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Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 Review

July 2015 | By Richard Butler and Samuel Spencer

Buy on Amazon.com From $597.99

The Panasonic G7 is a direct descendant of the first ever mirrorless camera. Yet, despite this, the last thing it's trying to be is a mirrorless camera. Instead it's trying to be a non-specific interchangeable lens camera: a camera where you don't have to think about whether it has a mirror or not.

As a result it looks like a miniature DSLR and includes all the control points you'd expect. In fact it includes all the control points you'd expect from a mid-range DSLR, including twin control dials as well as plenty of buttons and switches. However, because it is a mirrorless camera, it is able to make good use of its fully articulated, touch-sensitive screen.

The specifications are pretty solid, too. 16MP isn't exactly cutting-edge at this point but 4K (UHD) video remains something of a rarity (at the time of writing), especially if you factor-in the fact that the G7 also offers focus peaking and zebra highlight warnings - two of the key tools necessary for shooting useable video that are often absent from its peers.

The G7 also tries to turn its video capability into a plus for people with no intention of shooting video: the latest iteration of Panasonic's '4K Photo' mode includes the option to constantly record 1 sec chunks of video that are written to the memory card the moment you hit the shutter button. This means that you still shoot to 'get the moment' but you're much more likely to be successful.

Camera specification highlights

16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor
4K (UHD) video at up to 100Mbps, 30p/25p + 24p
4K Photo mode with 'Pre-Burst' mode
Fully-articulated touch screen
Wi-Fi for remote shooting and image transfer

The design of the G7 suggests Panasonic is hoping to attract would-be DSLR buyers, but the level of direct control also makes it competitive with the likes of Sony's a6000 (which also offers a built-in viewfinder and reasonable degree of direct control), Olympus's E-M10 or Fujifilm's X-T10. This means it represents something of a bargain for users who want this additional control but risks intimidating the first-time ILC shooter.

The Panasonic isn't, perhaps, the prettiest option in this company, but is the best specified if video and stills are taken into account. It's also one of the smallest of these cameras - especially if you consider the size of lenses that you might attach.

Specs comparison

	Panasonic G7	Canon T6i	Olympus E-M10	Sony a6000
Sensor resolution	16MP	24MP	16MP	24MP
Sensor size	17.3 x 13.0mm (Four Thirds)	22.3 x 14.9mm (APS-C)	17.3 x 13.0mm (Four Thirds)	23.5 x 15.6mm (APS-C)
Lens Mount	Micro Four Thirds	Canon EF/EF-S	Micro Four Thirds	Sony E
Stabilization	None	None	In-body	None
LCD size/resolution	3" 1.04m dot			3" 921k dot
LCD type	Fully articulating		Tilting
Touch sensitive?	Yes			No
Viewfinder resolution	2.36m dot equiv	Optical	1.44m dot
Viewfinder magnification	0.70x	0.49x	0.58x	0.70x
Max shutter speed	1/4000 sec (1/16000 electronic)	1/4000 sec
Max burst rate	7 fps	5 fps	8 fps	11 fps
Connectivity	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi w/NFC	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi w/NFC
Video capture max. resolution	3840 x 2160 (30p)	1920 x 1080 (30p)	1920 x 1080 (30p)	1920 x 1080 (60p)
Battery life (CIPA)	350	440	320	420
Dimensions	125 x 86 x 77mm	132 x 101 x 78mm	119 x 82 x 46mm	120 x 67 x 45mm
Weight	410 g	555 g	396 g	344 g

One thing that should be apparent from this table that, with the exception of the occasional distinguishing feature, the specifications are all pretty similar. They all offer Wi-Fi, builit-in viewfinders and movable rear screens. Those cameras that don't have built-in image stabilization tend to be sold with image stabilized lenses so that, as a package, they offer similar capabilities.

The majority of these cameras have APS-C sensors, which are around 60% larger than the one in the Panasonic or Olympus, would you'd expect to give them around a 2/3EV noise advantage but also allows the Panasonic and its lenses to be significantly smaller, for the same equivalent focal lengths.

Interestingly, the sole DSLR we've included here also has a similar battery life, which is unusual, and a significantly smaller viewfinder, which is the cost that is usually paid for choosing an optical viewfinder (especially at this price piont).

Two cameras not included here, for reasons of space are Nikon's D5500, which offers similar specifications again but with much greater battery life (820 shots) an a 0.52x optical viewfinder, and Samsung's NX500, which offers no viewfinder but can shoot 4K video from a small crop of its sensor and is said to offer around 400 shots per charge.

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.

We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X, Y, and Z and ideally A, B, and C.

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Comments

Total comments: 480

Leave it to the DPR to give a lukewarm review to a camera that equals, betters, and in many cases soundly crushes the competition feature and performance wise at this price range. GH4 level video performance at this price point, and this is the most enthusiasm they could muster? lol. If this were an Olympus 2012 style 1080p30 video performance, this would have been a gold award. But...

1 upvote

What is the sound quality like of video that is recorded? - I see tons of reviews and specs on cameras but no one ever comments about the audio quality - so is it full bandwidth or super compressed missing the bass like a lot of cameras do?

0 upvotes

Heres a video showing off the 4k pretty well
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33KwM-n3BLA

0 upvotes

Great product, i like Lumix DMC-G7

3 upvotes

I like this camera because it is unobtrusive, making it great for street photography. With it's confident grip and paired with a fast lens the G7 is ready for quick shooting under any condition save total blackout.

2 upvotes

I had one of these briefly and it was a lot of fun to shoot. It was full of extra features that you wouldnt expect for the price range like the, in camera post processing and removing of objects or peopel from you picture. Though if I remember correctly didnt allow you to edit while shooting in raw, that was kind of frustrating.
I sold it to a guy who does videos and he threw in a focal reducer and went to town with the 4k.

0 upvotes

What is the photo Naming convention for the G7? I have thousands of pictures from my G3, and I am curious if there will be any conflicts. Being that it's the same brand does the G7 use the same RAW/JPG naming convention as the older models? My G3 was up to _1080266/P1080266.

0 upvotes

I know with the Fuji cameras, if there are existing images on the card the camera will just pick up with the next number after that (for the file names). So it might be possible to tweak the Panasonic cameras in the same way to not interfere with your existing image library.

Comment edited 25 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

I want to refurbised lens for this camera .....any one suggest.

0 upvotes

Did the Sony A7 route, Lenses expensive and bulky (not all). Bought a G7 for 4K and touch screen. Love it, Going to sell Sony gear.

2 upvotes

Mirrorles world is dominated by Sony A7 series, so particulary MFT cameras looks as the toys now.
I do not see any reason to buy toys from this system - poor technical properties particulary in comparison to FF from Sony and high prices not only cameras but more important lens also are expensive and remember that F2,8 on MFT offers GO creating possibility as F5,6 on FF.

Panasonic makes great cameras butseriously limited with 4/3 sensor.

1 upvote

And I guess Apple is seriously limited by the sensor in the iphone. I mean even if it has an f/1.8 lens - what is that on FF - like F32? Come on - how can a photographer work without destroying backgrounds? It is unthinkable.

5 upvotes

If you like everything sharp on picture you can use iphone with F32 FE - why not?
This is a matter of choice with bigger sensor and fas lens you can blurr the bacground or foredround or object any way you wish but you do not have to it makes the difference.
Other technical aspects as resolution dynamic range are also not important limitations?
For me such camera calculated with lens I need (kit lens is not enough for me)and considering their prices is not attractive.
Is it for you? OK enyoy it.

1 upvote

@Chris62. It's ignorant !diots like you who always manage to make my day. ROTFLMAO.

Comment edited 27 seconds after posting

5 upvotes

Mirrorless world isn't dominated by Sony let alone the A7 series. Sony's is selling more APS-C E-mount than A7 series. And they decides to drop APS-C.... Market share numbers from Japan also point out that the total Sony market share (29.2%) in mirrorless is smaller than m4/3 (37,5%) (Sony and Panasonic are going down and Olympus is going up).

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 6 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Market share numbers....did I say about it?
Hello,wake up! look to the picture quality, comapre results and prices. IMO Sony A7 line wins.

1 upvote

Domination means market share. Otherwise Pentax Q would dominate (in size) Nikon 1 would dominate (in speed) m4/3 would dominate (in lenses) Fuji would dominate (in manual control) and Sony would dominate (in sensor size and crappy lenses).

Fact: A7 line has the biggest sensor.
Fact: A7 line is a niche product.

0 upvotes

This way we can have conclusion that smartphones dominated photo marked and all cameras are niche products...
I do not want play with marketing and numer of sales, who sad that everybode needs a camera?
I prefer compare technical properties.
and to find compromise between as good as possible camera technical properties and price.
This is equipment for people who know what they need and why.

1 upvote

Yes, because smartphones are MILC's. You started with a nice trolling attempt but now you go to a pathetic level.

0 upvotes

When I write enthusiastic comment to this Pansonic than it will not be a trolling - yes?
For marketing guys every negative comment is a reason to attack its author.
I started with technical comaprison to competition and GX7 properties and you say about market share, someone else called me an idiot - Is there any sense of such discussion?
For me not, Thank you.

1 upvote

It depends on your enthusiastic comment. You are playing stupid, has nothing to do with who you are, but with what you write. And you write trollish under this article. Blame yourself for that.

0 upvotes

Looks quite nice actually, the specs are good too. But there isn't an extensive comment on it's performance here.

0 upvotes

Just what the world needs, another fugly retro-styled camera. I much preferred Panasonic's modern styling to Olympus' retro. Meh!

0 upvotes

there is nothing retro on this camera. It even looks like a mini DSLR

3 upvotes

Gotta agree with Temporel here. The OMD line has retro styling. This G model looks quite unique especially with its boxy flash housing. The previous G series had quite a
"curvy" Canon/Nikon DSLR look to it.

0 upvotes

Should I be concerned with the OIS of a G7? I have a hand tremor and have been doing well with the FZ1000.
Thanks, Dave

0 upvotes

I'll start by saying I am an Olympus E-M1 owner. In your cons, you mention that "Continuous AF performance not as good with Olympus lenses". If you are saying that the G7 focuses better with Olympus lenses than with Panasonic, I would just say that in my experience that is truly lens dependent.

However, if you are saying that Olympus cameras have better autofocus, I will call the police because you must be under the influence of controlled substances. As much as I love my E-M1, the G7 has a much better autofocus system. It is faster, accurate and it tends to focuses on the right subject in all points focus. I can't say the same for my E-M1, which often times tends to inexplicably focus on the background. Let's not forget the low light focus speed and lock of the G7. Using them both side by side, you can tell that the G7 is considerably faster to lock focus. Lastly, the E-M1's Continuous focus is truly unusable. The G7's actually works and will track moving subjects.

Comment edited 38 seconds after posting

3 upvotes

The "Conclusions" in the review is very good, but left out the potential purchaser who already is into MFT and has lenses. Compared to the GHx cameras and GXx cameras, at this price with these features and performance the G7 is very attractive indeed.

Noise at 6400 ISO (in the sample images) is bad, but it's equally bad in the GH3 and GX7.

0 upvotes

I have G6/GM1. Used the G7, for few hours, on a Panasonic supported workshop. Very impressed and, for me, the very big handling positive is the two control wheels: no pressing in action to go wrong and can be set to work just like the FZ50 e.g. in AP front wheel for EV compensation / back wheel for Aperture adjustment. Think of the G7 as a faster, better handling G6 with the added benefit of the 4K functionality.
I shall wait until the FZ330/300 production reviews/availability and rather than upgrade to G7 may well upgrade the FZ200 to the FZ330 for its weatherproofing and 4K functionality. Decisions, decisions, Thanks Panasonic for offering so much choice :-)

3 upvotes

This is not specific to the G7. I just have to write: Reviews should no longer say "USB 2.0 (480Mb/s)" because as we all know, USB 2's protocol - having to turn the bus around to acknowledge each packet - significantly reduces the throughput you can achieve. 480Mb/s divided by 10 should be 48MB/s but even the very best card readers can't get that, the good ones can get half of that. It is time for cameras to implement USB 3.0 at 5Gb/s because the protocol supports streaming and has bidirectional communication (no "turn the bus around"). It is a windowed protocol: during streaming it does not wait for an ack for each packet, the acks can be behind by "window size" number of packets. Anyone remember XModem? Good ideas never die, they come back about a million times faster.

3 upvotes

Why should review not state 480Mb/s that is the physical maximum of the interface, fact? How many interfaces reach their maximum in real life scenarios - virtually none? It sounded like you knew what you are talking about until you convert Mb to MB, 8 bits to each byte means 480 Mb/s = 60 MB/s, No? Can't say I'm expert on USB but surprised USB 2.0 has to ack each packet, as you say, that could really slow down unidirectional bandwidth - seems a fundamental limitation solved by many comms protocols many years ago. Is USB3.0 the answer, maybe/maybe not, wifi and NFC are becoming standard on cameras, I'm more inclined to think that those who are not professionals taking 1000's of photographer will sync over the air. For USB3.0, maybe video or sync of a large number of files, or alternatively why not remove the SD card, plug directly into a backup device which has an inbuilt card reader, avoid USB and run at the native transfer speed of the SD interface (which I'm also not expert on)?

0 upvotes

Why is this not offered as body only!

0 upvotes

My local Currys is offering this as body only. Sitting there forlornly cap off with its sensor soaking up the dust. You can see they are struggling to display mirrorless cameras which were an affordable option to the general public. For mirrorless they had 7 DSLR's well specified cameras which were Canon and Nikon and 3 mirrorless. The Sony 5100 and a Fuji, both more expensive than a few of the DSLR's and without EVF's and generally basic looking plus the G7 which was more expensive than all the other cameras but without a lens; with a lens it just would not have been competitively priced. I am sure there are reasons for the price but to the general public mirrorless must seem a lot of money for very little in return.

Comment edited 4 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Update: I called Panasonic's help line and got immediate, thorough and useful help. The wi-fi now works perfectly.

0 upvotes

I have he same problem. I bought this camera because (a) I had (and like) an earlier generation Lumix; and (b) I wanted the wi-fi connectivity. Trying to get the connnection has been difficult and, yes, the instructions in the full (PDF) manual are not helpful. Time for Panasonic to step up to the plate on this.

0 upvotes

From your phone ~ go to your wifi setting - then turn off the Smart network switch option... then you should be able to connect to your camera and your smart phone.

0 upvotes

Received five days ago. Il looks fine but it seems non possible to establish a wifi connection to my PS (Windows). The instruction are extremely poor, on internet there is no support. I am very disappointed becouse the wifi connection for me was very important. Years ago I got a Canon Powershot and in two minutes I coul transfer pictures from the camera to PC.

0 upvotes

I tested both my new G7 and my GX7 with three lenses, using an Edmund Scientific Company Lens Resolving Power chart. Cameras set for shutter priority, on a tripod (OIS turned off) cycled through all shutter speeds at 1/3 increments 1/25 through 1/250, fired using 2-second self-timer.

Consistently I get maybe a one-step improvement in line pairs per mm resolved, often a bit less, or roughly a 5-10% improvement in resolution, using electronic rather than mechanical shutter. BUT — this is pixel-peeping. I have to magnify image 200% to see this, toggle back and forth between electronic/mechanical and squint with eyes close to the 23” monitor. The difference is within the range of differences on one zoom lens tested at different focal lengths on the same camera, and less than what you often see between center and corner sharpness on most zoom lenses. IMO this “issue” is a tempest in a small teapot. Except perhaps for devotees of pixel-peeping, don’t lose sleep over this. I won’t.

4 upvotes

I'll add to this (ran out of characters) that the difference is NOT like camera shake, which shows as a blurring of high-contrast edges. In my tests comparing electronic vs mechanical shutter, there is NO blurring -- just a roughly one-step (on that chart) difference in LPPM resolved. Across the board, no blurring. As I said, well within the range of differences I see among the lenses I own, or within the zoom range of any of my zoom lenses when tested.

Lenses used in my tests reported above were the newer Lumix 14-140 zoom, the kit zoom from the G7, and the Olympus 45mm f:1.8. Same results, all three lenses (tested at about 45mm focal length in all three cases). Ditto on the GX7.

BTW the kit lens is, in my tests, not great. Corners often sharper than centre, but had very soft and poor centre results wide-open at 25mm. Even my 14-140, never mind my wonderful Lumix 12-35mm f:2.8, can outperform the kit lens. Buy the camera body only, unless you don't have other 14-42 options.

4 upvotes

The kit lens sample I had was not very good either, think it is luck of the draw with much variation possible.

0 upvotes

The sample lens used might be a bit soft- the sample images are worse then the Pan GM1 and Oly E-M10.......for a new generation of sensor this is a poor performance- I'm thinking the lens might be the issue here as the images are far too soft in the studio test comparison.

0 upvotes

Not a new generation of sensor and depends on shutter

0 upvotes

It seems because the shutter, There is a button to switch the comparison to electronic shutter (rather than mechanical) and the image becomes just as crisp as for Olympus.

0 upvotes

... separate post due to character limitation:

I 100% agree with reviewer's favourable comment on the grip and how the camera fits in the hand. I held a G7 in the store and was immediately struck by how much more comfortably it fit in my hand compared with my GX7, G6, and G5 and as far as I can remember my previous Lumixes (GF1, GH1, GH2). I'm really looking forward to the arrival of my G7 order and putting it through its paces on my own series of technical and field tests.

Not everyone's hands are the same, but FWIW to anyone else, the grip is perfect for me.

2 upvotes

Very helpful review. One comment, on the Auto ISO implementation. All six previous Lumix ILCs I've owned have the same implementation. Doesn't bother me at all. I'm awaiting delivery of my G7 order, but on my previous Lumixes Auto ISO seems AFAICT to limit the shutter automatically to roughly the reciprocal of the full-frame-equivalent focal length in use, so e.g. with the kit lens at 42mm (84mm full-frame-equivalent) I'd expect to see shutter limits of either 1/80 or 1/100 on the metadata when the Auto ISO has kicked in (subject to the limits of the lens aperture and maximum ISO available). That seems to hold true whether or not the lens OIS is turned on (or on my GX7 whether in-body IS is turned on for a non-OIS lens) so this is a safe implementation IMO though overly conservative when OIS or IS is switched on. Better safe than sorry IMO so I'm happy with this, and it's one less setting to fiddle with when you change lenses. So AFAIC if G7 Auto ISO is the same, it's a plus IMO

1 upvote

Would somebody be so kind to explain why fully electronic shutter adds supplementary image noise to the image? Does this mean that photos taken by electronic shutter are simply worse from the point of view of S/N ratio? Why can’t find anything on this subject on internet?

0 upvotes

There must be a reason why camera manufacturers stick to the mechanical shutter even though it adds complexity, vibrations and cost. I am not 100% sure why the noise increases with the electronic shutter but thinking back to the days I was working on computerized tomography I can imagine that before a read out there are all kind of calibration readouts which are done in darkness to reduce some of inherent bias which is specific for each photocell. Now without the mechanical shutter this is not as easy to do. In a CT machine this is done by closing the shutter of the Roentgen radiation source. It was important do this right before the scan (photography in CT parlance) because this bias is changing in time and is depending of temperature and many more black magic things. A physicist can explain this better I am only an engineer.

Comment edited 48 seconds after posting

1 upvote

like this one!

1 upvote

So I'm going to be annoying for a second...
My understanding of how to properly use a camera is zero. Thanks to you guys I will be learning on the G7... I am buying this primarily 4 the video functions, the versatility of the MFT mount, and the clean HDMI output. The 4k burst mode looks hella fun and I can't wait to try it. When I learn what the hell I am doing that is. (LOL) I think this camera is a great bargain 4 the money. I just wanted to say thank you to ALL you guys. I have found this website, it's staff, the reviewers, the commentators, everyone here...so helpful. I even appreciate the douche nozzles on here that complain about every-little-f***ing-thing, because, I even learn something from all their b**ching! You guys are the best and an incredible resource for someone trying to learn. I really appreciate all of you. So from someone that doesn't know s**t about photography or videography.. THANKS GUYS .. ur AWESOME!!! Special ty 2 Richard Butler 4 the review! End of gush..lol

2 upvotes

how do u tag a member? I don't know the symbol to put in front of their names...annoying

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 2 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Hi Richard- Everyone of us had to learn just like yourself and I own a GF1,G1,G2 and own the Fugi S5 Pro and Canon 5DMkII the later two weigh a ton, you can take a picture with the G1 or G2 and blow it up to 20X24" and see so much sharp detail it can scare you and in the 400ISO range you won't see what we use to call grain in the film days. I shoot at 1250 for air shows and natural light inside and get outstanding results. For me the G series Panasonic's gives more for less than any camera I have ever owned and you can carry them all day and not tire. Good Luck and enjoy your new venture.

1 upvote

Dissapointed camera - not much better than G5/G6 - next year will be far behind the competition.

1 upvote

I just used the compare mode above, tried the Fz1000 against the G7 and astonishingly, it shows the FZ1000 `beats` the G7 in nearly every respect, even pic quality, except ya cant change lenses on the FZ1000 (obviously)

3 upvotes

@XVOYAGERX: Apples and Oranges. The viewfinder on the G7 is a lot larger, plus we are talking about different formats (mft vs cx) so depth of field is different. And interchangeable lenses are a big deal.

Comment edited 17 seconds after posting

3 upvotes

FZ1000 is a big plastic camera. It does a good job but man what a pig.

0 upvotes

I have an fz100 now and had the G7. The higher iso perfomance in the G7 is better. The FZ1000 takes remarkable good images but yes its a pig.

0 upvotes

nice cam dis

1 upvote

Yes it is.

1 upvote

" it's trying to be a non-specific interchangeable lens camera: a camera where you don't have to think about whether it has a mirror or not."

Can someone explain this point? When I shoot with a DSLR, I never bother to think about whether it has a mirror or not. When I shoot with mirrorless (or Sony SLT), I never bother think about whether it has a mirror or not.

The only time I have thought about mirror/mirrorless is for video: can't stand having to view through the screen when shooting video, so I prefer the mirrorless. But that was a one-time decision that took about 10 seconds of thought.

Is there any common shooting situation where one needs to think about whether it has a mirror or not?

3 upvotes

Tell that to the people arguing about whether Mirrorless or DSLRs are superior.

My point is that this camera tries to (and does a really good job of) offer all the advantages of mirrorless and all the capabilities of DSLR, so that it's irrelevant which technology it uses.

7 upvotes

RB,
Thanks for the clarification. The whole "which is better" conversation reminds me of all the endless "Ford vs. Chevy" prattle of 40-50 years ago. And it is just about as likely to reach a useful conclusion.

My personal issue with MFT has been the long-standing 16mp resolution, which really could have been increased without loss of IQ. And finally Panny has done it with the sensible 20mp GX8 which is now on my "to buy" list.

1 upvote

That is one ugly camera.

And yes, it does matter to me.

Those who have no eye for design have no business using cameras in the first place.

0 upvotes

look at this frakkin' hipster

13 upvotes

Looks OK-ish to me, and I hold several design awards, so maybe it's all in the eye...

Actually, I must agree that it's not as handsome as the G6!

1 upvote

If you've no eye for design you're a pedestrian photographer -- a boring amateur or professional, it doesn't matter, but you've no business imposing your dull images on the world.

Become a dentist or plumber instead.

2 upvotes

How did Ansel Adams and Matthew B. Brady, and Joe Rosenthal, and Annie Leibovitz and Diane Arbus and all the rest manage to get such great shots with such "ugly" cameras? No doubt your refined sensibility could have done so much better.
As if.
Your comments, Jake, manage to be both petty and silly at the same time.

11 upvotes

I am curious what camera's you think are attractive. I always thought Lumix camera's were very good looking camera's, I own a older FZ30 and I love the looks of it, along with the FZ-1000 and the GH4. I like the looks of Nikon and Canon's, but I will tell you that the Sony 7R full frame camera is quite ugly. I looks like someone from 1965 designed it, boxy, skinny and the grip looks like someone just stuck it on there with glue or something. My opinion, has nothing to do with how well the camera takes pictures but since you were talking about the looks of cameras, I just thought I would let you know what I think is a ugly camera.

2 upvotes

Oh kay ... so the only photos worth taking are pretty looking ones ??

0 upvotes

strange, I always thought panasonic made some of the ugliest cameras and this one is actually one of the better looking ones..

0 upvotes

sykkys: I agree with you! I like the angularity a lot. Hate the look of the GH4. Wish JakeB could tell me which camera design he prefers!

0 upvotes

I think the G7KS is quite attractive (to me), more so than the all black model, and to my taste both are better looking - more like my idea of a camera - than the G6. I don't think it's just coincidence that Panasonic tried that rounded top and then went right back to more conventional shape.

0 upvotes

I've been working my way through the new lumix cameras - LX100, G7 and now FZ1000. The LX100 is beautuful, G7 better in the flash, FZ1000 - a fat hippo but well proportioned. From a design perspective, and I find it very important to like the way my camera looks, the LX100 wins easily. But I returned it due to poor image quality with flesh tones and distance detail, and that long long extended lens.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 1 minute after posting

0 upvotes

Seems like constantly writing to, and erasing from, a flash card would shorten its life tremendously.

0 upvotes

Yes, from 1,000 years to maybe 100?

Comment edited 34 seconds after posting

4 upvotes

I'm a vampire so that matters to me.

7 upvotes

Quite possibly the funniest thread I have read in 10 years...

0 upvotes

Do not worry, Slarpy, you will likely trigger the flash by mistake and dissolve in the ensuing light long before the card expires.

3 upvotes

Mirrorless is a better choice for a vampire, particularly for selfies and family portraits

0 upvotes

I just bought G7. Autofocus performance in video mode is the same as GH2. (Very poor and not comparable to Sony A6000).

4 upvotes

Needs to be mentioned more. Bringing 4K to the masses not so good when most don't expect to be setting locked focus or pulling focus by necessity. Higher resolution and larger sensor makes focus with fluid, speedy accuracy much more critical as well.

It is slightly better than LX100, GH4, and older m4/3 models but only slightly and not close enough to competitors I feel. Panasonic should be dominating in this area since they are video centric.

The Canons, Samsungs, and Sony's are much better with video AF even with older lenses not optimized for videos.

3 upvotes

> Panasonic should be dominating in this area since they are video centric

Well, that might be even a draw-back: not willing to hurt the video camera business.

0 upvotes

dis one es nice cam

1 upvote

Really a great one with the best model description.Good clarity pictures with high sensitive adjustment.All the one who likes it.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 2 minutes after posting

1 upvote

I don't want undiscriminatingly positive reviews, but this camera receives demerits because it has TOO MANY controls; they may "intimidate upgraders (EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN SAFELY IGNORE MOST BUTTONS..." (emphasis added.) Hard to see the logic there. Is it a problem just because the camera is priced like an entry-level DSLR? Would increasing the price solve the scary-controls issue?

23 upvotes

DPR: please offer a response to karlchwe's post!

1 upvote

If G7 has an Recall down the road, how Panasonic handles it (as SN is off)?

Comment edited 11 seconds after posting

3 upvotes

I realize you wrote your question 2 months ago now, but I think it is now EXTREMELY unlikely that there will be a recall of the G7. One reason I think that is because I cannot remember any camera model that Panasonic has ever recalled. However, they have released firmware updates - on rare occasions.

0 upvotes

Strange, begrudging review... An example: One feature that G-class users love is the Q-menu, a button to instantly access your own secondary controls (the primary ones being assigned to the custom buttons). In Butler's convoluted logic, "I'm not sure the camera needs its (increasingly dated looking) Q.Menu, in the light of how many custom buttons are available (though the customizable version can at least be pared-back to only include the features you want access to)."

Richard, the whole point of the Q-Menu is to include only the secondary controls each user wants; and I don't see any references to "increasingly dated" features in DPR's breathless reviews of retro cameras like the Olympus, Fujifilm and Leica nostalgia models. The Q-menu is a sensible and practical innovation that has stood the test of time.

What I'd really like to see is how the G7 compares to its peers and predecessors in shutter-shock sensitivity.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 6 minutes after posting

23 upvotes

I agree. The lack of a touch screen Q Menu is what steered me away from the otherwise excellent LX100.

1 upvote

It's not the Q.Menu as such that I had the problem with. Generally I quite like it (though it could look a lot nicer/more distinctive if it were updated to reflect how much higher screen resolutions are than when it first appeared).

It's more that, after several weeks of shooting with the G7, I still couldn't find a way of setting it up that didn't leave me thinking 'maybe if I started all over again...' (and that's as someone who knows the Panasonic options pretty well).

The combination of hard Fn buttons, on-screen Fn buttons, Customizable Q.Menu and dial-repurposing button on the top dial, it's difficult to find a coherent way of setting it up that worked for all shooting situations. And that's worth highlighting in a camera in this class (I'd be more forgiving in a GX7, for instance). But this is a camera that I'd hand to people and they'd recoil from, based on the perceived complexity.

Comment edited 27 seconds after posting

2 upvotes

Thanks for your reasonable response Richard. I think it depends on what type of "people" the G7 is targeted at. As you know, the micro4/3 lenses are not cheap. In my opinion, the G7 is not targeted at the Canon Rebel shooter, let alone the point-&-shooter. Panasonic is trying to increase their market share among photographers who invest in an exchangeable-lens system, in addition to trying to lure Olympus micro4/3 shooters to switch; and for that type of shooter, a variety of ways of customizing the camera makes sense rather than being "perceived complexity".

Also, the Q-menu is an interesting concept in a different way. I am a G5 shooter, after being a G1 shooter. My personal Q-menu has evolved with my skills and shooting style. It is great to migrate to the next camera body, program it like the previous one ended, and keep on evolving with a minimal learning curve.

Comment edited 4 times, last edit 12 minutes after posting

2 upvotes

Chris Noble - I agree that it's potentially a boon to more experienced users. My concern was that, if judged on this basis, you suddenly bring the likes of the X-T10, a6000 and E-M10 into play, each of which has considerable appeal as stills cameras. The G7 isn't a stand-out stills camera in this company.

However, I tried to stress that its video capabilities are so strong that, if you have any significant interest in video, then this should overcome all those concerns. With any serious consideration of video, it is a stand out camera.

0 upvotes

Richard, duly noted. Thanks for your contributions to your readers' posts, we appreciate them! One final comment in my opinion and I will sign off: sensor quality has reached an asymptote. Ergonomics, customizability and lens lineup is where the competition now lies.

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

1 upvote

nice camera

0 upvotes

I can only take this severely nit-picking review to mean that cameras are getting so good that there is really nothing meaningful to complain about.

7 upvotes

True, but I'd rather read a nit-picking review than a glowing one. The internet (and dpR) is full of advertorial goading you to buy everything reviewed. It's refreshing to get some criticism. The readership can decide what's important to them.

4 upvotes

I think the same, most reviews should(not must) point out the weaknesses in the cameras, as the strong ones are already said in commercials or ads.

2 upvotes

under specs section it would also be nice to see a current price tab as well .

0 upvotes

Your ad blocker is probably blocking the tabs with 4 stores current prices listed.

1 upvote

Just a word of advice -- you owe it to yourself to actually use this camera -- and then draw your conclusions. This camera is phenomenal. Even as a stills only camera, this is one of the best handling and performing cameras I've experienced. Excellent controls and a well thought out touchscreen that adapt to you, not the other way around. The one thing that amazed me most it that there was almost no 'breaking in' period -- the G7 is almost immediately intuitive. An extension of not only the hand, but of the eye and mind. I enjoy shooting with the mirrorless cameras I have from Sony and Olympus -- but this is truly an incredible camera -- literally state of the art.

This camera is as elegant and exceptional as a Steinway Piano (even if you're not a pianist, play a note on a Steinway and you'll see what I mean...). Well done Panasonic.

11 upvotes

this paid add was brought to you by ....:P

2 upvotes

Rinkos, thanks for your reply. I'm just thankful for living in this era where the cameras we take for granted would have also seemed pretty amazing to photographers like Amsel Adams or Gordon Parks. Continue to develop your photographic knowledge and use whatever camera inspires you to make great images.

3 upvotes

I have got my hands on the G7 and the H-HS12035E 12 -35 lens. What a brilliant camera this is and I haven't touched my Nikon since getting it. A joy to use and so much less weight to lug. The Panasonic G7 Hands-On Field Test on youtube clinched it for me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJKRgMPk1BU
Knockout video too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65R3JSrYino

If you are in the UK it's a lot cheaper to get the lens from Amazon in Germany than locally.

Comment edited 56 seconds after posting

5 upvotes

Wow.. Well said!

1 upvote

Interesting review. Thank you, Richard and Samuel.

1 upvote

I wonder if there is enough improvement to swap out my G5 for this camera, if I don't care about 4K video.

2 upvotes

In same situation as you with my GH1. If I am going for it, it would be for the new feature of extracting stills from 4K video, which is a big thing. No more blinking in group photos, think about catching the exact moment... always. This seems to me a game changer.

0 upvotes

With the G1 I have taken pictures and blown them up to 20X24" and they are tack sharp at ISO 400 and show little to none grain and they do not weigh more than I do. From the GF1,G1 to the G2 they are all suburb cameras and crank out beautiful colors and detail, all for a price that does not hurt the wallet.

0 upvotes

@dpreview look up your last sentence on the introduction page ;)
"and Samsung's NX500, which offers has no viewfinder"

1 upvote

Argh. I probably need to be more decisive about how to phrase things.

0 upvotes

What a pig ugly camera. Looks like a Zenit product!

4 upvotes

Agree. wish it looked more like GH2.

0 upvotes

Agreed, but the retro-macho look is getting back in style...

More seriously, do you prefer a camera that looks good around your neck to one that makes your pictures look good and handles well to boot?

1 upvote

@ whitebread.

It's not either/or, Captain False Choice.

0 upvotes

Well Whitebeard I currently own a Fuji X-T1 which looks good, shoots and handles well in my opinion. It's a combination of all those things that makes the experience more engaging.

0 upvotes

Thanks for the review, which seems balanced and fair. Did you get a chance to plug an HDMI cable in to see if live view is available in shooting mode.

1 upvote

Cough, cough.....

1 upvote

good camera, i want hav one

0 upvotes

Great camera, I always wanna have one!

0 upvotes

Total comments: 480

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