Panasonic Still & Video Camera Traps (Panasonic GH4 and GH5)

In theory, Panasonic micro four thirds (mft) cameras like the GH4 and GH5 should be well suited for use in camera traps; they are small, take high quality stills, shoot 4k video and are compatible with a wide range of excellent micro four thirds lenses. Panasonic cameras are also compatible with our Wireless Flash Triggers so you can easily trigger Nikon flashes for still photography.

However, Panasonic cameras have a quirk which means using them in a camera trap set-up can be problematic…

Panasonic Wake-up Issue

In order, to conserve battery life it is usually necessary to allow the camera to auto-power down or “sleep” between detections. Panasonic cameras have an economy setting that enables the camera to enter sleep mode after a minute of inactivity. When the camera is sleeping, it can be woken by pressing the shutter button to take a photo. However, the problem with Panasonic cameras is that they cannot be woken via a wired shutter release cable. A camera trap sensor can only wake and trigger the camera via the remote socket.

So what is the solution?

Camtraptions Cable for Panasonic Cameras

We have a new cable and adapter system that uses the battery grip contacts to wake and trigger Panasonic GH4, GH5, and GH5s cameras. Using these cables, the GH4, GH5 and GH5s will work very well in a 4k video camera trap set-up, even when the camera’s sleep mode is enabled. The cable is now available for purchase from our online store!