Panasonic officially announced their new Lumix GH-4 camera that can capture 4K at 24p video (4096x2160) and at 30p/24p (3840x2160). The GH-4 has a magnesium alloy body and 49 area auto focusing (in both photo and video). A new flash and interface unit were also announced. The pricing will be announced on March 17th. Additional information:
- Lumix HG-4 camera (dedicated website | check pricing and availability | sample images: here & here)
- DMW-YAGH interface unit (check pricing and availability)
- DMW-FL580L wireless flash (check pricing and availability)
Panasonic GH4 videos
Panasonic GH4 key features
Reliable Durability
Tough enough to withstand even heavy field use, the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH4 is composed of a magnesium alloy full die cast front / rear frame. It also features splash/dustproof construction with sealing on every joint, dial, and button. The shutter unit is designed for durability and delivers approximately 200,000 release times.
High Performance Professional Shutter
The shutter unit boasts professional graded added durability delivering approximately 200,000 release times. You’ll be empowered with a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 second, not only for capturing spur-of-the-moment fast moving subjects, but also using a high-speed lens with an open aperture even in outdoors to achieve the desired defocus effect. Both the built-in and external flash can be synchronized with a maximum 1/250 second shutter speed.
16.05 Megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor
The 16.05-megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor achieves high quality, high sensitivity image recording with its quick response. An approximately 50% higher speed signal readout suppresses the effect of a rolling shutter when using electronic shutter or recording video. The Live MOS Sensor delivers an expanded gradation range by a maximum1/3 step at low ISOs. Superior noise reduction allows for exposures up to 60 minutes long.
VFR (Variable Frame Rate) Time Lapse Shot / Stop Motion Animation
The VFR (Variable Frame Rate) enables Full-HD video recording with slow/fast motion such as 96 fps / 4x. Time Lapse Shot and Stop Motion Animation produce a stop motion (stop frame) video with sequential pictures. Both are created in-camera without any postproduction process.
Magnesium Alloy Body & Rugged Design
Tough enough to withstand even heavy field use, the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH4 is composed of a magnesium alloy full die cast front / rear frame. It also features splash / dustproof construction with sealing on every joint, dial, and button.
Venus Engine Advanced Image Processor
The Venus Engine image processor dramatically boosts performance with a quad-core CPU, enabling high-speed signal processing required for rich video recording such as 4K. Integrating superior noise reduction systems, DMC-GH4 successfully shoots at a maximum ISO 25600. Sensitivity, gradation performance, resolution, and color reproduction are dramatically improved to achieve even higher picture quality.
Wi-Fi with NFC Technology
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH4 integrates Wi-Fi connectivity with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. With the Panasonic Image App, remote photo and video shooting is available with a compatible smartphone or tablet, and can easily add embed geotag data in an image after shooting. Even if a smartphone / tablet is incompatible with NFC, you can still be easily connect to the camera by scanning the QR code displayed on the GH4’s monitor from your mobile device.
Selectable System Frequency
For the global business and professional user, the system frequency is flexible from 59.94Hz (23.98Hz) / 50.00Hz / 24.00Hz.
Dual OLED Displays - LVF & Monitor
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH4 boasts high-precision, high-speed dual OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) displays for 2,359K-dot LVF (Live View Finder) of approximately 1.34x / 0.67x, and 3.0-inch 1,036K-dot free-angle rear monitor. These superior displays achieve high-speed response with minimum time lag while enhancing resolution. The OLED for the LVF boasts 10,000:1 high contrast for superior color reproduction.
High-Speed Burst Shooting
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH4 boasts high-speed burst shooting at 12 fps (AFS) with up to approximately 40 (including RAW) / approximately 100 (excluding RAW) recordable images, and 7.5 fps (AFC) to capture fast moving subjects in clear focus. Together with the quick start-up and short release time lag, the DMC-GH4 never lets you miss a shooting opportunity.
Contrast AF with DFD Technology
The advanced Contrast AF system with DFD (Depth from Defocus) technology shortens the time to focus. The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH4 determines the distance to the subject by evaluating 2 images with different depth of field, while consulting the data of optical characteristics by using the lens, all within a moment. As a result, ultra high-speed AF of approximately 0.07 sec is achieved.
Face / Eye Detection AF
In addition to the conventional Face Recognition AF, the DMC-GH4 incorporates Face / Eye Detection AF which automatically sets focus right on the face or on the eye within the face.
Electronic Shutter & Silent Mode
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH4 boasts an electronic shutter. The high-speed signal readout from the Live MOS Sensor minimizes rolling shutter effect. The Silent mode switches the shutter from mechanical to electronic and turns off sounds, while suppressing the AF assist lamp and flash with just a single setting for special shooting occasions.
Seamless Magnification of 1-Area Focus Point
The 1-Area AF section can be seamlessly magnified not only in manual focus but also in auto focus mode.
Superb Picture Quality for Lifelike Textures
The Panasonic LUMIX GH4’s Venus Engine image processor is equipped with a quad-core CPU that delivers high speed signal processing. Combined with the Digital Live MOS Sensor, you’ll enjoy dramatically improved sensitivity (maximum ISO 25600), gradation performance, resolution, and color reproduction while achieving exceptional picture quality with a natural look and feel that LUMIX is famous for.
Pro Quality Video Creation
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH4 continues to evolve delivering professional quality video. Take advantage of 4K (Cinema 4K: 4096x2160 / 24 fps and QFHD 4K: 3840x2160 / up to 30 fps) video recording in MOV/MP4, or ultra high bitrate video recording at 200 Mbps (ALL-Intra) or 100 Mbps (IPB) without a recording time limit. Discover a variety of high-end functions for professional video recording.
49-Area AF/ Custom Multi AF
Focus point is increased from 23 points in the LUMIX GH3 to 49 points in the LUMIX GH4 for more flexibility in your composition. Custom Multi mode extends that flexibility even more with the ability to freely select the blocks to focus out of the 49 focusing areas.
Superb Mobility & High-Speed Response
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH4 delivers superb mobility and high-speed response. The high-precision Contrast AF integrates DFD (Depth from Defocus) technology to achieve ultra high speed AF of approximately 0.07 sec. The burst shooting power is boosted to 12 fps (AFS), and both 2,359K-dot LVF (Live View Finder) and 1,036K-dot rear monitor adopt OLED to minimize time lag while enhancing the resolution.
Highlight / Shadow Control
Highlight and shadow can be separately adjusted with the front or rear dial. Three patterns of settings can be customized in addition to 3 preset patterns.
In-Camera RAW Data Development
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH4 delivers RAW images in-camera. The color space setting (sRGB / AdobeRGB), white balance, exposure compensation, contrast, highlight / shadow, saturation, noise reduction, and sharpness or hue can be flexibly adjusted while LUMIX’ s Photo Style, Intelligent D-Range Control, and Intelligent Resolution can also be applied.
Real-Time Output with HDMI
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH4 is capable of real-time image output (4:2:2 / 8 bit or 4:2:2 / 10 bit) to the external monitor via an optional micro HDMI cable. This is perfect for professional video making that requires serious monitoring. Choose to output only the recording content, or the content with the setting menus individually, depending on the display.
Photo Style
You can choose color or texture type for photos and videos from Standard / Vivid / Natural / Monochrome / Scenery / Portrait. Contrast, sharpness, noise reduction, saturation, and hue parameter for each mode can be adjusted and even set into the camera’s memory.
Focus Peaking
Focus Peaking shows the peak of focus in MF and AF+MF mode. Users can see the peak of focus while monitoring the subject in live view. Focus Peaking is also available in remote photo / video shooting with a smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi.
