- 4K from a nearly full pixel readout of the sensor, internal recording
- Uncompressed 10bit 4:2:2 1080p via HDMI
- 96fps slow-motion
- More than double the bitrate of the GH3 in 1080p with 200Mbit ALL-I and 100Mbit IPB
- 1036k pixel OLED screen and 2360k dot EVF
- Small form factor, lightweight
- Small price for the spec and accessible to broad range of artists and filmmakers, from consumers up to pros
- Choice of broadcast safe luma ranges or full range (0-255)
- XLR and HD-SDI (via external add-on)
- PL mount lens compatible (i.e. with Hot Rod Cameras adapter)
- Uncompressed 10bit 4K and 2K via external add-on
- Efficient H.264 compression of 4K compared to Canon 1D C MJPEG
- Reduced rolling shutter (50ms sensor readout compared to 100ms on GH3)
- Improved dynamic range
- Improved low light performance
- PAL / NTSC switchable (“world cam”)
- Zebras and focus peaking
- Time Code
- Synchro Scan
- Cinema-gamma mode
- Articulated screen
- Full manual audio control
- Convenient Quicktime MOV file format
- 1080/60p
- Very fast AF for stills (0.07 sec)
- Improved AF in low light
- New mechanical shutter with longer lifespan and 1/8000
- Very fast 40fps burst mode
- Silent electronic shutter at full resolution and in raw
- Timelapse and stop-motion animation modes
- Gradation curve (for in-camera adjustment of shadow and highlights)
- Responsive (quad core CPU based)
- Very good quality stills for a cinema camera
- Wireless control over WiFI
- Near Field Comms
- Weather sealed, even splash proof
- Extensive lens range
- Metabones Speed Booster compatible
Rather disappointing that Panasonic did not disclose the price of the GH4 or the YAGH interface unit in fact my worry is that the YAGH unit will only take a 4pin DC power cable as there seems to be no where to slot an external battery into.
This has been confirmed it does indeed need a 12v “V” lock battery if using the YAGH not very convenient in my opinion. No pricing but some are speculating a price of around £650 for the YAGH and £1250 for the camera.
The boys over at EOS HD put it in a nutshell…”Think about what would connect to this unit… A very high spec 4K recorder / monitor like the Odyssey 7Q, a V-lock battery and some chunky pro audio equipment via XLR. Is there any point shrinking this add-on down to the size of a consumer DSLR battery grip when you have all this hanging off it ?”
The other very disappointing news is the 8bit 4:2:0 internal processing though you can get 4:2:2 10bit via the SDI socket but onv=ce again a compromise and something else to hang off the camera if you want the extra quality.
Note on Availability: Panasonic announced this camera on February 6, 2014, and we will begin accepting pre-orders on March 17, 2014.
Here is a short video produced in 4K make sure you watch it in full screen mode.
Yes, well done Panasonic, but I’m not quite ready to flog my C100 and EX1s for a GH4 with the Weeble-based breakout box quite yet.
If I’m parsing the reviews correctly, 4K recording is a 1:1 pixel mapping thing, so your 2x MFT crop goes up to 2.2 or thereabouts, so wides need to be really wide.
The holes in the weeble box look like they have threads in them, and they’re way too close, too small and too low for a 15mm rod system, yet I’m guessing that there will be a few tears before bedtime at Zacuto and the rest, as they work out how to shoulder mount this odd puppy.
The AF is still contrast based, so AF may hunt in video mode.
4 pin XLR power! A small dinky camera with a weeble bottom PLUS a V-Lock? Did they hire the Black Magic R&D team? And then add a separate recorder?
Still trying to pin down the internal recording details – it’s looking like everything is 8 bit. Which is what I was expecting TBH, 4:2:2 10 bit internal recording would be a game changer. This is a nice development for fans of the GH system, but I’ll pass for now. 🙂
Totally agree Matt Davis.
I love my GH2 for home video but was wishing Panasonic would develop something more serious for paid work.
IMHO, the GH3 failed with a poor viewfinder and no peaking. For the life of me, I just can not pick focus on moving subjects with the GH3. And now the GH4…..sigh.
Now Canon don’t look so silly 2 years on, asking over $10K for a large sensor internal broadcast codec camera.
No one has yet stepped up to seriously challenge the C300.