Panasonic has announced a host of new firmware updates for its full frame mirrorless LUMIX S9, S511, S511X cameras and Micro Four Thirds mirrorless G911 camera that improve the shooting experience and enhance functionality. 

In line with LUMIX’s continuous commitment to supporting creators, the latest firmware updates will be available to download free of charge from the LUMIX Global Customer Support website on 9th October 2024. Firmware updates include:

LUMIX S9 Firmware Version 1.1

A recording time limit menu has been added with a new option to record without time limitation.

A display feature for multiple frame markers has been added, which now allows for the display of up to three frame markers simultaneously. This adds further versatility for content creators framing for different aspect ratios or planning shots with multiple compositions, further enhancing the unrivaled convenience of shooting in Open Gate.

The highly accurate phase hybrid auto focus system has been improved with enhanced subject detection. A new option is now available to select detection of airplanes and trains, as well as specific parts of cars and motorcycles.

Compatibility with the LUMIX Lab smartphone app has been expanded to include remote shooting, shutter remote control, and the ability to transfer images selected on the camera. 

Operational stability has been improved.

LUMIX S511 Firmware Version 3.1 and LUMIX S5IIX Firmware Version 2.1

LEICA Monochrome is now available as a Photo Style, providing a strong and dynamic monochrome shooting option.

Compatibility with the LUMIX Lab smartphone app is now supported.

The latest Panasonic XLR microphone adapter, DMW-XLR2, is now supported.

5GHz Wi-Fi frequency option now available and has been added to the existing 2.4GHz option.

Real Time LUT can now be assigned to the Fn button, allowing creators to easily enjoy a range of popular, classic or bespoke color styles in-camera.

LUMIX G9II Firmware Version 2.2

Compatibility with the LUMIX Lab smartphone app is now supported.

The latest Panasonic XLR Microphone adapter, DMW-XLR2, is now supported.

5GHz Wi-Fi frequency option now available and has been added to the existing 2.4GHz option.

Real Time LUT can now be assigned to the Fn button, allowing creators to easily enjoy a range of popular, classic, or bespoke color styles in-camera.

Operational stability has been improved.

Panasonic announced the launch of the cutting-edge PAN9019/PAN9019A Wi-Fi/Bluetooth combo module, adding a new dimension to its wireless module portfolio. 

This innovative model is a dual-band, 2.4GHz/5GHz, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax Wi-Fi radio module with integrated Bluetooth BDR/EDR/Low Energy (LE), optional 802.15.4 radio (PAN9019A) and, Target Wake Time (TW) feature, which leads to lower power consumption.

The PAN9019/PAN9019A modules simultaneously operate three standards, enabling high data rates (Wi-Fi 6 compliant) and energy savings (BLE and 802.15.4). This unique combination delivers exceptional flexibility in wireless connectivity, making it an ideal solution for a diverse range of applications across various industries.

“This versatile module is well-suited for various applications, including smart home/building, IoT, asset monitoring, medical, lighting control, and industrial applications, offering state of the art wireless connectivity solutions that enable seamless integration and control of multiple devices,” said Simon Wong, Product Engineer, Panasonic Industry.

Key Features of the PAN9019/PAN9019A:

Dual band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 802.15.4 combo module (PAN9019A)

Wi-Fi 6 compliant features, including up to 600 Mbps (MCS11, 80 MHz channel bandwidth) OFDMA (UL/DL) and MU-MIMO (UL/DL), WPA3 Security, and Target Wake Time

Bluetooth 5.4 with Low Energy and long range capabilities

Generic interfaces include SDIO 3.0, high-speed UART, and SPI for host processor connection.

OS driver support for RTOS, Linux, and Android

Technical Characteristics:

Surface Mount Type (SMT): 15.3 mm x 12mm x 2.5 mm

PAN9019 NXP IW611 WLAN 2.4 GHz and GHz, Bluetooth single-chip solution inside

PAN9019A: NXP IW612 WLAN 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, Bluetooth, and 802.15.4 single-chip solution inside

Rx sensitivity: -98 dBm at IEEE 802.11b, 1 Mbps

IEEE 802.11ax 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz channel bandwidth

SDIO 1-bit or 4-bit

To provide production teams with the flexibility and reliability they need to capture and produce content in any type of environment, Panasonic Connect North America launched its AW-UR100 Outdoor PTZ camera and AV-HSW10 compact switcher. The company also announced updated to its Premium Series PTZ camera lineup, to bring a built-in auto-tracking feature to corporate and educational settings.

AW-UR100 Outdoor PTZ Camera

Sports production teams and broadcast crews operate in challenging outdoor environments. To create dynamic productions that capture a game from different angles and make fans feel as if they are present in person, or give broadcast news viewers comprehensive glimpse into current traffic or on location weather conditions, they need high-quality camera solutions that can stand up to the elements.

The AW-UR100 builds off the success of the AW-HR140, a camera known for its durability in outdoor environments, and will eventually replace the AW-HR140 in the PZ lineup later this year. Key features of the AW-UR100 include:

An 1P65 rating, along with a wiper, heater, defroster, enhanced stabilization, and the ability to mount it upright or upside down for versatile installation options.

A newly designed 4K imager that allows production teams to capture crisp, clear content even in the harshest conditions.

A compact size that offers SRT, Fiber connectivity, and 4K streaming.

The IP65 rating distinguishes the AW-UR100 with its salt resistant coating. The camera uses advanced technology for superior vibration and stabilization, as well as wind pressure resistance. These features are a direct response to customer demand for a camera that can stand up to the rigors of extreme weather without compromising on the quality of captured content.

An integrated 4K/60P camera, AW-UR100 offers enhanced picture quality with a newly developed 4K sensor and strong optical zoom of 24x, ensuring high resolution even when iZoom is utilized to zoom closer into a scene. To capture the full length of a playing field, the camera’s increased 74.1 degree field of view will be particularly helpful in sports settings. The new camera supports workflow flexibility with IP protocols, including SRT, NDI, and NDI|HX2 for secure 4K streaming even over a public network. It also supports Fiber connectivity and new workflows such as AR/VR/XR productions with FreeD built in.

AV-HWS10 Compact Switcher

Smaller university production departments and houses of worship don’t have the space for large scale production equipment. They need a switcher that’s compact and easy to learn and operate for their volunteer production teams. Similarly, rental and staging professionals and production crews in smaller corporate venues need portable solutions when producing livestreams for events and webinars. There’s also increased demand for IP workflows and to stream directly from the switcher.

The AV-HSW10 bridges the gap between a baseband and IP workflow for great flexibility and performance with 10bit processing.

The AV-HSW10 is a compact, notebook-sized and reasonably priced high reliability switcher with SDI/HDMI/NDI/SRT/UVC/RTMP input/output. Its wide variety of inputs and outputs offers a simplified connection with an IP-compatible PTZ camera. It supports RTMP for direct upload to streaming services, and USB Video Class for compatibility with web conferencing services, and USB Video Class for compatibility with web conferencing services.

Further, its user-friendly buttons, T-shaped fader, and intuitive on-screen display ensure error-free operation. Despite its compact size, the switcher supports broadcast image quality and high performance. With direct streaming output and audio support, it can power a one-person operation from production to distribution.

And when there is a full production team, it offers compatibility with the Panasonic Software Control Panel for viewing video and images, as well as for easy, direct switching from a PC. This way, multiple people can work simultaneously for an efficient operation.

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) named the LUMIX GH6 a CES 2023 Innovation Awards Honoree in the Digital Imaging & Photography category. The LUMIX GH6 is honored for its cutting-edge technologies, outstanding performance, responsiveness, and reliability. The announcement was made ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023, the most influential technology event of the year, which takes place January 5-8, 2023, in Las Vegas and digitally.

“We are proud that the LUMIX GH6 has been named a CES 2023 Innovation Award Honoree,” said Anthony Hanna, Group Product Manager – Imaging. “At Panasonic, we are committed to pushing the boundary of innovation and performance, driving the industry forward with new technologies that will create a higher standard for cameras.”

The LUMIX GH6 was designed with expertise drawn from firsthand opinions, to recognize high quality video expression and workflow efficiency from setup to delivery in addition to excellent depiction performance and mobility. Together with a wide array of lens options, Panasonic is committed to leading the industry with creators who are seeking anew way to express their creativity. It’s new, 25.2-megapixel Live MOS Sensor and Venus Engine will help a new generation of video creators produce state-of-the-art, high quality videos efficiently and on a low budget. The LUMIX GH6 is equipped with key improvements in performance and technology, while also maintaining reliability and ease of use.

New Technologies for Advanced Video Production: With an increased effective pixel count by more than 20%, the new 25.2-megapixel Live MOS Sensor without LPS (Low-pass Filter) boasts high resolution, high speed signal readout that reduces rolling shutter issues and achieves a wide dynamic range. Also, the new Venus Engine utilizes new, advanced image processing technology to render high-resolution imagery with natural noise texture and rich color reproduction.

Improved Video Performance for Creative Professionals: Provides 12+ stops of wide dynamic range for pre-installed V-Log recording, expanding to 13+ stops when using Dynamic Range Boost mode.

Highly Responsive Mobility and Operability: Improved auto focus performance to support the capabilities of the new Live MOS Sensor and Venus engine.

Reliability and Expandability: The LUMIX GH6 also utilizes a forced-cooling fan mechanism to prevent overheating, in addition to being water resistant and freeze-resistant, ensuring camera durability even with heavy field use.

The CES Innovation Awards program, owned and produced by CTA, is an annual competition honoring outstanding design and engineering in 28 consumer technology product categories. The LUMIX GH6 was selected by an elite panel of industry expert judges who reviewed more than 2,100 submissions.

The LUMIX GH6 is available for purchase at valued channel partners and on display the Innovation Award Showcase at CES 2023.

Panasonic is pleased to introduce a new large-aperture ultra wide fixed focal length lens, the LUMIX S 18mm F1.8 (S-S18), as the fifth addition to the series of F1.8 large-aperture lenses based on the L-Mount system standard. The large-aperture LUMIX S 18mm F1.8 (S-S18) boasts high optical performance passing the quality standard of professional use despite its compact size.

Ultra-wide 18mm perspective provides versatile ways of use at different shooting distances. In a long-shot, it captures more foreground or background elements to deliver a dynamic impression into the image. It is possible to add artistic expression to the foreground subject using rich perspective by shooting from a short distance.

A total of five F1.8 fixed focal length lenses from the LUMIX S Series including the 85mm (S-S85), 50mm (S-550), and 35mm (S-S35), 24mm (S-S24) and the new 18mm (S-S18) lens feature a common size and potion of control parts to provide practical advantages in use. The center of gravity of these lenses is almost the same so that it is easy to exchange lenses quickly with minimum balance adjustment with the camera is on a gimbal. Common filters can also be used thanks to the same diameter.

Covering virtually any framing and composition, use of these LUMIX S F1.8 fixed focal length lenses will suffice for filmmaking with minimum workflow and post-production process.

The LUMIX S 18mm F1.8 is comprised of thirteen lens elements in twelve groups including three aspherical lenses, three ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) lenses, one UED (Ultra Extra-Low Dispersion) lens and one UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index) lens. The use of three aspherical lenses realizes both high and descriptive performance and beautiful bokeh, which are common advantages to the series of all F1.8 lenses. The three ED lenses effectively suppress chromatic aberration. It is suitable for versatile situations including landscapes, astrophotography and architecture photography taking advantage of the ultra wide angle of view. It can also be used for close-up shots thanks to the minimum focusing distance of 0.18m.

The LUMIX S 18mm F1.8 is capable of smooth, silent operation to work with the camera’s high-speed, high-precision contrast AF system with the sensor drive at max.240fps. For the non-linear setting, focus is shifted with a variable amount according to the rotation speed of the focus ring while focus is shifted with a designated amount according to the rotational quantum of the focus ring for the linear setting. Sensitivity (the amount of focus shift per rotational quantum) can be selected from 90 to 360 degrees by 30 degrees to enable intended focus operation.

The LUMIX S 18mm F1.8 also excels in video recording performance with a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing, which was a fatal problem of all interchangeable lenses designed for still image photography. Together with a micro-step aperture control for smooth exposure change, professional quality video can be recorded.

While its approximately 12-ounce compact size and light weight, the LUMIX S 18mm F1.8 features stunning mobility to fit the S5 LUMIX’s smallest full-frame model. The rugged dust/splash-resistant design withstands use under harsh conditions even at 14 degrees Fahrenheit for high mobility. The filter diameter is 67 mm, with a 9-blade circular aperture diaphragm.

Panasonic and L-Mount system alliance is committed to the development of L-Mount lenses for the further expansion of its lineup to fulfill the needs of customers.

Panasonic announced a new large-aperture wide focal length lens, the LUMIX S 35mm F1.8 (S-S85), as the fourth addition to the series of four F1.8 large-aperture lenses based on the L-Mount system standard. A total of four F1.8 fixed focal length lenses from the LUMIX S Series including 85mm (S-S85), 50mm (S-S50), 24mm (S-S24) and the new 35mm (S-S35) lens feature a common size and position of control parts to provide practical advantages in use.

The center of gravity of these lenses is comparable, allowing easy and quick exchanging of lenses with minimum balance adjustment when the camera is on a gimbal. Consistent diameter also enables the use of common filters, and users will benefit from its descriptive performance.

The LUMIX S 35mm F1.8 is comprised of eleven lens elements in nine groups including three aspherical lenses and three ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) lenses. The use of three aspherical lenses realizes both high descriptive performance and beautiful bokeh, which are common advantages to the series of all F1.8 lenses.

The ED menses also effectively suppress chromatic aberration. The LUMIX S 35mm F1.8 is suitable for versatile situations including landscapes, snapshots, and portraits. Minimum focusing distance of 0.24m also produces high-quality close-ups.

The LUMIX S 35mm F1.8 is capable of smooth, silent operation, working with the camera’s high-speed, high-precision contrast AF system with the sensor drive at max.240 fps. For the non-linear setting, focus is shifted with a designated amount according to the rotational quantum of the focus ring for the linear setting. Sensitivity, or the amount of focus shift per rotational quantum, can be selected from 90 to 360 degrees by 30 degrees to enable intended focus operation.

The LUMIX 35mm F1.8 also excels in video recording performance with a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing, which was a fatal problem of all interchangeable lenses designed for still image photography. Together with a micro-step aperture control for smooth exposure change, the lens achieves professional quality video recording.

With its approximately 295g compact size and light weight, the LUMIX S 35mm F1.8 features stunning mobility to fit the S5, LUMIX’s smallest full-frame model. The rugged dust/splash-resistant design withstands use under harsh conditions even at 10 degrees below zero for high mobility. The filter diameter is 67 mm, with a 9-blade circular aperture diaphragm.

Panasonic System Solutions Company North America (Panasonic) announced the development of Agile I/O, a new feature to its KAIROS IT/IP video processing platform to provide AV professionals with additional input and output capacity to create larger and more complex productions. Available in early 2022 as a free upgrade, the feature expands the platform’s capacity, unlocking more ways to enhance live productions with the same hardware.

Equipping customers with the power to bring unconstrained creativity to life, Panasonic provides a tailored solution with KAIROS that fully and seamlessly integrates with existing infrastructure and future technology to push the boundaries for immersive experiences. The new software upgrade will allow KAIROS to more efficiently utilize the 100Gb 2110 network and other Kairos Core inputs and outputs by better management of network bandwidth. This can provide users with additional sources for HD and 4K content and access to more connected sources in the multi-view.

“Whether it’s a three-camera production operated by a novice or an international media event crafted by an A-list technical director, today’s AV projects demand an all-purpose, easy-to-use live platform that’s flexible and easily integrates sources from anywhere, in any format, on any screen and without rigid hardware constraints,” said Mike Bergeron, senior category manager, production systems, Panasonic. “KAIROS and the new Agile I/O function are testaments to Panasonic’s commitment to becoming a true partner for production professionals operating at all levels. The future-proof system is designed to work with legacy solutions to capitalize on previous AV investments, and scale as needed to support technologies not yet imagined, all while enabling professionals to create memorable live productions for both live and remote audiences.”

The KAIROS next generation live production platform enables AV professionals to flexibly scale up-and-down deployments for any level of need or complexity by supporting seamless broadcasting on numerous devices and feeds, in any source, format, scale, screen and mix, aiming at no loss of quality. More than a switcher, the platform can also perform routing and screen management functions. With multiple screen layouts built through one simple interface, KAIROS helps AV professionals elevate experiences for both live and virtual productions.

Ideal for AV consultants, designers, and integrators, KAIROS offers a future-proofed, customizable solution that supports any type of large production scenario for markets such as house of worship and corporate. For churches, KAIROS elevates worship services by managing multiple displays and screens that show various views of the service to captivate both in-person and remote congregants alike. For corporate environments, KAIROS ensures natural real-time conversation during employee annual meetings with remarkable one-frame latency on premises by enabling AV source connections and screens across multiple meeting rooms, locations and even home offices.

Panasonic offers a variety of audio and visual solutions and services, including studio cameras, projectors, video walls, displays, microphones and engineering services that integrate with and support KAIROS to provide a holistic solution for AV professionals.

On November 4, at 1:00 pm ET, Panasonic is hosting a virtual event, “The Future of Video Switching & Processing,” which will explore the unique benefits of KAIROS, and preview the new Agile I/O software.

From conferences to church services, from live-event broadcasts to reality TV shows, the past year has seen a significant increase in productions produced remotely. To meet the professional video industry’s expanding need to produce content online and offline, Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America (Panasonic) is introducing a new line of integrated Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras that deliver superb image quality and efficient streaming for home office, corporate, education, and live content creation environment.

The company’s new integrated PTZ camera line-up consists of five new models. Three models [AW-UE40, AW-UE50 and AW-UE80} are compact, dome shaped and offer a new direct drive system for precise, accurate panning and zooming and to assure quiet operation (NC25 or lower), so they can be installed in virtually any video shooting situation. The new 4K models also combine a best-in-class 74.1-degree viewing angle and a 24X optical zoom to capture the entire space from the back of the room.

Outputs include 3G-SDI (UE80 and UE50 only), HDMI and IP for the flexibility to integrate with a variety of workflow infrastructures. In addition to RTMP and RTMPS streaming, the UE80/UE50/UE40 also support NDI | HX2 and SRT to assure stable and safe video streaming.

As the top-of-the-line model, the UE80 offers exclusive features including 4K 60p resolution; high bandwidth 100 Mpbs NDI for transmitting high-quality, low latency video; and FreeD protocol support for incorporating realistic virtual studio sets and elements into remote productions.

As professionals continue to work from home and find their web cameras to be insufficient for long-term use, the new AW-HE20 and AW-UE20 PTZ cameras offer an affordable solution for companies looking to support remote employees with high quality video streaming. Perfect for small offices, huddle rooms, and home offices. The HE20 features Full HD, while the UE20 supports 4K/30p providing users with options for HD or 4K picture quality. Sporting a new design, the HE20 and UE20 feature a wide 71-degree viewing angle, a 12x optical zoom and outputs include SDI, HDMI, USB and IP for increased compatibility in corporate and education environments.

Panasonic has also announced the release of the AV-UHS5M6G NDI I/F unit for the compact AV-UHS500 SDI/HDMI switcher. This new unit will enable the UHS500 12G/3G SDI switcher to support high quality, low latency video transmission of NDI and NDI | HX. It also provides direct IP connectivity to NDI enabled computers and video devices, reducing setup time and facilitating remote production of live video in temporary venues and other event spaces.

On Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 1pm ET, Panasonic is hosting a virtual event, “The Future of Remote Production,” which will preview its new line of 4K and HD SRT-enabled PTZ cameras and remote production accessories.

Panasonic is pleased to introduce a new large-aperture wide fixed focal length lens, the LUMIX S 24mm F1.8 [S-S24], as the third addition to their series of F1.8 large-aperture lenses based on the L-Mount system standard.

A total of four F1.8 fixed focal length lenses from the LUMIX S Series including 85mm [S-S85]. 50mm [S-S50], and the new 24mm [S-S24] lens feature a common size and position of control parts to provide practical advantages in use. The lenses’ center of gravity is similar, which makes it easy to exchange lenses quickly with minimum balance adjustment when the camera is on a gimbal. In addition, their descriptive performance is consistent, and a uniform diameter enables the use of common filters.

The LUMIX S 24mm F1.8 is comprised of twelve lens elements in eleven groups including three aspherical lenses, three ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) lenses and one UED (Ultra Extra-Low Dispersion) lens. The use of three aspherical lenses realizes both high descriptive performance and beautiful bokeh, which are common advantages to the series of all F1.8 lenses. It is suitable for versatile situations ranging from landscapes to snapshots, taking advantage of the wide angle of view. The ED lenses and the UED lens effectively suppress chromatic aberration.

The LUMIX S 24mm F1.8 is capable of smooth, silent operation to work with the camera’s high-speed, high-precision contrast AF system with the sensor drive at max.240 fps. For the non-linear setting, focus is shifted with a variable amount according to the rotation speed of the focus ring while focus is shifted with a designated amount according to the rotational quantum of the focus ring for the linear setting. Sensitivity (the amount of focus shift per rotational quantum) can be selected from 90 to 360 degrees by 30 degrees to enable intended focus operation. The LUMIX S 24mm F1.8 also excels in video recording performance with a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing, which was a fatal problem of all interchangeable lenses designed for still image photography. Further, with a micro-step aperture control for smooth exposure change, professional quality video can be recorded.

With its approximately 310g compact size and light weight, the LUMIX S 24mm F1.8 features stunning mobility to fit the S5, LUMIX’s smallest full-frame model. The rugged dust/splash-resistant design withstands use under harsh conditions even at 10 degrees below zero (14 degrees Fahrenheit) for high mobility. The filter diameter is 67 mm, with a 9-blade circular aperture diaphragm.

With the addition of the upcoming standard 35 mm fixed focal length lens and the four F1.8 large-aperture lenses of the LUMIX S series, the Panasonic and L-Mount system alliance is committed to the development of L-Mount lenses for the further expansion of its lineup to fulfill the needs of customers.

The LUMIX S 24mm F1.8 (S-S24) will be available at valued channel partners for $899.99 in mid-October.

From streaming a worship service or theatrical performance to broadcasting life sports, having a professional camera with exceptional low-light capabilities is critical when lighting conditions are not ideal or when lighting is intentionally subdued to create the ambiance of an environment.

Panasonic System Solutions Company of North American, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America announced the addition of the AW-HE145 full HD integrated pan-tilt-zoom camera to its professional pan/tilt/zoom camera line-up. This innovative camera delivers broadcast-quality images, with flexible operation and compatibility with an array of Panasonic software solutions including the PTZ Control Center and AI-driven Auto Tracking.

Optimal for capturing content in low-light situations, the HE145 is equipped with a large 1-inch MOS sensor and optical 20x zoom to achieve superb sensitivity shooting even in dark scenes. The new camera delivers smooth “on-air” moves and supports HDR for capturing images with a high dynamic range. The camera’s 75.1-degree horizontal wide angle lens – one of the widest in its class — allows production staff to capture full shots in large spaces, including theaters, stadiums, lecture and symphony halls, and sanctuaries, and is invaluable for studios with limited spaces.

For video streaming applications, HE145 supports RTMP to allow direct upload of video to live-streaming services such as YouTube and Facebook Live. In addition, Secure Reliable Transport [SRT] is supported to maintain stability while transmitting high-quality video, even on unstable networks. Outputs include 3G-SDI, HDMI and IP for the flexibility to integrate with a variety of workflow infrastructures.

“The new HE145 camera is part of our growing and comprehensive line of PTZ camera solutions. It offers inventive features and the ability to perform exceptionally well in poorly-lit conditions,” said Jim Jensen, Category Owner, Remote Systems, Panasonic. “The HE145 is supported by our comprehensive PTZ camera ecosystem, which includes a wide range of software solutions, advanced robotic and prompter systems, and camera controllers.”

The AW-HE145 will be available in October at a suggested list price of $10,500.