The Panasonic LUMIX GH6 is a highly anticipated camera among photographers and videographers alike. It is the successor to the popular GH5 and GH5S models, and boasts a range of impressive features and capabilities.
One of the most notable features of the GH6 is its new sensor, which is the highest resolution chip in the Four Thirds sensor size. This, combined with the camera’s advanced image processing capabilities, allows for stunning image and video quality. The GH6 is also packed with a range of video options, making it a great choice for those who prioritize videography.
Despite its impressive capabilities, the GH6 does have some limitations, such as a lack of in-camera raw capture. However, overall the camera is a strong choice
for those looking for a versatile, high-quality camera for both photography and videography.
Design and Build
The Panasonic LUMIX GH6 boasts an impressive physical design and build quality, making it a top choice for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Physical Design
The GH6 is small and lightweight, making it easy to handle and maneuver. It features a solid grip that feels comfortable in the hand, allowing for a more secure and stable hold. The buttons are well-placed and easy to access, providing quick and hassle-free control over the camera’s functions. Additionally, the hinge mechanism is sturdy and reliable, allowing for smooth and effortless adjustments to the camera’s angle and position.
Build Quality
The GH6 is built to last, with a die-cast magnesium alloy frame that feels every bit as solid as you might expect from a tool aimed at professionals. Despite the fact that it has active cool fan vents, it retains its dust and splash resistance rating, which is impressive. This makes it a reliable choice for use in a variety of environments, including outdoor and indoor shooting situations. The build quality also helps to ensure that the camera can withstand the rigors of daily use, making it a wise investment for those who demand top-level performance from their equipment.
Overall, the physical design and build quality of the Panasonic LUMIX GH6 are impressive, providing a solid foundation for the camera’s many features and functions. Whether you’re a professional filmmaker or an enthusiastic hobbyist, the GH6 is sure to impress with its handling, buttons, grip, hinge, and smaller size, making it a top contender in the world of hybrid cameras.
Sensor and Image Quality
Sensor Technology
The Panasonic LUMIX GH6 features a 25MP CMOS sensor with parallel readouts. This sensor technology allows the camera to deliver a ‘Dynamic Range Boost’ mode that Panasonic claims delivers more than 13 stops of dynamic range at higher ISO settings. Additionally, the GH6 is the first GH camera to use the full VariCam V-Log profile, which allows for greater color grading possibilities in post-production.
Image Quality
The GH6 produces images of outstanding quality during the review period. It produces noise-free images at ISO 100 to 1600, with limited noise starting to appear at ISO 3200. ISO 6400 and 12800 exhibit quite visible noise and loss of fine detail, while the fastest setting of 25600 looks much better on paper than in reality. However, the GH6’s low light performance is still impressive, making it a great choice for low light photography.
The camera’s EV range is also noteworthy. It has an EV range of -6 to 20, allowing for a wide range of exposure settings. Additionally, the GH6’s white balance performance is accurate and consistent, producing natural-looking colors in various lighting conditions.
Overall, the Panasonic LUMIX GH6’s sensor technology and image quality make it a great choice for both stills and video. Its dynamic range, low light performance, and accurate white balance produce stunning images in any shooting situation.
Video Capabilities
The Panasonic Lumix GH6 is a hybrid mirrorless camera with impressive video capabilities that make it a popular choice among videographers. In this section, we will explore the camera’s video capabilities in detail.
Resolution and Frame Rates
The GH6 can shoot up to 5.7K video at 60p, making it a powerful tool for capturing high-quality footage. It also supports cinema 4K and various other resolutions and frame rates, including 240p slow motion. The camera’s ability to shoot in anamorphic mode and record in RAW format gives videographers plenty of creative options to work with.
Codecs and Formats
The GH6 supports a variety of codecs and formats, including H.264, H.265, and Apple ProRes. It can record in 10-bit 4:2:2 internally and externally via HDMI. The camera also features USB-C and USB recording options, making it easy to transfer footage to a computer or other device.
Focus and Autofocus
The GH6’s autofocus system is highly advanced, featuring tracking and touch-to-focus capabilities. The camera’s mechanical shutter allows for continuous autofocus during high-speed shooting, making it an ideal choice for capturing fast-moving subjects. The camera also has a dynamic range boost feature that helps preserve details in high-contrast scenes.
Stabilization
The GH6 features a highly effective image stabilization system that works in tandem with the camera’s lens stabilization to produce smooth, steady footage. The camera also has unlimited recording capabilities, so videographers can capture footage for long periods without interruption.
Firmware and Features
Manual Controls
The Panasonic LUMIX GH6 offers a range of manual controls that allow for fine-tuning of settings to achieve the desired results. The camera has a robust set of physical controls, including a multi-function joystick, dials, and buttons that provide quick access to commonly used settings. Additionally, the GH6 has a customizable My Menu feature that allows users to create a menu of frequently used settings for even faster access.
Modes and Settings
The GH6 offers a range of shooting modes, including Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual modes, as well as a range of scene modes that automatically adjust settings for specific shooting situations. The camera also offers a range of settings for adjusting image quality, including contrast, saturation, and sharpness.
Additional Features
The GH6 offers a range of additional features that make it a versatile tool for both still photography and videography. The camera supports CFexpress cards for fast and reliable data storage, and it offers V-Log and HDR modes for capturing high dynamic range content. The GH6 also features a high-resolution, tilting LCD monitor for easy framing and composition, and a headphone jack for monitoring audio during video recording. Additionally, the camera has a USB-C port for fast data transfer and charging.
In summary, the Panasonic LUMIX GH6 offers a robust set of manual controls, shooting modes, and additional features that make it a versatile tool for both still photography and videography. Whether shooting single images or capturing high-quality video content, the GH6 offers the flexibility and control needed to achieve the desired results.
Comparisons and Rivals
GH6 vs GH5
The GH6 is the successor to the GH5 and comes with several improvements. The GH6 has a higher resolution sensor, faster autofocus, improved image stabilization, and a more advanced video codec. It also has a larger and more detailed electronic viewfinder, a cooling fan, and a higher-capacity battery. The GH6 can shoot 4K video at up to 120fps and 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording, which the GH5 cannot do. The GH6 also has a more advanced autofocus system with more AF points and better tracking capabilities.
On the other hand, the GH5 II is a newer version of the GH5, which was released after the GH6. The GH5 II has some improvements over the GH5, such as a higher-resolution LCD screen, improved autofocus, and better high ISO performance. However, the GH5 II does not have the same level of video capabilities as the GH6, such as 10-bit internal recording or 4K/120fps shooting.
GH6 Rivals
The GH6 is a hybrid camera that is designed for both stills and video shooting. It competes with other mirrorless cameras such as the Sony A7S III, Canon EOS R5, and Nikon Z6 II. The Sony A7S III has similar video capabilities to the GH6, with 4K/120fps shooting and 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording. However, the GH6 has a more advanced autofocus system and a more detailed electronic viewfinder. The Canon EOS R5 has a higher resolution sensor and better stills performance, but it has some limitations on video recording due to overheating. The Nikon Z6 II has a similar sensor and autofocus system to the GH6, but it does not have the same level of video capabilities.
The GH6 also competes with DSLRs such as the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and the Nikon D850. While these cameras have excellent stills performance, they do not have the same level of video capabilities as the GH6. They also tend to be larger and heavier than the GH6, which can make them less portable and convenient for shooting on the go.
Conclusion
The Panasonic LUMIX GH6 is a powerful and versatile camera that delivers excellent image and video quality. It is a great option for both amateur and professional photographers and videographers who want a compact and lightweight camera that can handle a variety of shooting situations.
One of the standout features of the GH6 is its high-resolution sensor, which produces sharp and detailed images with minimal noise. The camera also has impressive video capabilities, with the ability to shoot 4K video at up to 120 frames per second. Additionally, the GH6 has excellent image stabilization and autofocus performance, making it easy to capture sharp and steady shots.
While the GH6 is not without its flaws, such as its relatively short battery life and limited dynamic range, these issues are minor compared to the camera’s overall strengths. Overall, the Panasonic LUMIX GH6 is a top-performing camera that offers a great balance of features, performance, and value.