PANASONIC LUMIX GH6 GE AR RE V I EW.
handling and performance, perhaps it’s time to take another look at what a leading Micro Four Thirds machine could do for you as a filmmaker. And at a significantly better price than other flagship mirrorless cameras.
All of these great features would be worthless if the camera didn’t deliver quality footage, especially since everyone knows that using a smaller sensor means there are inevitable compromises. This will be most noticeable in image noise at high ISOs, when compared to full-frame cameras. But the GH6 holds its own up to around 6400 ISO. In reality, this is where the vast majority of films are shot. After that, noise creeps in, but this can be calmed down with reduction in post. It is surprisingly good, thanks to the new sensor. In terms of resolution, 5.7K and 4K footage are very detailed. Side by side with similar-resolution capture from full-frame cameras, it is not quite as far behind as
you might expect. Depth-of- field obviously varies, due to the different focal length of the lenses, but Micro Four Thirds glass is smaller and more affordable. Both the look and colour reproduction of GH6 video files are fantastic – 10-bits are full of natural, pleasing hues. Skin tones seem to display less red than previous GH cameras, which were already good. Additionally, the GH6 now has even better skin tone reproduction, with 4:2:2 10-bit files that are absolutely packed full of colour information, to make grading easy. If you were never told this was from a Micro Four Thirds- sized sensor, you wouldn’t know. Since the Panasonic offers so much more in terms of spec,
VIDEO FIRST The new GH6 can take excellent stills, but is designed as a tool for moviemakers to create their best work
Conclusion The Panasonic GH6 is a stunning camera for filmmaking, with amazing spec and great results in terms of video and audio quality. This is especially true if you avoid shooting fast-moving wildlife at night, where its AF and high ISO performance may leave you frustrated. For everything else, it’s fabulously capable at an affordable price. It doesn’t have absolutely everything, such as the easy live streaming experience of the older GH5 II. The GH6 is aimed squarely at those who want quality at the expense of instant ease of streaming. One big omission compared to its rivals is the absence of internal Raw recording. Although, you can film Raw over HDMI to an Atomos recorder, if you wish. Panasonic believes it will win the quality war with high-resolution, 4:2:2 10-bit ProRes files recorded internally, instead of going the Raw route. After testing the GH6, it’s easy to see why. Edit- ready 5.7K ProRes has amazing quality, with no external recorder needed. When we tested the original GH5, we said it’s a seriously good camera – and it became massively popular. Then the GH5 II came along with much higher spec, still housing the same sensor, and it was even better. Now, the GH6 is here with a huge leap forward in spec and performance – thanks to its all-new sensor and processor. The price has gone up, but for what you get, it’s definitely worth it.
75. MAY 2022
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