Congratulations Alex Vincent, March 2024 PFRE Photographer of the Month! The theme this month was "Kitchen". Alex Vincent - #906 Yvonne Raaijmakers - #909 Peter Wingfield - #902 Here's what Alex has to say: Thank you for the award of Photographer of th ...
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The Lumix DC-GH5 caused quite a stir when it became available in the market. This mirrorless micro four-thirds digital camera from Panasonic serves as the perfect platform for photographers who require the best in video and image quality.
Mirrorless cameras are starting to become more popular as more lenses come to the market. Here are some of my choices for the best lens for GH5 which will help you get the best out of your camera!
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To take the GH5 camera to the next level, it's essential to get the best lens for GH5. You can choose between any lenses that support mirrorless mounting.
Luckily, for the GH5, there are a wide variety of different lenses that you can select. Let's take a look at the different lenses available for the Lumix GH5.
The Panasonic Lumix G 12-35mm f/2.8, in my eyes, is the best lens for GH5 users. It provides photographers with a great combination of the decent zoom range, steady aperture, fast auto-focus, and exceptional image stabilization.
When you use this lens with the GH5, the image stabilization stands out from that of other lenses on this list. Thanks to the built-in stabilization in both the Lumix GH5 and the Lumix G 12-35mm f/2.8, photographers enjoy the benefit of dual stabilization with this combination. That means that the camera can record perfectly still video in handheld conditions, even at its maximum focal range.
That's not the only reason why this lens earns my best overall ranking. It's also very clever with its aperture range. Most zoom lenses tend to feature a variable aperture, but that's not the case with the Lumix G 12-35mm. It manages to maintain a steady f/2.8 aperture throughout the focal range.
It can be challenging for those new to mirrorless cameras to get an idea of the focal range. The focal range of mirrorless cameras will differ in comparison to those of a DSLR camera. In terms of a full-frame DSLR, the Panasonic Lumix G 12-35mm has a 24-70mm focal length. The focal range is ideal for capturing portraits with the GH5, and the images are crisp and full of color.
Another critical feature that helps make the Panasonic Lumix G12-35mm f/2.8 standout is its snappy auto-focus, which outshines the focus feature of many other lenses. The lens features a 240 fps linear motor that helps the camera focus on the target quickly and quietly. This is very useful for photographers looking to cover wildlife
Its healthy combination of features is why the Panasonic Lumix G 12-35mm f/2.8 has secured my top spot. It is a must-have lens for all GH5 owners, with an amazing performance in essential areas such as image stabilization and quick focus.
To use the brilliant Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 Art Lens with the Panasonic GH5, you'll need a Viltrox adapter. However, even after spending extra on the adapter, the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 Art remains the most valuable option between the top lenses for the Panasonic GH5.
One of the main areas where the GH5 is lacking is low-light performance. However, with the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 Art Lens, low-light
Not only does the f/1.8 aperture value ensure that more light enters the lens, but it also makes a significant difference in bokeh. Its shallow depth of field helps both photographers and videographers capture truly cinematic stuff. The lens especially stands out from others when used to film in 4K quality on the GH5!
While the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 significantly improves the GH5’s low-light performance, there are a few reasons it didn’t make my top spot. The lens comes with no internal stabilization system and is pretty heavy.
The use of a Viltrox adapter could also cause you to lose access to the electronics of the lens. That means you won't be able to rely on autofocus. Luckily, the manual focus ring feels snappy and is adequate to use!
Nonetheless, even with the cost of the adapter, the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 is an excellent option for any GH5 user! When it comes to what features you’re getting for the price, I don’t see any other lens on the list taking this spot.
A great zoom option for the Panasonic GH5 is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 R. The 40-150mm focal length will give you a lot more reach than the kit lens that ships with your camera.
It offers a focal length between 80-300mm in terms of a traditional full-frame DSLR camera, which will let you zoom in super close to your subject. This is also the biggest focal length on my list.
Even though the lens offers a telephoto focal range, it's still surprisingly light and compact, unlike the Sigma 18-35mm. It fits in perfectly with the Panasonic GH5 and feels completely natural to use. The barrel is plastic and features a large textured zoom ring. Slightly below the larger zoom ring is a narrower manual focus ring.
At full focal length, images taken by this lens are incredibly sharp in the center, while the performance on the edges is weaker. However, that's something you can expect with an affordable lens. You’ll see that the images will get noticeably sharper as you zoom out.
Another thing that restricts the performance of this lens is the disappointing aperture range. It ranges between f/4.0-5.6, which are the highest values on my list. That means low-light shooting is going to be a significant challenge, especially when you take into consideration how the Panasonic GH5 already struggles a little with low-light performance.
The Olympus M.Zuiko isn't perfect by any means. It can't capture the same level of light as the other lenses on my list. The performance also isn't consistent at higher focal lengths. However, its image and video quality remain excellent throughout the rest of the range. All things considered, it's a solid option for Panasonic GH5 Users.
The Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH lens is ideal for everyday shooting with your Panasonic GH5. It features a full-frame DSLR focal length of 30mm, which many consider the perfect range for a prime lens.
When using Panasonic 15mm f/1.7 with the GH5, the 30mm focal length is wide enough to let you capture breathtaking landscapes. This lens will get you the best wide-angle shots compared to any other lens on the list. At the same time, the aperture value is perfect for creating wonderfully blurry backgrounds in your portrait images.
If you're a fan of street shooting, this lens can become a great companion. Not only does it provide brilliant image quality, but it also excels at taking high-quality videos. Shooting in 4K on the Panasonic Lumix 15mm f/1.7 ASPH lens is an absolute delight. The video quality is exceptional and comparable to that of the Sigma 18-35mm.
After looking at these brilliant features, buying the Panasonic 15mm f/1.7 ASPH lens may seem like a no-brainer. However, there are a few minor things that stopped me from putting this lens at the top. While shooting in low light settings, there's a lot of lens flare with streetlights. The autofocus performance in low-light environments could also use a bit of work.
If it wasn't for these few hitches, the Panasonic 15mm f/1.7 could potentially be the most cost-effective option. However, it still remains an excellent option for anyone looking to buy a prime lens for the Panasonic GH5.
A brilliant jack of all trades for the Panasonic GH5 is the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO lens. With a full-frame focal range equivalent to 24-80mm, there's more than enough room to play around with your creativity.
You can be as creative as you want with the Panasonic GH5, thanks to the fixed f/2.8 aperture. This aperture value will help significantly improve the low light capabilities of the GH5.
The image quality is also exceptional while pairing with the Panasonic GH5. In well-lit conditions, every single corner comes out as sharp as you'd want. Even in low-light conditions, the sharpness holds. It can't compete with some of the prime lenses on this list, but it’s still impressive enough to make it worth mentioning.
A slight drawback to this lens is that there's no optical stabilization. That means if you want to shoot video or take images at low shutter speeds, you're going to need to get a tripod. However, you can get a relatively inexpensive tripod as a quick fix.
Olympus also attempted to include an intuitive way for users to switch from autofocus to manual focus. By moving the barrel ring, you can choose between whether you want auto or manual focus. However, rather than being intuitive, this ends up being a bit annoying as you can sometimes unknowingly switch to manual focus.
When it comes to brilliant wide-angle lenses, very few Panasonic GH5 owners will look further than the Olympus 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO lens. It can be challenging to find the right ultra-wide lens for mirrorless cameras because of how the system crops the image. Luckily, the Olympus 7-14mm f/2.8 works exceptionally well because it translates into an approximate focal length of 14-28mm.
14-28mm is the perfect range to shoot real estate images or landscapes with. It'll allow you to showcase as much of the subject as possible in the picture. Not only will it work alongside the Panasonic GH5 for images, but it also works exceptionally well for video too.
On top of everything, the Olympus 7-14mm f/2.8 pro also features an excellent build quality while still being minimal and easy to carry. It will fit perfectly with the Panasonic GH5, compared to some other lenses on my list. It's a perfect option for photographers looking to get a decent wide-angle lens for their kit.
The Voigtlander Nokton 17.5mm f/0.95 lens can help Panasonic GH5 owners take their low-light
Some photographers say that the aperture value is arguably too low, and navigating the shallow depth of field with the Panasonic GH5 is definitely challenging. However, having the lowest aperture value on my list, this lens manages to capture breathtaking bokeh shots. Be warned though! You'll need to get familiar with the manual focus to get the most out of the lens.
The Voigtlander Nokton 17.5mm f/0.95 lens is more of a creative choice than a must-have necessity. It can be challenging to get the hang of using this lens, but the results are gratifying. Getting the Voigtlander Nokton 17.5mm f/0.95 is a good idea for Panasonic GH5 owners looking to challenge their creativity.
The Panasonic Lumix GH5 is a compact mirrorless camera that you can use in both photo and video applications. Equipping this camera with the right lens can help you capture crisp and clear 4K videos.
Whether you are shooting indoors or outdoors, the following features can help you choose the correct lens for the Panasonic Lumix GH5. Moreover, the table below breaks down some of these features for easier understanding.
| Lenses | Weight (Pounds) | Aperture | Image Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panasonic Lumix 12-35mm f/2.8 | 1.15 | f/2.8 | Yes |
| Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 | 1.79 | f/1.8 | No |
| Olympus 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 | 0.4 | f/4.0-5.6 | No |
| Panasonic Lumix 15mm f/1.7 | 0.256 | f/1.7 | No |
| Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 | 13.5 | f/2.8 | No |
| Olympus 7-14mm f/2.8 | 1.18 | f/2.8 | No |
| Voigtlander 17.5mm f/0.95 | 1.19 | f/0.95 | No |
Zoom capability refers to the ability of the lens to vary the angle of view. A lens is zoomed-in when the angle of view is narrow and zoomed out when the angle of view is wide. When you zoom in and narrow the angle of view, you literally crop out the background, making the main subject more prominent in the frame.
The main advantage of a zoom lens is that it allows you to capture aesthetically pleasing videos without having to move your tripod setup. For instance, you can set up the tripod in the backyard, zoom out to capture the different areas of the property exteriors, and then zoom in to capture close-ups of specific parts such as air conditioning units.
This results in more stable videos than when using a prime lens and walking around trying to adjust the angle view. If the main reason for getting the Panasonic Lumix gh5 is to capture videos, consider getting a zoom lens such as the Panasonic Lumix G 13-35mm f/2.8.
Keep in mind that the Panasonic Lumix DC GH5 is not a full-frame camera; it does not perform well in bad lighting. However, you can try to overcome this limitation by pairing it with a lens that can boost its low-light performance, such as the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8.
Typically, this lens comes with a wide maximum aperture of f/1.8. Since the aperture is a physical opening that allows light to enter and reach the camera sensor, a wide aperture means more light can enter. This results in brighter photos when shooting indoors.
Lenses come with different specifications that make them suitable for different applications. For instance, the 50 mm lens offers a normal angle of view like that of a human eye, making it ideal for portraits. On the other hand, a lens with a focal length shorter than 35mm offers a wide-angle perspective.
It is, therefore, advisable to choose the focal length of the lens depending on the real estate property you are capturing. For example, if you're taking interior photos in tight spaces, consider going for a lens with a wider perspective, such as the Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH Lens.
Yes, the Panasonic GH5 camera has incredible performance in photography. Generally, the GH5 camera comes with built-in image stabilization, which is an ideal choice for wildlife content creators, real estate photographers, and wildlife photographers shooting in harsh environments.
Yes, the GH5 camera is capable of shooting in low light with spectacular high-quality images, even if it comes with a relatively smaller sensor compared to its competitor brands. The camera has an ISO range of 400 to 12800 which makes it more sensitive to light and better performance in low light.
It's possible to use a Canon Lens with the Panasonic GH5. However, you're going to need an adapter. You should also know that the focal length will be cropped because of the difference in camera systems.Â
For every photographer, it's essential to have a diverse set of lenses to get the most out of the Panasonic GH5. By combining the right lens with the Panasonic GH5, you'll be able to capture breathtaking photos and amaze everyone. It might seem like a steep investment, but it's one worth the cost!
