Panasonic announces three new cameras, teases GH5 with 6K video

Panasonic has announced three new cameras at Photokina this year. The lineup includes the FZ2500, the G85, and the LX10. There was also a teaser for the GH5 that will be coming next year.

The first is the FZ2500, which is a bridge camera, and a successor to the FZ1000. Some of the key features of the camera include a 1-inch 20.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, LEICA DC VARIO-ELMART 24-480mm F2.8-4.5 lens with 20x optical zoom, 9-blade aperture for smooth bokeh, built-in ND filter with -2EV(1/4), -4EV(1/16), -6EV(1/64), and AUTO modes, DCI 4K video recording at 24fps or UHD at 30fps, Full HD video up to 200Mbps, MOV, MP4, AVCHD Progressive and AVCHD format options, 4:2:2 10-bit HDMI output for external recording, mic and headphone jack, optional V-LogL video mode, 2.360k dot OLED EVF, 3-inch 1040K dot articulating touchscreen LCD, and built-in Wi-Fi. The FZ2500 is priced at $1199.99.

Next is the G85, which is a mirrorless camera, and a successor to the G7. It has a 16 megapixel CMOS Micro Four Thirds sensor without a low pass filter and ISO 25,600 sensitivity, 5-axis Dual I.S. that combines 2-axis optical stabilization and 5-axis body stabilization for a max 5-stop slower shutter speed, Depth from Defocus AF system, 9fps burst mode, ruggedized magnesium alloy body with weather sealing, 4K UHD video recording at 30fps, 4:2:2 8-bit HDMI-out and microphone jack, and Wi-Fi. The G85 is priced at $899 body-only and $999 with 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 Power O.I.S. kit lens.

Next is the LX10, which is a compact camera. It has a 1-inch 20.1 megapixel CMOS sensor with 24-72mm f1.4-2.8 lens and an aperture ring for direct control, 3cm macro shooting, ISO 12,800 sensitivity, Panasonic DFD AF system, 10fps burst mode, 4K UHD video at 30fps, 1040k dot tilting touchscreen LCD, 5-axis hybrid OIS, and Wi-Fi. It is priced at $699.99.

Lastly, there is the new GH5, the successor to the highly popular GH4. There is not much known about this camera other than couple of very big new features. The first is the option to record 6K 30fps video. While publishing in 6K is still not feasible, having the higher resolution at your disposal will allow cinematographers to crop their video without losing much detail, or alternatively publish in a lower resolution such as 4K and get a much sharper image than shooting natively in 4K. The camera also lets you extract 6K (18 megapixel) images from the video. Another cool feature is 4K 60fps and 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording, which should let you get fantastic quality 2x slow motion footage out of the camera. Like the 6K photo mode, there is also a 4K photo mode. More details about the camera will be revealed when it launches in 2017.