The LUMIX GH6 RAW Update Is Here Even As Issues Persist—Should You Upgrade or Sell?

The LUMIX GH6 was released in February 2022 to quite a bit of fanfare and a few loud criticisms, specifically about the dreaded streaking issue. The new firmware is set to unlock some much-needed filmmaking features for the new camera, but does the update fix anything else?

Let's find out together!

New Firmware, Old Issues?

Panasonic has released the LUMIX GH6 firmware version 2.0 with the one feature that filmmakers have been waiting with bated breath for—the ability to record ProRes RAW externally with the Atomos NINJA V and V+. 

Here's what you get

• ProRes RAW, externally with the Atomos NINJA V/V+, over HDMI (with the AtomOS 10.77 update).
• Up to 5.7K (5278x3024), 60p, 12-bit on the NINJA V+, Micro Four Thirds (MFT).
• Up to 5.8K-A (5760x4320), 30p, MFT Anamorphic or Anamorphic 4.4Kp60, 12-bit.
• Internal recording: 4K DCI or FHD in ProRes 422 HQ and ProRes 422, up to 60p; Cinema 4K up to 60p.

If you're an owner of the Panasonic LUMIX GH6, it's a no-brainer to download and install the firmware version 2.0, especially for the internal 4K DCI or FHD up to 60p in ProRes 422 HQ/ProRes 422. Add in the Atomos NINJA V/V+ with the AtomOS 10.77 update, and you're getting up to 5.8K external recording in ProRes RAW.

Credit: Panasonic

Panasonic also released a LUT that it developed for the new RAW capabilities. You can find that here. This will hopefully allow filmmakers to more easily match their footage to other Panasonic cameras such as the Eva-1 and Varicam series.

But what about the dreaded streaking issues?

Well, it seems like this might be a hardware issue that's found in most cameras with this sensor technology. However, there's good news.

After perusing a bunch of Reddit threads and forums, the user experience is positive. The "issue" only seems to arise in situations that no one would shoot in, at least according to current GH6 owners.

User DiZu on this DPreview forum thread wrote, "I have been filming for nearly 2 months with the GH6. Never ever had the streaking problem in 'normal' scenes. I filmed with backlighting, high contrast scenes, filming against windows, low light, DR Boost on/off, Vlog, Rec709 profiles, sunshine, moonshine, you name it."

While this may be the green light for some creatives to dive into the Panasonic ecosystem, just know that this problem, no matter how minor, is here to stay. 

Micro Four Thirds Is Here to Stay (For Now)

The LUMIX GH6 is a Micro Four Thirds workhorse camera and a welcome follow-up to the immensely popular GH5. It has plenty of great features, including the Live MOS Micro Four Thirds sensor at 17.3mm by 13.0mm and 25 megapixels and a mount that can adapt to pretty much any lens in the world. 

Panasonic Lumix GH6

• 25MP Live MOS MFT Sensor 4:3 Aspect Ratio
• 13+ Stops of Dynamic Range
• Contrast-based autofocus
• 7.5 stops of I.S.
• .vlt and .cube LUT
• VLOG Included
• Anamorphic Desqueeze and Image Stabilization
• 4-channel audio
• Timecode IN/OUT
• SD and CFexpress Type-B
• H.264 and H.265 Recording Formats
• ProRes 422 HQ in 5.7K
• 10-bit 4:2:0 5.7K in 17:9 up to 59.94p
• 10-bit 4:2:0 Cinema 4K up to 119.88p
• 10-bit 4:2:2 FHD up to 239.76p

B&H

$Est. $2199.99

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Atomos Ninja V+ Deluxe Starter Kit

Starter Kit!

• Ninja V+ 5.2" 8K HDMI Recording Monitor w/ Accessory Kit
• Batteries & Charger, Screen Protector, Sun Hood, Travel Case
• Master Caddy II, SATA III Cable
• New chip supports higher frame rates and resolutions 
• ProRes raw recording over HDMI up to 4K120 w/ compatible cameras
• ProRes raw recording over HDMI up to 8K30 w/ compatible cameras
• H.265 10-bit recordings in 4:2:2, 8-bit recordings in 4:2:2 and 4:2:0 with free-to-download license

B&H Photo

$999.00

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