The more and more I see on the new Panasonic 4K Lumix camera, the more I am impressed. It is shaping up to be a groundbreaking 4K camera. The “game changer” moniker is really gone at this point for resolution and frame rate bumps; however, the G4K may be the most impressive launch we’ve seen in a prosumer camera in the past few years – especially if it comes in at the quoted “under $2000” price point.
Numerous rumors and leaks point to a Friday launch for the Panasonic 4K concept we saw at CES 2014. We believe the camera will be called the G4K and will offer a bevy of video-centric features. Previously rumored specs for the Panasonic Lumix G4K camera appear to be on the money and include:
- 16MP
- 1/8000 shutter
- 1m dot OLED screen
- 21mm OLED viewfinder, 3,000+ dot.
- Time code
- 200mbps mp4 All-i/100mbps IPB
- 4k/30p
- 4:2:2 10/8bit output
- 3G-SDI and XLR adaptor available
Additionally, newly leaked specs note that the G4K will featuring the following as well:
- Focus peaking (with changeable colors)
- All-I with 4:2:2
- 1080p at 120fps
- Quad-core processor
- 4K formats only .mov and .mp4
- AVCHD available at 1080p
- Smartphone app available
- Faster AF and more AF points than GH3
- Dual 3G-SDI output available via adaptor
Getting 120fps on an affordable mirrorless or HDSLR camera is something I’ve been waiting on. A few months ago, I predicted Sony or Panasonic would be the first to achieve this. I will be more stoked about the 120fps at 1080p than the 4K capture if it turns out to be true.
Panasonic’s new SDXC UHS-I Speed Class 3 card should launch along with the G4K and will offer a minimum write speed of 30MB/s (equivalent to 240Mbps). Accordingly, the new Speed Class 3 card will accommodate the rumored 4K 200Mbps .mp4 capture from the G4K.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRC5zAFh6ZA&w=640&h=360]The Panasonic Lumix G4K is expected to launch early in the morning on Friday, February 7.
[via 4/3 Rumors and again]