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Panasonic's GH5 arrives in mid-2017 with 60fps 4K video

Panasonic is betting that the future of photo is video.

As expected, Panasonic has unveiled its much-anticipated successor to the Lumix GH4, the GH5, and the focus is once again on video. The flagship model, set to arrive in mid-2017, ups the video capture capability to 10-bit, 60fps shooting at 4K. The camera also includes a short, 6K burst mode at 30fps, giving action photographers a wide choice of 18-megapixel stills to pic from.

As a result, the GH5 will be allow better slow-mo than the last model, which topped out at 30fps. At the same time, 10-bits will let professional videographers capture billions instead of millions of colors, giving far more latitude for color correction.

As mentioned, the camera packs Panasonic's new 18-megapixel sensor, which supports up to 8fps in regular burst mode, or 60fps in Panasonic's "4K Photo" mode. The company eventually plans to release future models with 8K, 32-megapixel capture in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

We don't know a lot else about the GH5, since we've only seen an early prototype, and it's not set to go on sale until the middle of next year. However, 10-bit, 60fps 4K video is good news for filmmakers, and should put the camera at the top of the list for many in 2017.

Update: The headline originally said that the GH5 would support 6K, 30p video, based on one of Panasonic's slides (above). However, the mode is only intended for burst photo shooting. The article has been updated with the correct information.

Aaron Souppouris contributed to this report.

Panasonic GH5 and G85 first look