Last month, Panasonic introduced two major innovations in its Lumix mirrorless series. The first was the Lumix S9, the smallest full-frame mirrorless camera of the S series, which takes over technologies from its bigger brother, the Lumix S5II, but thanks to the absence of a viewfinder, the body is significantly smaller and more compact, making it more suitable for on-the-go photographers or vloggers looking for top-quality full-frame mirrorless cameras with compact dimensions. However, the bigger surprise was the launch of the new generation flagship model of the Micro Four Thirds standard in the LUMIX G series, the new video-centric mirrorless camera Lumix GH7. This time, the manufacturer managed to keep its launch a secret, so the first mentions of the GH7 appeared only after its launch.
The all-new BSI CMOS image sensor with a resolution of 25.2 Mpx offers a wide dynamic range and most importantly a hybrid autofocus system, which now adds a PDAF (phase detection autofocus) system to the DFD contrast focus. The LUMIX GH7 is currently the only camera in this category to support internal Apple ProRes RAW recording, and the world’s first camera with 32-bit float recording, which eliminates the need to edit audio during filming. These features make the GH7 an ideal tool for a professional production environment and, thanks to the manufacturer’s pricing policy, allow access to this technology even for smaller studios and video enthusiasts.
As the demand for video content has increased in recent years, so has the number of video creators, and thus the demand for quality mirrorless cameras with excellent video performance and portability. Since its launch in 2009, the LUMIX GH series has earned a good reputation among creators and production teams for its performance, innovative features and reliability.
The new image sensor with fast reading has a large dynamic range of more than 13 EV and rich gradation. It uses PDAF technology for very fast and accurate autofocus and a new aircraft and train recognition function with real-time detection of target parts. You can thus choose a motorcycle or a biker’s helmet, the whole car or the front part, etc. as the focus target. Improved image stabilization, including correction of perspective distortion for videos and High Active IS mode, ensures effective suppression of image shake when shooting handheld.
» Lumix GH7 with the new DMW-XLR2 microphone XLR adapter that enables 32-bit floating-point audio recording
The LUMIX GH7 offers internal recording in 5.7K 30p ProRes 422 HQ and ProRes RAW HQ to a CF Express type B card, but also to an external SSD via USB-C. The world’s first 32-bit float recording eliminates the need to adjust recording levels during recording with the new DMW-XLR2 XLR microphone adapter, sold separately. It allows you to load original LUT files and apply new color effects directly to videos and photos using REAL TIME LUT. Also new is support for uploading proxy files for more efficient post-production and native integration with Adobe Frame.io for uploading images and videos to the cloud, backing them up, sharing and working together. Open Gate 5.8K recording allows for flexible aspect ratio changes for any social media platform or individual needs, including post-processing for vertical video. 4K 100/120p recording has also been improved, which can now be recorded with 4:2:0 10 bit sampling. Thanks to efficient heat dissipation and an integrated cooler, the camera enables time-limited video recording in any of the used formats. A new feature is the tilting mechanism of the rear LCD display from the S1H model, which does not interfere with its adjustment even when an HDMI or USB cable is connected. The device is also ready to work in demanding environments, it can withstand adverse weather, dust and splashing water and is frost-resistant down to -10 °C.
Shortly after the launch of the Lumix GH7 Panasonic also announced the availability of a new software upgrade key DMW-SFU3A (sold separately) for the LUMIX GH7. With this upgrade, ARRI LogC3 is activated and seamless color matching with ARRI digital cinema cameras can be achieved. The LUMIX GH7’s ARRI LogC3 curve image processing has been certified by ARRI to implement this feature. Log recording capabilities, providing rich color information and wide dynamic range, have been expanded to include ARRI LogC3 alongside conventional V-Log, further enhancing LUMIX workflow compatibility.
This feature allows the LUMIX GH7 to be included in a professional production chain with cameras such as the ARRI ALEXA Mini, in situations where, for example, the camera needs to be on a gimbal, drone or camera crane. In addition, with the DMW-SFU3A installed, ARRI LogC3 on the LUMIX GH7 uses a curve that matches the ARRI camera’s standard ISO 800 sensitivity. Because the gamma curve does not change depending on ISO sensitivity, users can use the same editing workflow regardless of what ISO they shoot at. It also enables automatic ISO recording, which is unique for mirrorless cameras. The good news is that the ARRI LogC3 profile can be used on the LUMIX GH6 as well as the LUMIX GH7 using the DMW-SFU3A software upgrade key, with the exception of the REAL TIME LUT function, which is not available on this model.
The LUMIX S9 is the smallest and lightest full-frame mirrorless camera in the LUMIX S series
The novelty is the ideal stylish notebook for content creators on the go. The device includes a large 24.2 Mpx full-frame sensor, the same as the Lumix S5M2 model, which with the latest image processor produces images in rich detail and natural tones with support for advanced subject recognition and tracking. Of course, the Lumix S9 also adopts the excellent Active IS image stabilization, which in both photo and video mode guarantees sharp images even when moving or when using long lenses.
A new feature is the REAL TIME LUT function, which allows you to use common LUT conversion tables directly in real time when taking photos or filming. The result is similar to using different color filters, except it’s a much more accurate and sophisticated method where colors are calculated from RAW or 10-bit video source files. Due to the fact that the function works with standard LUT tables, which are also used in editing software, the user can create or use his favorite color presentation, or use LUT to match the output of the Lumix S9 with another camera. The camera even has a dedicated button for switching LUTs. The new LUMIX Lab app also comes out with the news, which allows creators to easily create their own unique LUT conversion tables right on their smartphone. Thus, users can take original and shared photos and videos without the need for post-production editing on a computer, which expands the possibilities of creation. With the new application, the speed of data transfer from the camera to the smartphone has also increased.
» Together with the mirrorless Lumix S9, Panasonic also introduced the smallest Pancake lens with a fixed focus of the L-mount system, 26 mm F8.0 NAStreet photography
For trouble-free transmission of high-quality videos, the LUMIX S9 introduces the new MP4 Lite recording format. Recording video from the entire surface of the Open Gate sensor in 4:2:0 10 25p quality will allow creators to produce high-quality videos with an aspect ratio suitable for social networks and mobile devices, as well as the possibility of significant cropping and zooming in the image while maintaining high quality. It is important that the video can be trimmed after the fact.
The ultra-compact full-frame mirrorless Lumix S9 comes with a weight of 403 g. Perfect image output is ensured by a 24.2 Mpx full-frame CMOS sensor and the latest powerful processor. It brings improved autofocus with real-time subject recognition and tracking with PDAF (phase-detection autofocus) technology. Traditionally top image stabilization technology with 5-axis Dual IS2: 6.5 EV steps / Body IS: 5 EV steps and Active IS minimizes shaking when shooting while walking. The correction of perspective distortion and the High mode of E-Stabilization (video) now make it possible to achieve even sharper and less shaky shots in motion and action. In cooperation with the new LUMIX Lab application, the camera uses 5 GHz Wi-Fi for super-fast transmission and also enables direct streaming or recording of video or photos to a smartphone already during recording.
The LUMIX GH7 should be available in August 2024 with a price of 2199 euros per body. Discounted lens kits will also be available. The LUMIX S9 will be available from July 2024 for 1727 euros per body.
Source: www.nextech.sk
