The summer of firmware updates continues with Panasonic announcing an update to the Lumix GH6 Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera, which will add RAW video output via an external recorder, as well as higher frame rates in 4K.
The update is scheduled to be available on July 11th.
Image Credit – Panasonic
In the last few weeks, camera makers have recently updated firmware with similar features. Sony added support for high frame rates up to 120 fps in 4K and 240 fps in 1080p, while, Canon’s update of the R5C brings expanded support for the company’s ever-massive catalog of EF-mounted lenses through the ROS R-EF .71x adapter.
Users, however, have been wondering why Panasonic had been so quiet, with the last update coming in September 2022.
Image Credit – Blackmagic Design
Now Panasonic is speaking loud and clear through the version 2.3 update for the GH6.
The update opens up support for Blackmagic RAW video recording through BMD’s Video Assist 12G HDR External Video recorder.
12-bit B-RAW video support will be available over HDMI in 5.7K, C4K, Anamorphic (4:3) 5.8K, [Anamorphic (4:3) 4.4K can be output’ over HDMI and viewable with DaVinci Resolve or Resolve Studio.
According to Panasonic, it is recommended that when specifically recording in 5.7K at 60p or C4K at 120p, users should set the bitrate as indicated:
- When recording on an SSD: constant bitrate 5:1 or less
- When recording on an SD card: constant bitrate 8:1 or less
The Panasonic GH6 has been moving towards expanded external recorder capability over the last several firmware updates, with Panasonic opening up support for recording to an SSD over USB back in September of 2022, then expanding support for Raw video recording with Atomos video recorders.
Now, through the vs. 2.3 update Blackmagic users can leverage BMD’s own flavor of Blackmagic Raw.
Moreover, the update brings higher frame rates of up to 120 frames per second in both C4K and 4K, when output to any supported external device over HDMI.
There is one single warning, however, that depending on the model of the external video recorder being used, all functions may not be available depending on the situation.
But the previous vs. 2.2 update points to BMD’s Video Assist 12G and Atomos Ninja V and V+ as providing the best results.
Availability
The update will be live on Panasonic Global Support Website beginning July 11, 2023.
Users of the Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR external monitor video recorder will need to consult the Blackmagic Support site for a firmware update that will link to the GH6 and open up B-RAW recording on the external recorder end.
With both updates, however, users will be able to record in Blackmagic Raw and then view and edit those camera files in the latest version of Resolve.
[Source: Panasonic UK]
Order Links:
- Panasonic Lumix GH6 Mirrorless Camera (B&H)
- Blackmagic Design Video Assist 7″ 12G-SDI/HDMI HDR Recording Monitor (B&H)
- Blackmagic Design Video Assist 5″ 12G-SDI/HDMI HDR Recording Monitor (B&H)
- Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Studio – Activation Card (B&H)
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