Upgrade Guide
Lumix GH5S→Lumix GH5 II
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Strong upgrade
The GH5 II improves across 3 key areas at a reasonable price gap. Most GH5S owners will notice the difference.
What's new in the GH5 II
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Resolution20MP vs 10MP (+10MP)
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Weather sealingAdded — fully sealed body
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Generation3 years newer (2021 vs 2018)
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 | GH5S | GH5 II | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +0.9 | ||
| Street | +0.2 | ||
| Travel | +0.8 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +1.1 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | +0.8 | ||
| Filmmaking | +0.4 | ||
| Documentary | +1.5 | ||
| Sports & Action | +0.8 | ||
| Landscape | +1.7 | ||
| Wildlife | +1.1 | ||
| Casual | +1.0 | ||
| Food | +1.2 | ||
| Macro | +1.2 | ||
| Architecture | +1.2 | ||
| Astrophotography | +1.0 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | GH5S | GH5 II | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £549 used | £979 | |
| Released | 2018 | 2021 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 10.2MP Micro Four Thirds multi-aspect (dual native ISO) | 20.3MP Four Thirds Live MOS | |
| Resolution | 10MP | 20MP | ↑ |
| Video | C4K/4K 60p, 10-bit 4:2:2 400 Mbps All-Intra, V-Log L, VFR to 240 fps | Unlimited 6K/4K recording, 4K/60p, 10-bit 4:2:2, V-Log | |
| Autofocus | Contrast AF with DFD; face/eye detection, 225-area, AF down to -5 EV | Contrast-detect AF with Depth-from-Defocus (225 areas), face/eye detection | |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens O.I.S. / electronic) | 5-axis IBIS with Dual I.S. 2 | |
| Burst Rate | 11fps (7fps with continuous AF) | 9fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~440 shots (CIPA) | 410 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 660g (with battery) | 727g (with battery and card) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Yes | ↑ |
| Viewfinder | Electronic OLED, 3.68M dots, 0.76x | EVF | |
| Screen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen | Fully articulating touchscreen | |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD slots | Dual SD (UHS-II) |
Compare side-by-side
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the GH5 II against your specific genres — not just specs.
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