Panasonic gh5 with lens

15 Best Lenses For The Panasonic GH5 [2022 Buying Guide!]

Different Types of Panasonic GH5 Lenses

There are a few different types of lenses you need to consider, depending on your goals and style of photography or videography.

Zoom

Zoom lenses are particularly popular because they are fast, convenient, and versatile.

There’s no need to pack multiple lenses for various focal lengths as a zoom lens has a range you can quickly switch between, most commonly around 70 to 200mm. This allows you to reframe a shot quickly and easily, making zoom lenses great for different types of photography. Zoom lenses are also great to pair with your blogging camera.

You do have to make a trade-off in return for that extra versatility though and zoom lenses deliver lower quality images.

Prime

Prime lenses have a fixed focal length and cannot zoom in or out which means they are not as versatile as zoom lenses. Therefore the type of photography they can be used for is limited according to the focal length you choose.

For example, a longer focal length is best for portrait photography whereas a shorter focal length is more suited to landscapes. Therefore, if you want to purchase a prime lens, make sure to do your research.

The major benefits of a prime lens are the sharper image quality and the fact that they are more compact due to fewer moving parts.

Telephoto

A telephoto lens has a range of between 100mm and 600mm and is a little like a super-powerful zoom lens that’s used to photograph objects far away. For this reason, these types of lenses lend themselves to wildlife and sports photography. Telephoto lens are the ones you'd usually see in an expedition or safari tours like the ones in Sri Lanka.

The downside to these lenses is that due to the large focal length they need to be large, heavy, and usually require a tripod. They are also expensive and therefore best for experienced photographers.

Macro

Macro photography is the practice of taking photographs of tiny objects in incredible sharpness and detail. This is made possible by a macro lens which allows you to zoom in and focus on small objects close to the camera incredibly well.

One benefit of a macro lens is that some of them can also be successfully used for other photography, such as portraits.

Wide-angle

A wide-angle lens has a much smaller focal length than regular lenses, allowing you to capture a much larger area and include more of a scene in the image. For this reason, these lenses are perfect for landscape and real estate photography. So if you are planning on going on a city break, then opting for a wide-angle lens in your camera backpack would definitely be a good decision.

One drawback, however, is that they can be a little more expensive than other types of lenses.

Portrait

Portrait lenses are necessarily identified by a specific focal length. Instead, different lenses are suitable for different types of portrait photography and can produce a more flattering image.

If you prefer some background in your portrait images, a lens with a shorter focal length is ideal but, if you prefer a more closely framed shot, opt for a longer focal length.

Whichever lens you choose for portrait photography though, you want the subject to be the main focus and therefore a wide aperture is a must in order to blur the background.

What to Look for in a Good Lens

Before choosing the best lens for a GH5, or any camera for that matter, there are a few important factors to consider.

Type of Photography

Which lens you should buy depends largely on the kind of photography you like or see yourself doing a lot of. The perfect lens will make it easier to create high-quality images and improve your photography skills.

If you’re not sure what kind of photography you prefer yet, you could choose a more versatile lens that allows you to experiment or choose to buy a cheaper lens so that you can afford more than one.

Focal Length

Focal length is measured in mm and the longer the length, the further away you can capture a clear image of something. Longer focal lengths are perfect for capturing images from a distance for example in wildlife photography. The shorter focal length stated is the minimum distance away that the lens can focus.

So, the right focal length for your lens depends on the type of photography you want to do. For example, macro photography requires a very small focal length at the lower limit.

Aperture

Essentially the aperture is a measure of how much light the lens lets into the sensor. The aperture of a lens is measured by the f/ number and the narrower the aperture, the higher this number will be and the more light is let in.

A wide aperture would be below f/2.8, which lets in less light, and a narrower aperture is anything over f/2.8, which lets in more light.

A wide aperture is best for lower light scenarios and if you want to create those beautiful blurry backgrounds you see on a lot of portrait shots. Narrower apertures are best for landscape photography.

Image Stabilization

One of the great things about the Panasonic GH5 is that the inbuilt image stabilization is extremely good. In fact, it’s one of the reasons why it continues to be such a popular camera.

However, you will still find that many lenses for the GH5 do include image stabilization, and having dual image stabilization is definitely a bonus, particularly if you shoot a lot of video.

Weight and Size

One of the major benefits of a mirrorless camera is the fact they are lightweight and easy to travel with. If this is important to you, make sure to consider the weight and size of your lens as well.

A lens with more internal parts, such as a zoom lens, will likely be larger and heavier than a lens with fewer parts, such as a prime lens. Obviously, a telephoto lens is going to be much larger than most lenses and therefore heavier.

Build Quality

Something that goes hand in hand with the weight and size of a lens is the build quality. Cheaper lenses tend to have more plastic parts, which makes them lighter for travel but this also means you will be compromising on durability.

It’s important to find a good balance between the cost and the quality, depending on the frequency of use and how much handling and travel it needs to withstand.

Price

It’s important to be clear on which features are “must-have” and which are just “nice to have” because this will help you to keep the cost down.

For example, if you plan on shooting a lot of cinematic footage dual stabilization is probably a must-have but if you don’t do much videography, the IBIS is likely sufficient.

Another easy way to keep costs down is to consider buying a third-party lens instead of a Panasonic option. Often, but not always, these can be a cheaper alternative but still deliver high-quality results.

Best GH5 Lenses

1. Olympus 12-40mm F2.8 - Best Overall Lens

Minimum focus distance: 0.2 m

Focal length: 12-40 mm

Aperture range: f/22-2/2.8

Filter diameter: 62 mm

Weight: 381g

Size (length x diameter): 84 mm x 70 mm

$899 at Amazon$999 at B&H Photo

If you just want the overall best lens for GH5 cameras that is versatile and suits different styles of photography, the Olympus 12-40mm F2.8 would make a great choice.

This wide-angle, zoom lens is capable of landscapes, sports, night photography, and more thanks to the focal range. It’s also a great choice if you like to dabble in portraits, thanks to the super quick fixed f/2. 8 aperture at 40mm.

This is a great lens to include in your packing list if you travel a lot due to its compact design and low weight (it’s about the size of a coke can) but don’t want to miss any photo opportunities because you have the “wrong lens”.

The autofocus function is fast and the sliding focus ring makes it incredibly quick and easy to switch between auto and manual focus.

It really is hard to find a downside to this lens if you want the best versatile lens. It produces sharp images and is generally very reliable. The only thing is the larger price tag but if you don’t need to buy multiple lenses, perhaps that isn’t an issue.

We think that overall the Olympus 12-40mm F2.8 is the best Panasonic GH5 lens for beginners and seasoned photographers alike.

Pros of the Olympus 12-40mm F2.8

Very versatile and suitable for most photography types
Compact, lightweight, and weather-sealed
Fast autofocus and easy to switch to manual

Cons of the Olympus 12-40mm F2.

On the more expensive side
Some reports of the lens hood easily falling off
Not the best for bokeh due to f/2.8

$899 at Amazon$999 at B&H Photo

2. Panasonic Leica 25mm F1.4 - Best Prime Lens for GH5

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Minimum focus distance: 0.3 m

Focal length: 25mm

Aperture range: f/1.4-f/16

Filter diameter: 46 mm

Weight: 205g

Size (length x diameter): 54.5 mm x 63 mm

If you want the best prime lens for Panasonic GH5 cameras, the Panasonic 25mm F1.4 is often described as the best “walk-around” lens.

On the GH5, this lens will deliver a focal length similar to a 50mm lens on a full-frame digital camera, meaning the angle of view is similar to normal human vision.

If you think you will regularly be taking photos in low light conditions, this lens is great for light gathering thanks to the f/1. 4 aperture. The Nano Surface Coating also does a great job of reducing reflections and ghosting.

You get impressively sharp images and it’s a great lens for general photography and portraits. The wide f/1.4 maximum aperture is also great for achieving a lovely softly blurred background so it’s a good option for those who like to shoot bokeh.

The autofocusing is micromotor driven rather than by ultrasonic AF drives like newer lenses meaning it is slightly slower and noisier. There is also no direct link between the focusing ring and the mechanics.

Pros of the Panasonic 25mm F1.4

Good for low light photography and bokeh
Great at reduces reflection and ghosting
Impressive build quality despite being largely made of plastic

Cons of the Panasonic 25mm F1.4

Can be limiting in confined spaces
Not the fastest autofocus
Large in comparison to some other options

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3.

Panasonic Leica Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2 - Best Portrait Lens For GH5source

Minimum focus distance: 0.5 m

Focal length: 43 mm

Aperture range: f/1.2-f/16

Filter diameter: 67 mm

Weight: 425 g

Size (length x diameter): 77 mm x 74 mm

The Panasonic Leica Ncticron 42.5mm F1.2 could be the best portrait lens for Panasonic GH5 cameras if you want something high quality and don’t mind spending a little extra money.

On the GH5 this prime telephoto lens delivers a focal length equivalent to that of 85mm on a standard full-frame camera.

The maximum f/1.2 aperture allows a shallow depth of field that’s perfect for portrait photography, beautifully soft bokeh, and means it’s a reliable lens in low light. You’ll get a super sharp image, right into the corners even at maximum aperture.

The autofocus is fast and quiet and the manual focusing ring is large meaning that it’s easy to make very fine adjustments. It also has image stabilization, which isn’t 100% necessary with the GH5 but can’t hurt.

The trade-off for getting all these brilliant features is a larger and heavier piece of equipment and an increased price in comparison to some other lenses.

Pros of the Panasonic Leica Ncticron 42.5mm F1.2

Sharp images right into the corners
Very high build quality
Produces beautifully soft bokeh

Cons of the Panasonic Leica Ncticron 42.5mm F1.2

It comes with a high price tag
Larger than other lenses with similar specs
Not weather sealed

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4. Panasonic Lumix Pro 12-35mm F2.8 - Best Zoom Lens For GH5

Minimum focus distance: 0.25 m

Focal length: 12-35 mm

Aperture range: f/2.8-f/22

Filter diameter: 58 mm

Weight: 305 g

Size (length x diameter): 67. 6 mm x 73.8 mm

The Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8 has been described by countless users as a “must-have” for any GH5 user and it’s probably the best zoom lens for Panasonic GH5, especially if you dabble in videography.

It delivers a focal length range equivalent to 24-70mm on a full-frame camera so it’s a good option if you travel a lot and capture landscape shots as well as indoor photography, without carrying extra lenses.

The autofocus function is fast, extremely quiet, and operates smoothly even while recording video. This, coupled with the dual image stabilization mean you will be able to capture high-quality video that doesn’t shake, even when handheld.

Saving you the need to also invest in a camera gimbal.

The shallow depth of field and ability to capture soft bokeh makes it a great lens for capturing interview footage, events, where it is difficult to get super close and just as a general walk-around lens.

It’s weather-sealed and not too heavy, considering it’s a zoom lens and the image quality is impressive but it’s not the easiest lens to use in low light settings.

Pros of the Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8

Outstanding image stabilization when paired with the GH5
Shallow depth of field for buttery bokeh
Weather sealed

Cons of the Panasonic 12-35mm F2.8

Very pricey
No focus distance scale on the lens
There are better lens options for low light

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5. Panasonic Lumix G Leica 45mm F2.8 - Best Macro Lens for GH5

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Minimum focus distance: 0.15 m

Focal length: 45 mm

Aperture range: f/2.8 - f/22

Filter diameter: 46 mm

Weight: 225 g

Size (length x diameter): 63 mm x 62.5 mm

Our top pick for the best macro lens for Panasonic GH5 is going to be the Panasonic Lumix G Leica 45mm F2. 8. It’s a versatile lens that can be used for portrait photography as well as macro.

A switch on the lens allows you to instantly change the minimum focal distance from 150mm to 500mm. Likewise, the power image optical stabilization can quickly be turned on and off at the flick of a switch.

The true 1:1 macro focusing capability is a real bonus for those serious about macro photography.

As with all of the Leica line of Panasonic lenses the build quality on this lens is impressive. It’s durable yet surprisingly lightweight and compact considering the number of features included.

The autofocus function is fast and accurate when being used at a regular distance for portrait photography but it can be noisy and “hunt” when taking Macro shots. Usually, manual focusing is best for these shots anyway though.

It’s another pricey lens on this list but with the “Leica” name that’s usually expected and it has some great features like 1:1 macro focusing and image stabilization that comparative lenses don’t have.

Pros of the

100% magnification macro capability
Soft bokeh for portrait photography
Easy to switch between 150mm and 500mm focal distance

Cons of the

Auto aperture can cause slight vignetting in macro images
Difficult to capture in-focus macro video footage
Slightly pricey compared to other lenses

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6. Olympus 12mm F2.0 - Best Wide-angle Lens for GH5

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Minimum focus distance: 0.2 m

Focal length: 12mm

Aperture range: f/2.0 - f/22

Filter diameter: 46 mm

Weight: 130 g

Size (length x diameter): 56 mm x 43 mm

The build quality and solid metal construction make the Olympus 12mm F2.0 a great buy if you want the best wide-angle lens for Panasonic GH5 cameras and do a lot of traveling.

This lens is most impressive when shooting dramatic landscape photography and architecture, especially in low light conditions thanks to the f/2. 0 maximum aperture. This would be a very good lens to document exciting travels to exotic countries with breathtaking night skies like Ireland!

The Movie & Still Compatibility (MSC) technology coupled and internal autofocusing makes this the best wide lens for GH5 if you want to record video with continuous autofocus without the risk of noise from a focusing motor. There is also a responsive hyperfocal distance scale for manual focus.

Thanks to the Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical (ZERO) coating internal reflections are reduced by up to 50% and images are consistently flare-free when the light source is outside the frame.

There is some vignetting and edge softening evident at wide apertures but that resolves itself from f/2.8. It’s still a great lens if you want to experiment with wide aperture photography but it won’t be your go-to for such images.

Pros of the Olympus 12mm F2.0

Very durable and great build quality
Works well in low light conditions
Silent continuous autofocus when taking video footage

Cons of the Olympus 12mm F2.

Not weatherproofed and doesn’t come with a hood
Some vignetting at very wide apertures
Pricey compared to some other lenses

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7. Panasonic 100 to 300mm F4.0 - Best Telephoto Lens for GH5

Minimum focus distance: 1.5m

Focal length: 100mm - 300mm

Aperture range: f/4 - f/22

Filter diameter: 67 mm

Weight: 520 g

Size (length x diameter): 73.6 mm x 126 mm

A great telephoto lens with a large focal range but that’s still small and lightweight enough to routinely carry with you. The Panasonic 100 to 300mm F/4.0 is our pick for the best telephoto lens for the Panasonic GH5 camera to get quality sporting or wildlife photography.

The Optical Image stabilization technology built directly into this lens is a really useful feature if you want to shoot sharp telephoto photography without having to carry a tripod around. It successfully compensates for even large camera shake and vibrations so you can capture true-to-life scenes.

The build quality of this lens is great, many of the parts are plastic but on a metal mount, and everything is assembled with tight tolerances, and the zoom control rings are smooth to operate if a little too easy to move so you need a soft touch.

Expect smooth aperture changes, so no sudden jumps in exposure, and a fast and silent autofocus function that make capturing excellent 4k footage a breeze.

It is possible to get bokeh but it’s less fluent than you get with other lenses and definitely not as beautiful, soft, and buttery. There are better options out there is bokeh is one of your main goals.

Pros of the Panasonic 100 to 300mm F/4.0

Fully weather sealed so great for harsh conditions
Image stabilization makes capturing steady video footage easy
Small and lightweight for a telephoto lens

Cons of the Panasonic 100 to 300mm F/4.

Doesn’t produce great bokeh
Some users may miss a constant aperture feature
The zoom ring turns a little too easily

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8. Rokinon 35mm Cine T1.5 - Best GH5 Video Lens

Minimum focus distance: 0.25 m

Focal length: 35 mm

Aperture range: f/1.5 - f/22

Filter diameter: 77 mm

Weight: 700 g

Size (length x diameter): 111 mm x 83.1 mm

If you want to journey into the world of cine lenses, things can start getting very expensive but the Rokinon 35mm cine T1.5 is an outstanding cost-effective option that holds its own against much more expensive competitors.

Because the GH5 is a 2x crop, this lens is the equivalent of a 70mm portrait focal length so it’s the best lens for GH5 video if you’re on a budget. Coupled with the best vlogging microphone, you’ll surely level up your vlogging experience with this lens.

Be aware that this is a manual focus lens and does not have an autofocus function so you do need a little know-how. Manually focusing allows for greater control and there are fewer things that can go wrong though.

The lens features clickless aperture and focus rings to allow for very subtle changes while filming rather than having to deal with half-stop jumps which is definitely better whilst filming. The rings are geared and compatible with standard follow focus systems.

Don’t let the plastic casing fool you either, it’s a solidly built, quality barrel that is surprisingly durable and the white number markings are very easy to read.

Even though we think this is the best gh5 lens for video, it can be prone to lens flares, especially when shooting outside into a light source.

The lens does not feature image stabilization but the Panasonic GH5s IBIS is so good that it’s not too much of an issue. We think that the super low price tag really makes up for this.

Pros of the Rokinon 35mm cine F/1.5

Very cost-effective cine lens
Clickless aperture and focus rings for smooth control
Solidly built and durable but still fairly lightweight

Cons of the Rokinon 35mm cine F/1.5

Does not have image stabilization
Manual focus only
Prone to light flares

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9. Olympus 75mm F/1.8

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Minimum focus distance: 0.84 m

Focal length: 75mm

Aperture range: f/1.8 - f/22

Filter diameter: 58 mm

Weight: 305 g

Size (length x diameter): 69 mm x 64 mm

Although marketed as a portrait lens, the Olympus 75mm F/1.8 is so much more than that. The long reach and versatility of this high-quality lens mean it’s also a great option for indoor events and challenging lighting conditions.

It’s a very compact and lightweight lens when you consider its focal length and high-quality metal construction.

Close-up shots are also possible, thanks to the excellent bokeh at wide aperture settings and the ability to focus as close as 84cm.

The autofocus is fast and quiet in all light settings and there are no stops on the manual focusing ring to allow for extra smooth changes. The geared focusing mechanism speed matches the rotation speed very well.

You’ll get super sharp images and, thanks to the wide aperture settings on offer, beautiful soft bokeh is very easy to achieve.

If we are really nit-picking, there is some very minor softening of the edges at very wide apertures but by about f/3.5 that is completely gone.

Again we find ourselves a tiny bit disappointed that a lens of such build quality and with a higher price does not come with a lens hood and is not weatherproofed.

Pros of the Olympus 75mm F/1.8

Achieves beautifully soft bokeh
Versatile lens for portraits and indoor events
High-quality metal construction

Cons of the Olympus 75mm F/1.8

Not weather proofed - disappointing considering the price
Soft edges at max aperture
Not the most budget-friendly option

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10. Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15mm F1.7

Minimum focus distance: 0.2 m

Focal length: 15 mm

Aperture range: f/1.7 - f/16

Filter diameter: 46 mm

Weight: 115 g

Size (length x diameter): 36 mm x 57.5 mm

On the micro four thirds system, the Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15mm F1.7 delivers the equivalent angle of view as a 30mm lens on a full-frame camera, making it a classic wide-angle lens. It’s a versatile lens that is suitable for candids, low light, and everyday applications.

As this focal length is included in most kit lenses, the draw here is the fast f/1.7 widest aperture and therefore the ability to shoot effectively in low light situations or with a shallow depth of field.

The lens is durable and well built with the barrel made from metal and the adjustable parts and lens hood made from durable plastic.

The stepping motor-controlled autofocus function is quiet, fast, and smooth so shooting video is definitely possible when coupled with the GH5s IBIS although the lens itself does not feature image stabilization. There is also a switch on the barrel to quickly flick between manual and autofocus.

Once again, we find ourselves slightly disappointed that a high-quality lens such as this is not weather sealed. It’s not a deal-breaker but it would be nice to have that extra comfort.

Pros of the Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15mm F1.7

Smooth, quiet, and quick autofocus
Wide aperture suits low light conditions
Very durable build quality

Cons of the Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15mm F1.

Not weather sealed
No optical stabilization

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11. Panasonic 45mm to 200mm F4.0

Minimum focus distance: 1 m

Focal length: 45 mm - 200 mm

Aperture range: f/4 - f/22

Filter diameter: 52 mm

Weight: 380 g

Size (length x diameter): 100 mm x 75 mm

Considering the large range of focal lengths the Panasonic 45mm to 200mm F4.0 offers, this lens is surprisingly lightweight and compact. It would make a great choice as a budget-friendly all-in-one lens or for those who travel a lot.

The in-built optical image stabilization is a great feature and works well to reduce camera shake, even at the telephoto focal lengths, especially when paired with the GH5s quality IBIS.

The autofocus function is fast, virtually silent, and internal so the front doesn’t move when zooming in although it can struggle slightly more at extreme telephoto focal lengths.

The best results come when used below 100mm and telephoto results can be a little mixed, especially when used at 200mm when you will experience softening. You may also experience some chromatic aberration when using the lens wide open around 45-60mm.

This isn’t a constant aperture lens and the maximum aperture decreases as the focal length increases but it would have a significantly higher price tag otherwise, so some will be happy to make the compromise.

Overall, this isn’t really a lens suited to master photographers but does make an excellent entry-level lens for beginners and mid-level enthusiasts.

Pros of the Panasonic 45mm to 200mm F4.0

Great versatile lens for beginners
Budget-friendly, especially for the range of uses
Internal autofocus

Cons of the Panasonic 45mm to 200mm F4.0

Not suitable for achieving soft bokeh
Not a “constant” aperture lens
May have to trade-off image sharpness for CA

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12.

Panasonic Leica Summilux 12mm F/1.4source

Minimum focus distance: 0.2 m

Focal length: 12 mm

Aperture range: f/1.4 - f/16

Filter diameter: 62 mm

Weight: 335 g

Size (length x diameter): 70 mm x 70 mm

If you want something durable and suitable for indoor and outdoor use, as well as in low light, the Panasonic Leica Summilux 12mm F/1.4 could be worth a look, if you have the budget for it.

While officially created for landscape photography with high detail and resolution, many people find this lens much more useful than that. The wide maximum aperture means you get commendable results when shooting in low light or at indoor events.

You will also get great autofocus performance that doesn’t hunt and is reliably smooth, fast, and quiet. It integrates well with the GH5s high-speed autofocus and therefore delivers precise focusing when shooting 4k video. There is also a dedicated switch to flick between manual and autofocusing.

The durable, weather-sealed design is splash and dustproof and the build quality is admirable with the barrel, mount, and hood all being made of metal. The manual aperture ring is great for giving precise control of exposure settings.

If we are really being critical there is some slight vignetting at the widest aperture and minimal edge softening from f/5.6 to f/16 but these are both very minor.

Pros of the Panasonic Leica Summilux 12mm F/1.4

Weather sealed
High build quality and metal construction
Produces smooth bokeh

Cons of the Panasonic Leica Summilux 12mm F/1.4

Slight vignetting at the widest aperture
Some edge softening from f/5.6
Does not feature image stabilization

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13. Olympus 25mm F1.8

Minimum focus distance: 0. 24 m

Focal length: 25 mm

Aperture range: f/1.8 - f/22

Filter diameter: 46 mm

Weight: 136 g

Size (length x diameter): 41 mm x 56 mm

The Olympus 25mm F/1.8 has an angle of view that is very similar to that of human vision which makes it great for general photography but is also good for portraits. It’s a great all-round lens that captures sharp images day or night.

You get great detail, even in low light conditions, and the widest aperture setting gives a really shallow depth of focus and the bokeh it produces is soft and smooth without outlining highlights.

The high-precision autofocusing mechanism is driven by a linear drive motor and therefore compatible with capturing both image and video. The focus and aperture performance are fast, smooth, and nearly silent.

It’s a small and lightweight lens that would be ideal for someone who travels a lot or hikers but it lacks weather sealing so is only suitable for fine weather conditions.

Slight chromatic aberration at the widest aperture settings but these are easily rectified in post-processing.

Pros of the Olympus 25mm F/1.8

Beautiful bokeh is very achievable
Autofocus suitable for image and video capture
Small and lightweight build

Cons of the Olympus 25mm F/1.8

Chromatic aberration at wide aperture settings
Slightly pricey
Not weather sealed

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14. Olympus 17mm F1.8

Minimum focus distance: 0.25 m

Focal length: 17 mm

Aperture range: f/1.8 - f/22

Filter diameter: 46 mm

Weight: 120 g

Size (length x diameter): 35.5 mm x 57.5 mm

If you want to take just one lens traveling, the Olympus 17mm F/1.8 is small and lightweight, even for a prime lens despite being an all-metal, high-quality build. It’s a lovely bright and very fast option that’s perfect for everyday situations and street photography.

The snapshot mechanism activates when the focusing ring is pulled back and the focus is set to a specific distance, a handy feature to have for street photography. Great to quickly get the subject and background all in focus.

The widest maximum aperture of f/1.8 makes this a suitable lens for low-light shooting situations and produces a good shallow depth of field with attractive bokeh and color rendition.

The Movie and Still compatible autofocus mechanism is quieter than a gear-driven mechanism and smooth despite its high speed.

Another example of a comparatively high-priced lens that does not come with a lens hood and is not weather sealed. We’ll let you decide whether those are deal breakers for your preferred style of photography.

Pros of the Olympus 17mm F/1.8

Good for bokeh photography
Quality metal build
Small and lightweight

Cons of the Olympus 17mm F/1.

Not weather sealed
Does not come with a lens hood
Pricey when compared to other options

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15. Panasonic Leica Vario Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3

Minimum focus distance: 1.3 m

Focal length: 100 mm - 400 mm

Aperture range: f/4 - f/22

Filter diameter: 72 mm

Weight: 985 g

Size (length x diameter): 171.5 mm x 83 mm

Bird photographers and other wildlife or sports enthusiasts will likely enjoy the Panasonic Leica Vario Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 for its super-telephoto zoom and high degree of image sharpness.

The image stabilization of this lens pairs excellently with the GH5s IBIS for a dual stabilization system that minimizes camera shake superbly, even when really zoomed in.

This lens features an almost silent autofocus micro-motor that operates at 240 frames/second. Not only do you get fast autofocusing, the drive is so quiet that it is also a great option for shooting 4k video.

For a telephoto lens, it’s surprisingly lightweight and compact enough for handheld shooting but it also features a metal tripod mounting plate with a large locking screw that lets you quickly change orientation. It’s also fully weather sealed.

There is a lens hood that is permanently attached but can be slid back when required and you are supplied with an additional hood to fit when required.

At the widest apertures, you may experience slight edge and corner softening which is not uncommon in telephoto lenses.

Pros of the Panasonic Leica Vario Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3

Quick to mount on a tripod and change orientation
Fast and quiet autofocus
Excellent image stabilization

Cons of the Panasonic Leica Vario Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3

Slight softening at wide apertures
Highly-priced but reasonable in comparison to other telephoto lenses

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FAQ on the Best Lenses For GH5

What lens should I buy for Panasonic GH5?

Essentially, there is no right or wrong answer to this question. The lens that you should buy is completely dependent on your specific needs and preferred style of photography. If you’re struggling to decide, try reading through our informational section again to get clear on your “must-haves”

If you are just interested in general photography or are new and finding your feet though, we do think that the best overall lens for GH5 cameras could be the Olympus 12-40mm F2.8 if you can afford it.

What lens mount is the Panasonic GH5?

The Panasonic GH5 has a micro four thirds lens mount and all of the lenses reviewed in this article are compatible.

Can Panasonic GH5 use Canon lenses?

It is possible to use Canon lenses with your Panasonic GH5 but you will need to fit an “active” adaptor in order to use them in order for the lens and the camera to “communicate”. These adaptors can be expensive so you need to factor them in when shopping for a new lens.

All the lenses we’ve reviewed here do not require an adaptor to fit your GH5 and many of them are native Panasonic lenses.

What is the sharpest lens for the Panasonic GH5?

The Panasonic Leica Ncticron 42.5mm F1.2 is impressively crisp, right into the corners, and gives some awesome detail on portrait photography. The bokeh it produces is buttery smooth and it’s also impressive in low light situations.

What is a Micro Four Thirds lens?

Micro four thirds (MFT) lenses are a set of lenses that are specifically designed to fit the MFT mirrorless camera ranges released by Panasonic and Olympus. The name comes from the sensors aspect ratio of 4:3 and these cameras are popular with many people because of their lightweight and compact design.

Why are micro four-thirds lenses so expensive?

Although it’s true that some of the specialized MFT lenses can seem expensive (such as super zoom telephoto lenses), there are many cost-effective options out there when compared to full-frame lenses.

If you opt for a lens with a predominantly plastic build, they are usually much cheaper and as a bonus, they are more lightweight than the expensive metal options.

Which Panasonic GH5 Lens Will You Go For?

So, that’s it! 15 of the best lenses out there for your Panasonic gh5. We hope this guide helped you figure out which lens will suit you best.

Whether you are looking for your first telephoto lens, a reliable portrait option, an all-round lens that travels well, or something else entirely, we like to think that we’ve covered just about everything in this guide.

We’ve said it a couple of times but it’s really worth mentioning again though - the lens you choose has to be the right lens for you and your photography style! Consider carefully and make sure the lens you choose ticks as many of your boxes as possible.

We like to think we’re pretty thorough but there are so many great options out there.

Do you think we’ve missed any good lenses for the GH5?

Or perhaps you’re already sold on one of those mentioned above?

Let me know in the comments below!

Other lens round-up guides:

Best Sony a7riii lenses
Best For Nikon D3500 lenses
Best Sony a6600 lenses
Best Canon 90D lenses
Best Sony a7iii lenses
Best Canon M50 lenses
Best Nikon D3100 lenses
Best Sony a6400 lenses
Best Canon 6D mark ii lenses
Best Nikon D3400 lenses
Best Sony a6000 lenses
Best Nikon D5600 lenses
Best Canon 80D lenses
Best Nikon D850 lenses
Best Sony a6300 lenses
Best Nikon D750 lenses
Best Sony a6500 lenses

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Lensrentals.com - Rent a Panasonic GH5

The Panasonic GH5 is a pro-grade hybrid photo/video camera for the Micro 4/3 system, and the predecessor to the GH5S and GH5 II. Key features include:

20.3MP Live MOS sensor with no low-pass filter
Internal 4K60p with no sensor crop or time limit
5-Axis Photo/Video with Dual IS 2 support
Venus Engine Image Processor

Please Note: This version of the GH5 does not include the V-log upgrade. The Panasonic GH5 w/V-Log has the upgrade pre-installed.

What’s Changed? While the Gh5 is quite advanced for a hybrid mirrorless camera, the GH5 does everything it does noticeably better as well as adds professional video features like waveform and vectorscope monitors. Autofocus is faster with more points, 5-axis in-body stabilization has been added, and the new sensor/processor combo enables in-camera 4K60p capture.

20.3MP Live MOS 4/3 Sensor. This sensor, which doesn’t have a low-pass filter, produces detailed, high resolution images and video throughout its 200 – 25,600 normal ISO range. This sensor is paired with a new image processor that enables all the video wizardry inside this relatively small camera.

5-Axis Image Stabilization with Dual IS 2 Support. While other Panasonic cameras have in-camera sensor stabilization, the GH5 is Panasonic’s first to utilize 5-axis sensor stabilization. When paired with a stabilized Panasonic lens that supports Dual IS 2, you’ll see up to 5 stops of correction.

4K Video Powerhouse. Unlike its predecessor, the GH5 uses the full sensor width for 4K capture with no recording time limit. The camera offers internal recording at up to 4K/30p 10-bit 4:2:2 (400Mbps) and 1080/60p 10-bit 4:2:2 (200Mbps). Sending the signal out to a compatible external recorder increases the possible 4K frame rate to 60p, but does little else.

Professional Video Functionality. Waveform and vectorscope monitoring are major additions, but the GH5 also offers a variety of handy features like pre-configurable rack focusing and CINELIKE V and CINELIKE D picture styles with in-camera LUTs for monitoring. Additionally, there’s a 4:3 anamorphic shooting mode and overcranking ability for Full HD 1080 @180fps video.

But What About Still Photography? While headlining features are primarily video-centric, the GH5 is a quite capable still camera. The improved Depth From Defocus system offers faster, more accurate performance with 225 AF points. Panasonic has also added a dedicated AF point joystick for selecting the desired point, and the camera can capture up to 9fps with continuous autofocus.

OLED EVF & Touchscreen Rear LCD. One of the most welcomed new additions (at least around here) is the 3680k-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 0. 76x magnification. Outside of the Leica SL, it’s among the best available. Meanwhile, the 3.2-inch 1.62m-dot rear RGBW LCD is fully-articulating and touch-capable.

Durable Body. Build quality has been improved, with extensive weather-sealing around the magnesium alloy that Panasonic claims is dust-proof, splash-proof, and freeze-proof down to 14º F. Dual UHS-II SDXC memory card slots handle recording, while the same DMW-BLF19 rechargeable battery is carried over from the Gh5.

Other Notable Features. A few of the most notable additional features are built-in 5 Ghz Wi-Fi connectivity, NFC, and Bluetooth 4.2 LE for wireless image transfer and remote camera control, optional Panasonic DMW-XLR1 XLR Microphone Adapter add-on for professional audio functionality, and 4K/6K Photo modes at 30 fps/60 fps (JPEG only).

Need a Memory Card? You’ll need an ultra-fast memory card for a camera this powerful, and we recommend the Sony 128GB SF-G Tough Series UHS-II SDXC. This camera can take full advantage of its superior 299 MB/s max write speed and 300 MB/s max read speed for high-resolution, high-bitrate capture.

Panasonic Gh5, GH5. Using original lenses

Panasonic lenses. Overview

Panasonic Lenses |

Overview

LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm F2.8 II ASPH./POWER O.I.S.,
LUMIX G X VARIO 35-100mm F2.8 II POWER O.I.S
LUMIX G 42.5mm F1.7 ASPH./POWER O.I.S
LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S.
LUMIX G 20mm F1.7 II ASPH

Today we're talking about native fixed lenses for Gh5

Lenses can be divided into two main categories - fixed and zoom lenses. A prime is a lens with a single focal length (eg 50mm), while a zoom lens shows the possible focal length.

Fixed focal length lenses are usually called their focal length. For example, 25mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm are all common prime lens focal lengths. Now that you know what a prime lens is, let's talk about why you should shoot with prime lenses.

The simplicity of a prime lens

Prime lenses have a simpler design and fewer moving parts than zoom lenses. This makes them less susceptible to issues such as chromatic aberration, fringing, and flare.

Focus on shooting

Prime lenses don't burden you with a mountain of options when deciding how to compose a shot. With a single focal length, you don't have to waste time deciding how much you should zoom in or out.

Changes in focal lengths, which may distract you when shooting. With a fixed lens, you can focus on taking great pictures.

Small lenses

Gh5 native lenses - small but fewer components and simpler construction means native lenses can be really small and light. For example, a 20mm pancake lens fits easily into your pocket and the lens is so light you can forget about it. Is he there?

Prime lenses with wide apertures like f/1.4 and f/1.8 are quite common. Some of them are fast* (light) as well as f/0.95 and f/1.2!

These large apertures make prime lenses ideal for shooting in low light and achieving shallow depth of field.

*The concept of "fast" (Lightness) in this case refers to the maximum aperture that your lens is capable of (the wider the aperture, the more light the lens will let through). Fast lenses give you a huge advantage when you need to shoot at fast shutter speeds in low light.

Fixed lenses make the photo better

Some may think that a single focal length limits your shooting, but a fixed focal length lens actually helps you to be more creative and find different solutions for your task.

Having the focal length of a zoom lens makes it easier for you to do what you want to do, but a prime lens will only give you one option, so you learn to look for new angles and perspectives, you explore different possibilities, you learn to move.

Simply put, a prime lens helps you grow as a director.

Best Prime Lenses for Gh5

There are many native prime lenses available for Gh5. Here is a list of recommended native prime lenses:

Olympus 12mm f/2.0 - wide and fast.
Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 - Affordable wide-angle pancake lens
Panasonic 15mm f/1.7 - Lighter than the Panasonic 14mm, but also more expensive
Olympus 17mm f/1.8 - Provides a field of view on the Gh5 similar to the popular 35mm focal length. The
Voigtlander 25mm f/0.95 II is a crazy fast lens and built like a tank. Great for low light and shallow depth of field The
Olympus 25mm f/1.8 is an affordable light lens with a versatile focal length. The
Panasonic 42.5mm f/1.2 is fast for a medium telephoto lens. Great for interviews and portraits.
Olympus 45mm f/1.8 - Produces a good organic image. 9The 0050 Olympus 60mm f/2.8 Macro is a sharp lens ideal for macro photography. The
Olympus 75mm f/1. 8 is a telephoto lens that offers the best image quality available.

If you had to choose only one native prime lens, many recommend the Olympus 25mm f/1.8. It's an affordable lens, but its versatile focal length and wide aperture will allow you to get the best results in a variety of shooting situations (eg landscapes, interviews, etc.).

Fastest lens in the MFT system, all top lenses with the best performance and good autofocus:

From forum member: Andrew Placid

Olympus ED 7-14mm f/2.8 Pro Micro 4/3
Panasonic Summilux 12mm f/1.4 Asph DG
Olympus ED 25mm f/1.2 Pro
Panasonic Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2 Asph DG O.I.S. (H-NS043)
Olympus ED 75mm f/1.8

Test and review Panasonic Lumix GH5 for photos 10bit.

However, the GH5 is still an interchangeable lens mirrorless camera. Therefore, it is a sin not to test it in photo mode.

Panasonic GH5 - camera with 4:3 sensor. I'll take a quote from Wikipedia:

This standard is designed to reduce the size and weight of digital cameras and camcorders with interchangeable lenses by reducing the thickness of the body without losing the quality of the resulting images. I compare it with full-frame DSLRs, as they are in the same price range as this camera. Just like the optics for these cameras.

I had a GH5 with lenses:

Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH ($550)

Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm f/2.8 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. ($900)

These are the top lenses in the Panasonic line. Therefore, I will compare in all severity.

Comparing photos with photos taken with Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 6D with optics:

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM ($550)

Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM ($900)

That is, in fact, two sets cost exactly the same. With the Canon 6D, the second set is cheaper for the same quality.

Panasonic Lumix GH5 camera was tested by me for 3 days. On the first day, my wedding photographer and I tested Panasonic on the street. Then I organized a photo session indoors.

First impressions of the pictures were enthusiastic . Focuses quickly and accurately. The screen is very clear, bright and contrasty. Photos look great. I do not like the electronic viewfinder as such in the device, but this has nothing to do with the quality of the photo.

Panasonic GH5 produces photos with a resolution of 5184 by 3888 pixels (20MP). Canon 5D Mark III shoots 5760 by 3840 pixels (22MP). The resolution is pretty similar. The only “but” is that Panasonic has a standard aspect ratio of 4 * 3, Canon has 3 * 2. To get 3 * 2 on Panasonic, you will have to crop the frame up to 18MP.

Before we move on to the tests, I want to remind you that the crop factor of the GH5 is x2. That is, the matrix of this camera is two times smaller than that of full-frame 5D and 6D.

It follows that the pixel size of this device is significantly smaller than that of full-frame competitors at a similar resolution. Such a technique, purely theoretically, based on these parameters alone, will work worse in poor light, will have a smaller dynamic range and less blur the background.

On the other hand, micro 4:3 lenses are significantly smaller than their full-frame counterparts.

If I had a Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8L , the difference would be even more striking.

This pair is very similar in terms of the angle of view they give when shooting (35mm and 30mm equivalent). Aperture f2 and f1.7 also seem to be similar. But not everything is so simple. Apertures f1.7 and f2 on different matrices are completely different things.

Test photos on GH5

We shot children in jpeg with standard settings.

This photo shows a lot of Panasonic flaws. Panasonic 35-100mm f/2.8 lens (similar to Canon 70-200).

It was a cloudy day and yet we can already see overexposure on the children's helmets and faces. Bokeh is unpleasant. The overall contrast is low. The picture does not look large. A good lens from the Panasonic line gives an unpleasant glow in contrasting areas:

Notice the halos around the "Canon" lettering and the white lining on my hood. I immediately had a question: and this lens is almost $1000?? By the way, the Leica Summilux 15mm f/1.7 had no problems with ghosting, sharpness and detail were at the level of . The lens is very good and gives the maximum that can be squeezed out of such a small sensor.

Panasonic 35-100mm f/2.8 has background blur, but it doesn't compare to Canon EF 135mm f/2L at full frame for less money (you can buy 5d mark II, result will be like this same):

The 135mm f2 lens cleans up the background. The GH5 camera with a sensor 2 times smaller gives a correspondingly worse result. Initially, we were misled by the excellent screen of this camera. But viewing pictures on a computer put everything in its place.

Panasonic GH5 video review:

Let's move on to indoor photography. The shooting was carried out in raw format, ISO 200-1600.

Again we see how much nicer the bokeh is at 135mm f2 than at the Panasonic 35-100mm f/2.8. These lenses are from slightly different areas of application, but they are united by focal lengths and cost.

Above in the photo in web resolution after applying noise reduction and sharpening, it is not clear that Panasonic has problems with ISO. This is a full resolution crop without denoising:

If you want high-quality photos, you should not shoot at ISO 1600 on it. Working ISO in photo mode up to 800.

Let's compare wide angles. Panasonic f/1.7 seems to be cooler than Canon f/2, right?

No. See the video for this photo shoot for more details: (coming soon)

Original photos of on the first day of the test can be viewed here.

Original photos of indoors with the model, see here.

Above, I spoke exclusively about the quality of photos on the Panasonic GH5. But this camera boasts more features than the . She can:

take pictures up to 30 or 60 frames per second depending on the resolution

make time-lapses and video in motion picture mode (animation principle for cartoons)

shoot in multiple exposure mode

bracketing not only for exposure, white balance, but also for focus

The last feature really deserves attention. It is called post focus (by the way, the updated firmware v2.5 for Gh5 also allows you to use this function). The essence of postfocus is that the camera automatically takes a sequence of frames with different focus points in the form of a short video file. It looks like this:

Shot from a few centimeters away with a 15mm f1.7 lens. The depth of field is very small. Then the camera offers to select any of the focus points and save the file as such, or combine all focus points into one file. Here's what happened:

The GH5 produces such a file with a resolution of 4992 by 3744 pixels. A very interesting feature for product photography. Saves a lot of time on manual focus stacking. The quality is inferior to a DSLR, but if you shoot for the Internet (and this is the majority of cases), then this will be enough.

Total

The camera is interesting. It can be seen that the engineers did their best to squeeze the maximum out of such a small matrix. The camera boasts unique features and average image quality. This will be quite enough for amateur purposes. You can easily take it on trips, shoot some stories for yourself, etc. For professional purposes in photography mode, it cannot be considered, in my opinion. Especially considering that for this money you can buy much better equipment. However, on my test I had a top model from Panasonic's micro 4:3 line of cameras. You can look in the direction of the Panasonic G80, which has slightly fewer functions, but shoots no worse, and costs almost 2 times cheaper.

Compare with Canon system as I’ve been shooting on it for a long time and I have a large fleet of optics. Full-frame cameras from Nikon or Pentax are just as good, and in some cases even better.

The review turned out to be negative, because I look at this technique from the position of price / quality of photos.
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