GEAR
PANASONIC LUMIXBS1H
there’s not even a small screen to show you basic settings and allow you to change them, or just give an approximation of the shot. After all, even the tiny DJI Osmo handheld gimbal camera manages to do this. Once you’ve put on an external screen, then set up the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to communicate with your phone, you are good to go. The image quality is stunning, as you’d expect, with the same performance as the impressive S1H, and a massive range of codecs. The BS1H has a max ‘real’ ISO of 51,200, with Dual Native ISOs that vary according to settings. For stills and video, it’s ISO 100 and 640, but 640 and 4000 in V-Log. At the lower settings at 640 in V-Log, quality is fine and low-noise. When the ISO heads up, the sensor switches to another circuit, giving a second base ISO of 4000, and noise control is improved. Shooting Log, you need to add some noise reduction, as expected at such high ISO settings. The sensor has a claimed 14 stops of dynamic range in V-Log, and we found lots of detail in shadows and highlights. The footage is sharp, natural and colourful, with just enough contrast. It records at up to 6K/24p and 5.4K/30p in a 3:2 aspect ratio, or 5.9K/30p in widescreen 16:9. The 6K is very detailed, but downsize it to 4K and you get even better quality – or crop in to 6K to give another angle for your shots. The BS1H also records 10-bit 60p 4K/C4K HEVC, but sadly only in Super 35 crop mode. There is HDR (High Dynamic Range) and
RIG READY Lots of mounting points allow you to use monitors like an Atomos Ninja
V (above), while the AF is actually very impressive (right)
DEEP DIVE Having no screen at all on the camera means you need a monitor to check all the settings
“6K is very detailed, but downsize to 4K and you get even better quality” HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma), too. The camera can also output 4:2:2 10-bit 60p 4K/C4K over HDMI, or Raw for conversion in monitor/recorders. Like the S1H, there are hot- swappable twin SDmemory cards and a USB-C socket so you can power it up from an external source. At the back of the BS1H is a slot to accept the much larger camcorder- style batteries that can be bought in huge capacities. The camera doesn’t come with any batteries or a charger, so you need to add in the cost of juice.
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PRO MOVIEMAKER
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