This week was all about the Panasonic announcement, with the successor of the GH5 II and the development of the GH6 that we should see at the end of 2021. There is also a new 25-50mm F1.7 zoom lens and firmware updates for various Lumix cameras. Additionally, we have firmware updates from Sigma, Nikon and a new anamorphic lens from Sirui.
Panasonic GH5 II and GH6
The GH5 II is a mid upgrade over the GH5 with some interesting new features like Live Streaming capabilities. The GH6 is in development and should arrive at the end of the year with 10-bit 5.7K recording up to 60p, and 10-bit 4K up to 120p.
I’m not going to describe these new cameras here because we have two dedicated articles that highlight all the differences with other Lumix GH models. Check the links below!
Panasonic Leica DG 25-50mm F1.7
Along with the development of the GH6, Panasonic has also teased a new fast zoom lens, the second with a constant aperture of 1.7 after the impressive 10-25mm F1.7. The new zoom lens will give you an equivalent 50-100mm in terms of angle of view. There is no additional information about specs or the price, but don’t expect this one to be cheap (the 10-25mm costs $1800).
Panasonic GH5S, G9 and G100 firmware updates
The GH5S, G9 and G100 will receive new firmware updates on June 9th 2021. Here are the improvements for each of them.
GH5S – Firmware 2.0
- RAW video via HDMI: you’ll be able to record Apple Prores RAW in 12-bit in DCI 4K up to 60p onto the Atomos Ninja V recorder. 3.7K anamorphic will also be available.
- Improved autofocus: face and eye detection for humans will be 2x faster, and animal detection 5x faster than with the current firmware. Head recognition (like the Lumix S5) has been added too. You can toggle the human/animal detection on and off when using the 1-Area mode.
- Other things: red frame around the edges of the screen when recording video, record and playback vertical videos, more options for the Video Guideline function and improvement with the Power Save mode when the camera is connected to the AC adaptor.
G9 – Firmware 2.4
- All of the above except RAW video output
- The camera can be recognised when connected to a computer via the USB power supply port.
G100 – Firmware 1.2
- you can add the camera orientation information in the Vertical Position Info (Video) setting in the menu to prevent unintended image rotation in playback.
- The camera can be recognised when connected to a computer via the USB power supply port.
Sirui 75mm F1.8 1.33x Anamorphic
The new Sirui 75mm is the fourth anamorphic lens designed for APS-C cameras (the others being 24mm F2.8, 35mm F1.8 and 50mm F1.8). Distinctive characteristics include the oval bokeh and streaked blue lens flare that are a signature of anamorphic lenses. It will be available for Sony E, Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Nikon Z and MFT.
Other specs of the Sirui 75mm F1.8 lens:
- 16 elements in 12 groups
- 13-blade aperture diaphragm
- multi-layer nano coating
- Min. focus: 1.2m
- aluminum and CNC machined construction
- 67mm filter thread
- 13cm long, 7.1cm large
- 795g
The lens is currently on Indiegogo (crowfunding). If all goes well, it should start shipping in June and the retail price will be $900.
Via Dpreview
Sigma fp Firmware 3.0
On June 3rd, a new firmware for the fp full frame mirrorless camera will be available to download. The improvements are as follows:
- compatibility with EVF-11 external viewfinder
- addition of the Powder Blue and Duotone colour modes
- save and load camera settings using QR codes
- addition of the Quick Focus Frame Shift function
- more functions can be assigned to the Custom Buttons
- the Flicker Control, autofocus, image quality of JPG files have been improved
- addition of the “Custom Frame” option to the Frame Guide
Nikon lens firmware
Finally, Nikon fixed an issue concerning the start-up time involving the 16-50mm kit lens for the Nikon Z50. You can download the firmware on the Nikon support page.
