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BOXING DAY While the Panasonic GH6 and S1H mirrorless cameras pack in lots of filmmaking spec, it’s the BS1H that breaks new ground. It uses the fan-cooled dual ISO sensor and processor of the S1H in a smaller, box-style body – this offers more professional I/O options. Panasonic did a similar job with the GH5 and its boxy sibling, the BGH1. Compared to the S1H, the in- body image stabilisation and any sort of screen has been deleted on the BS1H. So, there is no EVF and not even a small LCD to help you see and change settings. To do that, you have to either plug in an external
monitor or use the Lumix Sync app. Once you have put on an external screen or set up Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to communicate with your phone, then you are good to go. With the amazing S1H sensor inside, the £2999/$3498 BS1H is capable of incredible image quality in such a small and customisable package. That makes it ideal for use on a gimbal or drone, as a crash camera in large productions – or even a hidden camera as it can be controlled remotely. With 11 standard threaded holes all around its rugged body, you can pretty much mount it to anything, or bolt anything to it. It has 3G-SDI and HDMI connections, as well as Ethernet, USB-C, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connectivity and Bluetooth 4.2. The machine can simultaneously output 4:2:2 10-bit at 60p in HD from the SDI connection and 4K from the HDMI. One feed is ideal for live streaming, and another for recording in higher quality for editing later. With this 3G-SDI, HDMI or IP streaming, it can output to a monitor, recorder, switcher or transmitter and you may control and power the camera via Ethernet or USB – through the Lumix Tether software or the Sync app. And the genlock and timecode functions make it perfect to sync up with other cameras for high-precision, multicamera editing. Of course, it can also be rigged up as a small documentary camera, if you attach a monitor or EVF and ideally some sort of side handle. We used it with an Atomos Ninja V and it felt well-balanced, but handheld we did miss IBIS. If you pick the
MUST-HAVE Some way of monitoring and changing settings is a vital buy for box camera owners
right battery that has a D-Tap power output, you could even keep the monitor going via a cable, rather than having to carry more batteries with you. The hotshoe is ideal to take an XLR audio adapter. But sadly, there are no built-in NDs. You can mount it on a tripod and use a follow focus, turning it into a real cinema camera, or rely on AF and its decent face detection to track a subject. It can be rigged up as a cinema, documentary or wireless remote camera, streaming device or part of a multicamera production. That’s a lot of uses for a very different sort of camera. One that produces stunning images, with lots of dynamic range – even in low light. panasonic.com “It’s perfect to sync up with other cameras for precise multicam editing”
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