Finally! The Panasonic GH6 is here with a brand new 25.2MP sensor, internal 5.7K ProRes 4:2:2 and unlimited recording
(Image credit: Panasonic)
After missing its 2021 release, the Panasonic GH6 has finally arrived – and the manufacturer's new GH flagship packs a brand new 25.2MP sensor, 5.7K 30p internal video in ProRes 4:2:2 HQ, and unlimited recording.
The Panasonic GH6 becomes the first Micro Four Thirds camera to use CFexpress Type B cards, facilitating an almost overwhelming capacity for high-end video recording – including 4:2:0 10-bit capture for Cinema 4K 60p internal (with simultaneous 4:2:2 HDMI output), 5.7K 60p, and 5.8K anamorphic using the full sensor area.
As is par for the course with GH cameras, the GH6 offers supreme frame-rate flexibility; 4:2:0 10-bit 4K can be captured at up to 120p, while 4:2:2 10-bit 1080p is available up to 240p (via High Frame Rate) with audio. If you want to achieve even slower slow-motion, 1080p tops out at 300fps when using Variable Frame Rate.
The new 25.2MP sensor (with no low-pass filter) sets a new resolution standard for Micro Four Thirds cameras, and the High Resolution stills mode now enables you to capture 100MP images without a tripod.
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(Image credit: Panasonic)
(Image credit: Panasonic)
(Image credit: Panasonic)
(Image credit: Panasonic)
(Image credit: Panasonic)
(Image credit: Panasonic)
(Image credit: Panasonic)
(Image credit: Panasonic)
(Image credit: Panasonic)
This is thanks to the improved in-body image stabilization gyro and algorithm, which now offers up to 7.5 stops of compensation when used with lenses supporting Dual IS2 (all of which will require a firmware update for the GH6).
Another first for G series cameras is the inclusion of V-Log / V-Gamut, to maximize the GH6's 12 stops of dynamic range – which increases to 13 stops when employing the Dynamic Range Boost mode. This acts in a similar way to Panasonic's dual gain readout (which is distinct from dual native ISO), and employs a base ISO of 800 to produce a high-saturation image and ISO2000 to capture a low-noise image; these are composited, at up to 60p, for rich HDR video.
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Audio gets as much love as video, with the new flagship supporting 4-channel, 24-bit, 48kHz or 96kHz recording via XLR microphone adapter. The 2-channel built-in microphone also supports 24-bit 48kHz.
While the GH6 remains the same size as the Panasonic GH5 Mark II, with a 3-inch 1,840k articulating screen and 3,680k OLED viewfinder, it boasts an active cooling system for truly unlimited video recording – and, crucially, it remains weather-sealed.
The camera also packs in much-requested features like waveforms, zebras, frame markers, anamorphic desqueeze displays, red REC frame indicators and a Safety Zone Monitor. What may remain a deal-breaker for some, though, is that Panasonic is sticking doggedly to its contrast-based Depth From Defocus technology, rather than embracing a phase-detect autofocus system.
The Panasonic GH6 will be available in March for $2,199 / £1,999 body only in some markets, while in Australia, it will arrive a month later in April for a body-only price of AU$3,699.
James has 22 years experience as a journalist, serving as editor of Digital Camera World for 6 of them. He started working in the photography industry in 2014, product testing and shooting ad campaigns for Olympus, as well as clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal. An Olympus, Canon and Hasselblad shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes.
