Panasonic has announced an upcoming firmware update for its flagship Panasonic Lumix GH6 compact camera. The version 2.3 update will bring significant improvements – and expand the capabilities of the Panasonic Lumix GH6. The previous firmware version for this camera was released in September 2022. Then the ability to write directly to an SSD was added.
One of the major innovations is the ability to record in uncompressed Blackmagic RAW codec to an external Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR recorder. All Blackmagic Design film cameras record video in this codec. The Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR Monitor is available in both 5″ and 7″ versions.
Thus, Panasonic Lumix GH6 will be able to record 12-bit RAW video in the following formats: 5.7K, C4K, anamorphic (4:3) 5.8K, anamorphic (4:3) 4.4K when connected to a recorder.
In addition, C4K 120p/100p or 4K 120p/100p video can also be output via HDMI to a Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR recorder in BRAW format.
The Panasonic Lumix GH6 firmware update will be available from July 10, 2023. You can download the new software for installation on the official Lumix Global Customer Support website.
In general, firmware version 2.3 will expand the functionality of the Panasonic Lumix GH6 camera. It is difficult to call this setup profitable (provided that for a given amount you can buy a movie camera with a large matrix).
Panasonic Lumix GH6 was announced in February 2022. The camera has received significant improvements in terms of video shooting. There was a recording mode ProRes 422 HQ (10bit) in 5.7K resolution. The bitrate in this case will be 1.9 gigabits per second.
The second mode with a maximum bitrate of 800 megabits/sec is 5.7K 60fps 4:2:0 10-bit. There were no such options in the previous generation Lumix GH. All of these modes use a built-in active cooling system. The Panasonic Lumix GH6 camera is equipped with matrix stabilization with a maximum efficiency of 7.5 stops. However, it is achieved only when using some branded lenses.
Earlier, we published the first information about the Panasonic Lumix G9 Mark II camera, which may be presented in the foreseeable future. It is reported that the announcement could take place before the end of 2023. Potentially, the device may receive support for hybrid autofocus, which was first used in the Panasonic Lumix S5 Mark II camera.
