Panasonic is Adding 12-Bit RAW HDMI Out to the Lumix G9 II

Panasonic will release a firmware update for the Lumix G9 II that will allow the camera to send Blackmagic RAW and ProRes RAW over HDMI to a compatible recorder.

Panasonic says the goal of this update, firmware version 2.0, is to give the G9 II the ability to be more flexible and adapt to more workflows. With the update, the Lumix G9 II will be able to send RAW recording out to either a Blackmagic Design external recorder or an Atomos external recorder in BRAW and ProRes RAW, respectively.

The G9 II will be able to send 5.7K, C4K, 5.8K (4:3), and 4.4K (4:3) 12-bit RAW resolution data to the Blackmagic Video Assist 5-inch 12G HDR or the Blackmagic Video Assist 7-inch 12G HDR external recorders in Blackmagic RAW (BRAW) format.

DaVinci Resolve or DaVinci Resolve Studio are required to playback the footage recorded this way and, similarly, DaVinci Resolve Studio is required to edit Blackmagic RAW data. Panasonic also urges users to reference corresponding firmware for the Blackmagic Video Assist external recorders to assure that they are able to accept the feed. Additionally, Panasonic notes that when recording in C4K resolution at 120p or 100p or in 5.7K resolution at 60p or 50p, a constant bitrate of 5:1 or less is recommended for SSD recording and 8:1 or less for SD card recording.

The G9 II will be able to send the same resolutions and framerates in 12-bit RAW when connected via HDMI to an Atomos Ninja V, Ninja V+, Ninja, Ninja Ultra, Shogun, Shogun Ultra, and Shogun Connect too, recorded as Apple Pro Res RAW. Just as was the case with BRAW footage, Panasonic notes that software that supports Apple ProRes RAW is required in order to edit recorded RAW video.

In addition to the updated functionality, a LUT (lookup table) exclusively designed for RAW video is available on Panasonic’s customer support website to allow the RAW footage to be color graded as V-Log and V-Gamut.

Firmware update 2.0 for the Panasonic Lumix G9 II is still under development, details might change, and Panasonic did not provide a date for when it would be available to download.

When it does come, it will only further make a case for the G9 II, which is already one of the best hybrid interchangeable lens cameras on the market. While Panasonic originally launched the camera as a response to clamors from photographers and claimed it to be a photo-first capture device, in real-world use it has also proven to be one of the best and most capable video cameras on the market.