Panasonic Lumix GH6 Digital Camera Body

Since Panasonic’s last release, the GH series has evolved with innovative, user-driven features to become a first-choice, renowned tool for creators. With a 25.2-megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor, updated Venus Engine Processor and 5.7K 30p internal video recording in ProRes 422 HQ, the Lumix GH6 is the latest addition to the series that continues to push the boundaries of mirrorless cameras.

Panasonic Lumix GH6 Digital Camera Body Key Features:

• Upgrades across the board over its predecessors
• Optimised design for effective professional video capture
• Wholly versatile & flexible Micro Four Thirds mount
• 25.2-megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor with AR coating
• Updated Venus Engine offers superior processing power
• 5.7K 30p internal video recording in ProRes 422 HQ & ProRes 422
• A large & bright 3.68 million dot OLED Live View Finder
• 3.0-inch, 1.84 million dot tilt free-angle touch LCD screen
• Stable handheld use with a powerful Body I.S. (Image Stabiliser)
• Updated video functions & photo styles for more creative control
• Slot 1: CFexpress Card Type B & Slot 2: SD/SDHC/SDXC Card
• High-quality & reliable dust/splash resistant construction

Expanded Panasonic Lumix GH6 Digital Camera Body Key Features:

A Powerhouse

The GH6 is a true powerhouse. It’s equipped with both a next-generation 25.2-megapixel Live MOS Sensor without LPF (Low-pass Filter) and an updated Venus Engine.

The sensor affords impressive high-resolution images with a high-speed signal readout resulting in reduced rolling shutter as well as providing a wide dynamic range. The updated Venus Engine delivers double the processing power of its predecessor, allowing for high-speed processing and management of the higher-resolution and higher-bit-rate video. The GH6 also offers a lower minimum ISO sensitivity at ISO 100 [Photo: ISO 50(Extended) - 25600 / Video: ISO 50(Extended) -12800].

But it doesn’t stop there. The Venus Engine is upgraded with three advanced and key image processing technologies:

Intelligent Detail Processing - This technology is used to detect the flat, detailed, and edged elements of your frame more accurately to produce highly realistic stills and video.

2D Noise Reduction - This is designed to suppress chromatic noise and improve the texture of luminance noise and as a result, achieve clearer and more natural images even at high ISO.

High Precision 3D Noise Reduction for Video - An advanced detection function that is used to optimise noise reduction and therefore, enhance the image quality and dynamic motion of your videos. Furthermore, its Dual 3D Colour Control enhances colour reproduction by brightness level, saturation level and hue level for big, bold and true to life colours

All About That Video

Let’s talk video - that’s why we’re all here. As we well know, the Lumix GH series is world-renowned for its outstanding, professional video recording performance. The Lumix GH5 firmly cemented itself in the history books for being the go-to for professional quality levels and standards. So, how does the GH6 beat this?

First up, GH6 is capable of 5.7K 30p internal video recording available in ProRes 422 HQ and ProRes 422. And, for the first time, this GH series camera features a CFexpress Type B card slot that enables non-linear editing without transcoding.

The Lumix GH6 offers a higher resolution and higher bit rates thanks to its 5.7K 4:2:0 10-bit 60p/50p and 5.8K 30p/25p/24p 4:2:0 10-bit anamorphic 4:3 modes recorded utilising the full area of the sensor. This in turn provides the highest level of image quality and versatility that’s needed for any level of video production.

It can offer 4:2:2 10-bit Cinema 4K 60p internal recording and simultaneous output in 4:2:2 10-bit Cinema 4K 60p over HDMI. As well as this, there’s 4:2:0 10-bit 4K 120p (equivalent to 5x slow motion in 24p) and 4:2:2 10bit FHD 240p HFR (High Frame Rate) video recording with audio. And, FHD maximum 300fps (equivalent to 12.5x slow motion in 24p ) VFR (Variable Frame Rate) enables dynamic motion of a subject.

This all sounds like it’s going to be a power-hog and heat up. This is certainly a fatal issue with continuous recording and specifically with this level of resolution and frame rate. But the GH6 is ready for the task with an enhanced heat-dissipation path with a forced-cooling fan mechanism that allows for unlimited video recording in all available modes.

Dynamic Range

The Lumix GH6 offers a huge 12+ stops of wide dynamic range for pre-installed V-Log recording, expanding to 13+ stops when using Dynamic Range Boost mode (Creative Video mode only). However, the GH6 takes it further with a

Dynamic Range Boost mode. In this mode, the camera will generate a highly saturated image from the low ISO circuit and a low noise image generated from the high ISO circuit, which is fused together on each pixel. The result of this is a composite image with low noise, high saturation and rich gradation for a clear and smooth HDR video.

For the first time, the Lumix GH6 can use V-Log/V-Gamut for a high dynamic range with broad colours. V-Log renders a very flat image while maintaining all colour information within the image, offering greater flexibility in post-production. The GH6’s Live MOS sensor offers a wide colour V-Gamut and its optimum colour space is wider than BT.2020.

Finally, making full use of its VariCam cousin’s renowned colourimetry, the GH6 offers V709 LUT (Look Up Table) with Rec.709 standard is available in the camera by default. What’s more, V-Log View Assist (which can apply LUTs in real-time) supports the import of .CUBE as well as .VLT file formats.

Who Needs a Tripod?

While a gimbal is a great kit addition, it’s not always possible or practical. This is where the Lumix GH6’s unparalleled image stabilisation system steps in. With a new ultra-high-precision 5-axis gyro sensor updated algorithm, the GH6 offers super-stable 7.5 stops of Body I.S. and Dual I.S.2. Both systems allow you to record freely whilst shooting handheld with or without an O.I.S lens, appropriately compensating for panning, tilting, or hand-shakes.

In addition, this system allows you to capture 100-megapixel high-resolution images with the High-Resolution mode - without a tripod. That’s eight consecutive images, automatically shot while shifting the sensor using the Body I.S. mechanism and then merged into a 100-megapixel equivalent (11552 x 8672-pixel) image. This captures an incredible amount of detail for powerfully realistic images.

Areas of Improvement

The LUMIX GH6 is kitted out with an arsenal of new features and improvements on its predecessors. Some of which come as direct responses to user feedback such as the inclusion of video assist functions e.g. Waveform Monitor, Zebra Pattern, Luminance Spot Meter etc., and Photo Styles including Cinelike gamma presets such as ‘Cinelike D2’ and ‘Cinelike V2’.

Safety Zone Markers, which shows a guide of 95%, 90% or 80% recording area, while the Center Marker allows you to choose the type of marker that has been included, and Colour Temperature Setting showing kelvin values can now be displayed on the recording screen. In addition, an Exposure Leveling function automatically adjusts to prevent large changes in brightness between adjacent frames to produce equable timelapse footage.

Another area of improvement for the GH6 is its audio recording capabilities. When attaching an XLR microphone adaptor, the GH6 offers 4ch 48kHz or 96kHz 24-bit recording in ProRes and MOV. This makes it much easier to shoot in environments where there are multiple audio sources. Alternatively, 2ch 48kHz 24-bit recording is supported with the built-in mic as well as 2ch 96kHz 24-bit high-resolution recording with an external mic. And should you need to, you can switch your headphone channel during recording to view the audio system menus with the Fn1 button.

Build For Professional Use

With all the incredible specs that the GH6 exhibits, it’s difficult to think where else Panasonic can demonstrate its true mastery of camera engineering. Scroll no further, for it is the physical attributes of the GH6 that further this display.

The camera body is designed to withstand the rigours of everyday professional use. Its magnesium alloy full die-cast front/rear frame offers durability while also offering splash-, dust-, and freeze-resistant (down to -10°C). Adding to the usability and to complement the highly responsive 3,680k-dot 0.76x live viewfinder, the GH6 features a 3.0-inch tilt and free-angle touch-control monitor in 3:2 aspect with 1,840K-dot high resolution.

Memory-wise, the GH6 features double card slots. One SD card slot that supports UHS-II V90 and therefore, internal recording of video at 600Mbps. And, a new addition of a CFexpress card (Type B) slot that supports internal recording of high bitrate video at 800Mbps or more including 5.7K 30p ProRes 422 HQ and C4K 60p ALL-I.

July 2023 Update

The Lumix GH6 now offers Cinema 4K 120p/100p or 4K 120p/100p output over HDMI. It can also capture BRAW format to a Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR recorder over HDMI, supporting 12-bit BRAW resolutions up to 5.7K and anamorphic capture.

What’s in the box?

• 1 x Panasonic GH6 Camera Body
• 1 x Body Cap
• 1 x Hot Shoe Cover
• 1 x Eye Cup
• 1 x Flash Synchro Socket Cap
• 1 x Shoulder Strap
• 1 x Li-ion Battery Pack
• 1 x Battery Charger

FAQs:

How do you power the GH6?

The 2200mAh high-capacity battery can be recharged either via an AC or USB outlet according to the users’ own convenience. It also complies with USB PD (Power Delivery) when the corresponding Battery Charger DMW-BTC15 is used.

Is the GH6 good for Multicam productions?

The LUMIX GH6 is compatible with Time Code IN/OUT synchronization through the flash synchro terminal and bundled BNC converter cable with BNC cable. This makes the non-linear editing of footage shot with multiple cameras easy.

How durable is the shutter unit?

According to in-house testing conditions, the shutter unit clears 200,000 shutter actuation comfortably.

What USB Gen does this support?

The LUMIX GH6 supports USB Type-C (SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen2)) for high-speed writing and readout.

Can the GH6 connect to WiFi?

For a more dynamic and custom creative workflow, the Lumix GH6 integrates both Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi connectivity. Simply connect your desired smartphone or tablet to the Lumix Sync app, and you can shoot, browse, and share images at the touch of a button.