detailedReviews: detailedReviews 1: content: The G7 is one HECK of a nice camera!
EDITED 8/17/2015:I recently received a Panasonic G7 from Amazon, and I have already shot over 20,000 frames with it during the seven weeks I've had it (with many different lenses, and with mostly using the electronic shutter), plus a few video tests. Since I already own the Panasonic G5, and GH4 (and I also had the G6), and have shot over 125,000(!) photos with these MFT cameras, I was familiar with Panasonic cameras, and also with the menu settings changes I generally make to get what I want in the images. The G7 fits “neatly” between the very small and light G5/6 bodies and the considerably larger and heavier GH4 (although that one is still relatively compact compared with most dSLRs, and its MFT lenses are also generally very compact and light – and this gear is FUN to carry and use!). I value the GH4 for its excellent EVF, great grip (it is easy and secure to use one-handed), its excellent set of useful external controls, its wide range of useful options in its easily-used menus, the excellence of its stills-quality (with selected type and sample of lenses, and with customized menu settings), and its great video capabilities. I value the G5 for its sharp EVF (the one on the G6 has better color and contrast, but it is not as sharp), its miniscule size and weight, its very good external controls and menus, and the excellence of its stills and video (although the G5, unlike the G6, has no external mic input, and it is without focus-peaking).The G7 is a nice combination of the good qualities of both the G5/6 and the GH4, at a lower price in size, weight, and cost compared with the GH4 - although it is without weather-sealing and high data-rate and slow-motion 1080 video options (but it does have 100Mbps 4K-24/30P video plus “4K-Photo” options). The excellent EVF is similar to the one in the GH4, the grip is almost as good, the external controls (both buttons and knobs) are unusually numerous and useful, and the menus are similar to, and consistent with, those of the other models in the line. A few items have been added to what the G5 had: 4K-Photo/Video, the tone-curve adjustment shared with the GX7/8 and GH4 (I find this very useful!), “Diffraction Compensation” (I briefly tried this and decided to leave it “Off” – it progressively sharpens the image as the lens is stopped down to its smallest stops to offset the softening normally resulting from diffraction, but this can result in excessive noise even in good light - and this sharpening can be done better during editing), and an external mic input similar to the one on the G6 (but missing on the G5 and GX7). Using the G7's electronic shutter, leaving the EVF and camera always-on during shooting sessions, and using no flash, I get well over 600 JPG highest-quality frames per battery charge.As for color and other photo characteristics, I appreciate having the ability to adjust EVERYTHING on these Panasonic MFT cameras (color balance and saturation, contrast, color-curves, sharpening and noise-reduction levels, etc.) - and I also appreciate being able to match surprisingly well the EVF's characteristics with those of my reference computer monitor so that I get very useful and accurate previewing while using the EVF (with a floppy wide-brimmed hat worn while outdoors to shade the EVF). These cameras are a "tweaker's" (read, "perfectionist's"...;-) dream come true...!Overall, I have no real complaints with the G7, although a few things bothered me very slightly at first. As with the GH4, the rear “dial” (which on the G7 is a circle of buttons as with the G5, rather than a wheel as with the GH4) gets somewhat “hidden” below the rear surface of the camera toward the “dial’s” upper right – but this is to keep it from being unintentionally pressed/moved by the right hand gripping the camera. It took me a bit of time to remember the new way to access exposure bias adjustment (I generally use A-Priority, setting the aperture for best lens performance with each lens and/or for best DOF for what I want in the image – and I often adjust exposure-bias as I shoot, using the excellent EVF as a guide), and it required a button-push to access this on the G7 (the G5/6 and GH4 can be left with the rear thumb-wheel needing only to be moved in order to adjust exposure bias). But, I discovered that with going into "Dial Set" in the menus, I was able to enable exposure biasing with a simple turn of the rear wheel (no button press required!;-). Also, the image resolution is very slightly smaller than that of the other Panasonic cameras I've used, but this is of little practical consequence. And, as others have noticed, the G7's (and also my GH4's) serial number tends to "evaporate" - and with my G7, there is now no trace remaining of that number. Panasonic has recognized this issue, and if both the box label with the serial number and the purchase invoice are retained, and if the camera is registered with Panasonic, the warranty will be honored.Bottom line: this is one HECK of a nice camera, at a very decent price! Highly recommended! (A few photos taken with the G7 are attached...)--DR
marketplace: desertcart
source: desertcart.in
sourceLogo: https://i.flash.tech/a/rs:fill:300:400:0/g:sm/plain/s3://flash-creatives/images/merchants/desertcart.in
starRating: 4.5
title: Excellent all-around camera, great value
detailedReviews 2: content: Still a great camera in 2024
With prices of today's cameras so high, the G7 can be found for around $250 used and it is plenty of camera for most people. I highly recommend it.I've had the camera since 2017 and it is my only m43 camera. I use it with the 14-140ii, 9-18mm, 25mm/1.7 and 43/1.8 primes. It has been a great reliable camera through the years taken to hikes in the mountains, vacations and family gatherings - always delivering good pictures and videos.I think that the shutter shock issue was a little overblown. It has never been an issue for me even keeping the camera in mechanical only shutter. Not saying it does not exist but it is not something that had bothered me.I used the G7 to record my daughter's soccer games for a couple of years and it performed well there as well managing to keep up focus with the action. I used only FHD 60fps so cannot comment on the 4K video. The microphone port made a huge difference in recording good sound.The body is very light at only 400g which keeps the package easy to carry for extended periods of time. With the 14-140 lens the combo weights almost the same as my Sony A57 DSLR alone. The newer upgrades G85 and G95 have gotten bulkier and heavier. Adding image stabilization is probably the main reason for that. With the 14-140 having IOS and the prime lenses being fast I have not missed the in-body image stabilization of the newer models, hence never upgraded.The ergonomics are great with two control dials and plenty of customizable buttons. I love the well placed quick focus mode selector switch and the touchscreen focus select area while looking through the viewfinder. I like the power slider next to the mode dial on the right side of the camera allowing one hand operation when needed. The power switch being on the left side of the camera is what I did not like on all Olympus bodies when I was deciding which brand to go with.I have a small Meike tilt and swivel TTL flash that works really great with the G7. It makes for a light combo at family gatherings for high quality bounced flash pictures.I use only RAW so cannot comment on the JPEG engine. The RAW files allow lots of latitude during processing. Lifting shadows and lowering highlights works very well. ISO up to 3200/6400 is perfectly usable when processed properly.
marketplace: desertcart
source: desertcart.in
sourceLogo: https://i.flash.tech/a/rs:fill:300:400:0/g:sm/plain/s3://flash-creatives/images/merchants/desertcart.in
starRating: 4.5
title: Still a great camera in 2024
detailedReviews 3: content: The G7 is the lightest and least expensive of the Panasonic Lumix line of mirrorless cameras in a DSLR-like form factor (as opposed to their rangefinder-like cameras). I bought it for making videos for our YouTube channel, and it's been a complete success at that (more than 50 finished videos so far), plus it makes excellent still photos. PLUSES: Produces pro-level HD and 4K video. VERY light, VERY affordable, but not cheaply made or designed. Will do about 80-90% of what the flagship Panasonic GH5 will do for about 30% of the price (and 50% of the weight). Easy to learn, easy to use, good software, well laid-out controls. Panny is the world leader in mirrorless hybrid photography. MINUSES: Mostly plastic (but high quality plastic), not the diecast alloy chassis of the GH5, G9, GH5s, G85. Not water-sealed/dust-sealed/frostproof/etc. like those more expensive (and heavier) cameras, and certainly not as durable. Doesn't have an audio out jack for monitoring sound as you record, though it does have audio input for an external mic (which I always use). (Not a deal-breaker: NO mirrorless camera in this price range has audio out, but watch your recording levels.) No IBIS, or in-body image stabilization (the lenses are stabilized anyway), but I haven't missed it (and lots of videomakers turn IBIS off anyway). The G7 is a really usable and likable camera, shoots pro-quality video, and it's cheap enough you can fit lots of lenses, lights and mics into the budget.
marketplace: google
source: google
sourceLogo: https://i.flash.tech/a/rs:fill:300:400:0/g:sm/plain/s3://flash-creatives/images/merchants/google
starRating: 5
title: Best affordable 4K hybrid photography camera
detailedReviews 4: content: This is one of the best cameras in its price range for 4K video. Using CineD, you gain a few extra stops of dynamic range, and the wealth of professional controls and features are very handy. You can hook up an external power supply using a battery-type adapter. It takes all the m4/3 lenses. Dual dials on the right allow you to quickly and intuitively adjust aperture and shutter speed simultaneously; the multiple wheels and buttons can be customized. Focus is lightning fast and spot on, even in low light. The grip is excellent, and the camera is lightweight. I prefer the deep grip of this camera, you can walk around with it without worrying about dropping it, and all the controls are easy to reach. You can use the the viewfinder and the touchscreen simultaneously to focus. The only thing missing is image stabilization, Currently, the GX85 offers IS, but no CineD log. The new G85 (confusing, isn't it?) may offer the best of both worlds. The G7 stills quality is perfectly fine, but not as good as the GX85, the GX85 has a better shutter for stills and no AA filter. The video quality of the G7 is slightly better than the GH4, at a better price point, with less cropping and lower noise. The Sony a6300 offers better video and stills, but it overheats. The G7 is an excellent deal if you want to film 4K, or film 4K using CineD log. If you are not familiar with CineD, use the pre-made Leeming Lut for this camera. You can't go wrong if you buy this camera on sale. If it sin't on sale, look to the newer version which combines the G7 with the GX85. The kit lens: the 14-42 v2 lens is sharp--very sharp-- and lightweight with good color and microcontrast. It has image stabilization built in. Don't pass up an opportunity to get his lens if a combo deal comes your way.
marketplace: google
source: google
sourceLogo: https://i.flash.tech/a/rs:fill:300:400:0/g:sm/plain/s3://flash-creatives/images/merchants/google
starRating: 5
title: Best 4K camera for price, great video
detailedReviews 5: content: Golden rule of great cameras is that it is the one that is with you everywhere you go. Smartphones rule. My Samsung S7 is amazing including credible 4K video capture included. But hold on a minute. Need a longer focal range, want real soft focus blurred bokeh. You are out of luck. Low light performance is okay, not great. That tiny sensor is the reason there. This camera still to a lesser extent has that issue too. More later.
Body and Handling
Excellent placement of the programmable buttons, and mode dials of which there are 2. Canon, and Nikon say make do with 1. Tough! Price point folks. The flip screen with tilt is a joy too. Plenty sharp, and easy in most lighting conditions, and color rich. Full touch enable focus, and menu functions, and much much more, make the handling a joy,not a bust unlike my D7100, and other DSLR cameras that bury it all in menus. The light body is a great go everywhere camera for Vloggers your ship has arrived. The grip is great for Gorilla hands like mine. But still small, and light enough for petite hands. The Terrific EVF is a joy to see your image work with, and the playback too! It is well contrasted, and detailed to give you great information on your composition. You cannot do that on a DSLR Pentaprism system. Also the small lens size form factor is great. Though some lenses may approach APS-C size lenses, but I will rarely need those anyway. So no hit there. This is my adventure camera while it will not necessarily be about the far away things for now, it is about sharing my video adventures with my audience, not so much about still images. Coming back to the controls, and buttons, the layout is perfection. Customization buttons allow you to create the just right instant control that is right for your workflow, or preference. Everything is where I expect it even without reading the manual, though I did anyway read it.
Image Quality
Images in great bright light are excellent, in low light, it will not beat the Sony a6300 or other APS-C cameras, nor did I expect it, but with a Metabones speed adapter, and fast glass, this will not be an issue for long. Color is vibrant, and the white balance accuracy excellent. Detail is quite good. Though I want to get more with primes. The 30mm Sigma Art lens in an f1.7 is next on the list. The Rokinon Cinema glass is next too.
Focus is contrast detect, so this is not for real fast sports. It is slower, but I didn't really find it a problem for me. Also note that Micro four thirds has a 2 to 1 crop. So a 30mm lens is really 60mm on this system.
Video is outstanding. Couldn't be easier or more fun. The built in microphones are merely adequate just like any camera with built mics, and so so preamplifiers. I use my Tascam DR-100 mk.3 SD audio recorder for the important must have great audio in the videos, and marry in post. The Zebra Pattern, and Focus Peaking, and other unexpected video tools are welcome at this price, and the leveling tool makes setup with my tripod which lacks a spirit level a breeze. Use a Vlog selfie tool, or Joby minipod for your vlog work, and you have the start of a great vlog sharing camera.
So who is this camera for?
A beginner into an anything do it all camera they want to expand, and grow with. It is for someone who hates big cameras, heavy cameras, and is not likely to take those beasts of burden with them. Or the complexity of DSLRs with their nested menus.
This camera fits in my center console easily. Cannot say that with my Nikon D7100, D200, D70s, Pentax K5mk.2, or KS-2. This one is so handy. Also for folks with small hands, for students in school who are doing vlogs for their yearbook, or social pages, and such. Or anyone wanting to do a vlog. This camera comes with a Mic Jack for external Rode mics, or whatever for better sound. So while certainly not perfect, this little camera that can, and does, makes me happy I have it, and don't want a bulky DSLR ever again. The promise of mirrorless delivered perfectly. Color me impressed. You will too! Thanks for reading.
marketplace: google
source: google
sourceLogo: https://i.flash.tech/a/rs:fill:300:400:0/g:sm/plain/s3://flash-creatives/images/merchants/google
starRating: 5
title: Excellent controls, lightweight, outstanding video
detailedReviews 6: content: I bought this to move on from my DSLR and am very happy with all of the features. The controls are relatively easy to use coming from the incredible Nikon UI. I have taken it on vacation and the battery lasted all day of shooting in an airport and on the plane. The low light performance is also very good and it surprised me with the RAW quality it gave when shooting at night. I have done some wildlife work with it and the autofocus is more than good enough for small mammals and ok for birds. The one thing I don’t love is the programmable features. There are enough Fn buttons but the options that the camera gives you are limited to certain areas of the camera. The kit lens is great for a beginner like myself and works fine for portraits and has nice bokeh when zoomed out. Overall it is a great budget mirrorless camera for anyone looking to get into digital photography.
marketplace: google
source: google
sourceLogo: https://i.flash.tech/a/rs:fill:300:400:0/g:sm/plain/s3://flash-creatives/images/merchants/google
starRating: 5
title: Great budget mirrorless for beginners
detailedReviews 7: content: This camera gives superb quality still and video images at an excellent price point. It does not attract the inflated prices of the retro rangefinder cameras. At only 400 grams, it is lighter than some non-viewfinder cameras such as the Lumix GF1. It is very comfortable to hold, with a big hand grip and manual controls which are perfectly placed for your fingers. The viewfinder is large and clear, larger than some of the more expensive rangefinder-type cameras.
There is no body image stabilisation, but most of the lenses do have stabilisation. Its close competitor is the Lumix G80, which is more expensive and 25% heavier. For me, that's enough to leave the Lumix G80 behind and take the G7.
A superb camera, I love it!
marketplace: google
source: google
sourceLogo: https://i.flash.tech/a/rs:fill:300:400:0/g:sm/plain/s3://flash-creatives/images/merchants/google
starRating: 5
title: Superb quality stills and video, great price
detailedReviews 8: content: 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.
marketplace: google
source: google
sourceLogo: https://i.flash.tech/a/rs:fill:300:400:0/g:sm/plain/s3://flash-creatives/images/merchants/google
starRating: 5
title: Best specified for video and stills
detailedReviews 9: content: I was a canon shooter for years, I thought canon was the bestest ever, and didn´t even tried another brands, but when I had to start recording at 4k, the 5dm4 was the only choice, but it was expensive and reviews said the 4k on that camera was bad...really bad, so I bought this as a quick option, and fell in love, the menus, the handling, everything was much much better, even to low light was much better than my canon 70D, so I discovered a great photo world outside canon....Now for the actual things about the camera:
The Pros:
- Outstading video with mic jack, and enough dials and buttons to use it just right.
- The body is extremely light, perfect for gimbals.
- The touch screen is maybe one of the best of the business the touch to change focus area, viewing photos, and all the stuff is just great.
The CONS:
- Image quality (on photos) is not better than a Google Pixel
- Battery life is not great neither bad
- Lacks sensor stabiliser in such a big body, and such a small sensor
Conclusion: This camera made me open myself from the canon prison, is great for video, not so much for photos, but definitely a great camera that will always be useful as a B roll camera, or an emergency body that will save you
marketplace: google
source: google
sourceLogo: https://i.flash.tech/a/rs:fill:300:400:0/g:sm/plain/s3://flash-creatives/images/merchants/google
starRating: 5
title: Great for video, good for photos
detailedReviews 10: content: Before even thinking I would be into photography I bought this camera for videography, especially for it's well-known 4k video capabilities. Quickly after getting this camera, I realized I would much prefer and love to do photography; I feared that I made a mistake in buying this camera and only realizing after the return period was up that I wanted to take pictures and not so much video. I've spent a few months learning about photography settings and lenses - and even with the not-so-great knowledge that I have, this camera is great for photography and gets better each day that I get better at knowing my way around a camera. All of my issues seem to be user-related and even at that I can get good results; even after switching interests and changing the way I want to use a camera I still find myself proud in the purchase I made with this camera.
I had a struggle finding reviews and proper photography samples on this camera as the majority of people tend to use it for video, so it only added to my concern that this isn't a good camera for [at least beginner] photography - BUT, the proper lenses and the proper knowledge to use it's vast array of settings manually (ISO, Focus, SS, etc.) make the biggest difference in how photos turn out with this camera, the camera's auto settings aren't the greatest choice when it comes to quality and clearness in photos which was something I didn't realize right away. The past 3 or so months of learning how to use this camera properly has breezed by and I now feel as if it's my best friend; very quick, light, versatile, and it does it's job well for it's price point compared to more expensive, bigger cameras.
I started out with the 14-42mm kit lens and the [somewhat cheap] 40-150mm Olympus lens which both have not-so-great aperture ranges for the images I was trying to shoot, but still could turn out a great picture even without flash, in natural lighting. I've ordered the Panasonic 42.5mm f1.7 and can't wait to see the results.
marketplace: google
source: google
sourceLogo: https://i.flash.tech/a/rs:fill:300:400:0/g:sm/plain/s3://flash-creatives/images/merchants/google
starRating: 5
title: Great for photography with proper lenses
