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.
Offering true recording versatility, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 is a true hybrid mirrorless camera that blends 4K UHD video with advanced still capture and burst shooting capabilities. Revolving around a 16 MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds sensor and Venus Engine 9 image processor, the G7 features notable low-light sensitivity to ISO 25600, continuous shooting to 8 fps with single-shot AF, as well as a trio of 30 fps shooting rates based on the 4K UHD video recording. Complementing the fast burst shooting modes is an equally adept DFD autofocus system, which works to quicken focusing speeds and emphasize accurate subject tracking for consistently sharp imagery in fast-paced and trying working conditions. Rounding out the feature-set of the G7 is a contemporary body design accentuated by physical exposure control dials, six customizable function buttons, both a high-resolution EVF and 3.0" tilting touchscreen LCD, and built-in Wi-Fi for wireless sharing and remote camera control. Bridging the gap between stills and video, the Lumix DMC-G7 pairs these two high-resolution mediums with refined focusing and shooting controls for the utmost in shooting versatility.
| Brand | Panasonic | Model | DMC-G7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colour | Black | Body Type: | SLR-style mirrorless |
| Mega Pixel (MP): | 16 | Sensor Size (mm): | Auto, 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600 |
| White balance presets: | 5 | Custom white balance: | Yes (2) |
| Uncompressed format: | RAW | Auto Focus: | Continuous, Contrast Detect (sensor), Face Detection, Live View, Multi-area, Selective single-point, Single |
| Number of focus points: | 49 | Lens Mount: | Micro 4/3 Lens Mount |
| Focal length Multiplier (X): | 2 | Articulated LCD: | Fully articulated |
| Screen Size (''): | 3 | Screen Dots: | 1,040,000 |
| Screen Type: | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle | Viewfinder type: | Electronic |
| Viewfinder Coverage (%): | 100 | Viewfinder Maginfication (x): | 1.4 |
| Min. shutter speed (sec): | 60 | Max. shutter speed (sec): | 1/16000 |
| Shutter Priority: | Yes | External flash: | Yes (Hot-shoe) |
| Continuous drive: | 7.0 fps | Self-timer: | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) |
| Metering modes: | Center-weighted, Multi, Spot | Exposure compensation: | ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing: | ±3 (3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) | WB Bracketing: | Yes (3 frames in either blue/amber or magenta/green axis) |
| Format: | MPEG-4 | Microphone: | Stereo |
| Speaker: | Mono | Resolution: | 3840 x 2160 (30, 25, 24, 20fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) |
| Storage Types: | SD/SDHC/SDXC | USB: | Yes (Built in) |
| Battery Description: | Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery & charger | Battery Life (CIPA) (Mins): | 350 |
| Weight (incl. batteries) (g): | 410 | Dimensions: | 125 x 86 x 77 mm (4.92 x 3.39 x 3.03″) |
