Live Science Verdict
The Panasonic Lumix GH7 is arguably the best Panasonic MFT television camera available , with lineament and functionality that make it a great choice for lensman and videographers likewise .
Excellent Image Stabilization
Compact and lightweight lenses
The Panasonic Lumix GH7 is adorned with direct access controls.
in the buff picture capture in - photographic camera
Undeniably expensive
Similar price to full - form
The rear vari-angle screen is extremely useful when shooting photos and videos.(Image credit: James Abbott)
Chunky and heavy design
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Type : MirrorlessSensor:25.2MP BSI CMOSLens mount : Micro Four ThirdsISO range:100 to 25,600Viewfinder : Electronic , 3.68 million dotsVideo capability:5.8 K 30 FPS 4:2:0 , C4K/4 K 60 FPS 4:2:2 , FHD 240 FPS 4:2:2Weight:1.77 pound / 805 gDimensions ( in):5.45 x 3.95 x 3.92Dimensions ( mm):138.4 x 100.3 x 99.6Memory batting order type:1x SD / SDHC / SDXC ( UHS - II ) , 1x CFexpress Type B
The cooling vents for the camera sit behind the LCD screen.(Image credit: James Abbott)
If you require to becharm a form of nature subjects , you will do good from a versatile television camera from a well - establish organization that offer a wide range of lenses . Micro Four Thirds ( MFT ) photographic camera are an selection worth consider here , because although the cameras themselves can be as expectant and sonorous as full - bod television camera , their lenses are importantly smaller and lighter .
The Panasonic Lumix GH7 is a flagship MFT camera that ’s packed with professional features , and is ultimately aimed at hybrid shooters – those who shoot photos and videos . But despite propose advanced feature of speech in both areas , it ’s also a camera that will suit the requirements of individuals who only burgeon forth picture or videos .
Video is a meaning part of what the GH7 has to provide , and includes inner recording up to 5.7 K 30 FPS ProRes 422 HQ and ProRes RAW HQ . It even has a establish - in cool scheme to stop the camera from overheating during video gaining control .
Despite the small sensor size, the GH7 offers a large and comfortable grip.(Image credit: James Abbott)
The camera feature a 25.2MP arse clear up ( BSI ) CMOS detector alongside first-class in - organic structure Image Stabilization , weather sealing and a intercrossed Phase Detection AF / Contrast AF system of rules for fast and precise autofocus .
The GH7 is an expensive television camera at $ 2,198 / £ 1,999 consistency - only , but it is a professional MFT camera with lineament and functionality aimed at sophisticated user . Lenses are , however , in many fount less expensive than full - frame alternatives , alongside being minuscule and lighter .
With impressive ISO handle it ’s one of thebest astrophotography photographic camera , and with impressive autofocus including animal detection it ’s also one of thebest wildlife picture taking camera .
The 200mm f/2.8 (400mm equivalent) balances well with the GH7.
Panasonic Lumix GH7: Design
The Panasonic Lumix GH7 is a surprisingly large and lumbering photographic camera considering the small Micro Four Thirds detector that the tv camera houses . This size and weight may seem strange , but on the other hand , the gravid intent does ameliorate biotechnology and helps to efficaciously equilibrize the photographic camera when using prominent telephotograph lens of the eye .
To give a small linguistic context , the GH7 assess 5.45 x 3.95 x 3.92 in / 138.4 x 100.3 x 99.6 millimeter and comes in at a heavy 1.77 lbs / 805 g , so it ’s slightly heavier than thePanasonic Lumix S5IIx . But when you consider that the Panasonic Leica DG Elmarit 200 mm f/2.8 POWER O.I.S lens with a 400 mm equivalent focal distance weighs only 43.92 oz / 1,245 g and is incredibly compact , the overall combination is belittled and lightweight compare to full - underframe equivalents .
The GH7 surely has n’t been plan with aesthetics in mind ; rather , the design is operative with lots of verbatim entree controls that help you to change the most commonly accessed mise en scene easily . This is always a welcome approach for both lensman and videographers , with the more advanced feature and preferences tucked away within the menu system of rules .
Aperture f/4, shutter speed 1/800 sec, ISO 2500. Shot handheld with a GH7 and a 200mm f/2.8 lens with a 1.4x teleconverter.(Image credit: James Abbott)
The GH7 has an intimate cooling system that sits behind the 3.0 inch , 1.84 - million - dot vari - angle touchscreen and is designed to avoid overheat when shoot Raw video recording . There ’s also a full - size of it HDMI port , a earphone jackass , a microphone jack and a USB - hundred port . Wireless connectivity includes Wi - Fi and Bluetooth , while for photo and video recording memory board , there ’s one SD / SDHC / SDXC ( UHS - II ) slot and a faster CFexpress Type B slot .
Panasonic Lumix GH7: Functionality
We ’ve already covered some of the GH7 ’s television functionality , but expanding this further , video can be captured at 5.8 K 30 FPS 4:2:0 , C4K/4 K 60 FPS 4:2:2 and FHD 240 FPS 4:2:2 , with in - tv camera ProRes 422 HQ and ProRes RAW HQ gaining control available . picture can also be captured in stock colouration profile for straight - out - of - camera footage that does n’t require processing or color leveling , which can be idealistic for enthusiasts .
There are also many other professional television features useable , include 32 - bit float data formatting recording for more forward-looking sound capture , although for this the optional Lumix XLR Microphone Adaptor DMW - XLR2 is call for . Then there ’s the Dynamic Range Boost function . With pic , this capture improve shadow detail , while for video it enable 13 + -stop V - Log / V - Gamut recording . This could be useful when capturing photos or videos of wildlife in high-pitched - contrast situations .
LUTs ( lookup tables ) can also be applied to telecasting in - camera to give you an approximation of how flat and Raw footage might face once processed . you may also pair the camera with the LUMIX Lab app , with basic fitting available including apply LUTs , and canonic editing to make contentedness partake in online quick and well-heeled . Files are transferred using an ultra - fast Wi - Fi connexion .
Aperture f/1.7, shutter speed 13secs, ISO 800. Shot with a GH7 and a 15mm f/1.7 lens on a Three Legged Thing PUNKS Brian 2.0 tripod.(Image credit: James Abbott)
This is a television camera that ’s build for high performance , and the intercrossed Phase Detection AF / Contrast AF organisation provides fast , exact autofocus with an impressive 779 AF point . AF also include capable detection , which works well and was tested with the Animals option selected , for accurate focusing when fritter away birds and squirrels .
The GH7 ’s electronic viewfinder ( EVF ) provides a resolution of 3.68 million dot for a clear trope , with a video display pep pill of 120 FPS or 60 FPS . When it comes to shooting speed , you have to flip-flop to the electronic shutter for continuous shot hurrying of up to 75 FPS , while the mechanical shutter provides up to 14 FPS . The latter is more than enough in most spot , but having quicker uninterrupted shooting available could still be utilitarian .
For handheld shot , the GH7 provide up to 7.5 stops of highly effective in - dead body Image Stabilization that work with all lenses . This can be further enhance when using lenses with visual Image Stabilization , where you’re able to use both types of stabilisation together . The effective amount remains at 7.5 stops , however , rather than increasing as you might await .
Aperture f/2.8, shutter speed 1/100sec, ISO 100. Shot with a GH7 and a 200mm f/2.8 lens on a Three Legged Thing PUNKS Brian 2.0 tripod.(Image credit: James Abbott)
Panasonic Lumix GH7: Performance
Micro Four Thirds detector are smaller than full - frame and APS - C , but that does n’t mean they ’re not packed with features . The GH7 lark a 25.2MP arse illuminated ( BSI ) CMOS sensor , mate with the Venus processing engine for performance and high ISO haphazardness treatment . Traditionally , MFT sensor were n’t great at higher ISO configurations , and full - frame was antecedently the better selection for low - light photography .
They ’re still not quite as good as enceinte sensors with a alike solvent , but do n’t let that put you off because the GH7 is a capable performer when shooting at eminent ISO levels . The aboriginal ISO range of the television camera is narrow than many tv camera these days at 100 to 25,600 , but in reality , this is more than enough for most people and covers many place .
During examination , while shoot wildlife with the 200 mm f/2.8 electron lens , image call for at ISO 4000 look great with fine detail still seeable . When shooting the aurora borealis and landscape scene under the light of a full moon , only ISO 800 and 400 were expect , respectively , when the camera was pair with the 15 mm f/1.7 lens .
Aperture f/5.6, shutter speed 1/40sec, ISO 400. Shot handheld with a GH7 and a 15mm f/1.7 lens.(Image credit: James Abbott)
One thing to consider with MFT cameras is that the crop factor is 2x , so the 200 millimeter lens equate to 400 millimetre and the 15 mm to 30 mm . This in part help to keep the size of it and weight of Lens low , and the increased depth of field MFT produces compare to full - skeleton cameras is useful when shooting night sky photography .
This is because both foreground component and the stars can be conquer sharp and in focus , even when shooting at f/1.7 or wider . Overall , image character is telling for both photo and video capture and the GH7 is ideal for wildlife , nature , landscape painting and astrophotography .
Should you buy the Panasonic Lumix GH7?
Micro Four Thirds cameras , like any photographic camera system , are suitable for shooting most , if not all subjects . They ’re not the most obvious choice for Nox sky photography , because their smaller sensors have a greater pixel density and smaller pixels than with child sensors with a similar resolution , but the GH7 does perform well at high ISO level despite this .
What makes this camera specially utile for nature photography in the blanket sense are the features on offer , alongside the compact and lightweight nature of the lenses . The benefits of take a smaller , lighter frame-up overall when shooting on locating , peculiarly when puzzle out with longer telephoto lens , ca n’t be command .
If the Panasonic Lumix GH7 isn’t for you
ThePanasonic Lumix S5IIxis a full - frame Lumix camera feature a 24.2MP CMOS sensor . It ’s slightly light and less expensive than the GH7 , but the lens are of course declamatory and heavier .
If you ’d like an substitute MFT tv camera with professional credentials , theOM System OM-1is another intercrossed powerhouse . It can employ Panasonic as well as OM System lenses and is less expensive than the GH7 .
TheSony A7 IVis another hybrid fireball packing in a 33MP full - skeleton BSI CMOS sensor . The video spec are n’t quite on equivalence with the GH7 , but for nature photography , it ’s deserving considering .
Aperture f/4, shutter speed 1/1000sec, ISO 2500. Shot handheld with a GH7 and a 200mm f/2.8 lens with a 1.4x teleconverter.(Image credit: James Abbott)
