Panasonic Lumix GH6: Checking out the new system camera
Comparatively small, but packed with functions for videographers – that’s the motto of the Lumix GH series from Panasonic. The new top model of the series is the Panasonic Lumix GH6, which the manufacturer has developed from scratch. COMPUTER BILD reveals what fresh technology is in it and what video fans can expect from the professional system camera.
The best system cameras (APS-C/MFT)
Nikon
Details about the test
Per
High image quality for photos and videos
Fast and accurate autofocus
against
Unwieldy with large and heavy lenses
panasonic
Details about the test
Per
High picture quality
Very detailed and large viewfinder
against
Focus tracking not always accurate
Fuji film
Details about the test
Per
High picture quality
Very detailed and large viewfinder
against
Focus tracking not always accurate
Somewhat awkward app usage
Nikon
Details about the test
Per
High image quality for photos and video
Responsive autofocus
against
Still a small selection of lenses
Fuji film
Details about the test
Per
High image quality for photos and videos
Easy handling
against
A bit unwieldy with large lenses
Focus tracking somewhat delayed
Sony
Details about the test
Per
High image quality for photos and videos
Very fast and accurate autofocus
against
Slightly long turn-on time
panasonic
Details about the test
Per
High image quality for photos and videos
Very fast autofocus
against
Autofocus not always accurate in series
Fuji film
Details about the test
Per
High image quality for photos and videos
Built-in image stabilizer
against
Focus tracking not always accurate
olympus
Details about the test
Per
High picture quality
Very high continuous shooting speed
against
Loss of sharpness at very high ISO settings
GPS location via app cumbersome
Sony
Details about the test
Per
High image quality for photos and videos
Very fast and accurate autofocus
against
Slightly long turn-on time
Complete list: The best system cameras (APS-C/MFT)
New sensor with more resolution
Most system cameras have come with a 20-megapixel sensor in recent years, and the brand new Olympus OM-1 also remains true to this resolution. The Panasonic Lumix GH6’s sensor is the first to surpass that resolution: it takes photos with it 25 megapixels (resolution 5776×4336 pixels). The higher resolution can also be used when filming – here the Lumix GH6 not only records in Full HD or 4K, but also in 5.7K. The Lumix GH6 has an extremely large selection of recording formats (codecs): the standard format is the HEVC codec (H.265), here 60 megabits per second are sufficient for videos in 4K with 30 frames per second. If you want, you can film with the H.264 codec (needs more memory, but less computing power when editing the videos later) or in Apple’s professional format ProRes (422 HQ and 422) – here at the moment “only” in 5.7K resolution (5728×3024 pixels). ProRes in 4K or Full HD should follow via firmware update.
More power for more speed
In addition to a new sensor, the Panasonic Lumix GH6 gets a fresh image processor (called Venus Engine at Panasonic). It is said to be three times faster than that of the sister model Lumix GH5 II and thus makes the particularly complex video modes of the Lumix GH6 possible at all. It also ensures a significantly higher serial image speed: Up to 75 frames per second are possible (but then without focus tracking and only for a maximum of 90 photos at a time). The new processor handles enormous data rates: Up to 1,900 megabits per second are possible with the Lumix GH6. Panasonic builds an extra CFexpress card slot for this. Because only corresponding cards – such as the Sandisk Extreme Pro CFexpress and the Transcend CFexpress 820 – are able to write such amounts of data continuously. If you prefer to use SD cards, no problem, then the maximum data rate of the Lumix GH6 is limited to 600 megabits per second so as not to overwhelm the memory card.
Practical if you want to use the original sound of the recording for videos: the Panasonic Lumix GH6 clearly shows the sound level at the push of a button.
Better picture quality
The new image processor ensures higher image quality. During the first test photograph, even photos with ISO 6400 still looked very attractive in the overall view (see image below). A slight color noise is only visible with ISO 12800 and ISO 25600. The test has to show how big the advantage over older MicroFourThirds cameras is. The image quality has improved slightly when filming, but the additional recording formats should be even more important for videographers compared to the Lumix GH5 II.
Again with special autofocus
Panasonic continues to rely on the in-house autofocus Depth from defocustechnology that is said to work faster than older Lumix cameras thanks to the more powerful image processor. This special variant of the contrast measurement convinced in the practice check with a very fast and precise autofocus for individual shots. It should also adjust the sharpness faster for series photos. Up to 8 frames per second are possible here – but the test has to show whether that is enough to (halfway) stand up to current system cameras with phase change autofocus. When filming, the speed of the autofocus leaves nothing to be desired – the Lumix GH6 focuses quickly and precisely and adjusts the sharpness nicely and gently.
The new image sensor and the fresh image processor ensure better image quality. Even with a very high ISO sensitivity (here ISO 6400), the photos look really good.
With folding swivel display
Typical for a system camera designed for filming: The Panasonic Lumix’s display can be swiveled forwards by (almost) 180 degrees. This is what vloggers like, for example, who can see themselves on the display during the recording. The screen of the Lumix GH6 can also be folded up. That’s an advantage when filming from a low perspective (below eye level) as you don’t have to swing the display sideways, it can stay just behind the lens. Another innovation of the Lumix GH6 sits under the screen – a built-in fan to prevent the camera from overheating while filming. This may happen, for example, when filming for a long time in a very warm environment or with a very high data rate. In the practice check, the fan did not start. The Lumix GH6 filmed in 4K at 30 frames per second – until the battery was empty – and hardly heated up.
The display of the Panasonic Lumix GH6 can not only be swiveled to the side, but also folded up. Special feature on the front right: a second video recording button.
High endurance
The energy storage of the Panasonic Lumix GH6 is an old friend. It is, for example, in the sister model Lumix GH5 II DMW-BLK22 stores 16 watt hours. This is currently the standard for (smaller) professional cameras. Only big chunks like the Canon EOS R3, the Nikon Z9 or the Panasonic Lumix S1 have stronger batteries. The battery lasted in the practice check 112 minutes when filming in 4K through. If you want to record longer, use a battery grip with a second battery or power the Lumix GH6 via the USB socket.
Image processing in the test
test winner
Adobe
Details about the test
Per
A lot of functions
Very extensive autocorrect
against
A lot of training is required
Only available as a subscription
Capture One
Details about the test
Per
Lots of image editing options
Very fine image corrections possible
against
Additional software required for compositions from several images
