DEFINITION May 2022 - Web

PANASONIC LUMIX GH6 GE AR RE V I EW.

Specifications

PRICE £1999 body only

SENSOR 25.21-megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor RECORDING FORMAT MOV: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, H.265/HEVC, Apple ProRes. MP4: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, H.265/HEVC FILE SIZES 5.8K 5760x2880, 23.98/25/ 29.97p 200Mbps 4:2:0 10-bit Long GOP. 5.7K 5728x3024, 23.98/25/29.97/47.95/50/59.94p 300Mbps 4:2:0 10-bit Long GOP. C4K 4096x2160 and 4K 3840x2160, 23.98/29.97/47.95/ 50/59.94/100/119.88p up to 800Mpbs 4:2:0 and 4:2:2 10-bit Long GOP and All-Intra. HD 1920x1080 23.98/29.97/47.95/ 50/59.94/100/119.88/239.76p up to 800Mpbs 4:2:0 and 4:2:2 10- bit Long GOP and All-Intra.

fast or data-intensive codecs, you will need the CFexpress card. In any frame rate up to 120fps, the signal is oversampled for the best quality, while at 240fps it’s pixel-binned – and the difference is noticeable. But these superfast frame rates are still good. At 300fps, it’s pixel-binned and cropped, ideally used for special effects shots with plenty of light and not too much dynamic range. Chances are, these shots are only for a few seconds anyway. When it comes to dynamic range, the camera’s 10-bit codecs make it much more suitable for recording in V-Log, to squeeze every bit of highlight and shadow detail from the sensor. This is also helped by the new Dynamic Range Boost function, which works in a similar way to Dual Gain Output on the Canon EOS C70 and C300 Mark III cinema cams. In Boost setting, the signal is simultaneously recorded in two different ways – one at higher ISO, one at lower. This is combined in-camera to produce footage with up to around 11.5 stops of usable dynamic range, according to our tests. Without Boost, it’s around 1.5 stops fewer. This setting only works at frame rates of 60fps or below, and the minimum ISO jumps up to 2000. It really does the job, but is best saved for when you need to retain bright highlights. Shooting in V-Log or HLG, the native ISO is 250, so 2000 is a large increase. In standard modes,

including Cinelike D2 and V2, the base ISO is 100, but Boost moves that up to 800. With around 60 codec and frame rate choices, the GH6 uses a filtering system in its menu that it borrowed from the S1H. But, once you dig down, it quickly becomes apparent the real strength of the new Panasonic is that just about every mode is available in various combinations of bit depth and chroma subsampling. So, you can shoot C4K, 4K or HD in any available frame rate at 10-bit, for example. And much of that is due to the all-new

CONTROL FREAK Buttons for most-used functions are easy to get to – and the tilting, articulating screen is ideal for filming

MAX VARIABLE FRAME RATE 1080p 300fps

DYNAMIC RANGE 13+ stops with Dynamic Range Boost

IN THE OPEN If you’re working outdoors and dealing with external shots, you won’t be disappointed

CONNECTIONS USB-C, HDMI, headphone port, mic input jack, Wi-Fi

ISO 50-25,600

IMAGE STABILISATION Five-axis hybrid image stabiliser, 7.5 stops SCREEN 3in LCD fully articulating touchscreen, 1.84m dots

SHUTTER SPEED 60 secs-1/32,000sec

DIMENSIONS (WXHXD) 138.4x100.3x99.6mm/ 5.45x3.95x3.92in

WEIGHT 823g/1.81lb

71. MAY 2022

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