher video resolution (shoots up to 5K, plus cinematic 4K, standard 4K, and full HD) and better video capabilities overall.
• Comes with flash sync port.
• Has both 4K and 6K photo mode.
• The GH5 is Bluetooth-enabled.
• You also get focus stacking as well as post focus mode.
• Supports dual storage slots.
• Also supports UHS memory cards.
• With anamorphic lenses, you can shoot up to 10K and, in post, you can crop, reframe, pan, and scan without losing resolution when distributing to 4K.
• Records at a frame rate of 180 frames per second in 1080p.
• In cinematic 4K, the GH5 shoots at 10 bit 422 at 400 megabits per second.
• Embraces HDR in log filming.

Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Unique Cons

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Cons Unique To The Sony a7S

• Does not come with any form of image stabilization.
• LCD screen isn’t touch sensitive.
• Sensor resolution is too low at 12 megapixels.
• Few focus points.
• Continuous shooting isn’t as good as on the GH5.
• Lacks a flash sync port.
• Does not support dual storage slots or UHS memory cards.
• Shutter is still a bit noisy even with electronic first curtain.
• Electronic shutter though silent gives weird effects with certain lights like florescence.
• Electronic shutter mode also gives rolling shutter especially with lateral movements.
• HDMI port is a micro port.
• 4K needs an external recorder to shoot.

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Cons Unique To The Panasonic GH5

• The body of the GH5 is way too large and heavy for the small sensor.
• Comes with a really small sensor and small sensor pixel area.
• No NFC connection.
• Not great in low light.
• Autofocus is pretty slow. Might not matter much if you’d be shooting others since you’ll be using manual focus. But for selfie videos, autofocus is too bad and so we won’t recommend.
• Headphone jack is inconveniently placed.
• Menu system is a bit of a nightmare.
• Although battery life is pretty good, this camera does not charge with USB. So, you cannot charge on the go.

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Common Pros

Sony a7S	Panasonic GH5
Built-in WiFi for the wireless transfer of files from the camera to other devices via the internet.	Also comes with wireless connection.
Comes with an articulating screen.	Also comes with a fully articulated screen that’s also touch sensitive.
External flash shoe present.	Also present here.
Microphone and headphone ports present.	Same goes for the GH5.
Camera comes weather-sealed.	Also comes weather-sealed.
Features AE bracketing (better than that of the GH5).	Also comes with AE bracketing.
Features RAW support.	Also features RAW support.
Comes with a viewfinder.	Also comes with a viewfinder.
Also comes with dual-axis electronic level.	Same goes for the GH5.
Smartphone remote control.	Also applies here.
Shoots in 4K.	Also shoots in 4K even almost up to 5K.
This camera comes highly customizable.	Also highly customizable.
Shoots 4:2:2 (8 bits).	Also shots 4:2:2 (10 bits).
Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Common Cons

Sony a7S	Panasonic GH5
Does not come with a built-in flash which usually comes in handy for more casual situations where a full-fledged external flash would be overkill.	Also lacks a built-in flash.

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – General Feeling Among Users

Sony a7S	Panasonic GH5
Many customers who got the Sony a7S had something good to say about the camera. And being that 4K is the in-thing now, the camera sure got a lot of thumbs up for its ability to shoot 4K. In fact, from what we observed, most who got this camera got it for the purpose of shooting 4K and the a7S didn’t disappoint.   Another aspect that got customers thrilled, expectedly, was the low light performance of the camera. Even in extreme low light situations, the a7S still delivered which impressed users a lot.   All that established, there were also complaints as well. For one, the fact that the screen does not fully articulate plus the fact that it isn’t touch sensitive. This was a big problem for many as it got in the way of a more fluid, intuitive use, somewhat.   And then the menu system was another big problem many encountered. Big surprise there since Sony’s menu is mostly known to be crappy. Thankfully, the Sony a7S is customizable, so you can tweak things to your convenience a little bit.   As for longevity, there’s good news. The Sony a7S is a pretty sturdy camera that can walk the walk. Several customers who had used the camera for a number of years came back to give their report. And guess what? It still worked for them.	Trust us, it’s mostly 5 stars here.  First thing we’d point out that users really appreciated was the ability to shoot unlimited continuous recording. The not having to deal with inevitable breaks every 30 minutes was a huge relief for many. And, amazingly, the camera does not overheat.   As for stills, everyone had something to say and it wasn’t great. But that’s okay because, as we have told you, the GH5 is more of a video camera than it is a stills camera.   There were many complaints about autofocus which we expected to see. No biggies there. But, additionally, there were also complaints about 4:2:2 10 bit. Apparently, it’s a little slow and stressful to work with.   Altogether, the complaints mostly centered around poor autofocusing and poor low light performance.   Other than that, it was mostly hunky dory for all who decided to go for the GH5. Some even went as far as calling it “almost perfect.” And if a customer says that about a product then you know the manufacturers did some things right.
Get the Sony a7S here!	Get the Panasonic GH5 here!

Sony a7S Vs GH5 – Conclusion

We love these cameras a lot. There are many areas in which both of them perform equally excellently.

You could say, though, that there are specialist cameras instantly choosing their own audience even without much argument. Although both great for video, the Sony a7S appears to be for those constantly working in low light while the GH5 appears to be more of an all-rounder.

However, the choice is easy if we absolutely had to pick just one camera. It easily would be the GH5. It’s a marvelous camera with video capabilities the Sony a7S can only dream of right now. And also, it’s the better all-round camera between the two under comparison.

Now, the only exception for us would be if our routine causes us to shoot mostly in low light in which case, the a7S would be our go-to. Otherwise, there are far more reasons to go for the GH5 over the Sony a7S especially in 2019.

Get the Sony a7S here!

Get the Panasonic GH5 here!