Today, Panasonic announced the release of their latest camera, the Lumix BGH1, and it’s a major callback to vintage movie cameras. Promising cinematic 4K video capabilities housed within a small, lightweight build, the BGH1 is targeted at content creators looking for a portable camera that still packs a punch.
The Lumix BGH1 is a box camera, a square-shaped design that was used for film cameras made in the late 19th and early 20th century. However, the shape is the only thing that’s old about this camera. Like the first box camera released in 1888, the BGH1 uses state-of-the-art technology to deliver a remarkable performance.
What We Know So Far About the Lumix BGH1
Equipped with a 10.2MP Four Thirds Live MOS sensor and a powerful Venus engine, the BGH1 can record 10-bit Cinema 4K 60p video internally. This goes up to 4:2:2 10-bit C4K 60p video when recording externally via the camera’s HDMI port, or 4:2:2 full HD 60p via the 3G-SDI port. The BGH1 can also handle continuous video recording thanks to a built-in fan in its heat dispersion structure, and has 2 memory slots for SD cards. Pre-installed with V-Log L, the BGH1 has 13 stops of dynamic range. Coupled with the camera’s dual native ISO, the camera should work reliably well in low-light.
So far, that sounds pretty impressive for a camera that weighs just over a pound (545g). The BGH1’S small build means it’s also perfect for use with drones or gimbals. Mounting holes on multiple sides of the body will make it easy to securely mount the camera or attach accessories. Unfortunately, one downside of the small build is that the camera doesn’t have an electronic viewfinder or LCD display screen.
The BGH1 has been optimized for remote control. You can connect the camera to your computer via ethernet or USB and use Panasonic’s Lumix Tether software to stream and control the camera. In fact, the software can be used to remotely control up to 12 BGH1 cameras from the same computer. If you’re using an ethernet connection, the camera’s PoE+ feature allows you to power the camera through the ethernet cable. The BGH1 can also be wirelessly controlled using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth via the Lumix Sync app.
Who Should Buy it
The BGH1 is a powerful, portable video camera, perfect for creators that plan to broadcast or live stream their content. Given the focus on video performance, this camera is not the best choice for photographers. The absence of an LCD screen and viewfinder may be also be a dealbreaker for some. Despite this, the BGH1 has everything you need to produce cinematic content, whether you’re using a multicam setup or capturing aerial footage with a drone.
