Hands-on with LUMIX GH6: autofocus system, image stabilization and slow-motion tests

Hands-on with LUMIX GH6: autofocus system, image stabilization and slow-motion tests

Hello, everyone, there is our second review on the LUMIX GH6. For more details about it, just follow us!

The LUMIX GH6 offers an extensive range of wonderful features including various video recording specs, unlimited recording, stabilization, a high-resolution continuous shooting as well as improved autofocus performance.

Video Specs
The GH6 has once again set a new record for video specs, previously set by the S1H. Let's talk about some interesting ones.

The GH6 is able to record the Apple ProRes codec internally, including ProRes 422 and ProRes 422 HQ recording(1.9Gbps). And you can only record the ProRes footage to a CFExpress Type-B card because of higher birates. Of course, a CFExpress Type-B card is more expensive than a SD card.

The highest resolution and frame rate of the GH6 in standard format is 5.8K (4:3) 30P and 4.4K (4:3) 60P respectively. And there is also a 4:3 anamorphic mode of 5.8K resolution, with the addition of C4K and 4K anamorphic video recording.

Meanwhile, the GH6 is still capable of 5.7K, 4K and 1080P video recording. And one thing that is particularly notable is that the GH6 supports unlimited C4K/4K 60p 4:2:2 10-bit and 10-bit 4K at up to 120 fps HFR recording.

Continuous Autofocus
Due to the new 25.2-megapixel image sensor and image processor in GH6, Panasonic claimed that there is definitely an improvement over the GH5 according to AF performance, though which is still based on the contrast AF only.

As our shooting was heroine-centered, the GH6's body/face/eye detection AF was turned on all the time we were shooting.

In practice, we found that with the help of the subject detection, the GH6 can focus on the subject very quickly, and the focus frame can always be kept on the body or face without out-of-focus problem or failure to focus. Even when the heroine is wearing a mask, it can focus accurately with eye detection.

In crowds, the focus frame can follow the heroine when the subject detection is turned on. When there is only a single subject in the picture, the GH6 can directly focus on the subject. While once other people appear, the GH6 will give priority to focusing the person in front. But when the heroine appears again, the GH6 can still focus on the subject very quickly. Even in a relatively dark subway station, it can accurately focus on the subject.

Stabilization
The camera also has a new and improved five-axis gyro sensor that allows it to achieve 7.5 stops of on-sensor stabilization and Dual Image Stabilization.

We shot the footage handheld throughout, with the electronic image stabilization as well as in-body image stabilization on. The image will be slightly cropped, but the stabilization effect is better. The stabilization system also enables a 100Mp High Resolution mode that can be used without a tripod.

The following GIFs with stabilization off and on offer an intuitive experience. As you can see that there is a slight undulation when shooting handheld in a fixed position with stabilization off. With stabilization on, however, the video becomes very stable, with no noticeable undulations.

When shooting handheld in movement, there are very noticeable undulations in the image with stabilization off. With stabilization on, there is a noticeable reduction in undulation, with the promotion of the quality.

Slow-motion Performance
When it comes to slow motion, GH6 also brings significant improvements. Alternatively, 4K 120p (equivalent to 4x slow motion) and a FHD maximum of 300fps (equivalent to 10x slow motion) footage can be recorded with audio for creative speed ramping which is limited to manual focusing.

4K 120fps (4x slow motion)

1080p 300fps (10x slow motion)

High-speed Burst Shooting
Thanks to a faster readout at 300fps, the GH6 is capable of high-speed burst shooting at 14 (AFS) / 8 (AFC) fps with a mechanical shutter and 75 fps with an electronic shutter. The previous G9, however, has a maximum burst speed of 50 fps. This function will come in handy for shooting animals and sports.

High-resolution Mode
The GH6's new 25MP sensor makes it the highest-resolution MFT camera so far, offering high resolution, readout and dynamic range.

In High-Resolution mode, eight consecutive images are automatically shot while shifting the sensor using the Body I.S. (Image Stabilizer) mechanism and synthesized into a 100-megapixel equivalent (11552 x 8672-pixel) image that faithfully reproduces precise details to be saved as beautiful, highly realistic RAW and JPEG images.

Audio Recording Performance
The GH6 has been upgraded to 24bit audio recording when using an external microphone which can reproduce more details.

The GH6 can record 4 channel 48kHz or 96kHz 24-bit high-res audio when an DMW-XLR1 XLR microphone is connected via the XLR Microphone Adapter. Users can combine several types of external microphones that fit the recording situation such as outdoor interviews where the voice of the speakers and ambient sound need to be recorded.

The channel to use for the headphone can be switched during video recording and audio menus can be directly accessed with the Fn1 button on the camera top for easy sound level check during 4-channel audio recording. For the external microphone, a Φ3.5mm stereo jack is provided.

Shooting Experience
In practice, the GH6 provides us a great experience in terms of stabilization and AF system. Almost all of the fixed shots can be shot handheld with the GH6.

When it comes to focusing, the DFD system is particularly terrible although some would argue that it is. When shooting with the GH6, there is actually a very noticeable improvement in autofocus, especially with the subject detection on, which delivers a very stable result.

The GH6 boasts its high-quality recording internally, but at the same time, the storage space must be expanded. When shooting ProRes (1.9Gbps) footage, we used a 256GB CFExpress Type-B card for access, which needed to be backed up after about two hours of shooting. In addition, the card is more expensive than a SD card. As the old saying goes, nothing for nothing and very little for a half penny.

Overall, the GH6 is a model specifically designed for creators, with excellent performance, both in terms of operations and specs. If you're a Lumix enthusiast for GH series, then come on to get it without hesitate. Or if your job involves a lot of autofocusing operations, the GH6 is a good choice, but the final choice depends on you.