Panasonic Announces an Anamorphic Firmware Update for the LUMIX GH4

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Apr 13, 2015, 01:00 ET

LAS VEGAS, April 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic announced the release of a much anticipated firmware update Ver.2.2 for the award winning LUMIX GH4. This new firmware enables two new features, most notably the ability to record anamorphic video content.

Anamorphic lenses are used to create a cinemascope aspect such as 2.39:1 or 2.35:1. Panasonic discovered that cinematographers had been experimenting with the 4K PHOTO mode 4:3 aspect ratio in the LUMIX GH4 and vintage anamorphic cine lenses to achieve the classic Hollywood look of anamorphic film capture. Unlike complex digital post processing needed to achieve the look, many of the background distortion and light flare effects that became so popular with anamorphic film capture can now be achieved optically in the LUMIX GH4.

Thanks in part to its Micro Four Thirds format and 4K recording ability, firmware Ver.2.2 for the LUMIX GH4 enables an Anamorphic (4:3) Mode capable of recording video in 3328 x 2496 pixel (equivalent to approx. 8.3-megapixel) resolution at a frame rate of either 23.98, 24, 25 or 29.97 fps. With an anamorphic lens such as 2x*¹ you can capture and un-squeeze a 3356x2496 image in post-production. In addition, 4:2:2 / 10 bit HDMI output is also available*².

A further enhancement of the new firmware is the addition of a very high shutter speed of 1/16,000 sec. when using its electronic shutter mode.

To learn more about how Panasonic LUMIX is "Changing Photography", visit the LUMIX Lounge at www.LumixLounge.com and follow @LumixUSA on Twitter for updates. The new firmware is scheduled to be released in late April, 2015 at the following website:

LUMIX DMC-GH4 Firmware Ver.2.2

http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/

*1 To convert the footage to a cinemascope aspect for playback, corresponding software and device(s) are required.

*²If you use the HDMI output when [Bit Mode] in [HDMI Rec Output] is set to [4:2:2 10bit], black bars appear on the right and left side of the image. As a result, the image will appear on the screen in a smaller size (2880x2160). In addition, you cannot record motion picture while using the HDMI output.

•Specifications are subject to change without notice.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Newark, NJ, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation. The company offers a wide range of consumer solutions in the U.S. including products from VIERA Life+ Screens, Blu-ray players, LUMIX Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Home Audio, Cordless Phones, Home Appliances, Beauty, Grooming, Wellness and Personal Care products and more. In Interbrand's 2014 annual "Best Global Green Brands" report, Panasonic ranked number five overall and the top electronics brand in the report. To learn more about our products, visit panasonic.com. Follow Panasonic on Twitter @panasonicUSA; additional company information for journalists is also available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

SOURCE Panasonic