After Panasonic announced new firmware updates for its S1, S1R and S5 Lumix cameras, this means support for Blackmagic RAW for the S1 and S5 from mid-July 2023.
 
 The S1 will have firmware version 2.1 which will add support for RAW video output via HDMI using Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR.  A 16:9 signal in 12 bits with 29.97p, 25p and 23.98p can be recorded in 5.9K.  In APS-C there are options for 4K in 17:9 with 59.94p/50p/29.97p/25p/23.98p as well as anamorphic APS-C in 3.5K with 50p/29.97p/25p/23.98p in 4 :3 with 12 bits each.  The Lumix S5 with firmware version 2.3 gets the same function.  It will also output Blackmagic RAW via HDMI and then be able to record according to the specifications already made for the S1.  The Lumix S1 needs the software key upgrade "DMW-SFU2" for the update to work.  
 
Blackmagic Assist 12G HDR enables professional monitoring and recording with any SDI or HDMI camera in all HD, Ultra HD, 2K and 4K DCI formats.  The new streamlined design includes innovations like brighter screens for HDR work, a tally indicator, four built-in scopes, advanced focus assist features, 3D LUTs and native Blackmagic RAW recording with compatible cameras.  The 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 connections built into both the 5" and 7" models support recording from literally any device in formats up to 2160p60.  A brighter touchscreen ensures a clear view of HDR digital film recordings and shows the subjects clearly even when shooting outdoors in bright sunlight. The new design allows the use of more powerful batteries and supports two commercially available Sony L-series batteries.  The remarkably versatile Blackmagic Video Assist 12G is the perfect solution for next-generation digital cinema shooting, live production mastering, and broadcast testing and measurement.
 
There are two models of Blackmagic Video Assist 12G.  Both have an innovative touch user interface with VTR controls and a large screen for viewing recordings.  Both the five- and seven-inch models offer 12G-SDI connections for high frame rates in Ultra HD, analog audio inputs, a USB-C port for recording to external drives, as well as a speaker on the front panel and a headphone jack on the side.  The Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR 7 inch model also has two disk bays.  On top of that, there are two battery slots on the back for attaching Sony L-series batteries, so that there is always enough power for the brighter HDR screen and the faster Ultra HD electronics.  A 12V universal power supply for use in the studio or on location is included.

Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR is a great upgrade for cameras with a super bright 2500 nit display that's also larger than the tiny displays found on consumer cameras. It also offers professional focus assist features and higher quality file formats .  It's also a great solution for professional cameras, as an upgrade for older broadcast cameras, it allows the use of modern file formats for the latest editing software.  No matter what editing software you're working with, Video Assist supports them all with the codec option for recording to Apple ProRes, Avid DNx and Blackmagic RAW.  It can be connected to any consumer camera, broadcast camera or even DSLR camera via the HDMI and 12G-SDI inputs.  Blackmagic RAW can even be upgraded to RAW-like workflows on compatible cameras.
 
 The innovative LCD touch surface offers a lot of control.  The screen features dedicated play, stop, and record buttons, as well as a mini-timeline for scrolling through recordings.  You can even jog through images with swipe gestures.  The LCD also shows a head-up display for timecode, video standard, media status, and audio level meter.  The scopes as well as the focus and exposure aids can be activated via the touchscreen.  3D LUTs can also be loaded and saved.
 
 The Video Assist uses standard commercially available SD cards and enables recording on memory cards that are available everywhere.  Files are small enough to store long recordings on regular SD or faster UHS-II cards.  The larger 7-inch Video Assist 12G model even has two SD card slots.  This means that full cards can be exchanged while recording is in progress, making recordings possible over endless periods of time.  Regular SD cards or faster UHS-II cards are ideal for broadcast because of their compactness, high speed and low cost.
 
 For recording to other types of media, there's a USB-C expansion port for plugging in external USB memory sticks.  A Blackmagic MultiDock 10G can also be integrated with recorders such as the Blackmagic HyperDeck models for convenient SSD compatibility.  And the touchscreen even offers on-screen menus for managing external storage media.
 
 The Video Assist is equipped with a wide range of video and audio connections.  They include multi-rate 12G-SDI connections for SD, HD and Ultra HD devices.  HDMI connections are also available for HDMI cameras and for monitoring on televisions and projectors in the consumer segment.  The seven-incher also features mini XLR inputs for incoming sound from microphones and external audio mixers.  The Video Assist also comes with a lockable 12V DC power connector.

Support für die aktuellsten HDR-Normen und ein unglaublich heller Bildschirm mit Wide Color Gamut (WCG) machen Benutzer startklar für die neuesten HDR-Workflows. Zudem macht der leuchtstarke Bildschirm Außendrehs bei grellem Sonnenlicht möglich. Bei der Arbeit mit HDR-Formaten passen sich sogar die integrierten Scopes den HDR-Formaten an. Dateien werden mit den korrekten HDR-Informationen versehen und die HDR-Videonorm an SDI- und HDMI-Eingängen automatisch erkannt. Statische Metadaten in PQ- und HLG-Formaten werden gemäß der ST2084-Norm verarbeitet. Das LCD mit seinem besonders breiten Farbumfang meistert die Farbräume Rec.2020 und Rec.709. Der Farbumfang des in den Video Assist verbauten LCD beherrscht sogar das DCI-P3-Format zu 100 Prozent.

Der Video Assist hat alles fürs interne Waveform-Monitoring an Bord und ermöglicht damit die zuverlässige Einhaltung von Sendevorgaben. Als tragbare Waveform-Monitoringlösung macht er sich ebenfalls gut. Die Waveform-Anzeige stellt mithilfe von Luminanzwerten die Helligkeit von Eingabe- oder Wiedergabesignalen in vertrauter Manier dar. Die Vektorskop-Anzeige gibt die Farbsättigung bei 100 Prozent der SDI-Referenzpegel an. Die RGB-Parade-Anzeige eignet sich perfekt für die Farbkorrektur sowie zur Kontrolle und Berichtigung unzulässiger Signalpegel. Ferner gibt die Histogramm-Anzeige Aufschluss über die Verteilung von Schwarz- und Weißtönen sowie abgeschnittene Pegel in den Tiefen und Lichtern. Die integrierten Scopes kann man sogar als Overlay auf dem Livevideo oder als kleine Bild-in-Bild-Darstellung oben rechts im Scope anzeigen.

Die SDI- und HDMI-Anschlüsse sind multiratefähig und meistern somit SD, HD und Ultra HD. Die SD-Formate umfassen NTSC und PAL. HD-Normen in 720p umfassen 720p/50 und 59,94 fps. Die HD-Halbbildformate 1080i umfassen 1080i/50 und 59,94i. Die HD-Formate in 1080p umfassen 1080p/23,98, 24, 25, 29,97, 30, 50, 59,94 und 60 fps. Selbst die Arbeit mit 1080-PsF-Formaten ist möglich. Ultra HD wird bis 2160p/59,94 unterstützt. Für Digitalfilmdrehs können Benutzer 2K- und 4K-DCI-Material mit Raten bis 25 fps aufzeichnen.
Video Assist also supports industry standard 17 and 33 point 3D LUTs.  Alternatively, you can also work with the integrated LUTs such as "Extended Video", "Film to Video", "Film to Rec.2020" and others.
 
Video Assist records in regular open file formats, so no time is wasted transcoding media.  You can record industry-standard ProRes or DNx in all formats in 10-bit files from any HDMI or SDI camera, or Blackmagic RAW footage in 12-bit files from compatible cameras.  The media files are platform independent.
 
Blackmagic RAW is a revolutionary new format designed to capture and preserve the quality of data from the camera sensor.  Video Assist supports Blackmagic RAW recording from popular cameras such as the Panasonic EVA1 and Canon C300 MK II. Problems such as noise and artifacts with common highly compressed camera formats such as H.264 are a thing of the past.  The camera settings are saved as metadata.  This allows users to set the ISO setting, white balance and exposure and then simply override them later in the edit without any loss of quality.  In addition, Blackmagic RAW files are small, fast and easy to work with.
 
The professional audio recorder built into Blackmagic Video Assist 12G delivers sound quality superior to most cameras.  This eliminates the need to carry additional audio equipment.  When working with SDI formats, users can record audio over 2, 4, 8 or 16 channels in real time.  For connecting microphones, the 7-inch model has two XLR inputs for analog audio with phantom power.  These support an HD audio sample rate of 192 kHz at uncompressed 16 and 24 bits per sample.  For monitoring, users can display the onscreen audio level meters as either VU or PPM meters.
 
In addition to English, several languages are supported, including German.  You don't need to learn a foreign language to operate it.  Support is also available for English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.
 
Blackmagic Video Assist 12G uses common files that are compatible with all operating systems and most video software.  Storage media can be formatted either in ExFAT or HFS+, so that computers can access them like normal drives.  DaVinci Resolve is ideal for use with Video Assist because it combines editing, color correction, sound and visual effects in one software application.
 
 "The original Blackmagic Video Assist monitors and recorders are extremely popular and are extremely well suited for upgrading older cameras and for use in the broadcast and television industry," said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO.  “The new models bring further fantastic improvements, which also include innovations recommended by the experts in Hollywood.  These include brighter LCDs, 12G-SDI, Blackmagic RAW, better focus assist, presets, 3D LUTs and more.  They are all very enjoyable and exciting at the same time!”

My experience with the Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ90
 

30x Travel Zoom Camera with 4k video & 180 degree Tilt LCD. Take this pocket-sized camera on your next trip. Its powerful 30x zoom lens and 4K Photo selfie feature let you save your travel memories in exactly the form you want.Your convenient travel companion This pocket-sized camera captures all the breathtaking emotions of your travels, from sweeping panoramas to the distant sun rise. The LUMIX TZ90 catches both photos and videos in all the vivid colours and crisp details that you recall. Flexibility with the 30x LEICA DC Lens The LUMIX TZ90 brings you right up against the action. The 24mm LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens has a 30x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 24-720mm) so you will always have an intimate view, and captured picture, of what piques your interest. Sharp Details Rendered in 20.3MP Resolution The 20.3-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS sensor records high-quality images in remarkable detail. It also combines with the Venus Engine to take stunning pictures even in dimly lit environments with minimal image noise. 4K Video. Life in Vivid Detail With the stunning power of 4K video, the LUMIX TZ90 allows you to record your journey in up to 3840 x 2160 pixel - 4x the quality of Full HD. More excitement, more detail and even more memories to look back on; again and again. *When recording videos in 4K, use a card rated as UHS Speed Class 3. Take a Selfie in 4K Photo Get the perfect selfie with a 180-degree tiltable monitor. Whether its a group selfie, a party moment or your dog who just does not want to stay still, you can capture life in stunning 4K quality. LUMIX 4K PHOTO lets you catch the best moment at 30-fps and save it as an 8-megapixel equivalent high-resolution image. See It All with High-precision Electronic Viewfinder Sometimes, harsh sunlight makes even the brightest camera screens difficult to see. The LUMIX TZ90 features a 0.2-inch 1,166k-dot Electronic Viewfinder which automatically turns on when you lift the camera to you...

My experience with the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 full-frame camera after 4 weeks in intensive use:

The Panasonic DC-S1 is just as good in my hand as the DC-S1R and delivers crisp and low-noise shots with incredible details with its 24.2 MB CMOS sensor, even when used in the low light range.
 
In combination with the native Panasonic S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OS lens stabilizer with the camera's internal 5-axis stabilizer, it is a real pleasure from any position and position to take pictures or record video in 4K at 50/60 fps. Exactly my thing. And then there is also the new function for time-lapse recordings, in which the function "exposure optimization" controls nothing other than a perfect Holy Grail, time-lapse from day to night soie time lapse from night to day.

Bird Photography and Video records with the attached Sigma MC 21 Converter for Canon Mount lenses and the Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 DG OS Contemporary works also very nice. The Autofocus AF-S is very fast and also works for more distant objects. In addition, the selection of automated focus fields from edem single point to 255 focal points up to hiin for eye recognition as well as animal recognition is perfect aids. And there's so much more. Coming soon with more details....