Panasonic’s firmware updates add a range of enhancements and new video features to its cameras, and they are free for existing owners from the Lumix Global Customer Support site. They are not available straight away, however – we’ve put the release date for each one below.
Panasonic Lumix S1H Firmware Version 2.4
• To be released on March 31, 2021
The Panasonic Lumix S1H is the most video-centric of Panasonic’s full frame Lumix S cameras, and a crossover between regular mirrorless cameras and dedicated cinema cameras. It’s benefited from several firmware updates already, and this latest one is a big one.
The Lumix S1H can already output Apple ProRes RAW to an Atomos Ninja V external recorder, but Firmware Version 2.4 adds the ability to output 5.9K RAW video in Blackmagic RAW format to a on-camera monitor device. The Lumix S1H will now support two widely used video RAW formats, which is an industry first for a full frame mirrorless camera.
• Full frame 5.9K 16:9 capture at up to 30p is supported, together with Super35 4K 17:9 at up to 60p and 3.5K Super35 Anamorphic 4:3 at up to 50p, all at 12-bit.
• 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.
DaVinci Resolve or DaVinci Resolve Studio is required to play back the Blackmagic RAW data, and DaVinci Resolve Studio is required to edit the Blackmagic RAW data.
Other updates include the ability to choose whether or not to add camera orientation information to prevent unintended image rotation during playback, and Power Save Mode can now be selected when the camera is being powered by an AC adaptor.
Panasonic Lumix S1 Firmware Version 2.0
• To be released on April 6, 2021
The Panasonic Lumix S1 also gets a substantial update, though many new features will only apply for users who have paid for Panasonic’s DМW-ЅFU2 software key. Most camera updates are via free firmware updates, so Panasonic’s decision to charge for this Lumix S1 upgrade did raise some eyebrows.
The DМW-ЅFU2 software key added V-Log Recording, 4:2:2 10-bіt 4К МОV 30р/25р Іntеrnаl Vіdео Rесоrdіng, 4:2:2 10-bіt 4К 60р/50р НDМІ Оutрut, V-Lоg аnd V-Gаmut Соmраtіbіlе wіth Сіnеmа VаrіСаm Lооk, Іn-Саmеrа LUТ Аррlісаtіоn, Wаvеfоrm Моnіtоr and Ніgh-Rеd 48-kНz/24-bіt оr 96-kНz/24-bіt Ѕоund fоr МОV (uѕіng thе DМW-ХLR1), substantially enhancing the Lumix’s S1’s video capabilities.
The Lumix S1 Firmware Version 2.0 takes this a step further with:
• 6K(5952x3968) / 5.9K(5888x3312) / 5.4K(5376x3584) video recording mode in MOV format (15 minute max)
• 6K24p, 4:2:0 10bit LongGOP, 200Mbps, LPCM
• 5.9K30p/25p/24p, 4:2:0 10bit LongGOP, 200Mbps, LPCM
• 5.4K30p/25p, 4:2:0 10bit LongGOP, 200Mbps, LPCM
• C4K(4096x2160) video recording mode in MOV format
• C4K60p/50p, 4:2:0 10bit LongGOP, 200Mbps, LPCM (30 minute max)
• C4K60p/50p, 4:2:0 8bit LongGOP, 150Mbps, LPCM (30 minute max)
• C4K30p/25p/24p, 4:2:2 10bit LongGOP, 150Mbps, LPCM
• 4K(3840x2160) 10-bit video recording mode in MOV format
• 4K60p/50p, 4:2:0 10bit LongGOP, 200Mbps, LPCM (30 minute max)
• Anamorphic(3328x2496) video recording mode in MOV format
• 4K-A50p, 4:2:0 10bit LongGOP, 200Mbps, LPCM (30 minute max)
• 4K-A50p, 4:2:0 8bit LongGOP, 150Mbps, LPCM (30 minute max)
• 4K-A30p/25p/24p, 4:2:2 10bit LongGOP, 150Mbps, LPCM
• RAW video data output over HDMI function (Atoms Ninja V)
• Full frame 5.9K 16:9, up to 30p, 12-bit
• APS-C 4K 17:9, up to 60p, 12-bit
• APS-C Anamorphic 4:3, up to 50p, 12-bit
If you don’t have the DМW-ЅFU2 software key, the Lumix S1 Firmware Version 2.0 update still adds the following features:
• Dual Native ISO Setting
• Users can choose to add or not to add camera orientation information to prevent unintended image rotation in playback.
• Power Save Mode can be selected while the camera is powered with an AC adapter.
Panasonic Lumix S1R Firmware Version 1.8 and Lumix S5 Firmware Version 2.2
• To be released on April 6, 2021
The Lumix S1R and Lumix S5 firmware updates are nowhere near as wide-ranging and consist of just two of the features added for the Lumix S1H and Lumix S1:
• Users can choose to add or not to add camera orientation information to prevent unintended image rotation in playback.
• Power Save Mode can be selected while the camera is powered with an AC adaptor.
Panasonic Lumix BGH1 Firmware Version 2.0
• To be released on March 24, 2021
The Lumix BGH1 is Panasonic’s first box-style camera exclusively designed and developed for professional use, and uses the smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor format seen in the Panasonic Lumix G cameras.
The main update is a new IP streaming function for high-quality image transmission to social streaming platforms via a PC connection over wired LAN.
Panasonic says the BGH1 Box is a unique camera that can stream 4K 60p (50p) video in the H.265 codec, to offer half the bitrate while keeping the image quality the same as H.264 – or twice the image quality at the same bitrate as H.264. This should allow high-definition 4K streaming at low bitrates where bandwidth is limited.
IP streaming with PC (RTP/RTSP protocol) formats supported:
• 4K/60p (3840x2160) H.265 : 50M, 25Mbps H.264 : 50M, 25Mbps
• 4K/30p (3840x2160) H.265 : 25M, 12.5Mbps H.264 : 25M, 12.5Mbps
• FHD/60p (1920x1080) H.265 : 20M, 16Mbps H.264 : 16M, 8Mbps
• FHD/30p (1920x1080) H.265 : 12M, 6Mbps H.264 : 6M, 3Mbps
The update also adds Apple ProRes RAW video data output over HDMI function via an Atomos Ninja V recorder. V-Log or Rec.709 is selectable on Live View monitor during RAW output, and shooting assist functions including Luminance Spot Meter, Zebra Pattern can be used during RAW output. A lookup table (LUT) exclusively designed for RAW video recorded on NINJA V is available to make the same color grading as V-Log/V-Gamut.
Other enhancements include Genlocking status display, SD memory card formatting via a PC connection and the choice of whether to include orientation information seen in Panasonic’s other firmware updates.
Panasonic Lumix Tether for Multicam Ver.1.1 will be released on March 24, 2021. This will offer settings and controls for the BGH1 during IP streaming.
Read more:
• Best 4K cameras for video
• Best cinema cameras
• Best vlogging cameras
• Best Panasonic cameras
