At Cine Gear 2019, Panasonic announced a new addition to their full-frame mirrorless lineup currently consisting of the Lumix S1 and S1R. The newly announced Panasonic Lumix S1H is a cinema/video oriented full-frame mirrorless camera that can shoot 6K/24p, a world first for a camera of this class.
More of a teaser and product development announcement than an official release that is ready to ship (it looks like the S1H is likely to start shipping in a few months in the Fall), Panasonic revealed some fo the key features of their new Lumix S1H.
6K/24 and 4K/60p 10bit in a full-frame mirrorless camera
The Panasonic S1H records video in 6K/24p in a 3:2 aspect ratio, as well as 5.9K/30p in a 16:9 aspect ratio, as well as the ability to record 4K DCI up to 60p in 10bit 4:2:2.
The 10bit 422 internal recording is a huge deal, as it would basically eliminate the need for an external recorder (in most cases), but keep in mind there is no mention of bit rate and chroma sub-sampling for the 6K mode, which will probably be either HEVC 10bit 4:2:0 or 8bit, but this is a guess at this point.
4:3 Anamorphic Mode
In addition to the already mentioned 6K/24p and 10bit 422 4K recording the S1H will support a variety of recording formats like 4:3 Anamorphic mode, to meet professional cinematography needs. Its high-resolution data can also be used to create 4K videos with higher image quality or to crop images in 4K.
The anamorphic modes will most likely involve cropping the sensor to its 3:2 aspect ratio.
V-Log includes; 14 stops DR
The new Lumix S1H will have full V-Log/V-Gamut with a wide dynamic range of 14+ stops, built in and not sold as a separate license. This is the same V-Log/V-Gamut as featured on the bigger Panasonic Cinema VariCam and Varicam LT cameras.
Designed under consistent colour management, the S1H’s recorded footage is compatible with V-Log footage recorded by VariCam or the Lumix GH5/GH5S.
No recording limits
The Lumix S1H has no recording limits and can be operated like a camcorder; in every S1H recording mode, video can be recorded non-stop under the certified operating temperature so the user can concentrate on shooting.
The announcement of the S1H and all its innovations and “world firsts” may be a big deal for the mirrorless crowd, but I feel it somehow makes the Lumix S1 so much less relevant, as it will soon take a back seat once the S1H starts shipping in the Fall.
With a price tag of $4,000, the Panasonic Lumix S1H may have the highly desired 4K/60p in 10bit 422 (which to a lot of people will be a bigger deal than 6K/24), but it will still be a tough pill to swallow for most, considering the cost of L-mount lenses. Yes, you may not need an external recorder, but will the S1H be 1.5x better than the S1 and 2x better a GH5s?
The new Lumix full-frame L-mount lineup seems like the way forward for Panasonic, but it also leaves a lot of questions for the future of their Micro-Four Thirds GH cameras.
Luix S1H official sample footage by Alicia Robbins:
You can also see the Panasonic S1H press conference below:
Panasonic will be showing a prototype of the Lumix S1H at Cine Gear Expo.
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