Tony Northrup just floated a bold concept for what Panasonic could — or should — unveil in 2026.
Panasonic in 2026: The Brand That Could Rethink the Sensor Itself
His expectations for Panasonic in 2026 are less about specific camera models and more about a potential shift in philosophy. While Panasonic doesn’t dominate rumor headlines the way Sony or Canon do, he clearly sees them as one of the few companies positioned to make a genuinely interesting move — especially in how cameras handle video for a modern, social-media-driven world.
Open gate today, but still not enough
He acknowledges that Panasonic already does more than most brands to accommodate flexible video workflows. Features like open-gate recording allow creators to use the full sensor and later crop for vertical formats, which is something Sony largely ignores and Canon only partially addresses. However, he argues that open gate is still a compromise. Cropping a 3:2 or 16:9 sensor down to vertical wastes resolution and limits framing freedom.
In his view, Panasonic understands the problem — but hasn’t gone far enough yet.
The square-sensor idea: radical, but logical
His most interesting Panasonic prediction is the idea of a square sensor camera. Instead of treating vertical video as an afterthought, a square sensor would allow creators to capture horizontal and vertical content simultaneously without heavy cropping. For people shooting YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and client work at the same time, this would be a genuine workflow advantage rather than a marketing feature.
He points out that square sensors are not some futuristic fantasy. Medium-format film cameras have used square frames for decades. The only reason modern cameras abandoned them is tradition — not practicality. In a world where vertical video generates billions of views and dollars, sticking rigidly to horizontal-only sensor designs feels increasingly outdated.
Why Panasonic makes sense for this experiment
Panasonic, in his view, is one of the few brands that could realistically try something like this. They already cater heavily to video-first users, they’re willing to take design risks, and they don’t rely as much on legacy still-photography expectations. A square-sensor camera wouldn’t have to replace existing lines — it could exist alongside them as a tool for hybrid creators who care more about flexibility than tradition.
He doesn’t frame this as a guaranteed release, but rather as an opportunity. If Panasonic wants a clear differentiator in 2026, this is the kind of move that would immediately set them apart from Sony, Canon, and Nikon, all of whom remain deeply conservative in sensor shape and camera ergonomics.
Panasonic’s quiet advantage
Unlike some competitors, Panasonic already speaks the language of creators who live in both the horizontal and vertical worlds. They understand codecs, workflows, heat management, and real-world production needs. A sensor designed from the ground up for modern content creation would be a natural extension of that mindset, not a gimmick.
Safe evolution or bold experiment?
Ultimately, his Panasonic outlook sits at a crossroads. They can continue refining open-gate video and incremental improvements — or they can make a bold hardware decision that acknowledges how people actually shoot and consume content in 2026. If any traditional camera company is willing to challenge the assumption that sensors must be rectangular and horizontal-first, Panasonic feels like the most plausible candidate.
Do you think Panasonic should play it safe with open-gate refinements — or take the risk and redesign the sensor itself for the vertical era?