Panasonic has confirmed what we already suspected, the GH5 is under development and on its way. The follow-up to the popular GH4 will shoot 4K at 60/50 fps, and boast a 6K photo mode capable of capturing 18-megapixel stills from ultra-high quality video. The firm also used Photokina to launch three other new Lumix cameras.
The upcoming GH5 promises to once again offer features to keep both photographers and videographers happy when it launches in the first half of 2017. Representatives from Panasonic say it will offer 4K video recording at up to speeds of 60/50 fps with 4:2:2 10-bit options.
However, a potentially more interesting feature of the upcoming camera is a new 6K Photo mode. As the name suggests, this will work in a similar way to the current 4K Photo mode. But by using snippets of 6K video to produce the still images, they will each come in at around 18 megapixels, compared to the 8-megapixel stills you get from 4K video. A pre-production GH5 is currently on show at Photokina, though it's currently trapped in a glass box to stop us getting our hands on it.
Panasonic has also announced a few new cameras. The Lumix G80 (or G85 in some territories) is a high-performance mirrorless camera which features a 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds MOS sensor along with a new version of Panasonic's Venus Engine image processor allowing a top ISO setting of 25,600. Auto-focus is said to have been improved over previous models with an enhanced version of Panasonic's Depth From Defocus technology.
The G80 boasts 5-axis Dual I.S. MK II, which combines optical and sensor shift stabilization to help cut the blur. Video recording is possible at up to 4K (3840 x 2160) 30/25/24 fps, or FullHD 1080p at 60/50 fps. Meanwhile the camera benefits from Panasonic features such as 4K Photo and Post Focus.
The camera features a 2,360k dot OLED viewfinder, and a three-inch free-angle touchscreen. It uses a full die-cast magnesium front frame, and is splash and dust-proof thanks to sealing on every joint, dial and button.
There are also two new one-inch sensor compacts with the LX15 and the FZ2000. The Lumix LX15 (or LX10 depending on where you live) is the more pocketable offering which is described as a premium 4K camera. It pairs a 20.1-megapixel 1-inch-type MOS sensor with a fast F1.4-F2.8 zoom lens which offers a 24-72-mm equivalent and 5-Axis Hybrid O.I.S.
The ISO range extends to 12,800 and the camera can shoot at 10 fps with AF-S, or 6 fps with AF-C. Video recording is possible at 4K 30/25 fps. High speed video recording in Full HD is possible at 120/100 fps. Once again there's the 4K Photo and Post Focus modes, along with a Post Focus Stacking function which enables users to take multiple images of the same frame with different areas in focus, then combine them.
Finally, the Lumix FZ2000 (or FZ2500) is a new flagship bridge camera, again built around a 1-inch 20.1-megapixel MOS sensor. However, this one is paired with a huge zoom lens which gives a 24-480-mm equivalent F2.8-F4.5 and makes it very versatile.
The FZ2000 also promises to be a good option for videographers who want to travel light. It packs Cinema 4K 4096 x 2160 recording at 24 fps, and QFHD 4K 3840 x 2160 at up to 30 fps, along with all the other 4K goodies you'd expect. For serious videographers there will also be the option paid software upgrade to comply with V-Log L video recording.
The G80/G85 will be available in October priced at US$900 body-only, while the Lumix LX15/LX10 will set you back $700 and the FZ2000/FZ2500 $1,200 when they land in November.
Product pages: Lumix G85, Lumix LX15, Lumix FZ2500
