The Panasonic Lumix GH6 Camera Specs

Panasonic GH6 Camera

The Panasonic Lumix GH6 Camera Specs

(Updated August 1, 2020)

Will Panasonic Release the GH6?

Due to the release of the new Sony A7S III and Canon R5 and R6 cameras, I think the GH6 might be postponed, redesigned or completely canceled.  The smaller sensor of the Micro Four Thirds technology is a tough sell given the current camera environment.  My instincts suggest that Panasonic may actually release the camera with an APS-C sensor or not at all.

An APS-C sensor with all the bells and whistles we love about the GH5 is their only hope to stay competitive.  Given that Panasonic has one of the most unreliable contrast-based auto-focus systems on the market coupled with a small sensor may mean the GH6 is a no-show.  There has been no updates on the GH6 in a long time.  The smarter move now would be to drop the price of the S1H to remain competitive.  Tony Northrup, a prominent YouTuber suggested that the M43 camera system would be discontinued. His prediction about a year ago is arguably very accurate due to not seeing or hearing anything new from Panasonic.

As much as I would love to get my hands on a new Panasonic GH6, I can’t see a micro four-thirds camera system being a competitive option unless the price and size were more easily accessible. I own 2 Panasonic GH5 cameras for all of my video work and I am seriously considering the Sony A7S III for professional work.  Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

The Rumoured Panasonic GH6 Specifications

After the release of the Panasonic S1H, we are still left wondering about the future and potential specs of the Panasonic Lumix GH6.  If you’ve already heavily invested in the Micro Four Thirds system then Full Frame might not interest you.

My current camera setup revolves around 2 x GH5 and 2 x G85 cameras and more lenses than you can poke a stick at. For this reason, I am not interested in changing lens mounts with the S1H.

Panasonic GH6 Camera

Panasonic GH6 Camera Specs

Panasonic Lumix GH6 Specs: 6 or 8K Video?

I really hope the draw for the GH6 will be 8K video.  I would prefer to not have a 6K camera to bridge the gap between 4k and 8k.  The reason why is that 8k will be to 4k what 4k is to 1080p.  This will give up way more flexibility in post-production and cropping.

I could really see Panasonic choosing to niche the GH6 for a particular customer.  The S1H has a lot of strengths that will absolutely appeal to a lot of filmmakers. Some of the Panasonic S1H strengths are that it performs well in low light.  Another strength is it has a 6K 3:2 aspect ratio for video recording. This odd aspect ratio is of no interest to me personally.

For those waists deep into cinema, you’ll probably appreciate that more than me. All 6k 3:2 aspect ratio means to me is more cropping, editing, and adjusting in post.  The sad news about the S1H is we don’t even get a full-frame 4k 60p.  This is not the right camera for me.

If you are a YouTuber for example, the S1H is total overkill.  Being the S1H is aimed at filmmakers the GH6 could potentially be a huge seller based on some different specs.

Panasonic Lumix GH6 Specs

What I would love to see in the GH6 is:

  • 8K 8bit/10bit at 24/25/30p
  • 10bit 4:22 4k 24/25/30/50/60p
  • 2 x Matching SD Card Slots
  • Better Auto Focus (to match that of the S1H)
  • 180 frames per second slow motion in 1080p
  • 90 frames per second in 4k
  • The same or better battery life than the GH5
  • A flip-out touch screen.
  • To be compatible with the XLR adaptor from the GH5
  • The same or similar form factor to the GH5/GH5s
  • IBIS (in-body image stabilization) as good as the GH5
  • Similar Price to the GH5/GH5S
  • Make it compatible with MFT lenses
  • Charging the battery via USB directly to the camera
  • Dual Native ISO.

Arguments for GH6 being the Camera of Choice

If Panasonic skips 6K and creates the 8K GH6 based on obvious updates from the GH5 and S1H it will sell like Hotcakes.  The only way Panasonic would ruin this for the prosumer level filmmakers is by upping the price.  One of the huge reasons a lot of YouTubers will be sticking with the GH5 or possibly migrate over to Sony is the S1H is so expensive.

Expensive is 100% particular to your situation.  For what you are getting, the S1H makes a lot of sense at its price point.  Where I see it falling apart is customers who could afford to get a GH5 or GH5s might not want to spend twice as much buying into a new system.  I am sure that a lot of people will still make the jump, but not me.

The Panasonic S1H

The Panasonic S1H is the current full-frame video camera offering us 6k video.

 

Portability

I travel overseas once or twice a year on average.  Another massive advantage that the GH6 will have is portability. If you love the form factor of the smaller cameras then it’s a no-brainer to keep the weight as low as possible.

For what I shoot across the majority of my YouTube channels the GH5 is a great solution.

Release and Announcement Date

Rumors circulating online suggest the GH6 will be announced in early to mid-2020.  There’s also some buzz about a potential release date being late in 2020.  No one other than Panasonic knows this for sure but there has been some “leaked” sensor news regarding a possible GH6.

No Jumping on the Bandwagons

Right now, I am not looking to enter the full-frame camera market.  I have invested a lot of money into the GH5 cameras ad lenses I currently own and ditching it all to “upgrade” doesn’t work for my situation.  As I mentioned, there will be a lot of people that won’t think twice about upgrading.  Those who will be upgrading to the S1H will be filmmakers and higher-end professionals.

The Panasonic Lumix GH6 will Destroy the Competition

I’m hopeful Panasonic will surprise us with the news of the GH6 sooner than 2020 but only time will tell.  There’s a very loyal fanbase of GH5 and GH5s users that will jump at the opportunity to get a GH6 as long as it ticks the boxes.  If the GH6 is released as an 8K camera it will be lights out for the competition including the Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera.

Odds of better Autofocus?

From what we’ve seen with the S1, S1R, and S1H, the auto-focus still is behind the competition.  For whatever reason, Panasonic stands firm on its auto-focus ‘technology’.  Panasonic uses an auto-focus technology called ‘depth from defocus’.  Even the name alone gives you the impression it can’t find focus properly.

While the auto-focus has improved over the years with firmware updates, we still can’t rely upon it.  There’s little hope for the Panasonic GH6 having a far improved auto-focus system.  The day will come where Panasonic will listen to their customers and change their auto-focus technology to something like Sony or Canon.  If they did this, it would potentially be the best video camera on the market.

What about an APS-C Sensor?

With the release of the Sony A6400, APS-C sensors are gaining momentum.  There’s a lot about the A6400 to like and just as much to not like but that is an article for another day. If the Panasonic GH6 is released with an APS-C sensor it would mean improved low light performance and also a more shallow depth of field.

This would mean it would be easier to get that ‘blurry background’ effect in your videos.  For me personally shooting with a few GH5’s this has never been a problem. I just lock in my Leica 15mm f1.7 or 25mm f1.7 and I am good to go. Click the link to read my review of the 25mm lens with a video.  If Panasonic decides to go with an APS-C sensor it could potentially lose a lot of customers if their MFT lenses aren’t usable.

Downsides of APS-C in a GH6

APS-C ‘generally’ has a far worse rolling shutter than MFT.  This would really limit the usability of the camera in certain video situations. Give us an 8k GH5s with IBIS and some extra codecs and Panasonic can ensure GH5 users will be in it long term.

The End of the Micro-Four-Thirds System?

With the release of the new Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25mm f/1.7 ASPH. Lens (B&H) I don’t think it’s all doom and gloom for MFT. One of two things has happened.  Either Panasonic has released this lens to complement current and future cameras using Micro-Four-Thirds. The second option is Panasonic released this lens to give us false hope of a future release.  All indications suggest we will get at least one more GH series camera.

Official Specs and Release for the Panasonic Lumix GH6

Once the Panasonic Lumix GH6 is officially announced and the specifications are on hand. I can’t wait to see how accurate my prediction regarding 8k is over a 6k sensor. If Panasonic releases the GH6 as a 6k camera I will be giving it a miss. A lot of people are wanting a GH5s with a stabilized lens, but add in 8k and it’s a done deal.

About this Article

I do not work for Panasonic currently, nor have I ever before.  My projected camera specifications are how I see the GH6 differentiating itself from the GH5 and S1H. These changes would cement a Panasonic camera in the 8k space while still being affordable and more functional than the competition.  The Lumix GH6 specs will hopefully be officially announced in the in 2020.  All we know for certain is that Panasonic have leaked details of a new sensor that could be potentially be for the Panasonic GH6.

Updates: February 6, 2020

New rumors suggest the new Panasonic GH6 will be in fact 6K and not 8k maximum. With the release of the Panasonic S1H, we can most probably similar features in a Micro Four Thirds format camera.

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