Upgrade Guide
Lumix GH4→Lumix GH5S
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Situational
One clear hardware improvement over the GH4. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.
What's new in the GH5S
-
Generation4 years newer (2018 vs 2014)
Unchanged or similar
-
Resolution10MP (down from 16MP — optimised for low light)
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Weather sealingNot present in new body
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | GH4 | GH5S | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +0.1 | ||
| Street | -0.3 | ||
| Travel | -0.9 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +0.6 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | +0.3 | ||
| Filmmaking | +1.1 | ||
| Documentary | -0.4 | ||
| Sports & Action | -0.5 | ||
| Landscape | -1.2 | ||
| Wildlife | -0.9 | ||
| Casual | — | ||
| Food | -0.2 | ||
| Macro | +0.7 | ||
| Architecture | -0.5 | ||
| Astrophotography | -0.2 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | GH4 | GH5S | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £149 used | £549 used | |
| Released | 2014 | 2018 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 16.05MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 10.2MP Micro Four Thirds multi-aspect (dual native ISO) | |
| Resolution | 16MP | 10MP | ↓ |
| Video | 4K/30p, C4K/24p (first consumer camera with 4K), 1080p/96fps | C4K/4K 60p, 10-bit 4:2:2 400 Mbps All-Intra, V-Log L, VFR to 240 fps | |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect DFD AF, face detection | Contrast AF with DFD; face/eye detection, 225-area, AF down to -5 EV | |
| Stabilisation | None (no body IBIS) | No IBIS (lens O.I.S. / electronic) | |
| Burst Rate | 12fps (AFS), 7fps (AFC) | 11fps (7fps with continuous AF) | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~500 shots (CIPA) | ~440 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 560g (with battery and card) | 660g (with battery) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Not weather sealed | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.67× magnification | Electronic OLED, 3.68M dots, 0.76x | |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen | |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual SD slots |
Compare side-by-side
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the GH5S against your specific genres — not just specs.
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