Panasonic Lumix GH6: The hybrid camera is not only for video professionals

With the Lumix GH6, Panasonic has presented the latest version of its successful GH series. The GH series were and are often used in professional video, TV, and film productions when it comes to professional performance in a compact form. The compactness of the Panasonic GH6 allows it to be mounted on drones, in vehicles, etc., and also proves to be advantageous in reportage use. In addition, it is pleasantly less conspicuous than other professional video cameras. With its sensor in FourThirds format, shorter focal lengths are used, which promises more depth of field and is also ideal for reportage use.

Panasonic sees the GH6 as a hybrid camera that is equally suitable for photo and video recordings and packs strong photo functions in addition to outstanding video functions.

While MFT partner OMDS (ex Olympus) is keeping the resolution on their latest camera, the OM-1 announced last week, Panasonic has upped the resolution from 20Mpx to 25.2Mpx with the GH6. The new 25 Mpx sensor and the new double-speed processor allow high-end video recording at 4K@q20p or 5.7K@60p in 10 bits.

In addition, high-speed FullHD recordings with up to 300p are possible for impressive slow motion. Apple ProRes 422 HQ with 5.7K@30p is also available internally as a codec for even more flexibility in post-processing. Thanks to active cooling, the Panasonic GH6 allows unlimited recordings, so that theater performances, concerts, lectures, etc. can be recorded.

Dual 5-axis image stabilization for blur-free shots now enables photos with shutter speeds that are 7.5 f-stops slower and high-resolution 100Mpx images in HighRes mode – handheld. (It is a multi-shot process in which several shots are taken, and the image sensor is moved slightly between shots, whereby the shots are then merged into one.) The Panasonic camera is rounded off by the large OLED viewfinder, a swiveling touch LCD, and two memory card slots, one for type B CFexpress cards and one for SD cards. All of this is housed in weatherproof magnesium housing.

Panasonic GH6 Highlights:

• Image quality: new 25Mpx sensor and new processor / 100Mpx HighRes.Handheld recording
• Image Stabilization: Dual stabilization with up to 7.5 stops: 5-axis Body IS + OIS in the lens
• Professional video recordings: 4K@120p or 5.7k@60p with 10bit / full HD with max. 300 fps (slow motion)
• Professional video recording: 5.7K 30p Apple ProRes 422 HQ internal recording
• Robust design: magnesium housing, protection against cold, dust and splash water, 2 card slots (CFe and SD), joystick, freely swiveling LCD, large OLED viewfinder
• Speed: continuous shooting up to 75 fps
• contrast autofocus; with eye/face/body/animal recognition

The Lumix GH6 is rich in many professional video features: from many video formats and picture styles that facilitate grading in post, to connections such as a full-size HDMI port and the optional XLR adapter, to supporting displays such as waveform and vectorscope.

The Panasonic GH6 is the successor to the GH5 (20 Mpx) introduced in 2017, which was joined with the GH5s (10 Mpx) in 2018, a specialized video variant for recording in low light conditions, and in 2021 with the GH5II, a revised version. The new GH6 looks a lot thicker than its predecessors in pictures because of its side cooler for active cooling (allows unlimited recording time), but it isn’t. The GH6 Panasonic measures 13.8 x 10 x 10 cm, while the GH5 is 13.9 x 9.8 x 8.7 cm.

Price and Availability

The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH6 will be available from March 2022. The price for the body-only is $2,197.99, while it is available as an L kit together with the Leica 12-60mm 2.8-4.0 for $2,797.99.

In the pre-order phase, there is an “Early Bird” promotion in which Panasonic GH6 buyers will receive a free CFExpress Card through the Bhphotovideo.com and Adorama.com websites. The offer will end on March 25, 2022.