Panasonic Announces Major Firmware Updates for S1, S1H and BGH1 Cameras

Panasonic has just announced new firmware updates for the S1, S1H, S1R, S5 and BGH1 mirrorless cameras. The 24 megapixel S1 gets the biggest update, with 5.9K/C4K and 4K60/50p 4:2:0 10bit internal video recording all added, while the S1H gains 5.9K Blackmagic RAW recording capabilities.

The most notable updates included in the upcoming firmware releases are:

BGH1 – Firmware Version 2.0, released 24th March 2021

• IP streaming with PC (RTP/RTSP protocol)
• RAW video data output over HDMI function with Atomos (Pro Res RAW)

S1H- Firmware Version 2.4, released 31st March 2021

• 5.9K / 4K / Anamorphic (4:3) 3.5K, 12-bit RAW video data output over HDMI to Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR monitor-recorder (Blackmagic RAW)

S1 – Firmware Version 2.0, released 6th April 2021

• 5.9K/C4K and 4K60/50p 4:2:0 10bit internal video recording and 5.9K/4K/Anamorphic (4:3) 3.5K 12-bit RAW video data recording over HDMI on an Atomos Ninja V (Pro Res RAW)
• Anamorphic mode and timecode function

Panasonic Press Release

Panasonic Announces Significant Firmware Update Programs for its LUMIX S1H, S1, S1R, S5 and BGH1 Cameras

18^th March 2021 – Panasonic is proud to announce the release of firmware updates for its LUMIX S Series full-frame mirrorless cameras DC-S1H (Ver.2.4), DC-S1 (Ver.2.0), DC-S1R (Ver.1.8), DC-S5 (Ver.2.2) and its Micro Four Thirds box-style mirrorless camera DC-BGH1 (Ver.2.0) to further enhance functions, performance and usability.

Panasonic continues to follow its philosophy and implement advanced technology developments not only to new products but also to those already released and improve existing models via firmware update.

The firmware will be available to download from the LUMIX Global Customer Support Site according to the following time schedule:

1. LUMIX BGH1 Firmware Version 2.0 to be released 24^th March 2021

BGH1 is LUMIX’s first box-style camera exclusively designed and developed for professional use. To support the industry’s growing need for live streaming, the BGH1 will provide an IP streaming function that enables high-quality image transmission to social streaming platforms with PC connection over wired LAN.

The LUMIX BGH1 is a unique camera that can stream 4K 60p (50p) video in H.265. H.265 realises half the bitrate while keeping the image quality the same as H.264, meaning it can provide 2x higher image quality at the same bitrate as H.264. Streaming in ultra-high definition 4K at low bitrate is possible even in the cases where the bandwidth is not broad enough.

Firmware 2.0 will also enable the BGH1 to capture Apple Pro Res RAW video recording over HDMI to the Atomos Ninja V.

This new firmware will be available free of charge.

LUMIX BGH1 Firmware Version 2.0 will include:

• IP streaming with PC (RTP/RTSP protocol)
  • 4K/60p（3840×2160）H.265：50M, 25Mbps　H.264：50M, 25Mbps
  • 4K/30p（3840×2160）H.265：25M, 12.5Mbps　H.264：25M, 12.5Mbps
  • FHD/60p（1920×1080）H.265：20M, 16Mbps　H.264：16M, 8Mbps
• FHD/30p（1920×1080）H.265：12M, 6Mbps　H.264：6M, 3Mbps
• RAW video data output over HDMI function
  • Apple Pro Res RAW can be recorded via Atomos NINJA V

• V-Log or Rec.709 is selectable on Live View monitor during RAW output.
• Shooting assist functions including Luminance Spot Meter, Zebra Pattern can be used during RAW output.
• A LUT (Lookup table) exclusively designed for RAW video recorded on NINJA V is available on the Panasonic customer support website for the same colour grading as V-Log/V-Gamut. It is easy to match colours between footage recorded with Panasonic Varicam, EVA1 and GH5 cameras to combine them.

* Software that supports Apple Pro Res RAW is required to edit RAW video recorded with NINJA V.

* All functions may not be available depending on the situation.

2. LUMIX Tether for Multicam Ver.1.1 to be to be released on 24 March 2021

• Settings and controls over the BGH1 during IP streaming are available.
• Rec.Quality options corresponding to RAW video data output will be displayed when [Menu]>[Video]>[Image Format]>[HDMI RAW Data Output] is turned ON.
• It is possible to start/stop recording on the external device with the BGH1 during HDMI/SDI output.
• When [HDMI Recording Control] and/or [SDI Recording Control] is/are ON, Rec button is available even if the SD Card is not inserted. The connection method, either HDMI or SDI, is also displayed.

*For settings and controls over the BGH1 via PC during IP streaming, LUMIX Tether for Multicam PC software should also be updated to Ver.1.1 or higher. LUMIX Tether for Multicam Download Program.

3. LUMIX S1H Firmware Version 2.4 to be released on 31^st March 2021

As Panasonic’s flagship S Series video camera, the LUMIX S1H has evolved through several significant firmware updates since its launch. Now, for the first time in a full-frame mirrorless camera*, the S1H will offer 5.9K Blackmagic RAW video output via Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR, in addition to Apple Pro Res RAW recording via Atomos Ninja V.

This new firmware will be available free of charge.

*As of 18th March 2021

LUMIX S1H Firmware Version 2.4 will include:

• RAW video data output over HDMI to Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR monitor-recorder
• [5.9K] / [4K] / [Anamorphic (4:3) 3.5K] 12-bit RAW video data can be output over HDMI to Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR, to be recorded as Blackmagic RAW.

• 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.

All functions may not be available depending on the situation.

* Selectable recording mode depends on the version of Video Assist 12G HDR.

* DaVinci Resolve or DaVinci Resolve Studio is required to play back the Blackmagic RAW data. DaVinci Resolve Studio is required to edit the Blackmagic RAW data.

• Users can choose to add or not to add the camera orientation information in menu [Vertical Position Info (Video)] to prevent unintended image rotation in playback.
• [Power Save Mode] can be selected even while the camera is powered with an AC adaptor (DMW-AC10, sold separately).

4. LUMIX S1 Firmware Version 2.0 to be released on 6^th April 2021

To meet the demands of users, the LUMIX S1 will continue to evolve. With firmware 2.0, the user will be able to manually switch the Dual Native ISO settings. As well as V-Log recording, further enhancements will be available with the purchase of DMW-SFU2* , including an anamorphic mode and timecode function, in addition to 5.9K/C4K and 4K60/50p 4:2:0 10bit internal video recording and 5.9K/4K/Anamorphic (4:3) 3.5K 12-bit RAW video data recording over HDMI on an Atomos Ninja V.

*Users who already have DMW-SFU2 do not need to purchase extra DMW-SFU2. There is no need to upgrade the camera with DMW-SFU2 if the upgrade was done once before.

Features and functions available on the LUMIX S1 with the software upgrade key DMW-SFU2 include:

• 6K (5952×3968) / 5.9K(5888×3312) / 5.4K(5376×3584) video recording mode in MOV format *¹
  • 6K24p, 4:2:0 10bit LongGOP, 200Mbps, LPCM *¹
  • 5.9K30p/25p/24p, 4:2:0 10bit LongGOP, 200Mbps, LPCM *¹
  • 5.4K30p/25p, 4:2:0 10bit LongGOP, 200Mbps, LPCM *¹
• C4K (4096×2160) video recording mode in MOV format
• C4K60p/50p, 4:2:0 10bit LongGOP, 200Mbps, LPCM *²
• C4K60p/50p, 4:2:0 8bit LongGOP, 150Mbps, LPCM *²
• C4K30p/25p/24p, 4:2:2 10bit LongGOP, 150Mbps, LPCM
• 4K (3840×2160) 10-bit video recording mode in MOV format
• 4K60p/50p, 4:2:0 10bit LongGOP, 200Mbps, LPCM *²
• Anamorphic (3328×2496) video recording mode in MOV format
• 4K-A50p, 4:2:0 10bit LongGOP, 200Mbps, LPCM *²
• 4K-A50p, 4:2:0 8bit LongGOP, 150Mbps, LPCM *²
• 4K-A30p/25p/24p, 4:2:2 10bit LongGOP, 150Mbps, LPCM
• [Time-Code] Function
• RAW video data output over HDMI function
  • [5.9K] / [4K] / [Anamorphic(4:3) 3.5K] 12-bit RAW video data output can be output over HDMI.
  • The Apple ProRes RAW can be recorded on Atomos NINJA V.

*1 Maximum continuous recording time is 15 minutes.

*2 Maximum continuous recording time is 29 minutes 59 seconds.

– All functions may not be available depending on the situation.

*Software that supports Apple ProRes RAW is required to edit RAW video recorded with NINJA V.

*Apply the LUT(Look up table) available on the Panasonic customer support site for the same colour-grading as V Log/V-Gamut

Features and functions available on the LUMIX S1 without the software upgrade key DMW-SFU2 include:

• [Dual Native ISO Setting] function has been added.
• Users can choose to add or remove orientation information in [Vertical Position Info (Video)] menu to prevent unintended image rotation in playback.
• [Power Save Mode] can be selected while the camera is powered with an AC adaptor (DMW-AC10, sold separately).

5. LUMIX S1R Firmware Version 1.8 and LUMIX S5 Firmware Version 2.2 to be released on 6^th April 2021

• Users can choose to add or remove camera orientation information in [Vertical Position Info (Video)] menu to prevent unintended image rotation in playback.
• [Power Save Mode] can be selected while the camera is powered with an AC adaptor (DMW-AC10, sold separately).

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