The Panasonic Lumix GH5 II from the previous year was an appetizer: the Panasonic Lumix GH6 is the simple main meal for aspiring filmmakers searching for a compact camera with enormous possibilities for creative expression.
And what a feast it is: the latest top of Panasonic’s Lumix G family of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras based on the Micro Four Thirds mount, the 25.2MP GH6 packs a bewildering array of movie talents into its tiny chassis.
It also has a large number of still image capture capabilities. 7.5 stops of in-body image stabilization, 4-channel XLR audio recording, and a display that can be angled in nearly any direction are all included in this camera. Additionally, the camera can capture 5.7K footage at 60 frames per second and Apple ProRes 422 HQ.
Panasonic Lumix GH6 Build Quality
The GH6 retains the same tried-and-true, DSLR-influenced design as most of the other cameras in Panasonic’s Lumix G series, making its body form instantly recognizable. There is a sizeable textured grip that you can wrap your right hand around. In contrast, your left hand supports the lens. There is an excellent transparent OLED electronic viewfinder with 3.68 million dots for composing, previewing, and reviewing your shots no matter how bright the weather conditions are. Although it may not be particularly original, it does work.
About the climatic conditions, the body of the camera has been hermetically sealed to prevent dust and water from entering (it does not appear to have an official IP rating, but Panasonic refers to it as “dust and splash resistant”), and it is constructed with a sturdy magnesium alloy frame for increased durability. It may also function at temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit).
Panasonic Lumix GH6 Autofocus
Given that the GH6 is a hybrid camera focusing primarily on video capture, its connection features appear to have received much attention.
There is a USB-C port with a transfer speed of 10Gbps that can also be used as a constant power supply, a battery charger, and (following a recent firmware update) for direct recording to a 2TB external SSD. There is also a full-size HDMI Type-A port that can output video up to C4K 4:2:2 10-bit at 60 frames per second, headphone and microphone ports, and XLR microphone compatibility (via the optional DMW-XLR1
There is one slot for standard SD cards and another for CFexpress Type B cards. There are two card slots (a first on a Lumix G camera and vital for recording video in more demanding formats like ProRes). Because of their high cost, CFexpress cards should be considered while making financial plans.
Panasonic Lumix GH6 Video and Image quality
The extent to which the film may be personalized in this instance is simply incredible and will blow your mind. We were blown away by the abundance of formats, resolutions, and frame rates available on the GH5 II, but the GH6 pushes everything to an even higher level.
To the average user, the extensive list of video options may seem like overkill; however, filmmakers will be licking their chops at the endless possibilities for creative expression presented by features such as Apple ProRes, 5.8K anamorphic and 5.7K resolutions, variable frame-rate recording, and the fact that almost all of the recording modes are 10-bit rather than 8-bit.
ProRes 422 and 422 HQ are only available for recording at 5.7K (at 60/50/24 frames per second) when the camera is first released; however, an upcoming firmware update should offer the ability to use it at lesser resolutions, such as Full HD and Cinema 4K ProRes. At the moment, it is also possible to shoot in 4K at up to 120 frames per second and in Full HD at up to 240 frames per second (which is perfect for slow-motion playback and speed ramping), as well as in 10-bit Cinema 4K 4:2:2 at up to 60 frames per second.
Even while the video capabilities of the GH6 are unquestionably garnering all of the attention, the still photography capabilities of this hybrid camera have received a significant amount of consideration, just as they have with prior GH Lumix models.
There includes a mechanical shutter, the conventional M/A/P/S variety of shooting modes, and an extensive range of settings for specialized stills photography. These options include the image-stacking 100MP High-Resolution way discussed before and some rapid burst shooting (up to 75 shots per second with the electronic shutter).
Compared to full-frame competitors, the GH6’s primary flaw is that it does not perform exceptionally well in low-light conditions. This flaw is hinted at by the camera’s relatively tiny ISO range (50-25600 for still photography in extended mode or 250-12800 in V-Log), which has a relatively small sensor size.
It will be able to get the job done, but we wouldn’t recommend using it to take pictures of a wedding or concert indoors because it is much more pleasant to use outside where there is enough light.
Panasonic Lumix GH6 Specs
| Body type | SLR-style mirrorless |
|---|---|
| Body material | Magnesium alloy |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 5776 x 4336 |
| Other resolutions | 3:2 (5776 x 3848), 16:9 (5776 x 3248), 1:1 (4336 x 4336) |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 25 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 27 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | Venus Engine |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | 100-25600 |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 50 |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 25600 |
| Image stabilization | Sensor-shift |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, standard |
| File format | JPEGRaw |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Digital zoom | Yes (2x-4x) |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds |
| Focal length multiplier | 2× |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Touch screen | Yes (Static touch control) |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 1.52× (0.76× 35mm equiv.) |
| Viewfinder resolution | 3,686,400 |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed (electronic) | 1/32000 sec |
| Exposure modes | ProgramAperture priorityShutter priorityManualCreative VideoCustom (1, 2, 3, 4)Intelligent Auto |
| Built-in flash | No |
| External flash | Yes (TTL External Flash (sold separately)) |
| Flash modes | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/250 sec |
| Drive modes | SingleContinuous4K PhotoFocus StackingSelf-timer |
| Continuous drive | 14.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, 10 secs w/3 images) |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedHighlight-weightedSpot |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±3 (3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) |
| Videography features | |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 |
| Modes | 5760 x 2880 @ 60p / 300 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM5760 x 2880 @ 48p / 300 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM5760 x 2880 @ 30p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM5760 x 2880 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 120p / 300 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 800 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 600 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 48p / 800 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4992 x 2496 @ 48p / 600 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4992 x 2496 @ 48p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 48p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 300 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 800 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 600 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 48p / 800 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 48p / 600 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 48p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 48p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 240p / 800 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 240p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 48p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 48p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 48p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | CFexpress Type B, SD (UHS-II) |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec) |
| USB charging | Yes |
| HDMI | Yes (Type-A) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | Yes |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 2.4GHz (802.11b/g/n), 5GHz (802.11a/n/ac) |
| Remote control | Yes (wired or smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | Li-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 2200mAh, 16Wh) |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 360 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 823 g (1.81 lb / 29.03 oz) |
| Dimensions | 138 x 100 x 100 mm (5.45 x 3.95 x 3.92″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes |
Panasonic Lumix GH6 Verdict
Since the introduction of the GH Lumix series, the world of mirrorless filmmaking may have shifted its attention more toward full-frame cameras, but the Panasonic Lumix GH6 demonstrates that there is still potential in the Micro Four Thirds sensor format.
The GH6 is compact and lightweight, yet it packs a stunning array of video capabilities and exceptional image quality. In addition, the GH6 has excellent handling and image stabilization and may have the finest contrast-based focusing ever seen on a Panasonic camera. It’s a trustworthy stills camera, too.
