But don't worry! We found some Panasonic cameras for our Deals of the Week to fix that for you.
Ever since the Panasonic Lumix GH4, Panasonic has been giving its mirrorless competitors a run for their money. It has embraced the Micro Four Thirds sensor format and has released some robust cameras, some of which are Netflix-approved. Now the LUMIX GH6 is almost here.
For those creatives that can't find the budget for the new GH6, we found some amazing alternatives in the Panasonic LUMIX GH4 and GH5. Is the MFT sensor too small for you? We have a solution for that, as well. But why did we pick these older cameras when a new one is just about to come out?
Panasonic LUMIX GH4 Mirrorless Camera
Panasonic Lumix GH4 Mirrorless Camera
- 16.05MP Digital Live MOS Sensor
- DCI 4K 4096x2160 at 24p
- UHD 4K 3840x2160 at 30p/24p
- Full HD up to 60p
- Support for 59.94p, 23.98p, 50p & 24p
- 4:2:2 8-Bit or 10-Bit HDMI Output
- Magnesium Alloy, Weather-Sealed Body
The Panasonic LUMIX GH4 caused quite a storm when it was first released. It was a hit with filmmakers and features a 16.05-megapixel Digital Live MOS sensor capable of capturing UHD 4K 3840x2160 at 30p/24p and cinematic DCI 4K 4096x2160 video at 24p.
While it might seem strange to find the GH4 on this list since it's almost two generations old, it's currently on sale for $697.99. Filmmakers on budget, or creatives just starting out, can get amazing high-resolution footage for a few hundred dollars. The GH4 also does 4:2:2 10-bit to an external recorder. It's a great camera to start with to learn the ropes.
Panasonic LUMIX GH5 Mirrorless Camera
Panasonic Lumix GH5 Mirrorless Camera
- 20.3MP Digital Live MOS Sensor
- Venus Engine Image Processor
- 4K Video with No Crop
- Internal 4:2:2 10-Bit 4K Video at 24/30p
- 5-Axis Sensor Stabilization; Dual I.S. 2
- Advanced DFD AF System; 6K & 4K PHOTO
- Dual UHS-II SD Slots; Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
This wouldn't be an alternatives list for the GH6 without mentioning its predecessor.
The GH5 had an incredible run with several iterations. The GH5S and the GH5 II offered different sensor densities and upgraded low-light capabilities. The GH5 II even offered internal 10-bit video. No matter which of the three GH5 cameras you get, you'll get solid performance in a Micro Four Thirds package. Best of all, these cameras are most likely going to be much cheaper than the GH6.
Panasonic LUMIX S1H Mirrorless Camera
Panasonic Lumix S1H Mirrorless Camera
- 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
- 6K24p Video, 4:2:2 10-Bit DCI 4K/UHD 4K
- V-Log, Dual Native ISO, HFR with Sound
- 1.8" Top LCD, Tally Lamps, Dual SD Slots
- ISO 100-51200, Up to 9 fps Shooting
- Contrast-Detect 225-Area DFD AF System
- 5-Axis Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization
- Weather-Sealed Construction
If the Micro Four Thirds sensor is too small for your creative needs and you have a little bit more money in your budget, the Panasonic LUMIX S1H is a powerhouse you won't want to sleep on. The full-frame mirrorless has a serious penchant for video, with 14 stops of dynamic range, sensitivity from ISO 100-51200, and adept processing to realize high color accuracy. The 3:2 sensor can record 6K24p video, along with 16:9 5.9K30p and both DCI and UHD 4K60p settings with internal 4:2:2 10-bit sampling or external RAW recording capabilities with a compatible recorder.
The Panasonic LUMIX S1H is also Netflix-approved, so if you end up jumping on this deal, you can put the savings right back into your production budget.
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