Panasonic Lumix GH5S

The Lumix GH5S is a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera that Panasonic released in 2017. It pairs a 10 megapixel sensor with 4K video recording, a combination that points towards video as the priority rather than maximum stills resolution.

That combination suits videographers who also shoot stills, and photographers who value a 12 fps burst and the Micro 4/3 lens mount over resolution. If you crop heavily or print very large, the pixel count will feel tight.

The body measures 139 x 98 x 87 mm and weighs 660 g, and the weather sealing means a light shower is not an immediate problem.

Still photography starts from a 10 megapixel CMOS sensor in the Micro Four Thirds format. Files stay small, but there is little latitude for aggressive cropping, so frame with the final output in mind. Sensitivity spans ISO 160 to 51200, and the Venus Engine 10 handles image processing.

Continuous shooting reaches 12 fps, enough to catch a peak moment in sport or wildlife. Treat that as the maximum rate rather than a speed the camera sustains indefinitely.

Autofocus offers 225 points, so you have many positions available when you want focus placed away from the centre of the frame.

A 1/8000 second maximum shutter speed gives a fast option for wide-aperture shooting in bright light, and the 3.68 million dot electronic viewfinder offers a detailed preview of the scene before you commit.

Video is the GH5S's defining feature. Maximum recording resolution is 4K, and the fastest frame rate available is 60 fps, although these are separate maximums rather than one confirmed mode. The high frame rate gives you smoother motion for action and the option to slow footage down in the edit.

Handheld, the absence of in-body stabilisation shows. Camera shake becomes part of the frame, so plan on a stabilised lens, a tripod or a gimbal whenever you need smooth movement.

Recordings are written as MPEG-4 or MOV files. There is no built-in intervalometer for timelapse, so you will need an external timer or be prepared to assemble sequences from individual frames afterwards.

Framing is handled by a 3.2 inch TFT screen with 1.62 million dots, working alongside the electronic viewfinder. The screen flips out from the body, which makes low-level and overhead shots practical, and touch control lets you operate the display directly.

The body is sealed against dust and moisture, so a shoot can continue through a shower. Sealing is protection, not waterproofing, so it still deserves care in heavy conditions.

There is no built-in flash, though the camera supports an external flash unit when you need additional lighting. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are built in for wireless connectivity. GPS is absent, so in-camera location tagging is not offered.

Two card slots accept SD, SDHC and SDXC media with UHS-II support, so fast cards can run at their intended speed and a second card can stay fitted alongside the first.

The DMW-BLF19 battery is rated at 440 shots on a single charge. The measurement conditions behind that figure are not specified, so treat it as a guide rather than a guarantee, and a spare battery is sensible for long days.

There is no USB charging, so topping the battery up from a power bank or laptop between takes is not possible, and charging time needs to be built into your routine when travelling.