Netflix has just approved the Panasonic LUMIX BS1H box-cinema camera for its original productions. The BS1H is the 8th Panasonic camera being approved by Netflix. What about the others?
LUMIX BS1H: Netflix Approved
Dedicated for drones, remote setups, and multi-camera broadcast work, the Panasonic LUMIX BS1H Box Cinema Camera is a modular digital cinema camera with a small form-factor that is armed with a full-frame sensor. It features a 24.2MP sensor that is capable of recording 6K, 14+-stop dynamic, and V-Log that incorporates VariCam’s color science. The camera was introduced six months ago in October 2021, as the more advanced successor of the BGH1, which is considered to be the cheapest Netflix Approved camera available. Furthermore, thanks to Atomos, the BS1H can record up to 5.9K of ProRes RAW. Now, the BS1H was approved to shoot for Netflix 4K originals. Prices and purchase options of the BS1H can be found in the Product List down below.
Netflix BS1H production guide
According to Netflix, these are the recommended capture setting of the BS1H to be used on Netflix 4K originals:
- System mode: MOV 4:2:2/10bit 4096X2160, or 3840X2160
- Log encoding/color space: V-Log
Furthermore, the BS1H “Rec Mode” needs to be in “Creative Video Mode”. For anamorphic productions, the settings need to be on Large Format 3:2 6K/24p/420/10-L, or Academy 4:3 4K-A/48p/420/10-L, 4K-A/30p/422/10-I, and 4K-A/24p/422/10-I. For full technical details, explore the slides below.
What about the ‘others’?
There’re a few more cinema cameras were released lately that can be potentially approved by Netflix (RED V-Raptor, Canon EOS R5 C, Panasonic GH6, and Sony VENICE 2). These finally will get approved. It seems that the approval process takes about 6-8 months. If so, the next Netflix Approved will be the V-Raptor. We’ll keep you posted about that. Stay tuned.
Product List
Here’re the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers.
- Panasonic Lumix BS1H Full-Frame Box-Style Live & Cinema Camera
- Panasonic LUMIX BGH1 Cinema 4K Box Camera
Also the Panasonic BGH1 (Micro Four Thirds) and Panasonic S1H Full Frame cameras are Netflix approved, so Panasonic actually have 10 cameras in their range that qualify.