Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

Category: Serious, Advanced

Type: Compact Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera

Successor to the GX1. After watching other competitors claim the throne to the compact mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, Panasonic has finally decided to make a claim itself with the Lumix DMC-GX7. From a new image sensor that promises higher resolution and higher sensitivity to a tiltable high resolution EVF, the GX7 seems to tick off all the wants of the enthusiast photographers.

Inside the magnesium alloy full diecast frame, there is a new 16MP Digital Live MOS Sensor which, paired with the Venus Engine’s advanced noise reduction, achieves max. ISO25600. The built-in EVF (Panasonic calls it the LVF – Live Viewfinder) features a high 2764K-dot equiv. resolution. It is also tiltable by 90° upward. (An optional Eyecup DMW-EC1 is avauilable for a more comfortable fit for both the naked eye and glasses.)

A new high-speed Light Speed AF allows fast focus tracking of moving subjects. Low Light AF allows the camera to lock focus in -4EV lower lit situations (e.g. under a starry sky). Focus Peaking with color choice (blue, white, orange) is available to help in Manual Focus.

A new for Panasonic is the in-camera Sensor-shift Image Stabilization that will now allow lenses without optical I.S. to gain an image stabilization advantage. When an optically image stabilized lens is mounted, the sensor-shift IS is disabled.

Movie recording is full HD 1920 x 1080, 60p (60 Hz) / 50p (50 Hz) for smooth, high quality video recording in AVCHD Progressive and MP4 with stereo sound. Full-time Tracking AF is available in video recording. You can manually set aperture and shutter speed by using PASM modes during video recording.

Burst shooting is at 5 fps at full in 16MP resolution (4.3 fps when AF Tracking enabled). Use the electronic shutter and a max. 40 fps is achieved. Maximum shutter speed is 1/8000 sec.

The LCD is 3.0-inch with 1040k-dot resolution. It is touchscreen and tilts up by 80° and down by 45°. Touch AF in video recording lets you enjoy professional-like rack focusing. The Touch AE (Auto Exposure) function lets you set the appropriate exposure by simply tapping the subject displayed on the monitor. Even when you are peering through the LVF, the Touch Pad function keeps the monitor functioning so you can still perform touchscreen functions.

Twin control dials control exposure setting. One is around the Shutter Release button and a second one on the back. Major controls, such as the aperture, shutter speed and exposure compensation settings, can be quickly adjusted with the front and rear dials.

The GX7 has a built-in flash has a light intensity that is equivalent to GN5.0 (ISO100), GN7.0 (ISO200), and you can adjust the intensity within a range of ±EV 3 in 1/3 EV steps. It can be synchronized with max.1/320 second shutter speed (max.1/250 second for External Flash).

Four function buttons and five Menu tabs allow you to customize the camera to the way you prefer shooting. Time Lapse allows you to record a series of consequent images at a set time interval that can then be recombined to produce a time lapse video. Stop Motion Animation enables producing a stop motion (stop frame) video in camera with the pictures that are sequentially shot while moving the object by degrees. There are 22 filters available for creative photography. Multiple Exposure lets you take up to four exposures in a single frame and Clear Retouch erases unwanted objects or figures in an image by just tracing over them on the monitor with a fingertip.

The GX7 features built-in Wi-Fi with NFC (Near Field Communication) to allow easy picture sharing and instant photo transfer (the picture is transferred to designated electronic device right after shooting) with a smartphone or tablet. To connect the camera with the smartphone or tablet, just bring them near each other. The free Panasonic Image App allows you to instantly upload and share your images on an SNS (Social Networking Service).

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 is compact, elegant and targets the enthusiasts who desire a configurable and compact high quality interchangeable lens camera with DSLR-level image quality and performance without the bulk and weight associated with a traditional mirrored DSLR.

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