Newark, NJ—Panasonic introduced the Lumix DMC-GH4, a still/video digital single-lens mirrorless camera for photographers and cinematographers alike. The GH4 compact system camera boasts 4K cinematic recording capability and improved image quality for both stills and video.
The camera’s newly developed 16.05 megapixel Digital Live MOS sensor is designed to excel in sensitivity and response as well as suppress rolling shutter effect, even when using the electronic shutter. Its Venus Engine image processor is also new, aimed at “dramatically boosting its performance with a new quad-core CPU that allows high-speed signal processing that is required for rich 4K video recording,” according to Panasonic. And integrating advanced noise reduction systems, the GH4 enables shooting at maximum ISO 25,600, with improved sensitivity, gradation performance, resolution and color reproduction.
Other improvements include high-speed burst shooting at 12 frames per second up to 40 (including RAW)/100 (excluding RAW) and 7.0 fps to capture fast-moving subjects.
Panasonic is marketing the GH4 as a professional video camera, as one of the most notable advances is unlimited 4K video recording (Cinema 4K: 4,096×2,160, 24 fps; QFHD 4K: 3,840×2,160 at 30 fps) in MOV/MP4. The GH4 is also capable of recording Full HD video with a bit rate of 200 Mbps (ALL-Intra) or 100 Mbps (IPB) without limits on the recording time. Users can choose the format from MOV, MP4, AVCHD Progressive and AVCHD at a variety of frame rates according to their usage.
For professionals working globally, the system frequency can be selected between 59.94Hz (23.98Hz) and 50.00Hz/24.00Hz. And the GH4 is capable of real-time image output to an external monitor via an optional micro HDMI cable simultaneously while recording video. For more unique video expression, VFR (variable frame rate) or time lapse/stop motion animation can be produced without postproduction processing.
The GH4 also offers dual OLED (organic light-emitting diode) displays: a 2,359k-dot LVF (live viewfinder) and a 1,036k-dot rear monitor. Both the LVF and rear monitor adopted an OLED to achieve high-speed response with minimum time lag while enhancing resolution.
Other features include: a contrast autofocus system enhanced by Panasonic’s Depth from Defocus technology, which shortens the time to focus to achieve 0.07-sec AF; face/eye detection AF; 49-point AF with custom multi AF mode; a magnesium alloy full die cast front/rear frame; splash/dustproof construction; a shutter unit said to achieve a max. 1/8,000 release and which was redesigned to provide 200,000 actuations; a 3.5mm microphone jack; luminance level adjustment; focus peaking for more practical control over focus; silent mode that switches the shutter from mechanical to electronic and turns all sound off while suppressing the emission of the AF assist lamp and flash; a live-view function with highlight and shadow control; photo style mode; intelligent D-range control; and an intelligent resolution function.
The GH4 also integrates Wi-Fi connectivity with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology for instant image sharing. With the Panasonic Image app for iOS/Android, remote shooting of both photo and video is possible by using a smartphone/tablet as a remote shutter with a monitor. Zooming, focusing and settings of shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation are all controllable with the smartphone/tablet. It is also possible to embed geotags in the image after shooting. For a smartphone/tablet without NFC, the camera can display a QR code on its monitor to complete syncing by reading the code.
Beginning in May, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 camera body will be available for $1,699.99 and its video adapter for cinematography will retail for $1,999.99. panasonic.com
