Panasonic DC-BS1H Full-Frame Camcorder

Panasonic’s DC-BS1H Professional Camcorder adopts the versatile box style and cinema-quality video performance of its predecessor, the DC-BGH1E and the versatile Lumix S1H. Its compact, box-style build is ideal for professional studio setups, gimbal and drone work. The BS1H is equipped with a potent combination of a 24.2-megapixel 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor and a Venus image processing engine that together with its L-mount lens compatibility, offers exceptional image quality and performance.

Panasonic DC-BS1H Professional Camcorder Key Features:

• Impressive 24.2-megapixel 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor
• Capable of stunning 6K full-area high-resolution recording
• The versatile, wide dynamic range of 14+ stops V-Log
• OLPF (Optical Low Pass Filter) suppresses moire & false colour
• Dual Native ISO system significantly minimises noise generation
• Venus Engine offers max. ISO 51200 with minimum noise
• Real-time subject detection with advanced deep learning technology
• Precision AF on the target subject, including humans and animals
• 6K/24p, 5.4K/30p (3:2 aspect ratio) or 5.9K/30p (16:9 aspect ratio)
• 10-bit 60p 4K/C4K HEVC video equivalent to Super 35mm
• Capable of capturing 4:2:2 10-bit 4K 30p footage in H.264
• VFR (Variable Frame Rate) for overcranked/undercranked video
• Exceptional colourimetry of the VariCam cinema cameras
• Versatile dual UHS-II compatible SD card slots
• Bluetooth 4.2 and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connectivity

Expanded Panasonic DC-BS1H Professional Camcorder Key Features:

So What’s New?

The Panasonic DC-BS1H arrives as an upgraded version of Panasonic’s DC-BGH1E Professional Camcorder. There are many points to cover but let’s address the obvious difference that is the large full-frame 24MP CMOS imaging sensor with Dual Native ISO technology. With an active resolution of 6,024 x 4,016, this sensor is capable of capturing stunning 6K resolution footage. The camera offers 14+ stops of Dynamic Range with a V-Log, matching Panasonic Cinema Cameras. And, it adopts an OLPF (Optical Low Pass Filter) that suppresses moire and false colours.

Combining the imaging sensor’s Dual Native ISO and the power of the Venus Engine, the DC-BS1H offers exceptional image quality with significantly reduced noises even at its maximum ISO 51200. Of course, having that full-frame sensor has opened up the use of L-Mount lenses that ultimately offer an incredible level of image quality, precision, performance and overall flexibility in shooting. Not to mention the added control over light, depth of field and bokeh.

Video Versatility

With its 35mm full-frame sensor, the BS1H can produce cinema production quality video. Utilising its full pixel array, it can capture stunning 6K/24p, 5.4K/30p (3:2 aspect ratio) or 5.9K/30p (16:9 aspect ratio) high resolution video footage. 10-bit 60p 4K/C4K HEVC video recording is available when using the image area equivalent to Super 35mm. And, when creating 4K videos, you can capture 4:2:2 10-bit 4K 30p in H.264 at its full area. Additionally, it is capable of 4:2:2 10-bit 4K 60p/50p HDMI output, too.

The unit is fitted with a newly designed heat dispersion structure that allows for unlimited video recording in a range of recording formats including 4:3 Anamorphic Mode. Adding to its professional applications, the BS1H allows for [5.9K] / [4K] / [Anamorphic (4:3) 3.5K] 12-bit RAW video data to be output over HDMI to save Apple ProRes RAW on the Atomos Ninja V or save Blackmagic RAW on the Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR.

The BS1H offers VFR (Variable Frame Rate) that results in overcranked/undercranked video in C4K/4K (60 fps, maximum 2.5x slower in 24p) and FHD (180 fps, maximum 7.5x slower in 24p). Additionally, it has a minimum frame rate of 2fps that results in quick motion video. Finally, there’s HFR (High Frame Rate) video that can be recorded with both audio and with the camera’s impressive autofocus system.

Colour Management

The BS1H is a wholly professional cinema camera setup and as such, offers exceptional colour management that results in accurate colour reproduction and rich skin tones. Helping achieve this is the use of the world-renowned colourimetry of the VariCam lineup of cinema cameras. In addition, aiding the post-production process is the ability to capture V-Log/V-gamut with a high dynamic range and a broad range of colours.

The LUMIX BS1H’s wide colour gamut is known as V-Gamut and it’s this that offers optimum colour space that’s wider than BT.2020. Whilst V-Log has log curve characteristics that are somewhat reminiscent of negative film, V-Gamut delivers a colour space that is even larger than film. Then there’s HDR (High Dynamic Range) shooting where the camera can capture footage with a designated gamma curve compatible with ITU-R BT.2100. An addition to this is the now-user-selectable Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) in Photo Style.

What’s in the box?

• 1 x Panasonic DC-BS1H Professional Camcorder
• 1 x AC Adaptor
• 1 x AC Cable
• 1 x Cable Lock Band
• 1 x Body Cap
• 1 x Hot Shoe Cover
• 1 x AUDIO Terminal Cover
• 1 x DC IN Terminal Cover
• 1 x BNC Terminal Cover
• 1 x HDMI Terminal Cover
• 1 x REMOTE Terminal Cover

FAQs:

Can I live stream using this camera?

This camera offers an IP streaming function for distant, high-quality image transmission to a social streaming platform online with a PC connection over wired LAN. It can stream 4K 60p (50p) video in H.265 as well as ultra-high-definition 4K at low bitrates even when the bandwidth is not broad enough.

What connections are available?

The BS1H features a range of ports including a super-fast USB 3.1 Type-C, a 3G-SDI (BNC) and an HDMI Type-A terminal, designed for simultaneous output. Genlock IN (BNC) and Timecode IN/OUT (BNC) functions enable multi-angle synchronised video recording and the unit can be connected to LAN, Power over Ethernet+ (PoE+).

Will this camera overheat?

The LUMIX BS1H is designed with a new heat dispersion structure to achieve unlimited video recording. The body frame is constructed from an aluminium and magnesium alloy that is durable and lightweight.

What does Dynamic Range mean?

Dynamic range measures the luminance range that a digital camera can capture.

What is V-Log?

V-Log renders a very flat image while maintaining all of the colour information within the image. This aid editing in the post-production process.