Panasonic Announces Development of 6K Capable Lumix S1H -

Following the development announcement of the Lumix S1H, last week at Cine Gear Expo, Los Angeles, Panasonic has followed mirrorless leader Sony’s strategy with three full-frame mirrorless cameras sharing a similar body (although the S1H is slightly larger) and mount of course, each model appealing to a different audience. According the press release, below, the 6K capable S1H is specifically targeting film production (pro-video), as a differentiator to the already video-cable 4K S1 and S1R. Although Panasonic hasn’t disclosed the sensor resolution it’s likely to be 24MP, like the S1.

Highlights include

6K/24p (3:2 aspect ratio) or 5,9K/30p (16:9 aspect ratio)
4K/C4K capture up to 10-Bit 60p
V-Log/V-Gamut with a wide dynamic range of 14+ stops
V-Log/V-Gamut compatibility with the Varicam (Cinema look)
Unlimited video recording under certified operating temperature

No stills capability has been mentioned but it’s likely to have a similar feature set to the S1. This three tier strategy puts pressure on Nikon and Canon to respond. In theory Nikon could follow suit, especially as the Nikkor Z lenses are more geared to video than their Nikkor F equivalents. However, they’ve quite a lot of catching up to do in the video space, though they’re showing willing with the Z 6. Canon could easily respond with a pro-video model for its EOS R range but given their history here, it’s more likely that we’ll see a Cinema camera with an RF mount, especially given the no-holds barred performance of the RF mount’s L-series. I would like to see both and EOS R and Cinema variant, but I’m not holding out.

The Lumix S1H is expected in the autumn of 2019.

Press release:

Systematic expansion for the LUMIX S Series: a wide range of updates for Panasonic’s full-frame mirrorless cameras

Panasonic announces development of LUMIX S1H as well as new video capabilities for LUMIX S1 and two new teleconverters

Cine Gear Expo, Los Angeles, 31 May 2019 – Following the successful launch of its LUMIX S1 and S1R full-frame mirrorless cameras, Panasonic is pleased to announce the LUMIX S1H, specially designed and developed for film production.

The upcoming S Series model is joined by a new software upgrade key for the LUMIX S1 which will significantly enhance its video performance capabilities, as well as an addition of two new 1.4x and 2x teleconverters for LUMIX S telephoto zoom lenses.

With this line up, Panasonic is committed to meeting the demands of every imaging professional by challenging the constant evolution of the photo/video culture in today’s new digital era.

LUMIX S1H: Cinema-Quality Video

Panasonic LUMIX is proud to announce the development of LUMIX S1H, its latest mirrorless camera equipped with a full-frame image sensor. It is the world’s first camera capable of video recording at 6K/24p^*1 (3:2 aspect ratio), 5.9K/30p (16:9 aspect ratio), and 10-bit 60p 4K/C4K^{.*2 *3} Combining professional-level video quality and high mobility of the mirrorless camera, Panasonic will release the LUMIX S1H in Autumn 2019.

The main features of the new LUMIX S1H are as follows:

High resolution up to 6K for multiple formats

Maximising the use of the pixels in the full-frame image sensor, the LUMIX S1H, as a digital camera, has achieved 6K/24p (3:2 aspect ratio) or 5.9K/30p (16:9 aspect ratio) video recording for the first time in the world.^*1 It is also the world’s first full-frame digital interchangeable lens system camera^*1to enable 10-bit 60p 4K/C4K^*2*3 video recording. It accommodates a variety of recording formats, including 4:3 Anamorphic mode, to meet professional needs. Its high-resolution data can also be used for creating 4K videos with higher image quality or for cropping images in 4K.

Rich gradation and a wide color space virtually equal to those of cinema cameras

The LUMIX S1H features V-Log/V-Gamut with a wide dynamic range of over 14 stops, which is virtually the same as the Panasonic Cinema VariCam, to precisely capture everything from dark to bright areas. The colour and even the texture of human skin is faithfully reproduced. Designed under consistent colour management, the S1H’s recorded footage is compatible with V-Log footage recorded by VariCam or V-Log L footage recorded by LUMIX GH5/GH5S.

High product reliability that allows unlimited video recording ^*4

In every S1H recording mode, video can be recorded non-stop under the certified operating temperature so the user can concentrate on shooting.

The LUMIX S1H prototype will be exhibited at the Cine Gear Expo 2019 ^*5.

*1 As a digital interchangeable lens camera, as of May 31, 2019 (U.S.). Panasonic research.
*2 As a full-frame digital interchangeable lens system camera, as of May 31 May, 2019 (U.S.). Panasonic research. In Super 35mm-equivalent size.
*3 Corresponding to 4K (4096×2160) as defined by Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI).
*4 Recording time varies depending on the battery capacity and memory card capacity. When the camera’s temperature rises above the specified operation temperature, the camera may automatically stop video recording to protect it from heat damage.
*5 Cine Gear Expo 2019 is the premier annual event for professionals engaged in the technology, entertainment and media industry to be held at Paramount Studios in Los Angles, U.S., from 30^th May to 2^nd June.