GE AR RE V I EW. PANASONIC LUMIX GH6
to sensor size, take a look at the incredibly high filmmaking spec and video and audio quality. No full-frame camera currently offers the same stunning features as the GH6 in terms of frame rates and codec choices, onboard filmmaking tools, and limitless recording times due to management of overheating. A built-in fan, like its S1H big brother, means it’s kept so cool that you can shoot headline 5.7K video in ProRes all day, as long as you have enough battery power and memory space. And, as it takes in USB-C power while shooting, running out of juice isn’t an issue. The GH6 is designed totally for professional filmmaking, with all the spec choices and innovations Panasonic could squeeze in – and some it couldn’t. A roadmap of future upgrades will see several new features added, like recording to an external drive via USB-C, more options for Apple ProRes, 4K/120p Raw output via HDMI and more. Right now, the big news is that the Lumix is Panasonic’s most advanced camera yet, as it
records up to 5.7K in ProRes 422 and 422 HQ, to a CFexpress Type B memory card. The vast majority of resolution and codec choices are 10-bit 4:2:2, with just a handful of 10-bit 4:2:0 versions thrown in. It is capable of up to C4K at 60p in full 4:2:0 10-bit All-Intra, and the more compressed Long GOP options – and can be cranked to C4K/120p, although the sampling drops to 4:2:0 10-bit. For the highest resolution of 5.8K, you can shoot full-sensor open gate in anamorphic at up to 30p. There are lots of anamorphic options on board, including 2, 1.8, 1.5, 1.33 and 1.3x de-squeeze. Or, if speed is your thing, go to HD and shoot 300fps for incredible slow motion – and that’s even in 10-bit. There’s no AF or audio at speeds this high, but there is at up to 240fps. And Panasonic has also included a 50i recording option for TV broadcast use, when speed is of the essence. Waveform and vectorscope monitoring are here, and there’s full-fat V-Log gamma included, rather than as a paid-for extra.
And waveform is now adjustable in size. Like the GH5 range, it has a full-size HDMI port and second card slot for a common SD. If you employ a V90-class card, this will work with most codecs up to 600Mbps – but for any of the very
WOOFERS AND TWEETERS The audio quick menu (above) is a great new feature. Dynamic range is good, but really high-contrast scenes (below) can dog even the GH6
“A built-in fan, like its S1H big brother, means it’s kept so cool that you can shoot headline 5.7K video in ProRes all day”
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