Panasonic’s new GH-series mirrorless camera is now official and features a spec sheet that will make videographers green with envy.
Expected for mid-February, the announcement of the GH6 had been delayed. The new micro 4/3 hybrid camera calibrated for taking videos will have the heavy task of succeeding the excellent GH5, still highly appreciated by players in the industry.
New sensor, new processor
No race for the highest definition for the GH6. The case leaves 8K to others and focuses on its speed. Based on a new 25 Megapixel sensor and a new processor called Venus Engine, the GH6 offers very high frame rates, in photos and videos. In photos, bursts can reach 75 frames per second. In video, the rates evolve with 300 images per second in 1080p and 120 images for 4K, whether in UHD or DCI, all captureable in 4:2:2 10-bits. 5.7K definition is also available, up to 60 frames per second and in 4:2:0 10-bit.
The new processor described as twice as fast as that fitted to the GH5 will allow for improved dynamic range (up to 13L) and optimized noise management thanks to Dual ISO, essential today on a Micro 4/3 sensor.
An armed device for post-production
But the biggest novelty offered by the case is yet to come. The GH6 is the very first hybrid camera capable of recording in ProRes internally, ensuring optimal image quality at a low compression ratio. The good news continues with the V-Log which will no longer require you to go back to the purchase box in order to unlock the feature. The Hybrid Log Range also undergoes a facelift, with possible recording up to 5.8K in HDR, at 30 frames per second in anamorphic.
These heavy and information-rich formats will have speeds of up to 1.9 Gb/s in ProRes, which is why the GH6 has a CFexpress type B compatible port and another SDXC UHS-II compatible port.
To support long filming sessions while avoiding overheating, Panasonic has decided to integrate a fan into the chassis of the GH6, which takes 1 cm and 100 g more than the GH5II in passing. The ergonomics of the case has changed little and only a new video trigger button has appeared, on the lower right corner. The OLED viewfinder and the LCD screen, respectively of 3.68 and 1.84 million points, do not evolve. The Japanese firm justified this decision by the increasingly frequent use of external screens by their customers.
The Panasonic GH6 will be available in the middle of March, and will be offered in three kits:
- Bare case at 2199 €
- as a kit with the Lumix G 12-60 mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom for €2,399
- as a kit with the Leica DG 12-60 mm f/2.8-4 L zoom for 2799 €
Source: Panasonic, Digital Camera World
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