Tech

Panasonic’s 25 megapixel GH6 is the highest resolution Micro Four Thirds camera ever


After a a little delay, Panasonic has finally revealed the 25.2-megapixel GH6, the highest resolution Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera to date. One can think of it as a mini version of S1H “Netflix Camera”, as it is equipped with professional video features such as 5.7K ProRes V-Log video, tilting monitor and CFexpress capture. However, it still stuck with contrast detection and not phase detection autofocus like most modern cameras. Luckily, I was able to use a pre-production unit to test the new features and get a feel for it soon.

First, let’s talk about the most interesting changes. As mentioned, the GH6 has a 25.2-megapixel sensor with a high read rate, although it’s not as stacked as its Micro Four Thirds rival, OM-1. That clearly gives a much-needed image resolution boost, although continuous shooting performance is actually a bit worse than GH5 II (8 fps with continuous AF vs 9 fps).

The GH6 still uses a contrast-detect autofocus system (what it calls “depth from defocus” or DFD) instead of phase-detection like nearly all of its rivals. As with the GH5 II, it also includes face/eye/head/body/animal recognition. While Panasonic has pretty much perfected its DFD system, it is still not as fast and reliable as phase detection systems.

Collection: Panasonic GH6 . Mirrorless Camera Collection | 19 photos


For example, when photographing people in relatively low light, sometimes it can’t focus fast enough to complete the photo. For comparison, the latest Sony and Canon cameras (A7 IV and EOS R6) have no such difficulty, even in low light. And I still see some wobbling or hunting with video AF.

Regarding the video, things are more positive. The GH6 can now record 5.7K video with V-Log at up to 30fps with internal capture to ProRes or ProRes HQ, or 5.7K up to 60fps to MP4 10-bit H.264 / H.265 (all-intra or longGOP). You can also shoot 4K 10-bit 4:2:0 at up to 120fps using the longGOP codec. All of these modes use the full sensor width with supersampled video, although the 4K 120p setting introduces some pixel binning.

It will also be able to record ProRes RAW externally Atomos . Recorder through a future firmware update. More interestingly, the GH6 is one of the first mirrorless cameras to feature an HDMI 2.1 output, so it will eventually let you record 4K RAW externally at up to 120fps via an update. Japan in the future. When it first ships, it will support 4K at up to 60fps, with simultaneous external and internal recording.

    Gallery of Panasonic GH6 . Mirrorless Cameras

Steve Dent / Engadget

In terms of video quality, Panasonic promises 13+ stops of dynamic range using ProRes and V-Log recording. It also claims you’ll see less noise at higher ISO settings (ISO 6400 and up). For both video and stills, it’s not quite as good in low light as GH5s (which is less than half the resolution) but it’s not too far off.

Record 5.7K video at up to 30fps in ProRes HQ using an internal data rate of 1,903 Mbps, far exceeding SD UHS II capabilities. As such, the GH6 is the first Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera to feature a CFexpress Type B card slot. That’s required for ProRes recording and many MP4 high frame rate codecs.

The current limitation is that there is only one CFexpress slot, so you won’t be able to get backups for certain video resolutions unless you use an external recorder. However, the GH6 will eventually support writing to an external SSD recorder via the USB-C 3.2 port, allowing you to power the camera while recording.

If you’re worried about rolling the shutter with additional resolution, the high-speed sensor’s readability is said to mitigate that more than ever. I confirm that the rolling shutter is very manageable, even at the highest resolutions of 5.7K and 60p. However, it will appear if the camera or subject is moving too fast.

Gallery: Panasonic GH6 . Image Collection | 27 photos


Like previous GH models, video quality is outstanding, with 5.7K video being particularly sharp and useful for editing. The ProRes option also saved me an extra step compared to the GH5s, as I didn’t need to transcode the video anymore. The drawback is that video files are 4-5 times the size – so you’ll want to invest in a high capacity CFexpress Class B card that can get very expensive.

The GH6 features the same five-axis in-body stabilization as the other models, but now offers up to 7.5 stops of shake reduction with supported lenses, just 8 stops above Canon’s EOS R6. With enhanced IS and E stabilization, it really smooths out video even in situations like walking, better than most mirrorless cameras I’ve used.

The GH6 looks like the GH5 II, but it’s a bit heavier (823 grams versus 727 grams with battery and memory card) and the body has changed in some notable ways. First, it’s much thicker, thanks in part to an active cooling fan that ensures the GH6 doesn’t have the same overheating issues as Canon’s EOS R5 and R6. To that end, Panasonic promises unlimited recording in all video modes, including 5.7K 60p and 4K 120p.

    Gallery of Panasonic GH6 . Mirrorless Cameras

Steve Dent / Engadget

The other big change is a grip that’s noticeably deeper than the GH5 II (or GH5 and GH5s. With that said, the GH6 is noticeably more comfortable to use than any Micro Four Thirds camera I’ve tried, especially with the GH5 and GH5s). Panasonic has also made some other changes to the button and dial layout, most notably the addition of a dedicated audio button that lets you change things like gain It also has a record button on the front of the camera which is extremely handy for vlogging.

The GH6 now has the same tilting screen as the SH1, with the same 1,840K-dot resolution as on the GH5 II. That makes the camera thicker, but more practical for low-angle and other shooting styles, and the tilt option keeps the screen from being blocked by cables if you’re using an external recorder. It is also Panasonic’s brightest display and is clearly visible even in bright sunlight.

Unfortunately, the 3.68 million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) remains unchanged from the GH5 lineup. While it’s true that the GH6 is more of a video camera than a stills camera, a lot of photographers prefer to use the EVF in bright sunlight, so sharper images are bound to look better. Also unchanged is that the BLK-22 battery delivers fewer shots than the GH5 II (380 vs 410) and takes slightly less time to shoot – possibly due to the additional fan and resolution.

Gallery of Panasonic GH6 . Mirrorless Cameras

Steve Dent / Engadget

The GH6 has a few other serious drawbacks compared to its competitors. One of them is the relatively small sensor size compared to a full-frame camera. That offers less creative possibilities, though it’s also easier to focus and makes for cheaper, lighter lenses.

The biggest flaw, however, is the contrast-detect autofocus. The good news is that Panasonic seems to have finally realized that buyers want phase detection, and hinted that that’s not out of the question for future models.

The GH6 is rumored to cost $2,500, but there’s some good news about that. It will go on sale in March for $2,200 (body only), making it relatively cheap compared to models that can match its video specs. It seems to be a solid choice for that, with video quality on par with any of the competition. We’ll take a closer look at everything in our upcoming review.

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