Panasonic LUMIX GH5 → Panasonic LUMIX GH6
Is the upgrade worth it? Every change on the spec sheet, and an honest read on who should bother.
The bottom line
The Panasonic LUMIX GH6 is 2 generations newer to your Panasonic LUMIX GH5, released 5 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 8 items and steps back on 3. The changes that matter most: burst jumps from 12fps to 75fps; resolution rises from 20.3MP to 25.2MP; 4K goes from 60p to 120p. The Panasonic LUMIX GH6 lists at $1,997 (the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 launched at $1,997, and older bodies typically sell for well under launch price on the used market). If several of the gains below map to how you shoot, this is a substantial step up; if none do, your current body keeps doing everything it does today.
Upgrade to the Panasonic LUMIX GH6 if…
- ✓You shoot action, sports or wildlife — 75fps burst plus dedicated subject-tracking AF keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 12fps would drop frames.
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings smoother 120p 4K vs 60p.
- ✓You shoot in low light or indoors — AF that focuses down to -6 EV gives it the edge after dark.
Stick with the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 if…
- •None of the headline changes map to what you actually shoot — the camera you own doesn't get worse when a successor launches.
What changed (22 items)
↑ 8 improved · ↓ 3 stepped back · → changed without a clear better/worse
| Spec | Panasonic LUMIX GH5 | Panasonic LUMIX GH6 |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| →Sensor Type | Digital Live MOS | BSI CMOS |
| ↑Effective Resolution | 20.3 MP | 25.2 MP |
| Exposure Control | ||
| →ISO Range (Native) | 200 – 25600 | 100 – 25600 |
| →ISO Range (Extended) | 100 – 25600 | 50 – 51200 |
| →Electronic Shutter | 1/16000 | 1/32000 |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| ↑Continuous Shooting | 12 fps | 75 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| →Max Resolution | 4K | 5.7K |
| ↑4K Recording | Up to 60p | Up to 120p |
| ↑1080p Recording | Up to 180p | Up to 240p |
| →Log Profiles | V-Log L / HLG | V-Log / V-Log L / HLG |
| →HDMI Output | Micro (Type D) | Full-size (Type A) |
| Focus | ||
| ↑Phase Detect Points | 225 | 779 |
| ↑Low Light AF | -3 EV | -6 EV |
| ↑Vehicle AF | No | Yes |
| Monitor | ||
| ↑LCD Resolution | 1.04M dots | 1.84M dots |
| Interface | ||
| →Bluetooth | v4.2 | v5.2 |
| →USB | USB-C 3.1 | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| General | ||
| →Dimensions | 138.5×98.1×87.4 mm | 138.4×100.3×99.6 mm |
| ↓Weight | 725g (1.60 lb) | 739g (1.63 lb) |
| ↓Battery Life (EVF) | 410 shots | 360 shots |
| ↓Battery Life (LCD) | 500 shots | 400 shots |
| →Battery Type | DMW-BLF19 | DMW-BLK22 |
What stayed the same (26 items)
Everything below is identical on both bodies — if these are what you buy a camera for, the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 already has them.
Ready to buy?
Panasonic LUMIX GH5 (keep or buy used)
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Panasonic LUMIX GH6
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Frequently asked
Is it worth upgrading from the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 to the Panasonic LUMIX GH6?
The Panasonic LUMIX GH6 is 2 generations newer to your Panasonic LUMIX GH5, released 5 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 8 items and steps back on 3. The changes that matter most: burst jumps from 12fps to 75fps; resolution rises from 20.3MP to 25.2MP; 4K goes from 60p to 120p. The Panasonic LUMIX GH6 lists at $1,997 (the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 launched at $1,997, and older bodies typically sell for well under launch price on the used market). If several of the gains below map to how you shoot, this is a substantial step up; if none do, your current body keeps doing everything it does today.
What are the biggest improvements of the Panasonic LUMIX GH6 over the Panasonic LUMIX GH5?
Across the spec sheet the Panasonic LUMIX GH6 improves 8 items. The most significant: 75fps burst plus dedicated subject-tracking AF keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 12fps would drop frames. it brings smoother 120p 4K vs 60p. AF that focuses down to -6 EV gives it the edge after dark.
What does the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 still do just as well as the Panasonic LUMIX GH6?
26 spec items are identical between the two, including sensor size (Micro Four Thirds), image processor (Venus Engine), lens mount (Micro Four Thirds), mechanical shutter (1/8000), flash sync speed (1/250), built-in flash (No). If those cover your needs, the older body remains fully capable.
Does the Panasonic LUMIX GH6 give anything up compared to the Panasonic LUMIX GH5?
Yes — 3 items on the spec sheet move the other way: weight (725g (1.60 lb) → 739g (1.63 lb)), battery life (evf) (410 shots → 360 shots), battery life (lcd) (500 shots → 400 shots).
Full side-by-side spec table →Panasonic LUMIX GH6 full specs →