Panasonic LUMIX GH7 to support ARRI LogC3 log recording

The new Panasonic LUMIX GH7 will support ARRI LogC3 recording in 10-bit video modes. The feature can be unlocked by purchasing an optional upgrade key ($199.99). The ARRI LogC3 image processing in the LUMIX GH7 is certified by ARRI.

Panasonic’s flagship Micro Four Thirds camcorder, the LUMIX GH7, has just been announced. You can read all about it in our separate article here. However, Panasonic has prepared for us the infamous “something else” news. The company has just announced that it has licensed the ARRI LogC3 for the LUMIX GH7 camera. This sounds exciting! Let’s take a quick look at the details.

ARRI LogC3 on Panasonic LUMIX GH7

ARRI LogC3 (logarithmic gamma curve to maintain more dynamic range and increase flexibility for post-production, simple explanation) is used in ARRI cameras and, as the name suggests, is the third generation of ARRI Log. For example, the newer ARRI ALEXA 35 actually uses ARRI LogC4.

Unlike Panasonic’s V-Log, ARRI LogC3 support won’t be included with the camera for free (which makes sense since most GH7 users will probably never need it). To get it, one will need to purchase a separate software upgrade key (DMW-SFU3A).

Panasonic says the ARRI LogC3 curve image processing on the LUMIX GH7 has been certified by ARRI to implement this function. The ARRI LogC3 can be used in the LUMIX GH7 for 10-bit recording modes in Creative Video mode.

Footage captured with the ARRI LogC3 on the GH7 can easily be converted to any theme from the ARRI theme library (You can check out the ARRI Look simulator here.) It is also possible to store the 709 conversion LUT package (ARRI Look Library LogC3 to Rec709 3D-LUTs) in the LUT library of the LUMIX GH7 and combine it with the REAL TIME LUT function to capture videos with ARRI LUTs directly from the camera.

With the addition of the ARRI LogC3, the GH7 may become a viable option for special use cases (crash camera, drone camera, etc.) in productions using ARRI ALEXA cameras. Panasonic claims that the ARRI LogC3 in the LUMIX GH7 uses a curve that matches the ISO 800 standard sensitivity of an ARRI camera.

Last but not least, the ARRI LogC3 upgrade switch will also work on the previous model, the LUMIX GH6 (except for the REAL TIME LUT function).

Price and availability

The Panasonic LUMIX GH7 will start shipping in July 2024, and pricing has been set $2,197.99 / 1,961.23 euros For the body only. The kit, which includes the 12-60mm f/2.8-4 lens, will be priced at $2,797.99 / 2,450.65 euros. The optional DMW-SFU3A upgrade switch will retail for $199.99.

What do you think of the new LUMIX GH7 so far? Do you think this might be a suitable crash camera (drone camera) for ARRI ALEXA camera production? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below the article.