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With Panasonic clearly moving to full-frame mirrorless cameras, we have wondered if there was still a future for Micro Four Thirds (MFT) mirrorless cameras at Panasonic.
It turns out that there is, and with this new introduction, Panasonic’s plan for its Micro Four Thirds (MFT) technology is becoming clearer: MFT has found a new home in the Panasonic LUMIX BGH1, a box-style Digital Single Lens Mirrorless camera that can be used as “an easy-to-install camera with high expandability allowing multi-camera control. It can be used in a variety of ways from shooting on drones to IP remote control to live streaming and more.”
Movie cameras have never really needed large full-frame sensors, and there are a lot of advantages in using the smaller sensor in MFT mirrorless cameras. Not only can such a camera be more compact and lighter, but so can all the accessories attached to it, including long telephoto lenses. Specs can be higher, the camera can shoot faster, and using a smaller sensor generates less heat, allowing for unlimited shooting time.
Being small and light, it can easily be mounted on drones, on a small gymbal, attached inside and outside a car, etc. If you are a videographer and needs the best, but affordable and small, with all the video components that you need, why bother with a hybrid stills/video camera? The LUMIX BGH1 is built just for that use — and wants to be that videocamera.
Panasonic has restricted the resolution to a reasoable 10.2-MP, plus incorporate dual native ISO technology to allow maximum image quality at low and very high ISOs without suffering from the noise gain typical of a single native ISO technology.
An interesting twist in Panasonic’s AF Tracking is the incorporation of advanced deep learning technology that detects humans and fast-moving animals, including dogs, cats and birds. The BGH1 can apparently keep tracking the subject even if it moves quickly, turns its back to the camera, tilt its head or move far away from the camera.
Professional movie recording typically uses a number of cameras all at once, and so control over a maximum of 12 LUMIX BGH1 cameras is available from the Panasonic LUMIX Tether for Multicam application. A future firmware update will support IP streaming over wired ethernet (RTP/RTSP).
And yes, there are Dual UHS-II SD Card slots for backup recording or relay recording.
For the full list of specfications, watch the video and read the press release below.
An interesting questionL Is Panasonic eventually planning to go head-to-head against — or just provide an affordable version of — RED?
PRESS RELEASE
A New Box-Style Mirrorless Cinema & Live Event Camera LUMIX BGH1 Featuring C4K/4K 60p and 10-bit Video Recording
NEWARK, N.J., Oct. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Panasonic is proud to announce the release of the brand’s first box-style LUMIX Digital Single Lens Mirrorless Camera DC-BGH1. Based on the Micro Four Thirds System standard, the new LUMIX BGH1 takes advantage of high mobility, an extensive interchangeable lens lineup, and even includes technologies Panasonic has acquired though the development of professional cinema cameras, camcorders and the LUMIX GH series. Against a background of increasing streaming opportunities in addition to traditional broadcasting, Panasonic offers the LUMIX BGH1, an easy-to-install camera with high expandability allowing multi-camera control. It can be used in a variety of ways from shooting on drones to IP remote control to live streaming and more.
1. Professional-level video quality achieved by high sensitivity and wide dynamic range
The new LUMIX BGH1 integrates a 10.2-megapixel Live MOS Sensor with Dual Native ISO technology and the Venus Engine. Dual Native ISO is a technology that seamlessly bridges two circuits of separate native ISO, which is used in Panasonic Varicam models for professionals. Normally, noise increases as sensitivity rises with a single native ISO image sensor. However, the image sensor with Dual Native ISO minimizes noise generation by choosing an optimal circuit to use according to the sensitivity before gain processing. As a result, it allows a maximum ISO 51,200 high sensitivity recording.
The LUMIX BGH1 enables 4:2:0 10-bit C4K/4K 60p or 4:2:2 10-bit All-I C4k/4K 30p internal video recording. The camera can record video with a designated gamma curve compatible with ITU-R BT.2100, and users can now choose Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) in Photo Style. A low-bit-rate recording mode C4K/4K HEVC/H.265 for HLG is also available.
V-Log L now features log characteristics with 13 stops of wide dynamic range and is pre-installed. It is also capable of 4K 4:2:2 10-bit C4K/4K 60p output over HDMI.
The VFR (Variable Frame Rate) lets users record overcranked / undercranked video in C4K/4K (60 fps, maximum 2.5x slower in 24p) and FHD (240 fps, maximum 10x slower in 24p).* The minimum frame rate for quick motion video is 2 fps.
The LUMIX BGH1 also incorporates advanced deep learning technology that detects specific subjects like humans and fast-moving animals, including dogs, cats and birds. Notably for humans, in addition to the eye, face, and body, the head is separately recognized by real-time detection technology to provide even more precise focusing. The camera keeps tracking the subject even if they move quickly, turn their back to the camera, tilt their head or move far away from the camera.
* The angle of view is reduced when the frame rate is set to 201 fps.
2. High user convenience in film production scene and scalability with external devices
The LUMIX BGH1 is a compact, light-weight box-style camera. Its body is composed of aluminum and magnesium alloy to ensure durability and light weight. The LUMIX BGH1 has a new heat dispersion structure to achieve unlimited video recording. It offers Power over Ethernet+ (PoE+), simplifying installations by providing power, signal and control over ethernet. Control over a maximum of 12 LUMIX BGH1 cameras*1 is available from the Panasonic LUMIX Tether for Multicam*2 application. A future firmware update will support IP streaming over wired ethernet (RTP/RTSP).
The included ethernet port or the USB 3.1 Type-C, 3G-SDI and HDMI Type-A terminals can all be used for simultaneous output. Genlock IN and Timecode IN/OUT functions simplify multi-angle synchronized video recording and integrate into a scalable system with external monitors, rigs and gimbals supplied from other manufacturers.
The LUMIX BGH1 is equipped with Dual UHS-II SD Card slots for backup recording or relay recording.
3. Other practical features
・Supporting anamorphic lenses (4:3)
・Desqueezed Anamorphic output over SDI/USB-C/Ethernet
・Tally lamps (front 1 and rear 1), a network connection lamp
・Φ3.5 Audio (in/out) jack compatible with XLR microphone DMW-XLR1 (sold separately)
・Generic remote control unit φ2.5mm
・2.4GHz Wi-Fi connectivity and Bluetooth 4.2 (BLE)
・Bundled accessories include a Cable lock band, AC adapter and AC cable
・Remote camera control using application software (LUMIX Tether for Multicam*2 and LUMIX Sync)
・Tethered photo shooting with LUMIX Tether for Multicam*2 software
・A SDK*3 (Software Development Kit) for camera control via USB will be provided for free.
The LUMIX BGH1 will be available at valued channel partners in December for $1999.99.
A launch live event will be broadcast at 12:00pm EDT on 10/13 at: https://youtu.be/yOqzlMYvOMI
*1 Operation may be unstable depending on the connection environment and performance of the connected PC.
*2 LUMIX Tether for Multicam will be released for windows and OSX when the BGH1 goes on sale.
*3 The SDK will be released for the owners of compatible LUMIX cameras (BGH1, S1, S1R, S1H, S5, GH5S, GH5, G9) at following site https://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/soft/tool/sdk.html on 14 October 2020.
Some accessories are not available in some countries.
Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Newark, NJ, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation. The company offers a wide range of consumer solutions in the U.S. including Home Appliances, LUMIX Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Blu-ray players, Home Audio, Technics, Cordless Phones, Beauty, Grooming, Wellness and Personal Care products and more. One of Interbrand’s Top 100 Best Global Brands of 2019, Panasonic is a leading technology partner and integrator to businesses, government agencies and consumers across the region. Learn more about Panasonic’s ideas and innovations at www.na.panasonic.com/us
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