Owners of Panasonic Lumix S Series full-frame mirrorless cameras and the Micro Four Thirds box-style mirrorless camera DC-BGH1 can look forward to their cameras gaining some additional functionality with firmware updates that are scheduled to be released on 24th March, 31st March or 6th April as detailed in the table below:
Photographers with the Panasonic Lumix S1 who have paid for the DMW-SFU2 Software Upgrade Key have the most to gain with the addition of 6K, C4K, 4K 60p/50 10bit and anamorphic recording plus Apple ProRes Raw recording on an Atomos Ninja V connected via HDMI and Time Code functionality.
Those who shoot with the S1 but who don’t have DMW-SFU2 Software Upgrade Key, and S1H, S1R and S5 users, will get the ability to select to shoot with dual native ISO, metadata for vertical video shooting for autorotation in playback and an Eco mode when using an AC adapter. The BGH1 will get the metadata for vertical video shooting for autorotation in playback but not the Eco mode.
In addition, the BGH1 will get IP streaming using the RTP/RTSP protocol at up to 4K 60p in H.265/H.264, Apple ProRes Raw, a Genlock indicator and the networking lamp will turn off when the camera is disconnected from a LAN.
The Panasonic Lumix S1H will be able to record Blackmagic Raw video, making the footage compatible with Davinci Resolve.
In addition, Lumix Tether for Multicam Version 1.1 will be released on 24th March 2021 to facilitate the BGH1’s enhanced streaming capability.
Follow the link to Panasonic’s Lumix Global Customer Support site to download the firmware updates.
The full details of the firmware upgrades are as follows:
LUMIX BGH1 Firmware Version 2.0 to be released 24th March 2021
BGH1 is LUMIX’s first box-style camera exclusively designed and developed for professional use. To support the industry’s growing need for live streaming, the BGH1 will provide an IP streaming function that enables high-quality image transmission to social streaming platforms with PC connection over wired LAN.
The LUMIX BGH1 is a unique camera that can stream 4K 60p (50p) video in H.265. H.265 realises half the bitrate while keeping the image quality the same as H.264, meaning it can provide 2x higher image quality at the same bitrate as H.264. Streaming in ultra-high definition 4K at low bitrate is possible even in the cases where the bandwidth is not broad enough.
Firmware 2.0 will also enable the BGH1 to capture Apple ProRes RAW video recording over HDMI to the Atomos Ninja V.
This new firmware will be available free of charge.
LUMIX BGH1 Firmware Version 2.0 will include:
IP streaming with PC (RTP/RTSP protocol)
4K/60p（3840×2160）H.265：50M, 25Mbps H.264：50M, 25Mbps
4K/30p（3840×2160）H.265：25M, 12.5Mbps H.264：25M, 12.5Mbps
FHD/60p（1920×1080）H.265：20M, 16Mbps H.264：16M, 8Mbps
FHD/30p（1920×1080）H.265：12M, 6Mbps H.264：6M, 3Mbps
RAW video data output over HDMI function
Apple ProRes RAW can be recorded via Atomos NINJA V
V-Log or Rec.709 is selectable on Live View monitor during RAW output.
Shooting assist functions including Luminance Spot Meter, Zebra Pattern can be used during RAW output.
A LUT (Lookup table) exclusively designed for RAW video recorded on NINJA V is available on the Panasonic customer support website for the same colour grading as V-Log/V-Gamut. It is easy to match colours between footage recorded with Panasonic Varicam, EVA1 and GH5 cameras to combine them.
Genlocking status display
Synchronization status can be shown on the external monitor connected with HDMI or SDI when the camera is under Genlock synchronization.
SD Memory Card formatting via PC connection
It is possible to format the SD Memory Card from the camera menu on the live view display of LUMIX Tether while the camera is connected with the PC.
Users can choose to add camera orientation information in [Vertical Position Info (Video)] menu to prevent unintended image rotation in playback.
Software that supports Apple ProRes RAW is required to edit RAW video recorded with NINJA V.
All functions may not be available depending on the situation.
LUMIX Tether for Multicam Ver.1.1 to be to be released on 24 March 2021
Settings and controls over the BGH1 during IP streaming are available.
Rec.Quality options corresponding to RAW video data output will be displayed when [Menu]>[Video]>[Image Format]>[HDMI RAW Data Output] is turned ON.
It is possible to start/stop recording on the external device with the BGH1 during HDMI/SDI output.
When [HDMI Recording Control] and/or [SDI Recording Control] is/are ON, Rec button is available even if the SD Card is not inserted. The connection method, either HDMI or SDI, is also displayed.
*For settings and controls over the BGH1 via PC during IP streaming, LUMIX Tether for Multicam PC software should also be updated to Ver.1.1 or higher. LUMIX Tether for Multicam Download Program.
LUMIX S1H Firmware Version 2.4 to be released on 31st March 2021
As Panasonic’s flagship S Series video camera, the LUMIX S1H has evolved through several significant firmware updates since its launch. Now, for the first time in a full-frame mirrorless camera*, the S1H will offer 5.9K Blackmagic RAW video output via Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR, in addition to Apple ProRes RAW recording via Atomos Ninja V.
This new firmware will be available free of charge.
*As of 18th March 2021
LUMIX S1H Firmware Version 2.4 will include:
RAW video data output over HDMI to Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR monitor-recorder
[5.9K] / [4K] / [Anamorphic (4:3) 3.5K] 12-bit RAW video data can be output over HDMI to Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR, to be recorded as Blackmagic RAW.
V-Log or V709 is selectable on Live View monitor during RAW output.
Shooting assist functions including WFM (Wave Form Monitor), Vector Scope, Luminance Spot Meter, Zebra Pattern can be used during RAW output.
All functions may not be available depending on the situation.
Selectable recording mode depends on the version of Video Assist 12G HDR.
DaVinci Resolve or DaVinci Resolve Studio is required to play back the Blackmagic RAW data. DaVinci Resolve Studio is required to edit the Blackmagic RAW data.
Users can choose to add or not to add the camera orientation information in menu [Vertical Position Info (Video)] to prevent unintended image rotation in playback.
[Power Save Mode] can be selected even while the camera is powered with an AC adaptor (DMW-AC10, sold separately).
LUMIX S1 Firmware Version 2.0 to be released on 6th April 2021
To meet the demands of users, the LUMIX S1 will continue to evolve. With firmware 2.0, the user will be able to manually switch the Dual Native ISO settings. As well as V-Log recording, further enhancements will be available with the purchase of DMW-SFU2* , including an anamorphic mode and timecode function, in addition to 5.9K/C4K and 4K60/50p 4:2:0 10bit internal video recording and 5.9K/4K/Anamorphic (4:3) 3.5K 12-bit RAW video data recording over HDMI on an Atomos Ninja V.
*Users who already have DMW-SFU2 do not need to purchase extra DMW-SFU2. There is no need to upgrade the camera with DMW-SFU2 if the upgrade was done once before.
Features and functions available on the LUMIX S1 with the software upgrade key DMW-SFU2 include:
6K (5952×3968) / 5.9K(5888×3312) / 5.4K(5376×3584) video recording mode in MOV format *1
6K24p, 4:2:0 10bit LongGOP, 200Mbps, LPCM *1
5.9K30p/25p/24p, 4:2:0 10bit LongGOP, 200Mbps, LPCM *1
5.4K30p/25p, 4:2:0 10bit LongGOP, 200Mbps, LPCM *1
C4K (4096×2160) video recording mode in MOV format
C4K60p/50p, 4:2:0 10bit LongGOP, 200Mbps, LPCM *²
C4K60p/50p, 4:2:0 8bit LongGOP, 150Mbps, LPCM *²
C4K30p/25p/24p, 4:2:2 10bit LongGOP, 150Mbps, LPCM
4K (3840×2160) 10-bit video recording mode in MOV format
4K60p/50p, 4:2:0 10bit LongGOP, 200Mbps, LPCM *²
Anamorphic (3328×2496) video recording mode in MOV format
4K-A50p, 4:2:0 10bit LongGOP, 200Mbps, LPCM *²
4K-A50p, 4:2:0 8bit LongGOP, 150Mbps, LPCM *²
4K-A30p/25p/24p, 4:2:2 10bit LongGOP, 150Mbps, LPCM
[Time-Code] Function
RAW video data output over HDMI function
[5.9K] / [4K] / [Anamorphic(4:3) 3.5K] 12-bit RAW video data output can be output over HDMI.
The Apple ProRes RAW can be recorded on Atomos NINJA V.
*1 Maximum continuous recording time is 15 minutes.
*2 Maximum continuous recording time is 29 minutes 59 seconds.
All functions may not be available depending on the situation.
*Software that supports Apple ProRes RAW is required to edit RAW video recorded with NINJA V.
*Apply the LUT(Look up table) available on the Panasonic customer support site for the same colour-grading as V Log/V-Gamut
Features and functions available on the LUMIX S1 without the software upgrade key DMW-SFU2 include:
[Dual Native ISO Setting] function has been added.
Users can choose to add or remove orientation information in [Vertical Position Info (Video)] menu to prevent unintended image rotation in playback.
[Power Save Mode] can be selected while the camera is powered with an AC adaptor (DMW-AC10, sold separately).
LUMIX S1R Firmware Version 1.8 and LUMIX S5 Firmware Version 2.2 to be released on 6th April 2021
Users can choose to add or remove camera orientation information in [Vertical Position Info (Video)] menu to prevent unintended image rotation in playback.
[Power Save Mode] can be selected while the camera is powered with an AC adaptor (DMW-AC10, sold separately).
• Apple and ProRes are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.• Blackmagic Raw® is a registered trademark of Blackmagic Design Pty Ltd.• Ninja V / ATOMOS are registered trademarks of ATOMOS Limited.• Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.