Tag Archives: GH6

Panasonic Lumix GH6 does 300fps in Full HD!

We have been expecting Panasonic to deliver a GH5 and or GH5s replacement camera for over a year now. The pandemic and component shortages pushed back the release of almost all high tech imaging equipment. The Lumix GH6 is now announced and it does everything right for Micro 4/3 and then some but will that be enough to make the format survive in a world of ever-decreasing Full Frame camera prices getting cheaper?  

The GH6 has a new sensor, new Venus processing engine, new IBIS with up to 7.5 stops which is bordering on ridiculous, and a body that has active cooling. For HSC however, only one set of specs matters and that is frame rates for video. The camera is now on top of the Lumix and almost all of their pro division cameras by shooting up to 300fps 10 bit Full HDish, 240fps Full HD 10bit, and 120fps at 4k 10 bit.  For slow motion enthusiasts, it looks to be a great camera on paper and at just under $2,200 USD it is not going to break the bank.  But after all of this, should you invest in the GH6 as a slow motion tool or save more for an affordable dedicated high speed camera? → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Sony IMX472-AAJK sensor offers huge frame rates in 4/3ds format!

Sony has released some white paper specs on a new Micro 4/3rds sensor that is as of now, the most advanced ever on the format considering the mix of Backside illumination, Stacked technology and high resolution color at 10 bits on full sensor read outs. The frame rates offered are also quite impressive with up to 1139fps at 0.46 Megapixels or 1760px Horizontal x 262px Vertical on the fastest range and 121fps at the full sensor area read-out at 20.9MP.

The Panasonic GH6 is coming later this year and it is estimated that this new sensor is actually the one that will be used on that camera. If Lumix technology can make full use of the sensor specs even for small fractions of time, we could have a killer slow motion mass produced camera.  The VFR mode on Panasonic Lumix cameras has always been more than acceptable and they could breathe new life into the format if these sensor specs are used to their fullest. We expect at least 1080p at 240fps which will be a slightly stretched delivery from the 1760 x 1318 240.2fps mode listed on the sensor specs → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Lumix GH6 will do 120fps 4k & maybe more!

Lumix GH6 Panasonic

Panasonic unveiled in May the GH5 Mark II which is a slight refresh of the venerable m4/3rds GH5 with live streaming, better dynamic range in video, better AF algorithms, and slightly better IS on a very similar body with just a few cosmetic red buttons and rings for refresh purposes.  The slow motion remains at 180fps VFR at 1080p and 60p at 4k on the GH5 II since it is using the same sensor and imaging engine. It is a better overall camera than the original but a mild refresh nonetheless. 

That brings us to the pre-announced GH6 which is an in-development camera that aims to refresh the entire Micro 4/3ds line in Panasonic and aimed at professional video users.  It sports a new sensor, new imaging engine, new body and new technologies yet to be disclosed.  According to rumors, this camera should be able to keep micro 4/3rds alive for another five years delivering an array of video and photo features that will set it apart much like the original GH5 carved a place in camera history. We have also received rumored specs that may or may not pan out regarding frame rates which we find somewhat credible.  → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Canon New Cinema Camera Will do 240fps in 4k!

Canon it seems is thinking 3 steps ahead of everyone else when it comes to pro 8k video.  After being left behind in the adoption of 4k and playing catch up to the format, they seem intent on making their cameras the new 8k default option with specs that seem out of a dreamer’s wish list.  Be warned that these cameras will probably start at $10k USD and go up from there. The low end should be about 10k to $15k for the C300s at the low end, and the high end a $30k price tag for a C700DR.  

The most impressive of the new rumored cameras is the Canon EOS C700DR (DR Stands for Dynamic Range) which will be capable of recording 4k not just at 120fps but a class-leading 240fps with excellent quality. It also hints at a 180fps mode that will have expanded dynamic range if needed.   It is interesting that 1080p as a slow motion mode is not even considered here but these cameras are geared to a specific market and that is digital cinema which needs much more resolution nowadays than what even 2k can deliver, much less 1080p.  → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Panasonic S Series Could Taper Slow Motion Curve!

Panasonic S Series

The announcement of the Panasonic S series is a complete acceptance that smaller m4/3 sensors are not the future but the past. As now Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Sony, Leica and now Panasonic have shifted priorities to Full Frame Sensors as mirrorless has allowed the smaller form factor without compromising low light performance and absolute stills image quality.  Fuji is also going strong on Medium Format stills oriented cameras like the new portable GFX 50R which meshes a rangefinder camera with a huge MF sensor.

The move by Panasonic, which had been leading in mirrorless frame rates in continued recording with their Lumix GH5 and GH5s Series up to 240fps 1080p,  will now focus on larger sensors that produce more heat and may be much slower to read at high speeds.  Sony has so far been able to only have 120fps 1080p recording in their a7 series for example.  If the Panasonic S1 at 24MP can only do 120fps 1080p which is still unknown, it will not bode well for slow motion frame rates for some time.

Panasonic S Series Main Features Shared So Far:

  • LUMIX S1R  47MP Full Frame sensor. Still Shooter Oriented!
  • LUMIX S1 24MP Full Frame sensor. Hybrid Shooter Oriented!
  • Same Body Will be used on both cameras, only sensor changes.
  • 4K in 50p/60p is confirmed for video.
  • Newly announced L-Mount which will use current Leica lenses and upcoming Panasonic and Sigma lenses.
  • First full-frame mirrorless cameras to offer dual I.S.  IBIS included!
  • XQD cards and SD card dual slots.
  • 3-axis tiltable LCD screen  (No Vari-Angle Video Friendly LCD).
  • Micro 4/3ds will still be a supported format with new cameras!

From the information shared above, it is clear this technology announcement is to stave off the take over of mirrorless full frame and the only way Panasonic can offset the migration from m4/3ds to other camera manufacturers like Sony before and now pretty much every other large manufacturer.

LUMIX S Series Press Conference Video by PanasonicLumixVideo:

While we may not see more than 120fps in video mode as a starting point for the Panasonic S Series, there will still be development for Micro 4/3rds cameras for some time. This may mean that a GH6 camera is already being built with the possibility of higher than 4k video and with a smaller sensor, the higher frame rates that can be bundled in such a package.  We, however, do not estimate more than 240fps in any Lumix camera for some time as their implementation on the GH5s low light camera is still not that good with moire and aliasing problems in the smaller resolution sensor.  We rather see a perfected 240fps mode with excellent quality before they jump into 320 or 480fps modes.

Sony continues to be the major consumer camera manufacturer with the best slow motion specs with the RX series at 960fps with in-between 480p and 240p modes which are better than most of the competition.    Phones, as we have seen, are able to jump faster into the slow-motion train with faster reading sensors and cheaper manufacturing with on sensor memory buffers: i.e Sony Motion Eye Technology.

Panasonic LUMIX S1 and S1R Full Frame Cameras Explained  by cinema5D: → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Slow Dance by Wonder Machines Makes Real Time Slow Motion Effect!

Slow Dance by Wonder Machines

In what may be described as a practical home application of a stroboscope, the Slow Dance frame by Wonder Machines makes it possible to see the deformation of objects without motion blur with your naked eye and or a typical camera. The Picture frame makes extreme vibrations on deformable lite objects i.e. a flower or bird feather and then uses a synced led light to match the deformation wave period. In essence, creating a snapshot of the motion in real time while your brain is processing the data to create a fluid almost magical effect.

At just $299 for the Slow Dance product, it becomes a very unique gift proposition or conversation starter piece.  Electronic Stoboscopes have been with us since 1931, when Harold Edgerton (“Doc” Edgerton) employed a flashing lamp to study machine parts in motion. Now you can have a somewhat limited but beautiful display to experiment using the technique.  The results are quite mind-blowing as the still life objects appear to take on a spark of life.

Slow Dance by Wonder Machines Should I get one?

If you already have access to a slow-motion camera we would advise to skip it as you can recreate these motions in detail with some strong lights and a way to vibrate objects. Also, it is not limited to very lite and deformable objects. You can use any type of object and see reactions.

For those that lack access to a slow-motion camera and want to experiment with the technique, it is possible to film the deformations with your camera.  Probably you will need a camera that has shutter speed control or better yet a synchro scan feature like the one present in professional cameras or the Panasonic GH4, GH5 and GH5s lines which permit custom adjustments in shutter speed in between the regular parameters of most cameras. They also allow you the ability to shoot in 4k to record these motions. This is one thing where your typical 720p HD or 1080p FHD camera will fall short unless you have access to something like a five-figure Phantom Flex 4k system.

“The Slow Dance team brings together backgrounds from MIT to the forests of Maine, from robotics and graphic design to meditation, music, and painting.” Wonder Machines Website

This Machine Will Make You See Slow Motion Without a Camera by Mathieu Stern:

In the video above by Mathieu Stern, you can clearly see the wonderful effect the machine produces. At the current price of $299, it is a permittable expense for a dedicated hobbyist with the added ability to gift it to someone who appreciates gadgets and an artistic centerpiece with something truly unique.

Is this real slow motion? not really but if you can simulate the effect in real time it is a worthy product for experimentation. We can also see this being used by video artists to create isolated motions of objects for compositing.    Before committing to a purchase we encourage you to see reviews like the one below by Tech Planet which go through the product in detail.

This DEVICE Slows Down Time!!? Slow Dance – Unboxing/Review by Tech Planet: → Continue Reading Full Post ←