Panasonic aims to launch 8k cameras by 2020

The Japanese manufacturer Panasonic wants to release cameras for the first time in 2020 that can film in 8k resolution. Current cameras go up to full HD or 4k. To make an 8k video, each frame must be shot at 33 megapixels.

Panasonic wants to show and test the first prototypes in 2018, says the Japanese site Nikkan based on information from the manufacturer itself. Shooting in 8k requires a resolution of 7680×4320 pixels, doubling in height and width compared to 4k videos. Individual frames then have a resolution of 33.2 megapixels.

According to 4/3 Rumors, shooting in 8k could change the way many people take pictures, as the individual frames then have a high enough resolution for many applications. This allows photographers to make a video and then select the best stills as a photo.

There are currently no monitors on the consumer market that can show 8k material in its entirety. They will probably come on the market before Panasonic releases its camera with 8k video. This could be successors to the current GH4.