Panasonic has unveiled the LUMIX BS1H full-frame box-style camera designed for video professionals, combining the cinematic video performance of the LUMIX S1H with advanced live stream functionality.
Incorporating a 24-megapixel full-frame sensor, the LUMIX BS1H includes 6K full-area high resolution video with unlimited recording, flexibility over depth of field and low-light performance, in addition to a wide dynamic range of 14+ stops, V-Log and more.
The LUMIX BS1H offers industry standard connections and interfaces such as SDI, HDMI, Genlock IN and Timecode I/O, as well as offering LAN with PoE+ for power and control. With V-Log and V-Gamut, the BS1H also offers the colour reproduction and imagery of the VariCam line of Panasonic production cameras.
Utilising the same 24.2-megapixel 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor as the LUMIX S1H, the Venus Engine processor delivers minimised noise and enhanced image quality with a maximum ISO of 51200.
By maximising the use of the pixels in the full-frame image sensor, the LUMIX BS1H is capable of 6K/24p, 5.4K/30p (3:2 aspect ratio) or 5.9K/30p (16:9 aspect ratio) high-resolution, smooth video recording.
It also provides 10-bit 60p 4K/C4Ki HEVC video recording when using the image area equivalent to Super 35mm. The 4:2:2 10-bit 4K30p is recordable in H.264 at its full area. Its high-resolution data can also be used for creating 4K videos with higher image quality or for cropping images in 4K.
In addition to HDR (High Dynamic Range) video recording, the camera records video with a designated gamma curve compatible with ITU-R BT.2100 and offers Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) in Photo Style.
The camera also incorporates an advanced deep learning autofocus algorithm that offers greater accuracy in detecting specific subjects including humans, faces, and fast-moving animals. In addition to the eye, face and body, the head is also separately recognised by real-time detection technology to provide even more precise focusing.
To support live streaming, the LUMIX BS1H provides an IP streaming function over ethernet that enables high-quality image transmission to a PC on a wired network that can then be live streamed to the preferred social platform using PC software.
Notably, the LUMIX BS1H can transmit 4K 60p (50p) video in H.265. H.265 requiring half the bitrate when transmitting video with the same image quality as H.264, providing two times higher image quality when transmitting at the same bitrate as H.264.
With a body frame composed of aluminium and magnesium alloy, the LUMIX BS1H is compact and lightweight yet durable enough for field operation. This box-style camera provides a variety of practical ports and complies with Power over Ethernet+ (PoE+).
Terminals include USB 3.1 Type-C; plus 3G-SDI and HDMI Type-A which can be used for simultaneous output. In addition, Genlock IN (BNC) and Timecode IN/OUT (BNC) functions enable multi-angle synchronised video recording to support a scalable system with third-party external monitors, rigs and gimbals. The camera is also equipped with two SD card slots for backup or relay recording.
The LUMIX BS1H will be available in November 2021 from leading photographic and video specialists for RRP $5,299.