Panasonic GH4When a mirrorless Micro Four Thirds camera brings 4K video to the table, we’re all ears…or eyes rather. The Panasonic GH4 is the world’s first DSLM (Digital Single Lens Mirrorless) camera to offer 4K cinematic recording capability. So what does this 4K capability mean for you? Listen up.
Cinema 4K Format - Panasonic GH4
So remember when HDTV came out and made all those old VHS tapes look really kind of way bad? The Cinema 4K is kind of like that. With a higher resolution and finer details, your video quality is out of this world. Shoot in either 4096 x 2160 "cinema 4K" format or 3840 x 2160. Shoot at 3840 x 2160 at 30 frames per second or at 4096 x 2160 at 24 frames per second. All this can be done with a 100 Mbps bit rate.
Hybrid Photography with the Panasonic GH4
One of the coolest things about the Panasonic GH4 is the "hybrid photography." What is hybrid photography? With the Panasonic GH4 you’re able to capture print-ready, high-resolution 8.8 megapixel still frames while recording video! Pretty neat, right?
Full HD Video
Want to shoot in 1080p? Well, Panasonic has added a 200 Mbps (ALL-Intra) option or a 100 Mbps (IPB) option to the Panasonic GH4, both of which do not have limited recording times.
Format Choice with the Panasonic GH4
We all like choices. We love freedom. Why not freely choose the format you want? From MOV and MP4 to AVCHD Progressive and AVCHD, shoot at a variety of frame rates according to the usage. In MP4 / MOV, high quality sound in LPCM (Linear Pulse Code Modulation) is recordable.
Real-Time Image Output
The Panasonic GH4 is also capable of real-time image output to an external monitor in 4:2:2 / 8-bit via an optional micro HDMI cable simultaneously while recording video. Even 4:2:2 / 10-bit is available which is suitable for the professional requiring serious monitoring of the footage. Users can choose to output only the recording content or the content with the menus individually depending on a display.
VFR (Variable Frame Rate) Time Lapse Shot / Stop Motion Animation
What video cable camera would be complete without time lapse and stop motion? None. Duh. With the Panasonic GH4’s VFR (Variable Frame Rate), it 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.
Professional Video Functions of the Panasonic GH4
- Time Code - SMPTE-compliant Time Code in Rec Run or Free Run makes it easy to synchronize multiple videos or sound sources in the postproduction process.
- Color Bars & 1KHz Test Tone - Color Bars (SMPTE / EBU / ARIB Standard) are used as a benchmark for fixing color or brightness. 1KHz Test Tone is used as a benchmark for fixing sound or volume.
- Center Marker - Center Marker works as a guide mark for video image composition. Simply display it at the center of the viewing angle.
- Synchro Scan - Use Synchro Scan to suppress flicker over the TV / PC monitor, or when shooting under fluorescent lights.
- Cinelike Gamma - "CINELIKE D" and "CINELIKE V" create a cinema-like tone to expand your creativity.
- Master Pedestal - Use Master Pedestal to adjust the brightness balance ±15 steps based on the color black.
- Zebra Pattern -Determine overexposed areas with the Zebra Pattern before or during shooting. This pattern can even be output to the external monitor too.
So, if this doesn’t have you wowed about the new Panasonic GH4 video capabilities, we’ll leave you to your old VHS tapes and such. We’ll be over here on the HD side of the fence. Oh heyyyy…
In addition to the crazy amazing video features of the Panasonic GH4, this mirrorless Micro Four Thirds gem offers a 16-megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor, high speed, customizable 49-point autofocus, and a Venus Engine advanced image processor—all packaged nicely into a durable splash-proof/dustproof magnesium alloy body.
Learn more about the Panasonic GH4 or browse through many a Panasonic LUMIX G digital interchangeable lenses.