Panasonic S1H will support Apple’s ProRes RAW format from May 25

Panasonic has announced the arrival of new firmware that makes it possible to record video data in 5.9k and 4k in Apple’s ProRes RAW format. This is only possible if an Atomos Ninja Inferno V recording monitor is connected.

Panasonic reports that it concerns video files of up to 5.9k or 5888×3312 pixels with 30, 25 or 24fps and a 16:9 aspect ratio. In addition, it is possible to create images with a resolution of 4128×2176 pixels via a crop of the sensor in accordance with the Super 35 format, in combination with 24, 25, 30, 50 or 60 fps and an aspect ratio of 17:9. In the Super 35 format, which is slightly smaller than aps-c, the firmware also supports a movie function with a 4:3 aspect ratio in combination with a 3.5k resolution and anamorphic lenses. 50 fps is the maximum frame rate. In all cases, this concerns an output via HDMI with a 12-bit color depth, provided the Atomos Ninja Inferno V recording monitor is used.

When the Panasonic S1H system camera with full-frame sensor came out in September last year, the company already promised that this update would come. The device can currently also record images internally with a 5.9k resolution and a maximum of 30fps, but that does not go beyond a 10bit color depth and is not yet possible in Apple’s ProRes RAW format. From May 25, this free firmware update will be available for download from Panasonic’s international Lumix service website.

Previously, the Nikon Z6 and Z7 mirrorless cameras already had the option to enable video output in the ProRes RAW format, which also includes the use of the Atomos Ninja Inferno V monitor for those cameras. Unlike the S1H, however, the Nikon cameras do need to be modified for it; users must send the Nikon cameras to a service point and pay for the necessary hardware adjustment.