In this video I show you how to connect the camera to an external monitor or recorder. I connect to:
- A Panasonic LH1850 broadcast monitor
- A consumer-grade Dell monitor (60Hz)
- The Atomos Shogun recorder
Total time: About 8 minutes
Download Video (1080p) | Download Video (540)p
What modes are available?
The Panasonic GH5 outputs ‘clean’ 4K via HDMI (Type-A connector, full size). You can output 4:3 and 16:9. You cannot output waveforms or vectorscopes or focus peaking. Select [AUTO] for settings until you get the hang of it.
Here are the specifications:
| External Recording without Internal Recording | ||||||
| Resolution | System Frequency | Frame rates | Data Rate | Color | Codec | Availability |
| 4096 x 2160 / 3840 x 2160 | 24 Hz | 24p | Uncompressed | 10-bit 4:2:2 | Prores or DNxHD | Now |
| 50 Hz | 25p, 50p | Uncompressed | 10-bit 4:2:2 | Prores or DNxHD | April 2017* | |
| 59.94 Hz | 23.976p, 59.94p | Uncompressed | 10-bit 4:2:2 | Prores or DNxHD | April 2017* | |
| Internal and External Recording At the Same Time | ||||||
| Resolution | System Frequency | Frame rates | Data Rate | Color | Codec | Availability |
| 4096 x 2160 / 3840 x 2160 | 24 Hz | 24p | Uncompressed | 10-bit 4:2:2 | Prores or DNxHD | Now |
| 50 Hz | 25p, 50p | Uncompressed | 8-bit 4:2:2 | Prores or DNxHD | April 2017* | |
| 59.94 Hz | 23.976p, 59.94p | Uncompressed | 8-bit 4:2:2 | Prores or DNxHD | April 2017* | |
The key takeaway here is you can get 10-bit 4:2:2 via HDMI, but if you’re recording both internally and externally at the same time, then at 50p and higher the color drops to 8-bit 4:2:0.
What kind of HDMI cable do you need?
To get the best signal out of the GH5, you need an HDMI cable that meets the following criteria:
- High Speed HDMI Cable (Supports 4K and HDMI 2.0)
- Length up to 1.5 m (4.9 feet) only – I have used a cable up to 6 feet without issues.
Should you use the HDMI cable lock?
Yes. As someone who has broken HDMI pins, trust me on this.
To connect the recorder or monitor, the weapon of choice is the Hot-shoe Monitor Mount
(from $5 to way more).
Summary
- Try to switch the camera on-off, or the monitor on-off – while keeping the other on. I haven’t seen any problems either way.
- Leave the downsampling to Auto unless you’re recording 4K
- If you choose to record 4K 60p in 10-bit 4:2:2 externally, you can only record 4K 8-bit 4:2:0 internally.
- You need an Atomos Shogun Inferno (Amazon, B&H) or Ninja Inferno (Amazon, B&H) to record 4K 60p. My Shogun can only record up to 4K 30p.
