Cover photo by Tsubasa Mfg
The 'Real-Time LUT (Look Up Table)' feature, newly integrated into the LUMIX S5II announced in January 2023, is an innovative technology that allows real-time color adjustment during photo shooting. Additionally, the LUMIX S9, released in June 2024, highlights the ease of using LUTs via smartphones.
In simple terms, 'Real-Time LUT' lets you pre-load your favorite presets into the camera, allowing you to see photos with the presets applied immediately after taking them. This enables anyone to easily capture photos with their preferred color tones and ambiance on the spot. This article explains what 'Real-Time LUT' is, the effects you can expect, and how to use it with LUMIX cameras.
What is Real-Time LUT? A Simple Explanation of Its Mechanism
'Real-Time LUT' is a technology that applies color adjustments to videos and photos on the spot. While traditional LUTs are typically applied during the post-editing stage, Real-Time LUTs, as the name suggests, can be applied in real-time during shooting.
Specifically, it instantly applies a pre-set color profile to the photo captured by the camera, allowing you to achieve nearly finished color tones at the time of shooting. This enables you to proceed with shooting while confirming the intended atmosphere or style, significantly reducing the time needed for color correction after shooting.
Expanding Creative Possibilities with Real-Time LUT
Using 'Real-Time LUT' greatly expands creative expression on the shooting site. For example, in portrait photography, you can adjust the look to match the scene, such as warm tones or cool hues, while checking it on-site. This allows immediate reflection of creative decisions on-site, saving time.
Moreover, using 'Real-Time LUT' enables you to share the finished image with clients or team members at the time of shooting, reducing the risk of post-shoot corrections or reshoots. Additionally, by using LUTs to unify colors across different cameras, you can maintain consistent color tones in projects involving multiple devices.
Using Real-Time LUT with LUMIX Cameras and Smartphone Applications
To utilize Real-Time LUT with LUMIX cameras, there are two methods: (A) Transfer LUT files directly from the smartphone app 'LUMIX Lab' or (B) Download LUT files from a PC.
(A) Inputting LUT Files Directly from the Smartphone App 'LUMIX Lab'
By using the smartphone app 'LUMIX Lab', you can easily transfer LUT files to the camera and even create your own LUTs. Here, we introduce how to transfer LUT files officially created by LUMIX to the camera.
- Download 'LUMIX Lab' (iOS / Android)
- Select the 'Download' tab and choose your favorite LUT from 'LUMIX LUT'
- Download the LUT
- Select the 'LUT' tab and choose the downloaded LUT
- Select 'Transfer to Camera'
(B) Downloading LUT Files from a PC
There is also a method to download LUT files from a PC and install them on the camera. In this case, you need to transfer the LUT file to an SD card first and then import it into the camera. For more details, please refer to the official LUMIX page.
