Given how popular full-frame cameras are with filmmakers right now, some might wonder if a Micro Four Thirds camera like the GH6 is still attractive. For us, the appeal is clear: while full-frame sensors perform better in low light, allow for shallow depth of field in shots, and offer a wider dynamic range, Micro Four Thirds cameras are generally smaller, lighter, and less expensive. And because the sensor is smaller, it’s also easier to stabilize more effectively. All of this is true of the GH6, and its thoughtful design, excellent handling, and wealth of video options make it a tool that will satisfy even the most demanding mirrorless filmmakers. The GH6 is no stranger to photography, either: the performance of the contrast-based autofocus (though not as impressive as some of Panasonic’s rivals’ hybrid systems) seems to have improved significantly over the GH5 II, and even small details like the two indicator lights and shooting buttons make a difference. The body shape of the GH6 looks immediately familiar: It’s the tried-and-true DSLR-inspired design used on most of Panasonic’s Lumix G-series models. It may not be particularly original, but it works: There’s a large, textured grip that you can wrap your right hand around while your left supports the lens, and a nice, clear 3.68 million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder for composing, previewing, and reviewing your shots no matter how bright the weather conditions. Speaking of weather, the body is sealed against dust and water ingress (as far as we can see, it’s not officially IP certified, but Panasonic calls it “dust and splash resistant”) and is made of a rugged magnesium alloy frame. It also works in temperatures as low as -10ºC/14ºF. Since the GH6 is primarily a video camera, they seem to have put a lot of thought into the connectivity options. There’s a full-size HDMI Type-A port capable of outputting video up to C4K 4:2:2 10-bit at 60 frames per second, headphone and microphone jacks, and XLR mic compatibility, while the USB-C port with a transfer speed of 10Gbps can also be used as a constant power supply, battery charger, and for direct recording to a 2TB external SSD. There are two card slots, one for standard SD and one for Type B CFexpress cards. CFexpress cards are expensive, so this should be taken into account when planning your budget.
