Panasonic GH6 Review – Newsshooter

You may choose how the twin card slots work. Right here is how one can set them up:

*This is dependent upon what decision, body price, and bitrate you might be utilizing. Some combos cannot be recorded to 2 playing cards directly.

What can it output over HDMI?

Above you’ll be able to see a chart exhibiting what the GH6 can output over HDMI in case you are not recording internally. You may output body charges of as much as 59.94p in 4K DCI or UHD, and as much as 240fps in HD within the HFR mode. With a future firmware replace, it is possible for you to to output 4K at 100 or 120p.

*The variety of pixels displayed on the monitor

Above is a chart exhibiting you what is on the market if you end up internally recording and outputting a sign over HDMI concurrently.

You may output body charges of as much as 59.94p in 4K DCI or UHD, and as much as 240fps in HD within the HFR mode. With a future firmware replace, it is possible for you to to output 4K at 100 or 120p.

You may select to output the digicam’s data over HDMI so you’ll be able to see menus and replicate the rear LCD display. That is useful in case you are simply utilizing an exterior monitor for show functions solely.

Now, I did come throughout a problem when outputting through HDMI. If I selected to have the digicam data enabled over HDMI I misplaced all my data on the digicam’s rear display and within the EVF.

What was even stranger is that if I chosen to have the waveform on, it got here up on the digicam’s display, nevertheless it didn’t come up on the exterior output over HDMI. That is one thing you want to pay attention to in case you are simply utilizing a monitor and never a monitor/recorder and also you wished to show your digicam’s data on the display.

What it is advisable be very aware of when utilizing Panasonic Lumix cameras, and this consists of the GH6, is that the HDMI delay is horrible. I actually thought that the brand new VENUS engine would have improved issues, however that doesn’t look like the case. I did a collection of exams to work out the typical delay when outputting over HDMI. The common latency taken from 3 exams was a whopping 192ms. This was the latency from what was being seen on the GH6’s LCD display and what was being seen on the exterior monitor that was linked over HDMI.

What do these figures really imply? Nicely, something beneath 100ms is taken into account to be low, as a result of most people don’t understand a delay that small. When you recover from 100ms we understand a noticeable delay.

Above you’ll be able to see a real-world instance of how unhealthy the HDMI delay is.

The delay over HDMI from Panasonic cameras is way worse than most different mirrorless hybrid cameras available on the market. Relying on what you might be doing with the GH6, this delay may very well be an issue for you.

Video High quality

I didn’t get to shoot as a lot as I would love as a consequence of day job commitments, however I did discover the GH6 to be a really succesful digicam that was capable of obtain good outcomes. There actually aren’t any excuses anymore with regards to what digicam you utilize. Nearly any digicam that has been launched in the previous few years is able to producing nice leads to the appropriate fingers.

The standard from the 5.7K ProRes 4:2:2 10-bit recordings is great. The GH6 continues to be very able to capturing wealthy, detailed photographs and the information have sufficient data that you may push and pull the picture round. What I used to be to see is how the 5.7K 4:2:2 10-bit information in comparison with the 4K DCI ALL-I 4:2:2 10-bit information if I positioned each of them on a 4K DCI timeline. It was no actual shock that the 5.7K has extra element and sharpness when downscaled to 4K DCI, nevertheless, each photographs have been very arduous to inform aside. You actually wanted to zoom in 200-300% to see the distinction.

If it is advisable save on file house and/otherwise you simply wish to use an SD card as an alternative of CFexpress Sort B however nonetheless wish to file 5.7K, the 4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP recording possibility continues to be going to get you respectable outcomes. I wouldn’t wish to must do an excessive amount of pushing and pulling of the picture in publish, however when you get your publicity and white stability proper in digicam it’s nonetheless a great codec to make use of. I feel this codec possibility is ok for many image profiles the place you might be baking in a glance, however I might personally be a bit of cautious of utilizing it when you plan on capturing in V-Log.

Above is a few footage captured in 5.7K ProRes and 4K DCI. I’ve listed the decision, ISO, f-stop, and captured body price if it wasn’t 23.98p. I haven’t executed any sharpening to the above footage. Most photographs have been executed in V-Log and I switched between having the Dynamic Vary Increase set to ON and OFF. The whole lot you see above was captured handheld and no tripod was used. All photographs have been taken with the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. lens.

Above you’ll be able to see some pretty mundane photographs that I took rapidly round my neighborhood. The whole lot was shot handheld. I apologize once more that I couldn’t do extra, however I had to do that overview in between my day job and I solely had 5 days with the digicam. I’ve added a tiny little bit of sharpening to many of the photographs as a result of I discovered that the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. that was equipped with the digicam isn’t that sharp.

I’ve additionally uploaded one other model the place I haven’t utilized any sharpening so you’ll be able to see precisely what the identical footage seems like.

I personally assume that the picture popping out of the GH6 seems extra natural, for lack of a greater phrase than the GH5. I all the time discovered that the GH5 appeared too video-like and it had a synthetic sharpness to it that I didn’t personally like. The movement cadence additionally gave the impression to be a bit of unusual. With the GH6 the picture isn’t overly sharpened and I discovered when capturing in V-log I really had so as to add some sharpness in publish, however that would very nicely be as a result of I used to be utilizing a package lens that was equipped with the digicam.

Actual World Dynamic vary

The digicam has a good quantity of dynamic vary. The claimed 13+ stops of dynamic vary when utilizing the Dynamic Vary Increase continues to be not fairly nearly as good because the 14+ stops of claimed dynamic vary that Panasonic quotes for the S1H, Varicam LT, Varicam 35, and EVA1. In saying that, the dynamic vary is spectacular for a M4/3 sized sensor digicam.

There may be completely nothing flawed with doing scientific dynamic vary exams, nevertheless, I’m extra to see how that dynamic vary interprets to real-world capturing situations. The quantity of stops a digicam has doesn’t imply something, particularly if the spotlight dealing with of the digicam isn’t nice. The GH6 could nicely have 13+ stops of dynamic vary, nevertheless it doesn’t roll off highlights that easily, and it arduous clips them earlier than you get wherever close to 100 IRE. Regardless of the spotlight roll-off being fairly aggressive on scopes, when precise real-world photographs it isn’t almost as unhealthy because the scopes point out.

Above you’ll be able to see a fast Dynamic Vary Increase On/Off comparability when capturing in V-Log. The ISO, shutter pace, and F cease are all precisely the identical for each photographs. A V-Log to 709 LUT has been utilized. The one distinction is the Dynamic Vary Increase is ON or OFF. In an everyday shot the place there isn’t a ton of dynamic vary the one actual distinction is that the picture with the Dynamic Vary Increase turned on seems brighter, regardless of the F cease, ISO, and shutter pace all being precisely the identical. To be sincere, the Dynamic Vary Increase is simply going to be helpful if you end up capturing scenes which have quite a lot of distinction or when highlights are prone to clip. In most managed environments having 10-12 stops of dynamic vary goes to be greater than adequate.

Above you’ll be able to see the waveform variations for each photographs in V-Log and with a LUT utilized. The shadows don’t appear to be affected in both mode however with the Dynamic Vary Increase On, there may be extra stretching of the mids and highlights.

In the true world, the Dynamic vary Increase makes fairly a distinction relying on what you might be capturing. All I’ve executed to the 2 above photographs is apply a LUT.

The general dynamic vary of the GH6 continues to be fairly good and when you can’t work with the DR the digicam has you might be doing one thing very flawed. All modern-day cameras have a fairly respectable dynamic vary. From wanting on the GH6, S5, and S1H side-by-side I discovered the dynamic vary to be very comparable in the true world. If you wish to discover out extra try my overview of the S1H.

Correct Colours?

You hear folks speaking about coloration science on a regular basis, however in my view, coloration science is admittedly solely relevant or debatable if you end up not capturing Log or RAW. In case you are somebody who wants a digicam the place they simply wish to flip materials round rapidly or hand it off to somebody who received’t be grading it, then select a digicam that you just assume seems good if you end up capturing in an everyday image profile. The GH6 gives you a pleasant wanting picture capturing immediately within the L709 or a number of the different commonplace image profiles. Even when you shoot in V-Log and simply apply a LUT you can too get good outcomes.

Now, within the above video, I made certain to get the colours as near correct as potential through the use of a SmallHD Cine 13 monitor with its coloration picker performance.

After I initially did a white stability I discovered that the colours have been a bit of too magenta in most image profiles and I wanted to offset that within the GH6’s WB settings.

Above you’ll be able to see the white stability adjustment I needed to make on the GH6 when utilizing V-Log and monitoring with the V-Log view help.

What’s fascinating with regards to colours is that when you use V-Log and simply apply a LUT you’ll discover that reds get overly saturated, however not any of the opposite colours. Once more, you possibly can repair all this in publish, however it’s one thing you want to pay attention to when simply making use of a LUT straight to V-Log footage. This improve in crimson is why lots of people, together with myself, discover that utilizing V-Log with a LUT makes pores and skin tones manner too magenta.

It’s pretty simple for any digicam to breed a single coloration (for instance a blue sky) however the place it’s much more difficult to breed plenty of completely different colours precisely on the similar time.

Usually, I don’t thoughts the look of the GH6. The colours look pretty good and impartial. I discovered like most Panasonic cameras, the GH6 is a bit of on the nice and cozy facet with a slight push in the direction of magenta, nevertheless, this may be simply be corrected when white balancing.

Coloration accuracy is a tough one to guage as each lenses and lighting will play a think about how coloration is perceived.

Above you’ll be able to see what the assorted image profiles seem like. For all of those photographs the aperture, white stability, and ISO are precisely the identical. That is so you’ll be able to see the variations between the profiles.

What I like is that now not do reds look like orange when capturing V-Log with the GH6. If you find yourself capturing V-log with the S1H and S5 they each tend to show reds as orange. Above you’ll be able to see a picture that was shot in V-Go online the S5 after a correct white stability was executed. I’ve simply graded it with out touching any of the colours. The colours on the robotic that look like orange are literally purported to be crimson. The scopes aren’t indicating any specific coloration push in any path. That is comparatively simple to repair, however it’s one thing you ought to be conscious of when you haven’t shot V-Log earlier than.

If you shoot in V-Log every part pushes barely in the direction of magenta. Above you’ll be able to see the distinction on a vectorscope when capturing in V-Log versus L709.

VFR & HFR High quality

The standard of the fabric captured in VFR or HFR is fairly respectable, however it is advisable watch out to not push the ISO too excessive.

You may file as much as 119.88p in 4K DCI or UHD, as much as 59.94p in 5.7K, and as much as 300fps in HD.

There aren’t any crops in any of those modes which is good to see.

The 4K DCI ALL-I 4:2:2 10-bit at 59.94p seems actually good and it is a good mode to shoot in. I didn’t see any noticeable drop-off in high quality in comparison with if you shoot at 23.98p.

The fabric I captured in 5.7K at 59.94p in H.265/HEVC 4:2:0 10-bit seems good. It nonetheless retains sharpness and element and the noise isn’t too unhealthy except you begin pushing the ISO ranges up.

HFR materials is definitely very usable at decrease ISOs, though it begins to get noisy when you begin elevating up the ISO. Given the low native base ISO of the GH6 if you end up not utilizing the Dynamic vary Increase mode (which doesn’t work in body charges over 60p) protecting the ISO ranges down when capturing at increased body charges is usually a potential concern.

Above you’ll be able to see a check I did capturing in 4K DCI 4:2:2 10-bit at 119.88p in a 23.98p mission at a couple of completely different ISOs in V-Log. All I’ve executed is add a V-Log to Rec.709 LUT. The 119.988p materials seems respectable sufficient, nevertheless it wasn’t as sharp as I anticipated. In saying that, I feel you possibly can higher outcomes with a significantly better lens than the Leica DG Vario 12-60mm I used to be utilizing.

Above you’ll be able to see a check I did capturing in HD ALL-I 4:2:2 10-bit at 119.88p in a 23.98p mission. The fabric is okay on this mode, however once more I didn’t discover the outcomes to be that sharp.

Above you’ll be able to see a check I did the place I shot HD H.265/HEVC 4:2:0 10-bit at 300fps in a 23.98p mission. At 300fps the fabric may very well be a bit of sharper, however it’s moderately good, particularly contemplating it isn’t doing this with any sort of crop. You will notice some noise, particularly when you shoot at increased ISO ranges. I did this check on objective in V-Log, however I wouldn’t advocate utilizing V-Log on this mode. It’s nonetheless usable when you make the most of a pleasant sharp lens and also you don’t begin attempting to push the ISO. Like all digicam, it is just going to be nearly as good because the optics you place on the entrance of it.

Simply to be honest, I did one other check utilizing so much higher lens and shot at a decrease ISO. These outcomes have been higher, nevertheless, when you zoom in on the picture you’ll be able to clearly see some picture artifacts.

At 60fps the fabric seems good and there’s no actual noticeable improve in noise or lower in picture high quality. It’s if you go above 60fps that you’ll discover extra noise and a lower in sharpness.

I wouldn’t use HFR recording in low mild conditions the place it’s a must to improve the ISO. At excessive ISO settings, particularly when utilizing V-Log, excessive body price photographs don’t look good.

Low Gentle Efficiency

Most recent-day cameras have good low-light skills. At the very least in my private opinion, if it is advisable shoot over 3200/5000 ISO then the noise is arguably going to be the least of your issues. In saying that, there may be completely nothing flawed with wanting a digicam that may shoot clear footage at excessive ISO settings. The GH6 was by no means going to be a low mild beast, nevertheless it does an inexpensive job if it is advisable shoot in darkish environments the place lighting simply isn’t an possibility.

So how does the digicam carry out if you begin growing the ISO? ISO efficiency might be arduous to quantify because it actually is dependent upon what situations you might be capturing in. In case you are capturing in situations the place every part in your scene is darkish, you’ll, in fact, see extra noise. If a great proportion of your scene might be uncovered accurately, then the noise ranges are much less distracting, even when capturing at increased ISO ranges.

I personally don’t like capturing something above 5000 ISO whatever the digicam I’m utilizing. However relying on the kind of work you might be doing chances are you’ll end up having to push ISO ranges to get that shot that couldn’t in any other case be captured.

You may modify the quantity of noise discount getting used no matter what image profile you might be utilizing. In V-Log it’s set on the lowest default degree of 0. You may modify it as much as +10. On all the opposite image profiles it additionally defaults at 0, however you’ll be able to modify it from -5 to +5.

I might use the noise discount very rigorously when you plan on having it on. Even Panasonic clearly states that Rising the impact could end in a slight drop in image decision. In my view, you might be significantly better off doing all your noise discount in publish except it’s a must to flip your materials round in a short time.

V-Log materials does clear up fairly properly with a little bit of noise discount. Whereas it might not be the very best low-light digicam going round, it will be adequate for most individuals’s wants.

I went out and shot some materials late at evening with the GH6 simply so I may see what ISO ranges I might be snug utilizing. I purposely did these exams in combined lighting situations so I may see how the digicam stood up. All the above imaginative and prescient was shot in 5.7K ProRes 422HQ at 23.98p and captured handheld. I had the Dynamic Vary Increase turned on and I used to be capturing in V-Log. The noise discount was set to 0 and I haven’t executed any noise discount in publish. I discovered that as much as about 5000 ISO was a suitable restrict for me. 12800 ISO, which is the utmost ISO you need to use in video was extraordinarily noisy. What I additionally discovered is that when you simply use Panasonic’s V-Log to 709 LUT every part leans magenta and reds get overly saturated.

The largest battle with M4/3 is that you actually need very quick lenses if you wish to shoot in darkish environments. The Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. lens that I used to be utilizing isn’t an ideal selection for what I used to be doing. Having not shot with a M4/3 digicam shortly I used to be rapidly reminded that they aren’t going to give you something near the outcomes you’ll be able to receive in low mild with a number of the newer full-frame mirrorless hybrids which can be accessible.

The extent of noise you might be snug with will all the time be a private resolution, particularly when you plan on utilizing some type of noise discount in publish.

When capturing in V-Log you’ll be able to nonetheless receive respectable outcomes when you grade the footage and add a little bit of noise discount in publish.

Autofocus

Let’s handle the elephant within the room. Panasonic doesn’t precisely have a great fame for autofocus efficiency, particularly with regards to video. The largest Achilles Heel, and the explanation quite a lot of customers draw back from Panasonic, is as a result of the autofocus efficiency isn’t nearly as good as on different producers’ cameras.

Panasonic does declare the AF efficiency is improved on the GH6, however it’s fascinating that in briefings they by no means wish to speak about AF efficiency. In Sony and Canon briefings, AF is all the time one of many key parts they readily wish to promote.

Till Panasonic strikes away from contrast-based autofocus programs quite a lot of potential homeowners are going to look elsewhere.

Sure, the GH6 nonetheless makes use of a contrast-based autofocus system. Nevertheless, Panasonic claims that it has acquired main enhancements with regards to head, face, and eye detection. Panasonic states that the monitoring efficiency pace of earlier programs for face and eye detection has elevated.

Above you’ll be able to see some exams seeing how nicely the FACE/EYE detect AF-C works at varied apertures and focal lengths. At wider focal lengths it takes fairly a little bit of time for the GH6 to detect faces or eyes. At longer focal lengths it really works so much higher. The system did a fairly good job when the aperture was set at F8, but when I opened it as much as F4 it did battle at instances to maintain the topic in focus. For those who scrub by the video you’ll be able to see what number of instances it really loses focus. I simply wish to make it crystal clear that sure lenses will carry out higher than others with regards to AF efficiency. These exams have been executed with the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. POWER O.I.S.

The AF isn’t nice when capturing in 4K DCI or UHD at 119.88p.

Above you’ll be able to see some fast exams the place I wished to see how nicely the contact AF system would work and likewise how nicely the AF-C would work. I purposely arrange a state of affairs the place there was a spread of objects at completely different focal distances from the digicam and in various lighting situations. For these exams, I set the AF pace to +5 and the AF sensitivity to +3. These are the very best settings on the GH6 when capturing video. In all honesty, the AF was a bit of hit or miss. Whereas typically it labored nicely, different instances it struggled. It’s this degree of inconsistency that some folks could discover a problem. It does pulse every so often and typically it wouldn’t discover focus in any respect. I did discover that the AF-C did an inexpensive job when you set a set focus space and moved the digicam round. Whereas it was removed from good I feel most customers will discover it acceptable in quite a lot of conditions.

Panasonic did make enhancements with the face detect autofocus when capturing video with the LUMIX S collection full-frame cameras, and people enhancements have additionally made their manner over to the GH6.

Above you’ll be able to see some autofocus exams the place I examined out the FACE/EYE detection. It really works fairly nicely, and a minimum of in my view, it’s extra responsive than the system on the S1H and doubtless a smidge higher than the S5. The system will observe a number of heads directly and you’ll simply contact the display to change between topics. If there are two topics within the body and one leaves the body, the main target will shift routinely to the topic that continues to be. As you’ll be able to see from the exams, it’s removed from good, and it could get confused, nevertheless, it’s significantly better than the earlier autofocus programs used on Panasonic cameras. With the GH6 you going to have much more depth of subject than with a full-frame digicam, so in concept, the AF system doesn’t must work as arduous.

I’ve left an analogous comparability I did with the S5 above so you’ll be able to see for your self how the GH6 compares.

The autofocus works moderately nicely when situations are favorable. When you begin attempting to make use of it in low mild environments or excessive distinction situations it is going to fall over fairly rapidly. As I already talked about, the continuous autofocus does tend to hunt every so often and that is one thing you want to pay attention to.

Now, Panasonic advised me that autofocus is on the market in all resolutions and body charges, nevertheless, I couldn’t get it to work in any of the VFR (variable body price modes). It does work in case you are capturing 4K DCI or UHD at 119.88p. It additionally works in the entire anamorphic recordings choices.

The autofocus efficiency does appear to be rather a lot higher than the S1H, however in my sincere opinion, it hasn’t improved to the purpose the place it’s corresponding to Sony or Canon. In saying that, it’s now on the level the place continuous autofocus is definitely usable (in good lighting situations), and the Monitoring and Face/Eye/Physique Detection work fairly nicely. I might really use AF on the GH6, that is one thing I wasn’t snug doing with the S1H. I can’t let you know how the AF efficiency compares to a GH5/GH5s/GH5 II, as I didn’t have entry to any of these cameras.

Look, I applaud Panasonic for bettering it, however so long as the autofocus continues to be modeled round a contrast-based system it is going to proceed to lag behind quite a lot of the competitors. At the very least in my view, it isn’t constant or dependable sufficient to make use of in sure conditions.

Personally, I don’t use autofocus when capturing video for many of the work I do, however I do know lots of people do. If nice autofocus is a main concern for you when selecting a mirrorless digicam, then there are higher choices than the GH6.

One of many points I’ve with nearly all hybrid mirrorless cameras is that the quantity of AF settings and parameters you’ll be able to modify will get very complicated. Usually autofocus settings are scattered over varied completely different menu pages.

I want producers would simply make some easy default modes for if you wish to do particular issues. For instance, you need continuous AF with face monitoring, then you definitely simply press one button or one setting within the menu. There may be in all probability a manner to do that by saving ceratin settings to My Menu, however that often entails combining it with different settings equivalent to decision, body price, and so forth.

Lens Mount

The GH6 makes use of a typical M4/3 mount. The M4/3 mount could be very adaptable and there’s a massive vary of adaptors you need to use to run non-native M4/3 lenses.

One of many foremost advantages of M4/3 has all the time been that you may get smaller, lighter, and extra reasonably priced lenses. You can also reap the benefits of lenses which have a far larger focal vary than their S35 or full-frame cousins. M4/3 could be very useful if it is advisable shoot at lengthy focal lengths since you don’t want to hold round a big and heavy telephoto lens. This is the reason M4/3 is a well-liked format for hobbyists who’re capturing wildlife equivalent to birds.

The opposite benefit M4/3 supplied was its adaptability which allowed you to run all kinds of different lenses from varied producers. That benefit has additionally dissipated as a result of Canon’s RF mount, Sony’s E-mount, Nikon’s Z mount, and Panasonic/Leica’s personal L mount all supply that very same flexibility.

Why Panasonic, or another lens producer for that matter, hasn’t made a correct servo-driven M4/3 lens with a great focal vary is past me. This is able to infinitely improve the enchantment of a digicam just like the GH6. For those who have been working in information, documentary, or occasion protection a light-weight, cost-effective digicam with an reasonably priced servo lens with a great focal vary would make quite a lot of sense.

Together with servo-driven lenses, Panasonic additionally ought to have made a collection of reasonably priced M4/3 anamorphic lenses. Panasonic has been very proactive with including anamorphic capturing choices in its cameras, however there are only a few reasonably priced M4/3 anamorphic lenses accessible.

At the very least, in my view, Panasonic has didn’t capitalize on the enchantment of a M4/3 digicam in 2022 (a minimum of for video shooters) as a result of they arguably haven’t developed lenses that might give the digicam a bonus over full-frame choices from different producers. Lens selection and lens choices are an enormous purpose why shooters select a specific system over one other. For those who construct it they may come. For those who don’t they may go elsewhere.

Sure, Panasonic and different producers do have a wide range of M4/3 lenses accessible which can be optically superb. The difficulty is quite a lot of the present M4/3 lenses don’t play nicely between Olympus (OM SYSTEM) and Panasonic cameras. Taking Olympus lenses and placing them on a Panasonic digicam, or vice versa comes with a ton of caveats. M4/3 wants all the assistance it could get and as there are solely actually two firms making M4/3 cameras they should play nicely collectively. In the meanwhile, one in every of them will get cranky and doesn’t wish to play with the opposite. This in the end finally ends up with one baby crying and the opposite selecting up their ball and going residence.

If Panasonic continues utilizing an AF system that may’t rival what different firms are doing, you restrict your cameras enchantment, particularly for video shooters. This was the case with the S1H. Most customers of that digicam who have been capturing skilled video weren’t utilizing AF lenses, as an alternative, they have been utilizing guide focus stills lenses or PL glass with adapters.

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The opposite obvious concern is that a number of the newest M4/3 lenses are hardly what you’d describe as reasonably priced. The 2 lenses that in all probability take advantage of sense to be used with the GH6 are the:

These are usually not low-cost lenses and so they have a reasonably restricted focal vary.

You would additionally use the brand new M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II or M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4 PRO that have been each introduced final week.

Sure, there are cheaper choices accessible, however the entire premise of utilizing M4/3 is that’s it purported to be much more reasonably priced. This will have been the case 6 years in the past, nevertheless it isn’t anymore. So many firms now make very reasonably priced full-frame lenses.

You may definitely get extra attain out of M4/3 lenses in a lighter and extra compact type, nevertheless, Panasonic’s personal LUMIX S full-frame cameras have a number of modes you need to use to increase the attain of your lenses.

Because the S5 and S1H make the most of a full-frame sensor you’ll be able to select what picture space you want to seize. The angle of view differs relying on the picture space. By selecting a special picture space you’ll be able to successfully lengthen your lens’s focal attain with out picture deterioration.

You may solely select Picture Space when recording in varied codecs and body charges. In quite a lot of the UHD and HD modes, you’ll be able to select Full Body, S35, and Pixel/Pixel.

The place this feature is spectacular is if you end up recording in HD. Right here you’ll be able to choose from utilizing Full Body, S35mm, or Pixel/Pixel. That is very useful as you need to use one full-frame zoom lens such because the 24-105mm F4 to shoot absolutely anything you want. In case you are capturing occasions, information, and even weddings, and it is advisable ship in HD, an S5 and 24-105mm F4 full-frame zoom makes for a compelling resolution.

In case you are capturing in UHD, deciding on APS-C or Pixel/Pixel offers you a similar end result.

The opposite good thing about pixel to pixel when capturing in HD is that you may get extremely good macro photographs with a typical lens.

I couldn’t see any massive distinction in picture high quality when utilizing Full, S35mm, or Pixel/Pixel. The one factor I may see is that the Pixel/Pixel might be not fairly as sharp because the Full Body or S35mm modes.

In fact, you can also’t select to shoot utilizing the complete view of the sensor in case you are utilizing a Tremendous 35 mm/APS-C lens or if in case you have the Picture Circle chosen to S35mm.

In some methods, this performance makes a digicam just like the S5 a extra interesting prospect than the GH6.

In saying that, the GH6 does have a FULL and PIXEL-PIXEL mode. The PIXEL-PIXEL mode solely works if you end up recording 4K DCI, UHD, or HD resolutions. I’m not certain what the precise crop is when utilizing PIXEL-PIXEL however it’s round 1.4x.

PIXEL-PIXEL is a pleasant manner of getting some further attain out of your lenses. The picture high quality when utilizing the PIXEL-PIXEL mode is difficult to differentiate from FULL. Above you’ll be able to see a comparability between FULL and PIXEL-PIXEL when capturing 4K DCI 4:2:2 10-bit ALL-I. I’ve additionally cropped in on the FULL picture and in contrast it on to the PIXEL-PIXEL.

As I beforehand talked about, you can too use adaptors equivalent to pace boosters which is what quite a lot of M4/3 homeowners do.

The issue for the potential GH6 patrons is that except you already personal M4/3 glass I don’t see too many individuals working out and buying new M4/3 lenses, as a result of, in all honesty, lots of people are going to have a preconceived opinion that this isn’t a format that’s going to flourish once more for video shooters. Spending plenty of cash on native M4/3 glass in 2022 shouldn’t be one thing I might personally advocate.

Above you’ll be able to see the value for a few of Panasonic’s personal M4/3 zooms which can be accessible. It’s fascinating to see that fairly a couple of of the above lenses are presently on sale at B&H.

Simply as a comparability, above is what a few of Panasonic’s personal LUMIX S full-frame zoom lenses price. Despite the fact that a number of the LUMIX S lenses look like fairly costly, their costs don’t differentiate that a lot from comparable choices from Canon and Sony.

What you additionally want to obviously bear in mind is that M4/3 format lenses are so much simpler and cheaper to make than full-frame lenses.

Rolling Shutter

I do know plenty of folks love to listen to about rolling shutter, though I personally really feel that in quite a lot of capturing conditions you might be by no means going to see it with most modern-day cameras.

In case you are doing plenty of fast-moving capturing with whip pans and tilts then rolling shutter might be a problem with some cameras.

I did a few fast exams capturing 5.7K 23.98p and 4K DCI 119.88p as a fast-moving practice went previous. Sure, there may be some rolling shutter, however it’s pretty minimal.

Now, I did do one other check the place I in contrast the rolling shutter when the Dynamic Vary Increase was turned ON and OFF. The rolling shutter efficiency, a minimum of to my eye, appeared pretty comparable in each modes

I.S & O.I.S.

The GH6 integrates in-body picture stabilization (I.S). Panasonic developed an algorithm that’s claimed to exactly calculate shake utilizing data acquired not solely from a gyro-sensor but additionally from the picture sensor and an accelerometer sensor inside the physique of the digicam. That is mentioned to allow extra correct shake detection and compensation

By combining the Physique I.S. (5-axis) within the digicam and the O.I.S. (Optical Picture Stabiliser, 2-axis) in a LUMIX lens, the 5-axis Twin I.S. compensates for bigger actions than are controllable by standard strategies. Maximizing each O.I.S. and I.B.I.S. is claimed to offer customers as much as 7.5-stops of compensation. That is one-stop higher than the GH5 II and the S5.

The 5-axis Twin I.S. 2 works for each picture and video modes, together with anamorphic recording. The Physique I.S. compensates for digicam motion even when M4/3 lenses with out O.I.S. are used and when different lenses are fitted through an adapter

There may be additionally a further E-Stabilization mode you’ll be able to activate the place digicam shake is corrected together with vertical, horizontal, roll, pitch, and yaw axes by the mixed makes use of of in-lens, in-body, and digital picture stabilization. The GH6 additionally has choices for turning on/off Increase I.S. (Video) and turning the stabilization on/off when in anamorphic capturing modes.

The I.S works rather well, it definitely permits you to seize very regular footage when capturing handheld. For those who mix a Panasonic lens that has O.I.S with the GH6’s in-body picture stabilization you’ll be able to receive remarkably regular photographs when capturing handheld. Above you’ll be able to see a fast instance the place I used to be simply holding the digicam in entrance of me and capturing at 12mm and 60mm within the FULL picture mode and likewise 12mm and 60mm within the PIXEL-PIXEL mode. I had the I.S turned, the O.I.S. on the lens turned on, E-Stabilization mode turned on, and the Increase I.S. (Video) turned on. With this mix, handheld photographs that I did appeared like that they had been shot utilizing a tripod.

The largest draw back to utilizing I.S and O.I.S. is that when you try to do pans or tilts you will get this unhealthy floating impact that makes it arduous to do something easily. In case you are capturing something the place you might be getting lens flare additionally, you will see the flare shifting round in an unnatural manner. I’m not personally the most important fan of IBIS when capturing video, nevertheless it does have its place and can be utilized to attain good outcomes so long as you might be conscious of the caveats when utilizing it.

There’s a slight picture crop if you activate the E-Stabilization (video) mode, however it’s pretty minimal. For those who simply have the Increase I.S (video) activated there is no such thing as a crop.

The mix of I.S and a lens with O.I.S produces very spectacular outcomes for protecting handheld photographs regular. I.S works in all recording resolutions and framerates. The picture stabilization capabilities of the GH6 are proper up there with the very best I’ve seen from any digicam.

Totally Rotatable Display screen

Identical to many of the newest Panasonic mirrorless cameras, the GH6 comes with a totally articulating and rotatable display. The display is 3″ in measurement, which is barely smaller than the three.2″ screens used on the S1H, S1, and S1R.

The three″ fold out monitor is simple sufficient to make use of and it provides sufficient flexibility that I feel most customers will likely be proud of its design. The contact display performance is responsive and the standard of the display is fairly good.

You may really make the display very vivid, nevertheless, I discovered this simply washes every part out. I didn’t discover the rear LCD to be that usable in very sunny situations outdoor. I discovered myself having to make use of the EVF much more usually than the LCD display. In equity to Panasonic, most mirrorless hybrids and digital cinema cameras have horrible LCD displays that may’t be considered correctly outdoor in vivid situations.

I like that the fold-out monitor might be flipped round and utterly hidden away. It signifies that if you end up placing the digicam in a bag or transporting it the rear display received’t get by chance scratched.

The GH6 has been designed in a manner that the display doesn’t hit a plugged-in HDMI cable on the physique of the digicam. The addition of the fan definitely helps with this because the display is offset farther from the digicam physique.

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For individuals who must movie themselves, or for an added reminder that you’re really recording, Panasonic has additionally included a REC Body indicator the place a crimson body define seems to let you understand in case you are recording or not. This may be turned on or off.

EVF

The digicam makes use of a 0.39″ OLED EVF with 3,600,000 dots.

I like that you may press the LVF button on the facet of the EVF to show the rear LCD display off, or flip the EVF off. I want Panasonic had have applied a manner to have the ability to maintain each on on the similar time and to show off the EVF proximity sensor.

The rear viewfinder is fairly good, and whereas I don’t assume it’s fairly nearly as good because the one used on the S1H, I feel most individuals will likely be proud of it.

White Stability

On some mirrorless cameras doing a white stability is way extra sophisticated than it must be. To be honest, some firms have really improved this lately.

With the GH6 it’s fast to do a customized white stability. The digicam additionally has a devoted white stability button that’s simple to entry. This lets you make white stability modifications in a short time.

You may retailer as much as 4 customized white stability settings, and there are a further 4-kelvin coloration temperature settings you additionally retailer.

You can even select AWB in addition to 7 different preset-defined white stability settings. Additionally it is good that you may make changes to your white stability settings by offsetting any coloration forged.

Body Strains & Security Zone Markers

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The digicam has the flexibility to generate a wide selection of body markers in numerous sizes. here’s what you are able to do:

• 2.39:1
• 2.35:1
• 2.00:1
• 1.85:1
• 16:9
• 4:3
• 5:4
• 1:1
• 4:5
• 9:16

These are precisely the identical choices which can be accessible on the S1H and the S5.

What is good is you can too change the colour of the body marker traces in addition to the body masks. These are options you don’t generally see on mirrorless hybrids.

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Panasonic has additionally added security zone markers to the GH6 so you’ll be able to arrange varied body sizes and have them displayed.

Timelapse

With the interval capturing operate you’ll be able to routinely arrange time-lapse recording on the GH6. The capturing interval might be set from 1 second to 99 minutes 59 seconds in increments of 1 second.

When you end recording a timelapse you’ll be able to then flip it right into a film file with out leaving the GH6. The GH6 helps as much as 4K / 60p interval video era. What is good is that the publicity is smoothed when the video is being generated so you’ll be able to create time-lapse movies with clean publicity modifications.

You can even select to shoot time-lapses in V-log or Like709 when you favor.

Focus Transition

A spotlight transition operate permits you to set as much as three pre-defined positions in an effort to get your digicam to do computerized focus pulls.

With this function, you’ll be able to set the pace of these focus transitions. It is a useful function when utilizing AF-capable lenses.

I’ve movies demonstrating how this function works in each my S1H and S5 evaluations.

Audio

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Good onboard audio recording is one thing that was hardly ever seen in mirrorless cameras, though it has began to get so much higher. It’s good to see producers paying extra consideration to audio, particularly with extra video-centric fashions.

For those who use the DMW-XLR1 you’ve gotten the flexibility to file as much as 4 channels of audio on the GH6. Two through the XLR inputs and two extra through the stereo 3.5mm mic enter jack on the digicam.

The GH6 additionally has its personal onboard stereo scratch mic.

As I discussed earlier, there’s a devoted Audio button on the GH6.

If you press this you get a direct audio data display popping up. This lets you make some key modifications to audio recording and monitoring parameters.

Despite the fact that it doesn’t clearly point out that you are able to do this when you press on the display the place the audio degree meters are it takes you straight to a display that permits you to modify the audio ranges.

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For those who plug in an exterior microphone supply through the three.5mm enter it is going to routinely override the inner microphones. On the show display above you’ll be able to see that the mic indicator sneakers both INT to EXT relying on what’s getting used.

Now, though you’ll be able to file as much as 4 channels of audio you’ll be able to solely achieve this in case you are utilizing the DMW-XLR1. Even if in case you have a stereo supply coming in by the three.5mm enter and also you additionally wished to file the inner microphones as nicely, you’ll be able to’t. The 4ch MIC Enter is all the time set to OFF except you’ve gotten the DMW-XLR1 connected. It could have been good if Panasonic nonetheless enabled you to file 4 channels of audio with no need the DMW-XLR1.

A very good proportion of individuals shopping for a GH6 are in all probability going to be doing their very own audio and received’t take pleasure in utilizing a sound recordist. So how is the audio on the GH6?

I didn’t have entry to the optionally available DMW-XLR1 audio module, however I did check the GH6 by plugging in a microphone immediately, in addition to utilizing a JuicedLink RM333.

When utilizing the GH6, the recording degree vary might be set from -18dB to +12dB. This is similar as what is on the market on the S1H. As a reference, the S5 solely offers you choices of -12db to +6db.

This capacity to set the recording degree very low means you’ll be able to get rid of any inner pre-amp noise if you join up an exterior audio system like a JuicedLink. After I connected the JuicedLink RM333, I set the GH6 to [Low] after which set the recording degree to -18db. This fashion I may reap the benefits of the great preamps on the JuicedLink and ship in an audio sign that may very well be recorded at a pleasant degree.

The audio I used to be capable of seize was clear with no noticeable noise flooring.

I additionally examined the GH6 with quite a lot of RØDE microphones together with the Wi-fi GO II. Once more, I used to be capable of receive good outcomes.

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Within the digicam’s audio menu you can too choose the kind of enter you wish to select. Being able to enter a line-level supply can be one thing that shouldn’t be missed.

The GH6 has a recording degree meter that’s displayed on the capturing display. similar to the S1H, it makes use of meters with the identical show traits as cinema cameras (-36dB to -12dB in 2dB increments and -12dB to 0dB in 1dB increments), the S5 solely reveals you indicators for -12dB and 0dB.

The S5 doesn’t show peak degree values for every separate audio channel just like the GH6 and S1H do, the truth is, it doesn’t show any peak audio values.

You may select to have the audio meters turned on or off and you can too change the dimensions of the displayed audio meters. The one caveat with making the audio meters small is that you just lose the db increment indicators.

Now, so far as audio monitoring goes, the GH6 has the flexibility to truly monitor choose channels. Hallelujah! The largest downside with nearly all different mirrorless hybrids is that there is no such thing as a option to monitor simply channel 1 or simply channel 2. In case you are working two microphones, you hear one microphone by the left earphone and the opposite by the appropriate. This actually frustrates me. Thanks Panasonic for sorting this downside out.

The opposite constructive side of the headphone monitoring is that you may select to take heed to the audio in REALTIME, or you’ll be able to select RECSOUND, so you’ll be able to monitor the outputted HDMI audio. This compensates for the slight audio delay.

Talking of audio, you can too output all 4 channels of audio over HDMI.

DMW-XLR1

If I used to be shopping for a GH6 I might even be buying the optionally available DMW-XLR1 audio module. That is one of the simplest ways to maintain the GH6 comparatively small whereas including higher audio recording choices.

Timecode

The GH6 has timecode that works in the very same manner as what is on the market on the S1H. You should utilize an included flash port to BNC conversion cable to enter or output timecode on to the GH6.

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There are fairly a couple of choices for organising and utilizing timecode within the menus.

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Having the ability to sync timecode with out having to tie up one of many audio channels is an enormous deal and it permits you to use the GH6 in multi-camera shoots and have every part time code synched.

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Whereas this resolution is nice, the implementation is a bit of bit messy and it is advisable use two cables

Video Help Instruments

Together with focus peaking, focus magnification, and zebras, the GH6 additionally has a waveform, vectorscope in addition to a luminance spot meter.

With peaking, you’ll be able to change the colour and depth.

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The luminance spot worth reveals your IRE as a share. Surprisingly when you choose V-Log as the image profile the luminance spot worth modifications to +/- STOP values. I’m not fairly certain why Panasonic has executed that. 0 Cease signifies an IRE worth of 42%. For those who shoot a 18% gray card then you’ll be able to simply modify your aperture till it hits 0 Cease in V-Log and you understand your publicity will likely be spot on.

I actually like a number of the video help instruments that Panasonic offers you. Luminance spot values and waveforms are actually useful aids if you end up capturing. By including instruments like these it reveals me that Panasonic has really talked to video shooters about options they wish to see in cameras.

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With the zebras, you’ll be able to set two separate ranges or select to have each activated directly. That is useful for choosing a center gray worth and for shielding highlights by setting an IRE worth simply earlier than clipping.

I might have appreciated to have seen Panasonic go a step additional and add false coloration performance to the GH6.

Menus

The menu system is okay on the GH6 and it has rather a lot in frequent with the S1H. Like most mirrorless hybrid cameras there are quite a lot of menu choices and it could get a bit of complicated attempting to make sure modifications. Whereas there’s a video recording menu, it’s a must to go into different sections to alter sure parameters that also pertain to video capturing. I want firms making hybrid mirrorless cameras would simply have a system the place if you end up in video mode you solely see video menus. Maintain on, isn’t that precisely what Canon did with the R5C?

The GH6 has inherited the filtering system that was first launched by Panasonic with the S1H. This filtering system helps let you know what codec and body charges can be found at sure resolutions. It does this by a technique of elimination.

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The extra choices you filter, the smaller the variety of outcomes turns into till you might be left with solely the choices which can be potential.

I like this filtering system because it permits you to rapidly work out what choices can be found to you based mostly in your necessities.

Together with this filtering system, you can too save your favourite or most well-liked recording codecs by deciding on add to record. You can even make the most of the My Menu web page to save lots of ceaselessly used settings.

There are a couple of choices you’ll be able to change within the menu so if you change from stills to video or video to stills it retains these settings.

By urgent the Q button you’ll be able to deliver up a fast option to change key parameters rapidly.

This Fast menu might be personalized which is useful for if you select both stills or video.

What is good to see is that the GH6 has the very same video data show display because the S1H. That is one thing the S5 doesn’t have.

One of many small complaints I’ve is that you may get simply confused as a result of in case you are capturing 23.98p the FPS on the show nonetheless reveals 24. Because the GH6 is a digicam that may really shoot 24p that is one thing that must be addressed.

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On the GH6 you can too choose to have your shutter and ISO/dB displayed in varied methods.

There may be additionally a Synchro Scan operate which works no matter whether or not you’ve gotten your shutter set to levels or angle. It is a useful function for if you end up capturing displays or shows or working in sure lighting situations the place you may encounter points.

Vertical Taking pictures

For those who rotate the GH6 vertically the digicam will detect this and routinely flip your picture to compensate. It is a useful information for capturing vertical video. The display overlays will also be set within the menu to routinely flip too when you require that.

100MP Excessive Res Photograph Mode

The GH6 has a 100MP Excessive Res picture mode the place the digicam takes 8 consecutive photographs whereas shifting the sensor utilizing the B.I.S mechanism.

This mode might be accessed immediately from the drive mode dial.

These images might be captured in JPEG or RAW.

Battery & Battery Efficiency

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The GH6 makes use of the very same battery that’s discovered within the S5. This battery is the DMW-BLK22 and it has a capability of 2200 mAh. As a comparability, the DMW-BLJ31 battery used within the different Lumix S cameras has a 3050 mAh capability.

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The battery takes a very long time to cost. Utilizing the included charger it takes 4 hours to completely cost up the battery. The battery might be rapidly charged through USB PD (USB Energy Supply) utilizing the bundled USB3.1 Sort-C cable. The digicam can be utilized whereas it’s charging or connected to a USB-C energy provide.

I discovered with the battery I may get round 70-80 minutes if I used to be capturing UHD 60p. In different modes, you’re going to get barely longer recording instances. With any battery life it actually is dependent upon whether or not you might be utilizing AF, IBIS, outputting a sign of HDMI, utilizing the monitor, and so forth. as to how a lot battery life you’re going to get.

Battery life shouldn’t be unhealthy, though you’d in all probability want round 4 batteries to get you thru an entire day of capturing.

NTSC/PAL Appropriate

Not like the S1 which solely allowed you to shoot in NTSC or Pal body charges relying on the place on the planet you acquire it, the GH6 is full PAL/NTSC switchable.

The issue with having separate PAL/NTSC settings is you might be restricted to sure body charges when recording video. I actually want Panasonic moved away from this method frequency separation.

The great factor in regards to the S5 was that you may change between NTSC/PAL with out having to reboot the digicam. On the GH6 and the S1H if you change the System Frequency it is advisable reboot the digicam.

Usability

For me personally, usability is a big issue when deciding on what digicam to buy. If the picture high quality is improbable and the digicam has quite a lot of nice specs which means nothing if it’s a ache to make use of. I’m not the most important fan of utilizing mirrorless hybrid cameras for video. Personally, I a lot favor to make use of a correct digital cinema digicam, however to every to their very own. Nevertheless, in sure conditions, I’ll nonetheless use a mirrorless hybrid if it occurs to be the appropriate instrument for the job.

A mirrorless digicam must be purposeful, simple to function, simple to navigate, and never have overheating, time restriction, or battery points. Inevitably, most mirrorless hybrids received’t meet all of those necessities.

I discovered that whereas not good, the usability of the GH6, for essentially the most half, was fairly good. It definitely ticks quite a lot of packing containers with regards to dealing with, video-centric options, performance, and construct high quality. No recording time limitations are big and the flexibility to file 4:2:2 10-bit internally in 5.7K, 4K DCI, UHD, and HD is spectacular. Timecode In/Out, 4 channel audio recording, and the flexibility to file in quite a lot of excessive body charges in numerous resolutions solely provides to its enchantment.

The LCD display and the EVF are fairly good and that definitely interprets into making the GH6 a really usable digicam. Nevertheless, as I beforehand talked about, the rear LCD display, like most hybrid mirrorless cameras, could be very tough to see outdoor in sunny situations.

I like that by simply urgent on the ISO and WB buttons you’ll be able to cycle by the settings with out having to enter any menus. That is very useful if you end up working in fast-paced environments.

The largest concern I’ve with the design format of the buttons is that the file button is in a nasty place. It s arduous to succeed in if you end up gripping the digicam and I discovered myself extra instances than not urgent the Audio button as an alternative of the file button. The file button on the S1H and the S5 is, a minimum of in my view, manner simpler to find and use.

The principle standing display when capturing video reveals you your entire key data and permits you to make modifications rapidly.

Having the ability to punch in and verify focus whereas recording is a long-overdue function, however I nonetheless don’t get why Panasonic insists on having separate PAL/NTSC recording choices the place it is advisable reboot the digicam.

One of many largest usability points I discovered is if you end up utilizing the Dynamic Vary Increase together with V-Log the bottom ISO is so excessive that you just want a ton of ND to shoot outdoor in sunny situations. You really want to issue this in, as a result of I used to be utilizing a 0.4 to 1.8 variable ND filter and that wasn’t sufficient to take care of right publicity except I finished the lens manner down. In some instances, I couldn’t shoot in any respect as a result of even when I finished the lens all the way down to F22 the picture was nonetheless overexposed.

The opposite concern with mirrorless hybrids and this doesn’t simply apply to the GH6, is that after you run a variable ND filter you don’t have any manner of utilizing a lens hood and this is a matter when capturing in sure conditions. Sure, you possibly can keep away from this by including a matte field to your digicam, however then you might be growing the general measurement of your digicam.

I additionally assume that you’re nearly caught between a rock and a tough place when capturing in V-Log. You both have a base ISO of 250 with the Dynamic Vary Increase turned off, or 2000 ISO with it turned on. 250 is just too darkish to make use of indoors and if it is advisable ramp that as much as 800 or 1250 ISO you’ll be able to generate noise if it’s a must to raise your mids or shadows. Outside 2000 ISO might be too excessive, and as I beforehand talked about, it is advisable run quite a lot of ND to get right publicity.

I loved utilizing the GH6, and as soon as it’s arrange and configured for what you wish to do it’s comparatively simple to work with. The GH6 is definitely a digicam you’ll be able to simply choose up and shoot with. With good inner recording choices, you don’t actually need so as to add an exterior recorder, and this, in flip, means you will get away with out utilizing a digicam cage. Most significantly it additionally allows you to maintain a small digicam small.

It was refreshing to have the ability to stroll round with a digicam and simply shoot. The mix of I.S and O.I.S. permits you to get very regular footage with no need a tripod, though it isn’t appropriate for some conditions. The EVF is respectable, though I did discover myself having points with the ability to see the rear LCD display in vivid situations.

The GH6 has quite a lot of the identical bells and whistles because the far more costly S1H you might be nonetheless getting a really comparable picture high quality and options for lots much less cash.

For conditions the place it is advisable be extra discreet or simply seem like a vacationer taking images, the GH6 is an effective possibility. It permits you to seize footage in locations you’d seemingly be kicked out when you have been utilizing a bigger digicam. In saying that, that is the case for nearly all mirrorless hybrids.

By including the DMW-XLR1 audio module to the GH6 you’ll be able to create a really compact and light-weight setup. I like this, as for me personally, that is the entire purpose to make use of a compact, mirrorless digicam within the first place. I don’t wish to flip any hybrid mirrorless right into a frankenrig.

The menus as I discussed earlier are okay, however there may be definitely room for enchancment. They aren’t almost as intuitive because the menus on say a BMPCC6K, though, the BMPCC6K isn’t a hybrid mirrorless.

The opposite annoying factor is that if in case you have the waveform or vectorscope up and you might be recording you’ll be able to’t then take that waveform off the display till you cease recording. You actually ought to have the flexibility to take monitoring help instruments off the display in addition to add them while you’re recording.

The GH6 offers a robust mixture of nonetheless and video efficiency and that shouldn’t be missed. In case you are doing multimedia work then there’s a sturdy case for selecting a digicam just like the GH6, though you possibly can additionally say that about quite a lot of the present full-frame mirrorless hybrid choices from different firms as nicely.

Who’s it aimed toward?

I personally see the GH6 as being both a digicam for these shooters who wish to step up from a GH5/GH5s/GH5 II, or customers who just like the smaller type issue of a mirrorless digicam, however need one thing extra video-centric.

It may additionally discover a place as a B digicam to go with bigger digital cinema cameras and a few of Panasonic’S LUMIX full-frame choices. In case you are a Varicam LT, EVA1, S5, S1H person, the GH6 ought to match up properly.

The digicam can even enchantment to these customers who wish to shoot anamorphic, and have the funds to lease lenses or use a number of the available and reasonably priced choices which can be on the market.

For those who don’t use autofocus then the GH6 makes for a really compelling possibility by using lens adapters.

Firmware Roadmap

The GH6 does have some added performance coming through future firmware updates. Why a few of these options aren’t within the digicam at launch is unknown.

Here’s what is coming:

• 4K DCI ProRes 422 HQ & ProRes 422
• Full HD ProRes 422 HQ & ProRes 422
• USB-SSD Direct Recording
• 4K 120p output over HDMI
• 4k 120p RAW video information output over HDMI (supported by the Atomos Ninja V+)

Panasonic Cinema Cameras MIA

Anyone higher name up Chuck Norris and get him to go and look in some distant jungle for any indicators of recent Panasonic cinema cameras. Panasonic appears to have fallen off the grid with digital cinema cameras. The EVA-1 is now 4.5 years previous, the Varicam LT was introduced in 2016, and the Varicam 35 is sort of 7 years previous.

Why Panasonic seemingly deserted this market is unclear, however I assume is that they simply couldn’t safe sufficient market share to justify the R&D prices. They need to have launched an EVA-2 with an L mount a number of years in the past, however they didn’t. That is one other downside that Panasonic faces when attracting video shooters. There aren’t any new and even comparatively new digital cinema cameras that somebody may aspire to maneuver as much as. That is what offers Canon and Sony an enormous benefit.

Value & Availability

The GH6 will retail for $2,199 USD / €2,199 / £1,999 (accessible March 2022). There can even be some package choices accessible that include varied lenses.

These kits will likely be:

• GH6 & 12-35mm F2.8
• GH6 & 12-60mm F2.8-F4
• GH6 & 12-60mm F3.5-5.6

How does this worth examine to the GH5 II and full-frame choices from Panasonic and different producers?

	PRICE
Panasonic GH6	$2,199 USD
Panasonic GH5 II	$1,497.99 USD
Panasonic S5	$1,897.99 USD*
Panasonic S1	$2,497.99 USD
Canon EOS R5	$3,899 USD
Canon R6	$2,499 USD
Canon EOS R3	$5,999 USD
Sony a7S III	$3,498 USD
Sony a1	$6,498 USD
Sony a7 IV	$2,498 USD
Nikon Z7 II	$2,996.95 USD
Nikon Z9	$5,496.95 USD

The above costs are as listed on B&H as of the tenth February 2022.

• Additionally features a free Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 Lens valued at $597.99 USD

The GH6 may look like a tricky promote at $2,199 USD contemplating you’ll be able to presently purchase a full-frame S5 for $1,897.99 USD with a free 85mm prime lens. The Sony a7 IV can be solely $399 USD extra.

In my private opinion, regardless of its capabilities, the GH6 wanted to be priced nearer to $1,500 USD to trigger any sort of market disruption. I do know! It sounds ridiculous to be critiquing the value of a digicam with the capabilities and options that the GH6. $2,199 USD is a comparatively low amount of cash to pay and whereas I feel it’s in all probability well worth the cash, the costs of full-frame mirrorless hybrids could say in any other case.

What’s the way forward for M4/3?

In response to Panasonic and OM Digital Options Company, Micro 4 Thirds was the best-selling lens mount sort within the Japanese interchangeable lens digital digicam market in 2020.

Regardless of comparatively few Micro 4 Thirds interchangeable lens cameras being launched in 2021, Olympus managed to nonetheless have a 23.4% share within the Japanese market.

That determine could appear shocking given the comparatively few M4/3 cameras which have been introduced. Given the trade push in the direction of bigger sensor sizes, many individuals have questioned the way forward for the M4/3 format. I, nevertheless, would take this data with a grain of salt. The Japanese market hardly ever displays what’s going on in different markets around the globe, nevertheless, it could definitely present you developments.

For those who look above, the outcomes given out for 2022 present that OM Digital Options (Olympus) misplaced nearly half its market share. As you’ll be able to see, Sony and Canon proceed to extend their market share, whereas different firms at the moment are dropping floor. Panasonic wasn’t even within the prime 3 producers and had a market share that was significantly lower than each Canon and Sony.

What could shock you is that Panasonic was #1 within the Digital video digicam
Division BNC Awards for 2022 with a whopping 43.6% market share. What you clearly must know is that this class consists of all sorts of video cameras equivalent to handycams, camcorders, and so forth.

56 firms make up the Micro 4 Thirds consortium, so it’s uncertain that they’re all simply going to desert it. Each Panasonic and OM Digital Options have publically mentioned that they may proceed to develop and improve their Micro 4 Thirds product line-ups.

There may very nicely nonetheless be a spot for M4/3 cameras in our trade shifting ahead, however what different producers are doing is beginning to say in any other case. Sure, OM SYSTEM simply launched the OM-1, however the variety of M4/3 cameras which can be coming to market continues to drop.

The format faces very stiff competitors from the bevy of reasonably priced full-frame mirrorless cameras that proceed to flood the market.

The destiny of M4/3 rests solely with the end-user. If there may be sufficient demand, then firms will proceed to help the format. The explanation I imagine that M4/3 is on its final legs is that it is advisable adapt or you’ll die. The GH6 is late to the celebration and it actually wanted to return to market a couple of years in the past. Once more, I feel the GH6 is a improbable digicam, nevertheless, as earlier expertise has taught us, timing is every part.

What may probably assist M4/3 transfer ahead is that if they have been ready so as to add a number of the know-how that’s present in smartphones which have small-sized sensors. Being able to computationally create a shallower depth of subject (if executed correctly) like what they doing with the most recent iPhones may give potential patrons transfer purpose to take a look at a M4/3 digicam. The flip facet of that is that smaller-sized sensor cameras have gotten much less and fewer fashionable given the outcomes you’ll be able to receive on a smartphone.

Regardless of the GH6 being a stable digicam that gives good video performance, there may be arguably nothing overly groundbreaking that’s prone to make anybody soar again to M4/3. In case you are already a M4/3 person then the GH6 is a superb possibility, however for video shooters who’ve already moved onto S35 or full-frame choices, it might not supply the identical enchantment.

Conclusion

In quite a lot of methods, the GH6 may nearly be thought of a M4/3 model of the S1H. It options comparable performance and recording choices in a less expensive bundle. Nevertheless, it isn’t full-frame and the S1H was a digicam launched in 2019. Lots has modified since 2019, and competitors within the mirrorless hybrid market is at an all-time excessive.

The GH6 is definitely a really succesful digicam, nevertheless, I really feel like it’s a digicam that wanted to return out 2-3 years. The issue isn’t that there’s something flawed with the digicam, it’s that the competitors provides full-frame mirrorless hybrids which have arguably leapfrogged Panasonic in sure areas. 4:2:2 10-bit isn’t a wow spec in 2022, neither is 4K 120p. Sure, Panasonic provides objects like timecode, anamorphic modes, higher codec choices, and a few higher video help instruments than a number of the competitors, however their AF lags behind the competitors. Sony, Nikon, and Canon all have 8K succesful cameras, and Canon (and Nikon) have cameras able to inner RAW recording. In saying that, you shouldn’t be blinded by decision. I’m nonetheless fairly pleased utilizing cameras that don’t even have native 4K sensors. In quite a lot of respects, decision is a advertising instrument to promote extra cameras. Sure, it definitely has its deserves, however decision doesn’t make or break a digicam.

The GH6 is a brilliant stable providing from Panasonic and so they haven’t made huge compromises with this digicam. On the Panasonic workshop, there should be an indication on the door that claims no cripple hammers allowed. There may be not so much that anyone can actually complain about with regards to the GH6, besides perhaps the AF. I suppose somebody should have snuck a cripple chisel in when nobody was wanting.

Arguably the stills capabilities of quite a lot of the full-frame choices from Canon, Sony, and Nikon are much better for skilled photographers. In case you are shopping for a hybrid mirrorless you in all probability desire a good mixture of stills and video efficiency, however that actually does depend upon what your wants are.

I like the shape issue, construct high quality, video performance and quite a lot of the options the GH6 has to supply. The autofocus efficiency is significantly better than earlier Lumix cameras and it has now acquired to the purpose the place it’s really usable in quite a lot of eventualities. It may nonetheless be so much higher, however a minimum of Panasonic has listened to suggestions and executed as a lot as they in all probability may do with a contrast-based system.

The largest stumbling block Panasonic faces is that M4/3 simply isn’t an attractive format anymore and quite a lot of earlier customers of the format, particularly video shooters, have moved on to full-frame choices.

The picture high quality of the GH6 is sweet and there are quite a lot of nice video-centric options that add to its enchantment. Nevertheless, it will be a tricky promote if Panasonic needs to draw prospects who’ve already invested in Sony or Canon ecosystems. For lots of hybrid mirrorless video shooters, autofocus is an enormous deal. Right here is the place Canon, Sony, and arguably Nikon have an enormous leg up on the competitors. AF is essential to most video shooters utilizing mirrorless hybrids.

Specs and options alone are usually not often sufficient to get potential patrons to change over digicam programs.

Simply how nicely the GH6 does will likely be fascinating to see. I just like the GH6 and I feel that anybody who nonetheless makes use of M4/3 cameras goes to be very enthusiastic about this digicam. It’s totally featured, nicely constructed, provides a great array of codecs, resolutions, and body charges, and quite a lot of consideration to element has been paid to video performance.