Panasonic Lumix GH6 + Panasonic Leica 12-60mm F2.8-4 OIS kit

Panasonic Lumix GH6 + Panasonic Leica 12-60mm F2.8-4 OIS kit

This kit includes the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4 OIS lens.

Here it is: the long-awaited Panasonic GH6. The manufacturer's best M43 camera, with plenty of power for video production. There were a couple of surprises in the release, due to the delayed release the feature list is bigger than expected and the price is lower than expected!

• New 25.2 megapixel sensor, higher resolution and super fast readout speed
• Dynamic Range Boost mode, i.e. wider tonal range, recording up to 13 stops
• VLog pre-installed included
• 5.7K 60P video recording
• 4K 120P 300P slow motion videos
  
• Unlimited video recording at all settings
• Bi-folding touchscreen borrowed from the S1H flagship model
• Active cooling ensures reliable video recording
• 7.5 aperture value effective stabilizer

The sensor is completely new and the goal is to improve the dynamic range. The resolution has also increased, just like the OM System, and is now 25.2 megapixels. In addition to the sensor technology, there is a new Dynamic range boost setting that works in most video settings. The Panasonic GH6 also includes VLog recording as standard, so you no longer need to buy this as an additional feature!

With VLog and Dynamic Range Boost on, the minimum ISO is 2000, so if you want a shallower depth of field and better exposure times, you should equip yourself with ND filters. However, in initial tests, these settings have shown to produce the best image quality, so a small adjustment with the filters is worth it.

It uses contrast-based DFD autofocus as in previous models, but Panasonic says the speed has been tripled. There are 314 focus areas and advanced face, eye, body and animal detection and tracking functions.

The image stabilizer is a 5-axis sensor-moving one. This was already very good in the GH5 series and the same is known now. Power up to 7.5 aperture values and there is also a boost mode for this. The stabilizer is probably one of the best and it is visible in the video. For example, Smallrig hand grips are around the camera and the set is ready for RunGunShoot-style shooting, you can leave the gimbals at home if you want.

Video recording tool

Panasonic has packed all the features found in the GH5 models into this camera, plus most of the features found in the full-sensor S-series models and even more. So the spec list is confusingly long! If you want a specific recording method or codec, anamorphic lens support feature or stabilization optimized for them, or image signal monitoring that is much more advanced than the basic Zebra warning, there is a very high probability that the Panasonic GH6 can do it.

The Panasonic Lumix GH6 is a Swiss Army knife for video professionals and video nerds. But like Panasonic, the implementation is certainly made for production use, meaning the features aren't just there for the sake of features, but they are functional in everyday use and help the user actually create video content.

• 5.7K Apple Pro Res 422 HQ recording directly to memory card
• No time limits
• 10bit 4:2:2 recording at almost all settings
• Full VLog pre-installed included!
• 4K 120p slow motion recording without quality loss
• FullHD 240P 10Bit 4:2:2 slow motion videos - with sound! 300P without sound.
• 5.8K 24P / 4.4K 60P anamorphic recording
• New sensor and fast read speed, i.e. rolling shutter minimized

Upcoming updates and features

The Panasonic GH6 has more powerful internals and, for example, more will be made of the processor in the future. Panasonic announced several upcoming additional features, meaning the device will have a long lifespan and continue to have features.

Here is a preliminary plan for new features and codecs:

• DCI4K Apple ProRes 422 HQ / Apple ProRes 422
• FHD Apple ProRes 422 HQ / Apple ProRes 422
• USB-SSD Direct Recording - recording to an external hard drive
• 4K 120p HDMI Video Output during Live View
• 4K 120p HDMI RAW Video Data Output to ATOMOS Ninja V+

Panasonic GH6 for the photographer

There's a lot of talk about video, but the GH series cameras have been popular with so-called hybrid photographers. Thanks to their high resolution, they can combine photography and video shooting. So it's only natural that the GH6 has also been developed for the needs of still photographers.

Continuous shooting is possible at up to 75 fps with the electronic shutter. Or 14 fps with the mechanical shutter. Using continuous focus, the continuous shooting speed is 8 and 7 fps.

The accelerated processor and stabilizer now enable 100 megapixel high resolution images even handheld! This High Resolution mode takes eight photos and moves the sensor slightly between each shot, creating a higher resolution image file from these shots.

Usability and connectivity

• Full-size HDMI connection
• Enough Rec buttons (and big & red ones!) for once
• Active cooling
• USB-C power delivery
• Dedicated button for sound settings: pressing it brings up the settings menu
• Two memory card slots: CFexpress Type B and SD UHS-II
• 5.7K All-intra video recording = Apple Prores, i.e. video files were directly edited without re-encoding

The Panasonic GH6 is basically the same model series as the previous ones, which means it feels solid in the hand. In addition, the camera has taken the best features of the full-frame Panasonic S-frames, both in software and externally. The HDMI connection is full-size Type A, which means connecting an external recorder is painless. The USB-C port is a PD model, which means it can also supply power while shooting with the camera.

The screen is a double-hinged model like the S1H, meaning it tilts down and up but can be rotated straight forward, making it best suited for vlogging.

The Panasonic Lumix GH6 features active cooling. There are slots on the sides of the screen through which air is circulated by a fan. There are different positions for ventilation, meaning the camera can also be made completely silent. Thanks to active ventilation and thermal management, this camera is suitable for professional video productions, where recording must always be successful and there is no time to wait for the cameras to cool down.

There are traditional 3.5mm jacks for headphones and microphones, but the camera supports the Panasonic DMW-XLR1 accessory, which gives you balanced XLR connectors . The GH6 also supports 4-channel audio recording, with the traditional 2 channels coming directly into the camera.

The Panasonic GH6 now comes with CFexpress Type B memory cards. For higher bitrates and resolutions such as 5.7K All-Intra recording, you need to use this faster card type. You can also use two cards to create a backup on an SD card, but then you can only shoot at the bitrates allowed by the SD card. Here's a rule of thumb: if the bitrate is 600mbps, a V90 SD card is sufficient, anything higher than that requires a CFexpress memory card.

The battery type is now the familiar DMW-BLK22 from the Panasonic S5 model, but if you have a large pile of GH5-era batteries, these will also work in the new body! Some of the power-intensive features, such as 5.7K video, however, require the use of a new battery type. The body gets additional power using a USB-C power supply or a powerful power bank.

Specifications:

• Sensor: M43 size Live MOS 26.52 megapixels
• Compatibility: Micro Four Thirds mount
• Sensitivity: ISO 100 - 12800, VLog 250-12800 (with Dynamic range boost 2000-12800)
• Internal image stabilization, maximum power 7.5 f-stops
• Shutter speeds: 60 - 1/2000s + bulb with mechanical, electronic 1-1/32000s, video recording 1/8 - 1/25000s
• Continuous shooting: 14fps with mechanical shutter (max 65 RAW images), 75fps with electronic shutter (max 200 RAW images)
• Viewfinder: OLED, resolution 3.68 million dots
• Display: 3' tilting touchscreen, resolution 1.84 million dots
• 1x CFexpress Tube B memory card slot and 1x SHXC UHS-II memory card slot
• Connections: HDMI Type A, USB Type-C, 2.5mm for remote shutter release, TC IN/OUT
• Audio connections: 3.5mm headphone and microphone jack. XLR connections with DMW-XLR1 accessory
• Active cooling, adjustable fan setting
• Weather and dust-proof construction
• WiFi 2.4 and 5GHz & Bluetooth v5
• Remote control with Lumix Tether App and quick settings adjustment with Lumix Sync App
• Uses Panasonic DMW-BLK22 battery
• Size: 13.8 x 10 x 9.96 cm
• Weight: 823g (with battery and memory card)

The sales package includes:

• Panasonic Lumix GH6 body
• Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. POWER OIS lens
  
• Panasonic DMW-BLK22 Lithium-Ion Battery (7.2V, 2200mAh) battery
• Battery Charger with AC-USB Adapter
• BNC Conversion Cable for TC In/Out
• USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable
• Cable Holder strain relief
• Embroidered GH6 Shoulder Strap
• Frame plug