The GH6 was always intended to be a ground-breaking MFT hybrid video camera, but some of the features had to wait
(Image credit: Panasonic)
This is a free firmware update for Lumix GH6 owners that finally realizes the full filmmaking potential of this camera. It was a seriously powerful video camera at launch, but Panasonic said the full set of features would follow with a firmware update – and here it is.
Firmware Ver.2.0 delivers high-end video tools for professional filmmakers. Some features are for use with Ninja V and Ninja V+ external recorders, but the GH6’s internal recording options have been increased too.
New: ProRes RAW over HDMI
With this firmware update, it will now be possible to record Apple ProRes RAW over HDMI to an Atomos Ninja V or Ninja V+. Here’s a table showing the new recording formats available:
Panasonic is also offering a downloadable LUT to match the ProRes RAW rendering on an Atomos device to its V-Log/V-Gamut color grading.
New internal ProRes recording options
With the Ver.2.0 update, it will be possible to record C4K 60p/FHD 60p in ProRes 422 HQ/ProRes 422 internally. This higher-quality recording format means footage can be used directly in video editing software without transcoding. Panasonic has provided this table of formats and frame rates (click the gadget top right to see a larger version).
Panasonic has always insisted its MFT Lumix range still has its place, even after launching its full frame Lumix S series, and what the GH6 has shown is that the smaller format can not just offer faster capture in a smaller camera, but at a lower price too.
This latest firmware update will boost its reputation still further. Panasonic’s in-body and hybrid stabilization is also second to none, another advantage of the Micro Four Thirds format, though many vloggers and run-and-gun shooters will feel Panasonic’s DFD contrast AF still lags behind its rivals for tracking performance.
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Rod is an independent photography journalist and editor, and a long-standing Digital Camera World contributor, having previously worked as DCW's Group Reviews editor. Before that he has been technique editor on N-Photo, Head of Testing for the photography division and Camera Channel editor on TechRadar, as well as contributing to many other publications. He has been writing about photography technique, photo editing and digital cameras since they first appeared, and before that began his career writing about film photography. He has used and reviewed practically every interchangeable lens camera launched in the past 20 years, from entry-level DSLRs to medium format cameras, together with lenses, tripods, gimbals, light meters, camera bags and more. Rod has his own camera gear blog at fotovolo.com but also writes about photo-editing applications and techniques at lifeafterphotoshop.com
