^
And here's the review by One Orbit Studios:
"The GH5 uses a contrast detection system, which utilizes 225 Auto Focus points and a 480 fps drive speed. In this video I go over two Auto Focus options - Autofocus Flexible (AFF) and Autofocus Single (AFS). I do not cover Autofocus Continuous (AFC) in this video. I found AFF to perform just as well if not better than AFC when tracking moving subjects.
All focus tests performed with the version one of the Panasonic Lumix 12-35mm f2.8. To maintain consistency between all the tests, the speed and reliability of the autofocus system system was tested in the same lighting conditions. Below is a description of the 6 Auto Focus Modes covered in this video:
*Autofocus Flexible or AFF. This option is good for filming in situations were the subject moves unpredictably. Like AFC, this mode will attempt to anticipate the movement of the subject.
1. The first test was performed with the Face/Eye Detection mode. This mode recognizes a subjects face by displaying a square outline. The subjects eyes are tracked with two intersecting lines.
Notes:
- Focus adjusts well when subjects moves towards and away from the camera.
- Rapid movement out of the frame and the GH5 handles focusing well.
- Does adapt well to obstructing the view of the subject.
- Of all the Auto Focus modes, Face/Eye Detection performed the best in low light.
2. The second test was performed with the Tracking mode. To set a Tracking point on your subject simply touch the screen.
Notes:
- Tracking point expands and contracts with subject distance.
- Focus Speed is slow to adjust when moving towards and away from the camera.
- Rapid movement out of the frame and the GH5 struggles to Track the subject and maintain focus.
- Tracking mode does not adapt well when obstructing the view of the subject.
- Very easy to through the Tracking point off.
- Tracking mode performs worse in low light.
*Autofocus Single or AFS. This option is good for filming in situations were the subject is stationary. The remaining tests were performed with a Nikon DSLR in the foreground and a group of Lenses set up in the background.
3. The third test was performed with the 225-Area mode. This mode utilizes up to 225 Autofocus points. This mode is effective when your subjects are not in the center of the frame.
Notes:
- Focus speed was slow to pull subjects close to the camera in focus.
- There was some focus hunting when pulling subjects further from the camera in focus.
- Focus hunting becomes worse in low light.
4. The fourth test was performed with the Custom Multi mode. Among the 225 Autofocus points, this mode enables you to set a custom shape around the subject.
Notes:
- Was able to pull subjects close to the camera in focus.
- This mode Failed to focus on subjects further from the camera.
- Not reliable.
5. The fifth test was performed with the 1-Area mode. This mode sets one area of focus on the subject.
Notes:
- Focus speed was slow to pull subjects close to the camera in focus.
- There was some focus hunting when pulling subjects further from the camera in focus.
- Focus hunting becomes worse in low light but slightly better than 225-Area mode.
6. The sixth test was performed with the PinPoint mode. This mode helps you achieve a more precise focus point on your subject. Tapping on the subject will activate a zoomed in preview of the focus area. You can also slide the cursor on the screen to specify the focus point. You do lose the zoom preview once you press record.
Notes:
- Focus speed was slow to pull subjects close to the camera in focus.
- There was some focus hunting when pulling subjects further from the camera in focus.
- Focus hunting becomes worse in low light.
- Overall this performed just as well as the 1-Area mode.
In summary, the GH5 autofocus system is not good for tracking fast moving subjects. I would recommend using the Face/Eye Detection mode in well lit scenes with high contrast. I would avoid the Tracking and Custom Multi mode, which as you saw were very unreliable. Focus speed was not great but was consistent in the 1-Area and PinPoint modes. In general, the GH5 produced a lot of focus hunting through out our low light tests.
List of Auto Focus modes best to worst:
1. Face/Eye Detection -AFF
2. Pin Point -AFS
3. 1-Area -AFS
4. 225-Area -AFS
5. Tracking -AFF
6. Custom Multi -AFS"
