Panasonic Lumix cameras are popular among videographers due to their advanced video features and value for money. These cameras come in various designs that cater to specific use cases. But Panasonic Lumix BGH1 vs Panasonic Lumix GH6: which one is better?

In short – “The Panasonic Lumix BGH1 is better suited for professional filmmakers who require advanced cinema-centric features and are willing to invest in additional accessories. On n the other hand, the Panasonic Lumix GH6 is a more budget-friendly option and can be a great choice for both professionals and beginners in filmmaking.”

Panasonic Lumix BGH1 vs Panasonic Lumix GH6

The Lumix BGH1, which has a boxed shape that is convenient for certain applications. On the other hand, the Lumix GH6 has a more traditional look. In this article, we’re trying to draw a comparison between Lumix BGH1 and Lumix GH6, from design to performance, so you can easily decide which one will be a better fit for you.

Design

The Panasonic Lumix BGH1 is commonly referred to as a “box camera” due to its physical appearance. Essentially, it is a cube-shaped device with a lens mount on the front, a sensor inside, and connectors located on the back. Unlike traditional cameras, it lacks a viewfinder or LCD screen to make adjustments to settings. Instead, the user can attach various accessories to the ¼-20 threaded holes located on the camera to customize it to their desired specifications. The BGH1 camera is a Micro Four Thirds camera and differs greatly from the mirrorless or cinema cameras that most filmmakers typically use. The camera body has a total of nine standard threaded holes that can accommodate various accessories, in addition to a tripod mount and a hot shoe located on the top of the device. This means that users have the flexibility to attach nearly any accessory they may require for their specific needs.

In contrast, the Panasonic Lumix GH6 has a physical structure resembling both the GH5 and S1H cameras. It has a noticeable red record button on the front for easy accessibility when mounted on a rig. Taking cues from the S1H, the GH6 has a lock switch on the left shoulder that can be used to lock any desired buttons. The GH6 is the first GH camera to have a fan that blows air across the back of a heat sink, located outside the camera’s sealed area. The design of the Lumix G series, which is largely based on DSLRs, is the most effective, even though it’s not completely original. It has a large, textured grip that allows for a comfortable hold in the right hand, as well as a clear OLED electronic viewfinder with 3.68 million dots. This viewfinder makes it easy to compose, preview, and review shots, even in bright weather conditions.

Overall, the Panasonic BGH1 needs many accessories to get it up and running, whereas, the GH6 can do everything on the go. Designwise, GH6 gets the plus point.

Performance

Now, BGH1 boasts a Micro Four Thirds 10.2MP Digital Live MOS sensor, which enables high-quality image capture. The camera also features Dual Native ISO, allowing for optimal performance in low-light conditions. Additionally, the BGH1 offers internal recording capabilities up to 4K DCI & UHD 4:2:2 10-bit at a maximum of 30fps, as well as 4K DCI 4:2:0 10-bit at a maximum of 60fps. Moreover, the BGH1 supports Anamorphic recording at up to 50p, providing users with an array of shooting options to suit their creative needs. While many Lumix cameras have received criticism for not adopting phase-detection AF, instead utilizing contrast-detection and Panasonic’s Depth from Defocus technology, the cameras still offer advanced features like subject tracking and Face and Eye Detection for both humans and animals. In situations where lighting is low, the AF system may struggle to lock onto a subject, and it may not be ideal for fast-moving subjects. The BGH1 isn’t intended to do so. For typical situations, the AF system works well.

On the other hand, the Panasonic Lumix GH6 is a camera designed for video production, with a particular focus on achieving a high resolution of 4k. It includes various features that are geared toward video production, such as the ability to record 4k video at 120 frames per second without any reduction in quality. It also supports internal 5.7k ProRes recording, unlimited recording with active cooling, pro-level assist tools, full V-Log, and anamorphic support. The camera is equipped with excellent built-in stabilization and a unique screen mechanism. Upcoming firmware updates are expected to add further capabilities, including the ability to record 4k 120 RAW over HDMI and to external SSDs over USB C. The GH6 uses depth-from-defocus technology to adjust focus and create a depth map, which helps the camera achieve near-accurate focus before refining it with a fine-tuning process that uses iterative contrast detection. However, this contrast-based AF system may not be the best option for smaller or single-person setups, and some users may prefer the potentially lower noise of a larger sensor.

 All in all, the BGH1 is far superior to the Lumix GH6, in terms of video shooting capability and other features. GH6 is a capable enough camera but fell a little too short in every department.

Feature

And finally, the BGH1’s image quality and capabilities are comparable to those of the GH5S, even though they utilize V-Log L, which has the same V-gamut characteristics as the Varicams, resulting in increased dynamic range. This allows for the use of V-Log LUTs in post-production grading. Cinelike D2, Cinelike V2, and Like709 are also good alternatives for recording if you do not prefer using V-Log L. The camera is capable of recording video that is compatible with ITU-R BT and Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) for HDR. It also offers a low-bit-rate recording mode in 4K of HEVC/H.265 for HLG. And you may know that the BGH1 is also the cheapest Netflix-approved camera, so there’s that.

And when we look into the Lumix GH6 camera, we see that its Log mode is called “V-Log,” which is different from the “V-LogL” used in previous Micro Four Thirds models. The reason for this is that V-Log is a shortened version of the V-Log curve that is better suited to the camera’s dynamic range. The GH6 has a wider range of compression and codec options, including the ability to shoot in Apple ProRes 422 HQ and 422 formats. However, due to the small sensor size of the GH6 and its limited ISO range of 50-25600 for still photography in extended mode and 250-12800 in V-Log, it may struggle in low-light situations, making it less suitable compared to full-frame cameras.

Judging by all the features, we can clearly see BGH1 has more cinema-centric features, that surely can provide more in the post-production. GH6 can also produce good videos, but cine codecs, logs, and approval from Netflix make the BGH1 a beast.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a professional filmmaker or just starting out, the LUMIX BGH1 is the perfect camera to inspire your creativity and bring your work to the next level. Its affordability, functionality, and features make it a great choice for any filmmaker. But you’ll have to make additional purchases because it’s just a modular-based box-shaped camera. This is where, Panasonic Lumix GH6 can provide you with a whole complete package, in a budget-friendly range. Also, if you’re a fan of traditional DSLR, you’ll like the Lumix GH6 anyway. 

Lastly, if you can afford more money for additional accessories and want the best quality out of your camera, go for the BGH1, otherwise, Lumix GH6 is more than enough capable to meet your needs.