The new Lumix GH6 incorporates a 25 megapixel sensor

Panasonic debuts the Lumix GH6, with a new 25.2 megapixel image sensor, unlimited recording up to 5.7K/60p, 4:2:2 10-bit, a faster workflow thanks to Apple Pro Res HQ support, high frame rate 4K/120p, up to 300 frames per second and four audio channels.

Since Panasonic introduced the first model of the Lumix GH series back in 2009, the GH series has been evolving with innovative features when it comes to video recording.

This new model maintains the internal video recording of 5.7K 30p available in Apple ProRes 422 HQ y Apple ProRes 422, for the first time in the Lumix series to enable non-linear editing without transcoding.

Anamorphic (4:3) 5.7K 4:2:0 10-bit 60p/50p and 5.8K 30p/25p/24p (4.4k 60p) 4:2:0 10-bit recording modes offer Higher resolution and higher bitrate than ever. This allows you to achieve the ultimate in high image quality, versatility and reach necessary for film, television and all types of video productions.

The Lumix GH6 also achieves internal 4:2:2 10-bit Cinema 4K 60p recording, and simultaneous 4:2:2 10-bit Cinema 4K 60p output via HDMI.

4:2:0 10-bit 4K 120p video recording (equivalent to 5x slow motion at 24p) and 4:2:2 10-bit FHD 240p HFR (High Frame Rate) video with audio is available to enhance creativity with speed changes. His Maximum FHD 300fps (equivalent to 12.5x slow motion) VFR (Variable Frame Rate) allows dynamic movement of a subject.

Overheating can be a substantial problem for continuous video recording, especially when increasing resolution and frame rates. Despite this, the Lumix GH6 achieves unlimited video recording time in all modes by optimizing the heat dissipation path with a forced cooling fan mechanism.

New firmware

In the future, a firmware update for GH6 which will be compatible with: Cinema 4K ProRes 422 HQ / ProRes 422; FHD ProRes 422 HQ / ProRes 422; USB-SSD direct recording; 4K 120p HDMI video output during Live View; RAW Cinema 4K 120p HDMI video data output to ATOMOS Ninja V+; and high quality image stabilization.

In this last aspect, Panasonic's new proposal allows a optimal freehand recording, the Lumix GH6 uses a new 5-axis gyro sensor High precision with a new algorithm. This allows for a powerful 7.5-stop stabilization of Body I.S. and Dual I.S.2.

The Dual I.S.2. 5-axis camera works perfectly for recording natural video sequences. Applies appropriate compensation based on the type of motion by accurately judging the cause, whether generated by pan, tilt, or hand movement. The B.I.S. body stabilizer compensates for camera shake even when using a lens that is not stabilized (for example, a fully mechanical cinema lens).

With this powerful image stabilization, you can shoot even a high-resolution image handheld in the dedicated high-resolution mode.

By automatically shooting and synthesizing eight consecutive images while moving the 25-megapixel sensor using the Body I.S. (image stabilizer), the GH6 creates an equivalent image of up to 100 megapixels (11552 x 8672 pixels).

This new model faithfully reproduces the precise details to save them as highly realistic images, both in RAW and JPEG. Thanks to its compact and lightweight design, and its powerful in-body stabilization system, the Lumix GH6 allows you to take shots that were previously considered impossible, such as handheld telephoto shooting.

High dynamic range

The Lumix GH6 provides +12 steps of dynamic range for recording V-Log already pre-installed, expanding to +13 steps when using mode Dynamic Range Boost.

With the new Dynamic Range Boost mode, a highly saturated image generated by the low ISO circuit and a low noise image generated by the high ISO circuit are synthesized in each pixel. The composite image achieves low noise and high saturation, resulting in clear and smooth HDR*2 video with rich gradation.

The Lumix GH6 also contains V-log/V-Gamut completo, for the first time in a Lumix G camera, to offer high dynamic range with color breadth. V-Log delivers a very flat image by keeping all color information within the image, allowing for a greater level of editing flexibility in the post-production process. The GH6's Live MOS sensor achieves a wide range of colors known as V-Gamut. This is the optimal color space of the GH6, which is wider than BT.2020.

Users will enjoy impressive accuracy in color reproduction, with subtle gradations from dark to light areas and precise control of color information in post-production.

The Lumix GH6 imports the renowned colorimetry of the VariCam line of cinema cameras from Panasonic. The V709 LUT (Look Up Table) with the Rec.709 standard is available in the camera by default. For the first time and for added convenience, V-Log View Assist (which can apply LUTs in real time) supports importing .CUBE and .VLT file formats.

4 channel audio

In terms of audio, the GH6 incorporates 4-channel recording at 48kHz or 96kHz at 24-bit when connecting an XLR microphone adapter. This provides greater flexibility for recording outdoors (available in ProRes and MOV), when there are multiple audio sources, or when recording backup audio.

2-channel recording at 48kHz 24-bit is also possible with the built-in microphone, as is 2-channel recording at 96kHz 24-bit in high resolution with an external microphone.

Channels to be monitored can also be changed via headphones, even during video recording, and audio menus can be accessed directly with a smart function button on the top of the camera to easily check sound levels.

Practical features

The Lumix GH6 also offers a host of handy features with useful settings in Photo Style, including different gamma presets cinelike, such as ‘Cinelike D2’ and ‘Cinelike V2’, which have similar gamma adjustment features for film production.

In response to user requests, different video assist functions are also available: waveform monitor, zebra pattern, luminance spot meter, frame marker, uncompressed anamorphic mode preview screen, red frame indicator on screen when in REC mode and Tally lights on the front and rear.

A novelty of the Lumix GH6 is the safety zone marker, which displays a guide of 95%, 90%, or 80% of the recording area to ensure the safe zone for composition, logos, overlays, and subtitles. A central marker is also available and can be chosen from different types. In the color temperature setting, Kelvin values can now be displayed on the recording screen.

You can also record videos timelapse 4K 60p with the camera. With the exposure leveling function, exposure is automatically adjusted to avoid large brightness changes between adjacent frames to produce equal timelapse content.

The MF assistance during video recording (up to 60p) is supported by the GH6, allowing the user to zoom the screen up to 6x to check focus. If you use AF-ON or touch the screen while in MF assist mode, the camera automatically focuses on the selected area, which is also possible during recording.

New Live MOS sensor

Panasonic has developed a new 25.2 megapixel Live MOS sensor without LPF (low pass filter) that enhances high resolution and high speed signal reading that allows reducing rolling shutter and achieving a wide dynamic range.

The GH6's new Venus processor enables advanced image processing technologies to deliver high-resolution images with natural noise texture and great color reproduction, a hallmark of LUMIX cameras.

The new processor offers approximately double the processing power, allowing for high-speed processing of the new sensor's higher pixel count and higher resolution, higher bit rate video.

This evolution includes three key technologies:

New intelligent detail processing- Detects flat, detailed, and edged elements in a frame more accurately to produce a highly realistic image.

2D Noise Reduction: Suppresses chromatic noise and improves light noise texture for clear, natural images, even when recording at high sensitivity.

High-precision 3D noise reduction for video- The ability to detect fixed and moving parts has been advanced, allowing noise reduction to be optimized and residual images to be minimized. As a result, the image quality of videos with dynamic motion is improved. Additionally, the high-precision Dual 3D Color Control improves color reproduction by brightness level, saturation level and hue level for highly realistic color expression.

The combination of the new advanced sensor with improved saturation performance and the new processor allows for a sharper image even with a high resolution of 25.2 megapixels and a minimum ISO sensitivity less than ISO 100 [Photo: ISO 50(expanded) – 25600 / Video: ISO 50(expanded) -12800].

Intuitive operation

The Lumix GH6 features a 3.0-inch tilt-and-angle touch control display with 3:2 aspect ratio and 1,840K dot high resolution. The tilt and free angle screen Allows greater flexibility and convenient rotation even with an HDMI cable and USB cable connected to the camera.

To achieve high-precision focusing, the Lumix GH6 offers options for manual focusing. While the usual focus shifts according to the rotation speed of the focus ring and the adjustment is non-linear, the linear manual focus shifts according to the angle of rotation of the focus ring for smoother and more linear adjustment.

The sensitivity (amount of focus change per angle of rotation) can be selected from 90 to 360 degrees by 30 degrees (maximum setting is 1080 degrees) to allow the intended focus operation.

He 3,680k dot real-time display and 0.76x uses a highly responsive and vision-capable OLED display to capture even fast-moving subjects in great detail. Additionally, the high-contrast display (approximately 10,000:1) presents the subject with fine gradations and high clarity.

Thanks to the faster reading speed of the new sensor and the greater processing capacity of the new Venus processor, the Lumix GH6 also allows AFS burst shooting with the electronic shutter at 75 frames per second with a resolution of 25.2 megapixels. The higher reading speed of the sensor also minimizes rolling shutter distortion and allows images to be captured that are too fast to be processed with the naked eye.

Robustness

The robustness and resistance of the body of the Lumix GH6 with the Magnesium alloy front/rear chassis, allows it to withstand the most adverse recording terrain. It is not only splash resistant, but also dust and freeze resistant down to -10 degrees Celsius. The shutter unit is also durable, lasting approximately 200,000 cycles.

The record button is located on both the top and front of the camera, making it easy to start and stop recording, even when recording at a low angle or with a shoulder rig.

The Lumix GH6 is equipped with double card slot. The CFexpress card (type B) supports internal high-bitrate video recording at 800Mbps or higher, including 5.7K 30p ProRes 422 HQ and C4K 60p ALL-I. The V90 UHS II SD memory card supports internal video recording up to 600 Mbps, and it is also possible to choose the recording method between relay recording, backup recording and assign recording, using both the SD and CFexpress memory cards.

For the terminal, a large size HDMI (type A) is provided. In addition, an HDMI/USB cable locking bracket is included to avoid problems such as unplugging at the time of filming. This model supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 for high-speed writing and reading. The high-capacity 2200mAh battery can be recharged via power or with an external powerbank, depending on the user's preferences. It also supports USB PD (Power Delivery) when using the corresponding DMW-BTC15 battery charger.

The Lumix GH6 is also compatible with Time Code IN/OUT synchronization via the flash sync terminal and the BNC converter cable, included with the BNC cable. These features facilitate non-linear editing of sequences recorded with multiple cameras.

In addition to 2.4 GHz Wi-FI (IEEE802.11b/g/n), 5 GHz Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11ac) is also available. This feature provides a secure and stable connection with smartphones, tablets and other devices for secure remote control.

The transmission speed of photo/video data is also increased when using the 5 GHz band.

The Bluetooth 5.0 support (BLE: Bluetooth Low Energy) allows a connection with a smartphone or tablet with minimal energy consumption. GH6 settings can be copied and transmitted wirelessly to other GH6s when using multiple cameras.

The Lumix Sync app, available on iOS/Android devices, allows remote control of the camera using a smartphone or tablet with wireless connection. In addition to wireless control via a DMW-RS2 remote shutter release (sold separately), the Lumix Tether app software enables tethered shooting via USB.

Users can control the camera by connecting it to a computer via USB, allowing them to view the image on a computer screen while shooting.

Finally, it stands out that the Panasonic Lumix G series has a range of more than 30 Micro Four Thirds lenses to choose from.

ByDRAFTING, Feb 22, 2022, Section:Catchment