Two years after releasing the Lumix S1 mirrorless camera with 6K video recording, Panasonic has announced a firmware update that adds 12 bit RAW support of up to 30 frames per second to the flagship camera, along with updates to the S1R and S5. 

There is a catch, though. Depending on when users purchased their camera, they may have to pay extra for the privilege.

The upgrade expands RAW recording options with full-frame 5.9K 12 bit RAW of up to 30 frames per second in 16:9 widescreen, 4K in a cropped APS-C mode of up to 60 frames per second in 17:9 widescreen, and 3.5K with up to 50 frames per second in anamorphic mode.

Other features being opened up include the Panasonic S1 and S1R receiving both L.ClassicNeo and L.Monochrome S photo styles, along with support for Lumix Hybrid Log-Gamma Photo (HLG) as a plugin for Adobe Photoshop. 

Previously, any photo shot in HLG Photo would lose its HDR features when imported into Photoshop for editing. Now, Adobe has those features unlocked, but users must use an HLF supported monitor in order to view them anywhere but the camera’s LED screen.

The 12 bit RAW firmware update may be part of Panasonic’s optional Upgrade Software Key purchase program, but that isn’t a bad thing. As previously reported, the update also opens up support for Blackmagic RAW video output to the Video Assist 12G HDR external video recorder.

The optional Software Key comes at a hefty price tag of $200, but new camera purchases include the option at no extra charge. That bites for early adopters but is great news for those who bought an S5 for $1,700, as they will not only be able to keep up with the higher end S1 line at over half the price, but they won’t have to pay extra for an upgrade key to do it.

Panasonic will make the firmware update available to users who own the upgrade software key starting on July 12.

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Cinematography & Cameras