It feels like the Panasonic GH5 has been out forever but it’s actually only been three years, having been released in March 2017. Camera technology, particularly when it comes to video, has come a long way in those three short years though. The GH5 is starting to feel a little left behind, especially with Panasonic’s focus on their full-frame mirrorless video offering.
Promising to not give up on Micro Four Thirds, however, it seems Panasonic is sticking to their word. According to a report on TechRadar and a post in a Spanish Panasonic and Olympus Users group on Facebook, the GH6 may be announced in either August or September of 2020.
The GH6 was initially expected to be announced at the now-cancelled Photokina this month and while the “August-September” date seems logical, I think September is now the most likely month, assuming that IBC still goes ahead as scheduled (September 11-15th) in Amsterdam this year. With the GH6 pretty much guaranteed to be a more video-centric camera, like its predecessor and with IBC being a more video-oriented show, it would make sense.
Of course, they may announce it before the show to build up some hype and anticipation, and use the show as a platform to bring it out in public for the first time. But how do the specs hold up? Well, at the moment, these are just rumours, but it looks pretty good so far…
- Longer battery duration
- New IBIS system
- 41-megapixel Sony IMX594CQR sensor
- New generation faster autofocus system
- RAW recording at 4K or 6K (possibly 8K)
Even if an announcement does come in August or September of this year, it’s not expected to actually hit the streets until early 2021. These specs might end up being nonsense, and I think 8K is going to be unlikely from a 41-megapixel sensor. At the Micro Four Thirds 4:3 aspect ratio, I just can’t see 8K being viable.
Although, Sony does also have the IMX492 sensor – a 47-megapixel 8K-capable sensor, and the Facebook post suggests that there will be three models of the camera being released. The GH6, the GH6V and the GH6X. So, maybe they’ll be 4K, 6K and 8K respectively?
One thing’s for sure. Panasonic are going to have to offer something special to try to steal back some of those Pocket 4K and Pocket 6K users.
[via TechRadar]
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