Upgrade Guide
Lumix GH5→Lumix GH5 II
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Situational
One clear hardware improvement over the GH5. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.
What's new in the GH5 II
-
Generation4 years newer (2021 vs 2017)
Unchanged or similar
-
ResolutionSimilar (20MP)
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 | GH5 | GH5 II | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +0.3 | ||
| Street | +0.2 | ||
| Travel | +0.2 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +0.4 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | +0.8 | ||
| Filmmaking | +0.3 | ||
| Documentary | +0.6 | ||
| Sports & Action | -0.1 | ||
| Landscape | +0.2 | ||
| Wildlife | — | ||
| Casual | +0.9 | ||
| Food | +0.3 | ||
| Macro | +0.2 | ||
| Architecture | +0.2 | ||
| Astrophotography | +0.2 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | GH5 | GH5 II | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £352 used | £979 | |
| Released | 2017 | 2021 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 20.3MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 20.3MP Four Thirds Live MOS | |
| Resolution | 20MP | 20MP | |
| Video | 4K/60p, C4K/30p, 1080p/180p; 10-bit 4:2:2 internal; unlimited recording | Unlimited 6K/4K recording, 4K/60p, 10-bit 4:2:2, V-Log | |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect DFD AF, face/eye detection | Contrast-detect AF with Depth-from-Defocus (225 areas), face/eye detection | |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops; Dual IS 2 with compatible lenses (6.5 stops) | 5-axis IBIS with Dual I.S. 2 | |
| Burst Rate | 12fps (AFS), 9fps (AFC) | 9fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~410 shots (CIPA) | 410 shots (CIPA) | |
| Weight | 646g (body only) | 727g (with battery and card) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.68M dots, 0.76× magnification | EVF | |
| Screen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.62M dots | Fully articulating touchscreen | |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual SD (UHS-II) |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See GH5 and GH5 II next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
Run the upgrade checker →
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the GH5 II against your specific genres — not just specs.
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