Panasonic Lumix DMC
(Credit: Lori Grunin/CNET)
Though it feels like a long time since Panasonic released the Lumix DMC-GH3, in truth it's only been a year and a half; it's the rate of technology change in that camera's cohort that makes it seem an eon. But it looks like what we're getting might have been worth the wait. The GH3's successor, the Lumix DMC-GH4, packs a host of feature and technology enhancements in the old body that offers something for everyone: 4K video and a new autofocus system with improved continuous-shooting performance are just the highlights.
For all the combinations of video frame rates, bit rates, audio formats, and file formats this camera is capable of shooting, you'll have to consult Panasonic's site: I think there are 36, not including the options for new variable-frame-rate (0.25x to 4x) HD video. It's the first prosumer model to offer Cinema 4K (C4K, 4,096x2,160) in addition to Quad HD 4K (QHD, 3,840x2,160), and notably it supports potentially extra-high-quality HD, meaning 4:2:2 10-bit output with a 200Mbps bit rate at all the major frame rates. ( Here's an explanation of color subsampling.) It also adds a higher-quality All-I codec in addition to interframe compression, though it doesn't support All-I for either 4K standard. Unlike the GH3, the GH4 supports multinational video standards in one camera. Other new video-related features include color and audio reference signals, Zebra, and a 15-step master pedestal setting.
Note that you can't just pick up the camera, stick a card in, and shoot best-quality 4K. In-camera you can only record 4:2:0/8-bit video; to record 4:2:2/10-bit video you to need run it through the HDMI connector to an external recorder via the horribly named but practical Interface Unit (DMW-YAGH), a powered dock that addstwo XLR inputs with audio controls, SDI output, and various time-code options. To record any video at 100Mbps or higher in camera you need a UHS Class 3 (U3)-rated SD card for a minimum sustained write speed of 30MBps. (I do wish there were two slots.) None of these are drawbacks so much as technological facts of life at the moment. On the upside, you'll be able to start small -- though not even that small -- and grow into the camera by accessorizing. Speaking of accessories, Panasonic also announced a shotgun mic and support for some zoom mic features in the camera to go along with it.
To support 4K, Panasonic had to incorporate a new sensor (albeit at the same old resolution) with a faster readout rate, in this case half that of the GH3's sensor. In conjunction with the latest iteration of its Venus Engine image-processing chip, Panasonic claims a wider dyamic range and decreased rolling shutter.
While it uses the same metering system as earlier models like the GX7, the GH4 debuts a new autofocus system, a combination of traditional contrast AF and DFD, or Depth from Defocus. In theory, when the camera knows the characteristics of the lens and the deviation-from-focus of two planes parallel to the focal plane, it can calculate the location of the in-focus area faster than it can iterate there using plain old contrast AF (the contrast AF system has been enhanced as well, though). So it uses DFD to make the rough calculation and then fine-tunes it with contrast AF. In Panasonic's demos, it looks pretty fast. Too fast, in fact, for video, where you don't want it to snap from one subject to another; you want it to glide gracefully between subjects. It remains to be seen if there are any controls over the focus speed for that.
The design and control layout are nearly identical to the GH3's, with a few exceptions. The mode dial now locks; it has a larger, more comfortable eyecup on the viewfinder; and the EVF and LCD are higher-resolution, and Panasonic claims better color reproduction and less distortion for the EVF. It remains weather-sealed, with a die-cast magnesium-alloy chassis, but the shutter durability rating has been upped to 200,000 cycles. Lastly, the Wi-Fi connectivity now can use NFC and QR codes to more quickly pair devices.
Some comparable models:
22.5mm x 15mm
23.6mm x 15.8mm
23.5mm x 15.6mm
17.3mm x 13mm
17.3mm x 13mm
17.3mm x 13mm
Sensitivity range
ISO 100 - ISO 12800/ 25600 (exp)
ISO 100 (exp)/200 - ISO 6400/ 51200 (exp)
ISO 100 - ISO 6400/ 25600 (exp)
ISO 100 (exp)/200 - ISO 25600
ISO 180 (exp)/ 200 - ISO 3200/ 12800 (exp)
ISO 100 (exp)/ 200 - ISO 25600
Burst shooting
7fps 16 raw/65 JPEG
8fps unlimited 47 JPEG/n/a raw
6fps (7fps in 1.3x crop mode) n/a
6.5fps (with IS off) unlimited JPEG/60 raw (10fps with fixed focus and exposure, IS off)
6fps 29 raw+JPEG
7fps 40 raw/100 JPEG (12fps with fixed focus; 40fps with electronic shutter)
Autofocus
Dual Pixel CMOS 19-pt phase-detection AF all cross-type; center cross to f2.8
49-area contrast AF; phase-detection AF
51-pt phase- detection AF 15 cross- type; center to f8 or faster (Multi-CAM 3500DX)
27-point phase detection, 81-point contrast
23-area contrast AF
49-area contrast AF; DFD
H.264 QuickTime MOV 1080/30p/ 25p/24p; 720/ 60p/50p
1080/60p H.264 QuickTime MOV (14 minutes)
1080/60i/ 50i/30p/ 25p/24p; 720/60p/ 50p H.264 QuickTime MOV (60i/50i only in 1.3x crop mode)
1080/30p QuickTime MOV @ 24 Mbps
H.264 QuickTime MOV 1080/60p/ 50p @ 50Mbps; 1080/30p/ 25p/24p @ 80, 50Mbps AVCHD 1080/60p/ 50p @ 28Mbps; 1080/24p @ 24Mbps
MP4/MOV 4,096 x 2,160/24p, 3,840 x 2,160/30p/ 25p/24p @ 100Mbps (IPB); 1080/60p/ 50p @ 200 Mbps (All I)
Audio
Stereo; mic input
Stereo; mic input
Stereo; mic input; headphone jack
Stereo; mic input
Stereo; mic input; headphone jack
Stereo; mic input; headphone jack Optional XLR
LCD size
3-inch articulated touch screen 1.04m dots
3-inch fixed LCD 1.04 million dots
3.2-inch fixed 1,228,800 dots
3-inch tilting touch-screen 1.04m dots
3-inch tilting touch-screen OLED 610,000 dots
3-inch tilting touch-screen OLED 1.04m dots
Battery life (CIPA rating)
920 shots (210 Live View)
350 shots
950 shots
350 shots
500 shots
500 shots
$1,349 (with 18-55mm STM lens)
$1,699.95 (with 18-55mm f2.8-4 lens)
$1,599.95 (with 18-105mm lens)
n/a
n/a
tbd
As usual, Panasonic hasn't determined -- or isn't sharing -- price and availability information. (My inner cynic is mumbling something about the company getting another news cycle boost by announcing them separately. I'm trying not to listen to it.) I expect it to be roughly the same as the GH3 was at launch, about $1,300 for the body, which would be an excellent price for this feature set. The GH3 will remain in the product line, and if the price drops even more it will be a really good value.
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