The Youtube channel CRFTSHO has created a guessing video game that pits the Panasonic GH5 vs the RED EPIC Camera in a slow motion 1080p match.  The fun is that even for the trained eye there is no easy way to tell which camera is actually on screen playing until you get the revelation footage which is the 2nd part of the game.

What is interesting about the results is that the RED Epic a camera worth over 10 times more than the Panasonic Lumix GH5 is almost indistinguishable and in some shots the cheaper camera is preferable in sharpness and detail.  It probably has to do with the GH5 doing full sensor downsampling up to 120fps at 1080p vs the RED doing sensor windowed mode.

To be fair the RED Epic camera is using a sensor with up to 14 stops of dynamic range in APS-C format vs micro 4/3 sensor on the GH5 at 10 stops and with up to 12 stops if using V-Log L.  Also the RED is saving in Redcode RAW which is a 16 bit wavelet proprietary format, which is not only easily grade-able but extremely clean even while using compression. The RED also allows for faster frame rates i.e. 300fps than the GH5’s 180fps max.

Epic Frame Rates: 1-120 fps 5K, 4.5K, 1-150 fps 4K, 1-200 fps 3K, 1-300 fps 2K.

This is not a GH5 is as good as RED test, this is not the point. The real take away from it is that both cameras are extremely good and can be intercut to produce a piece without much trouble. And to marvel at how good the technology has gotten as to be comparable when used properly and exposed without blowing out the image.

In our view,  the RED is still a large production camera that allows for the flexibility needed to grade cinema quality images with no compromise digital negative quality and superior audio; while the GH5 is a jack of all trades small production camera that is good enough to be used in larger productions and films if needed as a crash camera or B camera where using a RED is not an option.

You can visit http://www.crftsho.com for the website of the creators of this test or subscribe to their youtube channel here to support them: CRFTSHO

Panasonic GH5 vs Red Epic Slow Motion Test:

Part 1 Blind test: See this first!

GH5 Slomo Shoot out 120FPS – can you figure out GH5 or RED footage? by CRFTSHO:

Part 2 Final Reveal: See this second!

GH5 or RED SLOW MOTION SHOOT OUT – the revelation! by CRFTSHO: