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What is Open Gate Video Recording

If you’re interested in content creation you may have heard the term ‘Open Gate video recording’ crop up more frequently. Open gate video is a feature found in a growing number of mirrorless cameras and cinema cameras, which gives creators more freedom over how they frame and crop video footage.

Unlike traditional formats that use a cropped section of the camera sensor such as a 16:9 aspect ratio, open gate video recording uses the full height and width of the entire sensor.

This is incredibly useful and means that you can capture more image data in a single take, which can then be used across multiple formats for YouTube, Instagram Reels, TikTok and other applications including formats for clients.

With this level of flexibility when framing, it’s no wonder Open Gate recording is becoming a sought after feature for creators who want to save time when creating content, without needing to reshoot footage.

So if you’re wondering what is open gate video recording, and why you need it, join us as we explore which cameras support the feature, what accessories are useful and how you can benefit from adopting it.
Understanding Open Gate Video

In traditional video recording most cameras shoot a standard 16:9 aspect ratio, using only a portion of the sensor. Open Gate video changes that by using the full sensor area across the full width and height. This captures everything which the sensor can see, producing footage in a taller aspect ratio (like 3:2 or 4:3) depending on the sensor's native shape. The key benefit is flexibility, and since more of the scene is captured, you can crop footage for landscape, portrait, square or any other format during post-production.

For creators, this is huge. You can film once and repurpose that content across multiple platforms, without compromising on quality in the slightest. Because you're using the full sensor area, the resolution is often higher too, resulting in sharp details and more editing freedom. Some cameras even allow Open Gate to be used at high bitrates or resolutions, such as 5.7K or 6.2K. Whether you're reframing for YouTube or Instagram, or any other platform, Open Gate gives you that extra headroom for creative results.

Recording with the full sensor area is especially helpful for multicam or documentary shoots where capturing everything in one take is beneficial. Rather than worrying about which orientation or crop to shoot in, Open Gate lets you shoot once and decide later, which is perfect for interviews, documentary and many other situations.

Why is Open Gate Useful for Content Creators?

One of the biggest strengths of Open Gate recording is how much time it saves content creators. If you're producing content for multiple channels such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and others, you’re likely dealing with several different video aspect ratios, such as 16:9 for YouTube, 9:16 for Instagram Reels or Stories, and 1:1 for other social channels.

Rather than filming the same scene multiple times in different orientations, Open Gate lets you film once and crop after. You get more freedom and less hassle on location, which is why it’s ideal for creators who want to maximise their output.

For example you could:

• Shoot one 6.2K Open Gate video and export it as 4K horizontal (YouTube), vertical (Instagram Reels), and square (TikTok) clips
• Add reframes, pans or zooms in post without degrading quality
• Maintain consistent lighting and quality without needing multiple takes

This is especially helpful for solo creators who don’t have a crew to reframe, relight or reshoot scenes. If you're an on-the-go vlogger, travel filmmaker, or small business content creator, this workflow can seriously improve your efficiency and consistency.

Thanks to Open Gate video, you can change aspect ratio without needing different cameras or angles. The ability to adapt your aspect ratio for YouTube or Instagram from a single source helps streamline post-production and keeps content looking consistent across platforms too.

Cameras That Support Open Gate Video Recording

Several cameras on the market now support open gate recording, offering creators more flexibility when it comes to framing and post-production. Unlike traditional video modes, open gate uses the entire sensor area—both horizontally and vertically—resulting in taller footage and more resolution to work with. Below are some of the notable cameras currently offering this functionality:

• Panasonic Lumix GH7 – The GH7 supports 5.8K open gate recording and offers internal ProRes and RAW recording options, providing excellent flexibility for post-production workflows.
• Panasonic Lumix S5 II X – Offers 6.2K open gate video with support for external SSD recording, ideal for longer shoots or when capturing high-bitrate footage.
• Panasonic Lumix S9 – Compact and creator-focused, the S9 brings open gate functionality to a smaller form factor, making it easier to capture content in multiple formats from a single clip.
• Panasonic Lumix G9 II – Features 5.7K open gate video recording, allowing users to reframe for different platforms without quality loss.
• Panasonic Lumix S1R II – The latest Lumix camera at the time of writing offers impressive 6.4K Open Gate video, which is high resolution for any aspect ratio. You can also capture ProRes RAW internal recording and enjoy a huge dynamic range of around 14 stops.
• Fujifilm X-S20 – This hybrid mirrorless camera includes 6.2K open gate recording and is well-suited for vloggers and content creators looking for more flexibility.
• Fujifilm X-H2S – With a stacked sensor design and internal 6.2K open gate video, this camera is aimed at serious video creators who require high performance and resolution.
• Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K – Delivers 6K full-frame open gate recording in Blackmagic RAW and ProRes formats, supporting professional-grade workflow and image quality.
• Leica SL3-S – The Leica SL3S is a video-powerhouse, with not only 6K open gate recording, but also 4K 60 fps internal, and RAW recording over HDMI.

Video Accessories That Help You Get More From Open Gate

Shooting in Open Gate format gives creators more data and subsequently more flexibility, but to truly maximise this potential a few key accessories can go a long way. Whether you're shooting in landscape, portrait or cropping for social media, having the right tools helps keep your workflow smooth and your footage sharp.

Stability is crucial when recording high-resolution video, and using a video tripod can deliver extremely smooth shots across a variety of orientations. Two notable options include:

• The Manfrotto 055 Aluminium Video Tripod with 502 Fluid Video Head. This is robust, smooth when panning, and has enough height and payload to support heavier mirrorless cameras like the GH7 or Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K.
• The Benro KH26PC Video Tripod Kit at £200.00 this is an excellent option for hybrid creators on a budget, and this video tripod features a fluid head for professional pan and tilt movements, which is compact enough for creators on the move.

Lighting is another useful element, especially when shooting extended scenes as artificial lighting can help to keep your footage consistent. The Elinchrom LED 100 C LED Light Kit with Chargers provides consistent lighting across wide and tall formats, with adjustable colour temperature and brightness.

Want to learn more? We’ve created useful buying guides to help you find the right gear:

1. Best Equipment for TikTok Videos
2. How to Choose the Best Video Light

These any many other useful accessories can help you get the most from Open Gate video recording, ensuring your content looks polished no matter what platform or orientation you’re working towards.

Tips for Getting Started With Open Gate

If you’re exploring Open Gate recording for the first time, there are a few things to keep in mind to get the most out of it. First, it’s worth checking your camera’s video settings. Open Gate video recording may appear under names like ‘full sensor readout’ or ‘Open Gate mode’ depending on the brand. Panasonic cameras and Fujifilm mirrorless cameras make it easy to switch formats, but check the manual or online support for your specific model.

When framing your shots, remember that you’re capturing more vertical space than in a traditional 16:9 frame. It’s best to keep your subject closer to the centre of the frame so you can crop for vertical and square formats later without losing key elements. You could use an external video recorder to show frame markers, and many cameras offer this too. This feature places visual guides across your footage so you know where the edges of the frame are.

Editing can be just as straightforward as recording. Most video editing software allows you to create multiple aspect ratios from a single Open Gate file. Export clips in landscape (16:9), portrait (9:16), or square (1:1) or any others, depending on the broadcasting platform. 

Finally, don’t forget storage. Full sensor footage tends to be larger due to the increased resolution, so ensure you’re using fast, high-capacity memory cards or an SSD drive is even better when supported.

Open Gate video recording is becoming a must-have tool for today’s content creators and for good reason. It gives you more flexibility, saves time, and allows you to reframe and reuse footage across all your platforms without having to reshoot. Whether you’re editing for YouTube in 16:9, Instagram Reels in 9:16, or want to crop into a square for a thumbnail or TikTok teaser, Open Gate gives you more from every take.

As more mirrorless and cinema cameras introduce support for Open Gate, it’s a great time to explore whether your current setup already has it, or if it’s something to consider when upgrading.

If you're looking to get started with Open Gate or want to level up your video quality, check out our full range of mirrorless cameras, video tripods and external video recorders, or visit us in-store for more advice.

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By Nick Dautlich on 09/04/2025

Nick Dautlich

Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer

Nick Dautlich is the Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer at Park Cameras, with over 15 years of photography experience. A Sony Imaging Professional and expert reviewer, Nick has worked with major brands such as Canon, Sony and Nikon. His work is also featured on Vanguard World UK’s website, Capture Landscapes, and Shutter Evolve. Nick’s photography includes National Trust projects and magazine covers and he is passionate about landscapes and storytelling. Nick also enjoys hiking and teaching his children about nature. Learn more on his profile page.