Panasonic GH4 Shooter’s Report Part II: Getting down and dirty with video recording

 

 

In addition to being a solid still photography camera, the Panasonic GH4 is a camera with a dual purpose: a professional-level video camera. In the second installment of my Panasonic GH4 Shooter's Report I delve deeper into the features and performance of the GH4's video recording capabilities. Whether you're a still photographer who's just dipping your toes into the ocean that is video production or you're a hardcore, seasoned professional videographer, the Panasonic GH4 is like the "Swiss Army knife" of video -- boatloads of file formats, bitrates, framerates, clean HDMI output, headphone jack, full-time AF… you name it, the GH4 probably has it.

We gave the Panasonic GH3 heavy praise for its impressive video quality and pro-level featureset -- and doing so at a very "un-pro-like" price point -- and the new GH4 has upped the ante with not only 4K video recording, but also with even higher quality 1080p video bitrates, and a number of other high-end video features.

And still, the GH4 maintains a relatively low price for a pro-level camera at around $1,700, which is impressive considering it's: A) Panasonic's flagship photo-oriented interchangeable lens camera (the AF100 being a professional Micro Four Thirds camcorder) and B) a camera with video features and image quality that meet or surpass professional cinema cameras that can cost upwards of tens of thousands of dollars.

While I don't consider myself a professional videographer, I've had a fair share of experience in video production, and after spending some quality time with Panasonic's new top-of-the-line Micro Four Thirds camera, I'm ready to discuss my thoughts on the video recording features of the GH4, as well as wrap-up my GH4 Shooter's Report with my final summary of Panasonic's new flagship mirrorless camera.

So, head on over to our soon-to-be-complete Panasonic GH4 review for a full overview or jump straight over to my Panasonic GH4 Shooter's Report Part II for all the nitty-gritty details on video recording as well as my shooter's report summary of this powerful camera.

[Quick Links: Panasonic GH4 • Shooter's Reports: Part I, Part II • Test Shots • Sample Gallery]