Best Accessories for Panasonic Gh5 Ii: Which One to Buy

The best accessories for the Panasonic GH5 II are, in order of usefulness: fast dual-slot memory cards, a spare battery or battery grip, a cage with a good handle, a compact microphone, and variable ND filters; everything else depends on whether you shoot video, stills or live streams. The GH5 II is a Micro Four Thirds hybrid camera that Panasonic positioned for video creators, so the most valuable add-ons tend to protect its recording features rather than change them.

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What the camera itself already gives you

Before buying anything, it helps to know what the body already includes. Panasonic lists the GH5 II with a full-size HDMI output, a 3.5 mm microphone input, a headphone jack, USB-C connectivity, and two SD card slots that support UHS-II. It uses the DMW-BLK22 battery, which is the same cell family as the GH5 and is also used in some other Panasonic bodies. Reviewers at outlets such as DPReview and Imaging Resource generally describe the camera as strong for handheld video thanks to in-body stabilisation, and point to its battery life and heat behaviour as the areas where accessories help most.

Because the body already has full-size ports, you do not need adapters or dongles for the most common gear. That keeps the shopping list short and lets you spend on items that actually change how you work.

At a glance: accessory categories compared

Memory cards: the one non-negotiable purchase

The GH5 II records at high bitrates in some modes, and Panasonic specifies card speed requirements for those modes in its manual. Because the body has two UHS-II slots, you can record to one card while the other serves as a relay or backup, depending on the setting. Buying cards that meet or exceed the stated speed class for your preferred recording mode is more important than buying the biggest capacity.

SanDisk and Angelbird are two brands frequently named by reviewers for reliability, and both publish their video speed class on the packaging and product pages. Budget cards often meet the lower bitrate modes but can fall short when you move up to high-bitrate 10-bit modes, which can cause the camera to stop recording. If you shoot mostly stills, a standard UHS-I card of good brand is usually enough, though a UHS-II card helps clear the buffer faster during bursts.

Power: spare batteries and the battery grip

Video recording drains the DMW-BLK22 faster than stills shooting, so a spare is the cheapest insurance you can buy. Genuine Panasonic batteries are the safest choice; third-party cells vary, and some cameras display a warning or reduce functionality with unrecognised batteries. If you choose a third-party battery, buy from a maker that states compatibility with the GH5 II specifically and follow the usual lithium-ion handling guidance in the camera manual.

The GH5 II also supports USB-C power delivery, which Panasonic describes as allowing power and charging through the port. That makes a power bank a practical alternative to a grip for long interviews or time-lapse sessions, provided the bank can supply the output the camera expects. The DMW-BGGH5 grip is better when you want vertical controls and a bigger hold on the camera, for example with heavier lenses.

Cages, handles and rigging

A cage protects the body and adds mounting points for microphones, monitors and lights. SmallRig is the best-known brand with a model made for the GH5 II, and it states that its cage keeps access to the battery door and ports while adding cold shoe and 1/4-20 mounts. Lighter budget alternatives exist, and some are simple L-brackets that add one or two mounting points without a full cage.

Think about how you shoot before buying. A full cage with a top handle suits a tripod or shoulder rig but can be awkward for travel. If you mostly carry the camera on a strap, a minimal bracket and a quality strap, such as the Peak Design Slide or similar, may be more comfortable.

Audio: from a compact mic to XLR

The built-in microphone is fine for scratch audio, but a dedicated microphone improves dialogue considerably. The Rode VideoMicro is a compact on-camera shotgun that plugs into the 3.5 mm jack and needs no battery, according to Rode. The Rode VideoMic Pro+ is larger and offers more controls, such as a high-pass filter and gain switching, according to the maker. Both include a windshield in the box, although you may want a larger furry cover outdoors.

For professional XLR microphones, Panasonic sells the DMW-XLR1, which mounts to the hot shoe and provides XLR inputs. Reviewers note that it is a sizeable addition, so it suits interview and documentary rigs more than casual vlogging. A separate wireless microphone kit, such as those from Rode or DJI, is another option when the subject needs to move away from the camera.

ND filters, lenses and lighting

Micro Four Thirds lenses are small, and filter thread sizes vary, so check the front thread of each lens before buying filters. A variable ND filter lets you keep a wide aperture and a sensible shutter speed in bright light. Reviewers often caution that very cheap variable NDs can introduce colour casts, so a fixed-strength set from a reputable maker may be a safer option if image quality matters more than convenience.

Compact LED panels powered by their own batteries are useful for interviews and product shots. Look for makers that state colour rendering and colour temperature range, and consider a small softbox or diffuser to avoid harsh shadows.

Pick X if you…

Alternatives to consider

• Tripod and fluid head: Manfrotto and Benro both make fluid heads sized for the GH5 II; check the maker’s stated payload against the weight of your camera and lens.
• Small gimbal: DJI and Zhiyun list models for mirrorless cameras; check the maker’s compatibility list for the GH5 II and your lens before buying.
• Software and monitoring apps: Panasonic’s Lumix Sync app handles remote control and file transfer, which can replace some accessory purchases for casual users.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first accessory I should buy for the GH5 II?

Start with a pair of fast UHS-II cards and a spare battery. These two items prevent the most common problems, which are stopped recordings and dead batteries, and they work with any shooting style.

Can I use GH5 batteries in the GH5 II?

Panasonic lists both cameras as using the DMW-BLK22 battery, so existing GH5 batteries should fit. Check the battery label and the camera manual to confirm compatibility with your specific cells.

Do I need an external recorder?

Not for most users. The camera records internally in several formats, and an external recorder mainly adds a larger monitor and extra recording options. It adds cost, power and cables, so it suits productions that need those features.

Is the battery grip worth it?

It is worth it if you shoot vertically, use heavy lenses or need long battery life. For lighter use, a spare battery or USB-C power bank is usually simpler and smaller.

Which microphone works with the GH5 II?

Any microphone with a 3.5 mm plug should work with the camera’s mic input, and the Rode VideoMicro and VideoMic Pro+ are two commonly named examples. For XLR microphones you need an adapter such as Panasonic’s DMW-XLR1 or a separate audio recorder.

Are third-party cages compatible?

Several makers sell cages designed specifically for the GH5 II. Read the maker’s description to confirm it leaves the card door, ports and battery compartment accessible, and match the cage to the way you plan to carry the camera.