Panasonic is about to make several of its current cameras better through firmware updates, especially the S1, S1H and BGH1. The biggest winner is the full-frame, $ 2,500 Lumix S1, which is about to gain 6K 24p of 10-bit internal recording, or 5.9K 10-bit at up to 30 fps. You can also record Cinema 4K internally at up to 60 fps (4: 2: 0 10 bits, 200 Mbps) and 4K Ultra HD 10 bits (4: 2: 0) at up to 60 fps. Finally, the S1 will support anamorphic 4K (3,328 x 2,496) recorded internally and up to 5.9K 16: 9 (5,888 x 3,312) 12-bit video externally for an Atomos Ninja V recorder.
Currently, the S1 can only record 4K internally at up to 30 fps and externally at 60 fps, so these are some major updates. There are some heating limitations for the new recording modes, however, due to the fact that the S1 (as opposed to the S1H) does not have an internal fan. You will only be able to record 6K, 5.9K, and 5.4K videos for 15 minutes at a time before you stop recording, although you don’t have to wait as long as you do for other cameras (ie the Canon R5) before starting again. Internal 4K, Ultra HD and anamorphic 4K cinema have maximum continuous recording times of 30 minutes, but there are no limitations for external 5.9K RAW recording.
In addition to the resolution changes, Panasonic added a Dual Native ISO setting to the S1, which should make it better for low light photos. Suffice to say that all these updates make the S1 a much more useful camera, especially for videographers. If you don’t already have it, you’ll need to purchase the S1’s DMW-SFU2 update software key ($ 200) to get resolution updates, although vendors often include it free of charge with the camera.
Panasonic
Panasonic is also updating the $ 3,700 S1H with up to 5.9K 12-bit RAW recording for Blackmagic’s Video Assist 12G HDR recorder in Blackmagic RAW (BRAW) format, giving snipers another option in addition to Apple RAW for Atomos Ninja V. Note that you will need to have Davinci Resolve editing software from Blackmagic to use the footage, or else the BRAW plugin for Premiere Pro or Avid.
Finally, Panasonic released new firmware for its Micro Four Thirds BGH1 camera ($ 2,000). This product has been a top seller for Panasonic, especially for multiple camera configurations, drone use and live streaming. For the latter function, Panasonic introduced IP streaming over a wired LAN using the RTP / RTSP protocol, allowing players, businesses and others to stream high quality and distant to social platforms. It can do this in 4K 60p using the most efficient H.264 or H.265 code, both at up to 50 Mbps.
The BGH1 will also gain Apple ProRes RAW recording for Atomos Ninja V recorders (in addition to the internal SD recording) in up to 12 bits Cinema 4K 60 fps. This should make it more useful for filmmakers who do multiple cameras or other filming.
These updates will be released at different times, with version 2.0 of the S1H firmware arriving on March 31, version 2.0 of the S1 firmware arriving on April 6 and the BHG1 update (version 2.0) on March 24. Panasonic has also introduced minor updates to the S1R and S5 (coming April 6), allowing users to add vertical camera orientation information (or not) and save energy with an attached AC adapter.