What you need
Three things, and two of them are free: a LUMIX camera with Real Time LUT, a look (a .cube file), and either the free LUMIX Lab app or an SD card to load it. If you are not sure your camera qualifies, here are the popular ones with a dedicated guide:
01Pick your first look
This is the fun part and the only creative decision. Each look below is a different film feel, shown with a real before and after shot in-camera. If you are not sure, start warm and forgiving.
Everyday 400 is our Kodak Portra 400-style look: warm, soft, flattering on skin and kind to almost any scene. It is the safest, most useful place to begin, and you can add punchier or more stylised looks once you know your taste.
Everyday 400
$9 · start here
Amber 200
$9
North Light
$9
Vintage Summer
$9
Vibrance
$9
Porcelain
$902Load it onto your camera
Loading a .cube takes about a minute, two ways. Wireless with the free LUMIX Lab app: add the LUT to your library, pair the camera, and tap Transfer to Camera. Or from an SD card: copy the .cube over and load it in the Real Time LUT settings. Step-by-step, with photos, is in the install guide.
03Press the LUT button and shoot
Select your look, and every JPEG now comes out already graded. Two small tips that make it feel more like film: set the LUT opacity to around 80 to 90 percent rather than a full 100 for a gentler result, and if your camera has a Grain Effect, a Low setting adds a natural texture. That is the whole workflow. No import, no export, no editing.
Free or paid, as a beginner?
Start free. The official LUMIX Lab app has around 200 creator LUTs at no cost, and it is the best way to learn what looks you gravitate toward. A paid look earns its place when you want one specific, consistent film stock with real before and after proof, tuned to LUMIX colour science, rather than hunting through a big free list. For the honest full picture, see our roundup of the best LUMIX LUTs in 2026, or if you would rather dial a look by hand, the free LUMIX recipes guide.
Ready to pick a look?
Six film looks, each shown with a real before and after shot in-camera on a LUMIX. From $9, yours forever.
Beginner FAQ
Do I need to edit photos when I use a LUMIX LUT?
No. A Real Time LUT applies the look in-camera as you shoot, so your JPEG comes out finished with no computer and no editing. Your RAW is saved untouched alongside it if you ever want to grade by hand later.
Which LUMIX LUT should a beginner start with?
Start with a warm, forgiving film look. A Kodak Portra 400-style look like Everyday 400 flatters skin and most scenes, which makes it the safest first choice. You can always add punchier or more stylised looks later.
Will a LUT work on my LUMIX camera?
If your LUMIX has Real Time LUT it will. That includes the S9, L10, S5II, S5IIX, S1II, S1RII, GH7 and G9II. Any .cube LUT loads on these bodies through the LUMIX Lab app or an SD card.
Should a beginner use free or paid LUTs?
Start with the free LUTs in the official LUMIX Lab app to learn what you like. A paid look is worth it once you want a specific, consistent film stock with real before and after proof, tuned to LUMIX colour.
How do I install a LUT on a LUMIX?
Two ways: transfer the .cube wirelessly with the free LUMIX Lab app, or copy it to an SD card and load it in the Real Time LUT settings. Then press the LUT button and shoot. Full steps are in the install guide.