Panasonic has just announced its new ‘exciting’ GH6. This is an MFT camera, with everything the same as the GH5, just better, faster, higher. The GH6 doesn’t deliver real tidings to filmmakers, besides one thing… its price. But does it really matter?
Panasonic LUMIX Gh6. Image: Panasonic
Let’s start from the end, which is the ‘Final Thoughts’ section in the article. Don’t get me wrong. The GH6 is an amazing piece of electronics. A high-end technology that is based on old hardware that was further developed, implemented into a small and compact machine, that can produce great footage. The LUMIX brand stands for high reliability and its models were produced in numerous art forms from the hands of talented filmmakers across the world. Panasonic is a magnificent highly reputed company that develops super robust products, and its cameras are no different (Varicam, LUMIX…). I’m not blaming Panasonic, but this announcement, putting it mildly, was not so exciting. Another day, yet another camera (with MFT sensor)…
Panasonic LUMIX Gh6
Panasonic didn’t have much of a choice. There was a strong demand for releasing a new flagship, a successor for the GH5. As its cinema camera lineup is pretty sleepy lately, Panasonic has decided to ride on its LUMIX in order to deliver something. Spec-wise, there’s nothing new under the sun. It’s the same as the GH5, but better, faster, higher, and with a heat dissipation mechanism. Even the Venus Engine which has been implemented in 2002, it’s the same engine, just better, faster, higher. For instance, Panasonic claims for reduced rolling shutter artifacts due to the fast readout of the Venus Engine. However, there’s no evidence for that nor any compared tests. Even the official product page of the GH6 is pretty dull (contains embedded YouTube videos) and nothing more.
Panasonic LUMIX Gh6. Image: Panasonic
For those who don’t understand and are not familiar with the rules, here’s a short explanation. Before a camera manufacturer releases its new shining piece of hardware, pre-production models are being sent to major blogs (this one is among them) for ‘reviewing/testing’ purposes. For instance, DJI is the champion in this method since it sends a huge amount of pre-production products to journalists for evaluation. Then there’s an embargo time, and then, there’s an explosion of reviews. All those evaluators are transformed into PR injectors (marketing proxies) for that company. A rain of YouTube marketing videos drops on us from nowhere, so that the company’s marketing teams can rest assured that the job was done by those tech journalists. Nevertheless, this process is an essential part of the game, and sometimes, there’s a new message, a new invention, a breakthrough that deserves the buzz. However, it’s not the case (in my opinion) with the GH6.
Panasonic LUMIX Gh6
Why? Because (again – in my opinion) there is no innovation here. Some of you will say that this is absolutely OK, and I just wanted that click-bait title. However, that’s how I feel, and I have chosen to share my thoughts with you. Even Atomos just sent me an email about more ‘Exciting News’ regarding the capabilities of the GH6 to record, guess what…ProRes RAW via HDMI. What a thrill!
Panasonic LUMIX Gh6. Image: Panasonic
Filtering all those marketing videos from dealers, ‘reviewers’ and ‘testers’, we can sum it up by saying that the GH6 is a camera that Panasonic had to release. As for its specs, there’s nothing special to write about. You can explore the specs in the Product List at the end of the article. It’s a pretty decent list. However, the major advantage is the price. It’s truly affordable. For those who want to shoot MFT, GH6 seems like a very smart choice. But again, why shoot MFT?
Product List
Here’re the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers.
- Panasonic Lumix GH6 Mirrorless Camera