Product Release: Lumix DMC-GH4 with 4K Cinema Video
Panasonic’s latest mirrorless camera, the GH4 boasts 4K video and 4:2:2 color subsampling.
Panasonic just released the details surrounding their new Lumix DMC-GH4 and Canon/Nikon loving DSLR filmmakers need to take notice. The age of 4K is here and Panasonic is boasting it’s first consumer grade 4K camera with the GH4. Along with a myriad of other features the GH4 is definitely going to make a splash in the world of indie filmmaking.
The Lumix GH4
As stated above the GH4 offers the first native 4K video in a Lumix camera but as a filmmaker you aren’t going to get 4:2:2 straight from the GH4. To achieve a color profile higher than 4:2:0/8-bit you need to buy the additional powered dock, a.k.a. the DMW-YAGH. From the dock you can run an SDI video signal to your favorite recording device. The dock also features 2 XLR audio inputs and gain knobs for external recording, allowing you to record professional quality audio without having to buy an external audio recorder, like the H5.
Panasonic recommends using a class 3 UHS SD card to get the 100Mbps transfer speed needed for the 4K video. They also upgraded the GH4 to have zebras to monitor peaking and color/audio signal referencing. Notably the sensor has also been improved to support a wider dynamic range and a decrease in rolling shutter (this is somewhat due to the mirror-less system used in the GH4).
The auto-focus features have been improved to be faster than ever before, partly due to the new 49-point AF system and the hybrid between contrast auto-focus and depth from defocus.In addition to the bigger updates, Panasonic has added in dial locks and upped the shutter durability rating to 200,000 cycles.
Pricing and Availability
Panasonic has just recently announced the price of the GH4 with the body being $1,699.00 and the DMW-YAGH going for $1,999.00. This low price makes it very affordable to anyone looking to get high-quality 4K video.
It will be ready for shipping on May 5, 2014. You can pre-order yours today.
The GH4 Technical Specs
| Sensor | 16.1MP live MOS 12-bit |
| Crop Factor | 2:1 |
| Sensitivity Range | ISO 100-25,600 |
| Burst Shooting | 7fps; 40 Raw and 100 Jpeg |
| View Finder | OLED EVF 2.36 million dots; 100% coverage |
| Autofocus | 49-point contrast AF |
| Shutter Speed | 1/8,000 – 60 |
| Shutter Durability | 200,000 cycles |
| Flash | Yes |
| Wireless Flash | Yes |
| Image Stabilization | Optical |
| Video | MP4/MOV: 4,096 x 2,160 – 24p; 3,840 x 2,160 – 30p/25p/24p @ 100Mbps; 1080 – 60p/50p @ 200Mbps’ |
| Audio | Stereo mic input; headphone jack; Optional XLR ports(2) with purchase of DMW-YAGH mount |
| LCD Size | 3 inch touch screen; 1.04 million dots |
| Battery Life | 500 shots |
Panasonic is trying to make a splash in the DSLR world with the GH4. With the latest hardware update to it’s Lumix series we may see 3 big competitors in the DSLR space, instead of just 2.
What do you think of Panasonic’s new GH4? Is it going to make Panasonic a real competitor in the DSLR market? Leave comment below!
