The short answer
Use .cube. It is the universal LUT standard, it loads at higher resolution in-camera, and the same file also works in Resolve, Premiere, Final Cut and Lightroom. .vlt is Panasonic's older, proprietary format, it still loads on a LUMIX, but there is no reason to prefer it for photography.
What a .cube file is
A .cube is the open, industry-standard LUT format, the same one used across professional colour software. On a LUMIX it loads as a 33-point look, which means smoother gradients in skies and skin, and because it is universal, the exact file you shoot with in-camera also grades your RAW footage in an editor. Every LumiLUTs look is a .cube, and the LUMIX Lab app exports .cube too.
What a .vlt file is
.vlt is Panasonic's own LUT format, dating from the VariCam and V-Log era. It is limited to 17 points of resolution and only works on Panasonic hardware. Your LUMIX will happily read a .vlt, but the format carries less colour detail and locks you out of standard editing software.
Does the resolution difference matter?
For photography, yes, a little. A 33-point .cube describes the colour transform on a finer grid than a 17-point .vlt, so gradients (a clear sky, a soft skin roll-off) render more smoothly with fewer steps. It is not night and day, but when both formats are available there is no upside to choosing the lower-resolution one.
| Feature | .cube | .vlt |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Industry standard | Panasonic proprietary |
| In-camera resolution | 33-point | 17-point |
| Works in editors | Yes | No |
| Best for photography | Recommended | Not ideal |
How to load either on a LUMIX
Both formats go in the same place: the camera's LUT Library, via an SD card or the LUMIX Lab app. Your camera can hold a library of LUTs (up to 39 on recent bodies) in either format. If you are choosing what to buy or download, pick .cube.
See the looks, all .cube
Browse the looks.cube vs .vlt FAQ
Should I use .cube or .vlt on my LUMIX?
Use .cube. It is the universal standard, loads at a higher 33-point resolution in-camera for smoother gradients, and the same file also works in editors like DaVinci Resolve and Lightroom. .vlt is Panasonic's older 17-point format; it works, but there is no advantage to it for photography.
What is a .vlt file?
A .vlt is Panasonic's proprietary LUT format from the VariCam and V-Log era. It is limited to 17-point resolution and only works on Panasonic cameras and software, unlike the universal .cube format.
Can a LUMIX read .cube files?
Yes. Every LUMIX with Real Time LUT reads .cube files, and .cube is the recommended format. You load them into the LUT Library via SD card or the LUMIX Lab app.
Do LumiLUTs come as .cube or .vlt?
Every LumiLUTs look is delivered as a .cube file, so it loads at full 33-point quality on your LUMIX and also works in Resolve, Premiere, Final Cut and Lightroom.