Panasonic DMW-XLR1 XLR Audio Expansion Unit for LUMIX GH5, S1 and S1R Mirrorless Digital Cameras

2019-10-18T07:19:35

To start off I am not a fan of putting much in what was called the flash shoe, but now is the accessory shoe. With this unit its absolutely necessary to strain relief the cables to avoid snapping the base off of this unit. Main gripe: For 400 bucks it is hard to understand why this is a cheaply made piece of plastic. It does not feel like a professional piece of gear. Yes it has electronics besides the connectors, but that's all off the shelf for Panasonic. I don't mind companies making a profit, but this feels a bit like a gouge for owners of their mirrorless systems. Any way if you are doing interviews you need something and this certainly works.

DOMINIC D.

2019-06-24T02:59:47

Works well, but the connection to the hot shoe on the camera feels a little delicate so one has to be careful when disconnecting an XLR, which can be a little sticky, so the hot shoe connection doesn't get damaged. However, when doing solo doc work, not having to deal with an external recorder is priceless. If I'm going to do some rugged hand held stuff, I will use an external recorder.

Chesley C.

2019-04-23T20:07:09

I've used the DMW-XLR1 with my community TV's GH5 and GH5s kits - it's in every one. For most, a smaller, more convenient alternative to an external recorder that I wish every video DSLR had available. I use it to record music concert scratch audio output from my audio board, using XLR line-levels. For that, the audio on the camera is good enough for TV, YouTube etc., but it's mic preamps are not as good as my Universal Audio Apollo ones. I have had problems not getting audio a couple times, but it may have been the camera as even the 1/8" line in on the GH5s also didn't work, but then did again the next day.

Mark K.

2019-04-02T15:47:17

Does what it says it does and does it well. Not sure the top of the camera is the best place for all this, but better than the YAGH on the GH4 as it doesn't need auxiliary power.

Rich H.

2018-12-16T13:28:15

Excellent addition and if you have the GH5 it really IS a must-have item. XLR direct to the camera, wow, who else has something similar. One caveat: make sure your cage fits the added size on top. ps. this is my 2nd unit, Arnold (AKA Bob Arno - media name)

ARNOLD M.

2018-02-21T07:44:38

If you’re one man crew this is perfection. Great controls and good quality results. Expect what you payed for.

JAVIER B.

2017-12-13T07:58:45

It is loose even when locked on the GH5 and the audio quality was very bad. Scratchy and in and out because of the forward weight it kept loosing connection. SENT IT BACK

EUGENE S.

2017-08-02T12:24:49

Gives you incredibly clean sound into your GH5. Controls are excellent. Only drawback is that it does wobble a touch even when 'locked down'. Otherwise, perfect. - used on a content campaign for a national brand.

Mark T.

2017-06-07T20:00:00

Durable equipment, biblearning curb. Technology. must study

Anonymous

Originally posted at

2017-05-25T14:52:30

After owning a GH4 with the YAGH add on this is a huge design improvement for getting pro audio inputs into the camera. The YAGH required a external battery and made it near impossible to go handheld, this is a much better solution. Only wish it had a option to use it off camera with a cable that would attach to the hot shoe connector like the Sony XLR-K1M. It also has a little bit of play when attached to the camera even when the lock is engaged. The sound quality is fantastic, the ability to record 24 bit 96 kHz is great.

CHRISTOPHER C.

2017-04-21T09:28:22

Finally! Panasonic has put out a thoughtfully designed, professional audio solution for their flagship ILC. I think many of us have used Zoom or Tascam products in the past to put XLR audio into our cameras, but this unit seamlessly blends with the GH5 like nothing else can. The XLR connections are solid. The switches and dials are high quality. Phantom power with +/- 20db pad is amazing. If you're a working professional or a serious enthusiast, this is a must-buy. Two minor complaints: 1) The shoe is plastic. A metal shoe would give me much more confidence in the unit's ruggedness. 2) I really wish Panasonic would have put an additional headphone jack on the unit. That would have meant all audio connections would be off the camera giving the screen full articulation capability. As it is, with headphones in you cannot fully articulate the screen.

ADAM M.