Panasonix GX7

Aegon · 08-01-2013, 01:49 PM

Panasonic DMC-GX7KS - PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-GX7KS Silver Compact System Camera (DSLM) with 14-42 II Silver Kit Lens - Overview

Very nice set of features.

* IBIS (new for Panasonic)
* rangefinder bodystyle with corner-EVF. IMO much better location than the big hump Olympus viewfinders. Similar to a NEX-7.
* no AA filter.
* tilt screen
* 1/8000 shutter
* magnesium body, plus Panasonic makes solid cameras IMO

This camera seems to offer everything that should be offered by a rangefinder style body. There really isn't anything lacking here to justify waiting for the next model.

Panasonic is also known to dramatically cut prices after an introductory period, so keep an eye on this one for the long term.

seventysixersfan · 08-01-2013, 02:38 PM

The technology packed into this camera, as well as the Sony NEX line, is just mind-boggling. Pentax really is lagging behind on technologically advanced camera features...

Aegon · 08-01-2013, 04:01 PM

Apparently this camera also has a silent mode (electronic shutter).

Much like a real rangefinder.

No mirror, no shutter noise, actual silent operation (not merely "quiet" as some other cameras provide).

Winder · 08-01-2013, 06:20 PM

I never really put much thought into Panasonic when it comes to cameras, but this looks interesting. I just wish someone would build a FF version of it.

kenafein · 08-01-2013, 06:42 PM

It is missing audio inputs which kill it for video. They are the video guys for m4/3. This is a huge omission to an otherwise excellent offering.

Winder · 08-01-2013, 07:17 PM

I think with the RF styling they are going after the still image photographer. That would not be my go-to body for video.

kenafein · 08-01-2013, 08:10 PM

I know they don't want to kill their gh3 sales, but IS with manual glass would have been great for video. Two things the gh3 is lacking are IBS and focus peaking. All they had to do was add a mic input.

stormtech · 08-02-2013, 04:37 AM

Oh-oh.......tilting screen and tilting viewfinder on top of all the other specs......this may just be a game changer for me........

**RobA_Oz** · 08-02-2013, 04:47 AM

It's a nice concept. Before I'd part with over a thousand dollars for a MFT camera (even with a kit zoom) I'd like to be convinced that the EVF is as good as the specification implies.

I don't think it's a game-changer for me, even if it's that good, but it might be a good lightweight travel camera, with the right lenses.

**apisto** · 08-02-2013, 06:13 AM

Originally posted by kenafein

I know they don't want to kill their gh3 sales, but IS with manual glass would have been great for video. Two things the gh3 is lacking are IBS and focus peaking. All they had to do was add a mic input.

I read that the IBIS will be disabled when in video mode on the GX7, anyway.

Clicker · 08-02-2013, 06:29 AM

I looked at this then remembered, i have an NEX 6, pretty much the same/similar features but APS-C sensor.
I think it's about the same size and volume too or pretty close?

That said, this paired with the 12-35 + 35-100 would be pretty much anyone looking for M43 would need.

snake · 08-02-2013, 06:38 AM

Unless they came up with a new sensor, no games changed. The Nex6 is great and coming generations will have Olympus' IBIS. or a variant of it.

There's the gamechanger.

kenyee · 08-02-2013, 07:50 AM

Originally posted by kenafein

It is missing audio inputs which kill it for video. They are the video guys for m4/3. This is a huge omission to an otherwise excellent offering.

Seemed like a weird omission too, though they probably ran out of space on that small body

I was all excited about the silent shutter until I found out they disabled the flash in that mode. I was hoping you could use it to control ambient w/ high shutter speeds and external flash which would have been a first w/ any m4/3's body (you can do this w/ the X100s and the Panny LX5/LX7 which all have leaf shutters as well as 3 stop ND filters)-:

twitch · 08-02-2013, 04:00 PM

Looks like an amazing camera, almost perfect.

The only knock against it for me would be the lack of TAv mode or auto-ISO in manual. I don't know why Panasonic (or Sony) wont include this in their firmware.

kenafein · 08-02-2013, 05:53 PM

Originally posted by apisto

I read that the IBIS will be disabled when in video mode on the GX7, anyway.

Originally posted by kenyee

Seemed like a weird omission too, though they probably ran out of space on that small body

I was all excited about the silent shutter until I found out they disabled the flash in that mode. I was hoping you could use it to control ambient w/ high shutter speeds and external flash which would have been a first w/ any m4/3's body (you can do this w/ the X100s and the Panny LX5/LX7 which all have leaf shutters as well as 3 stop ND filters)-:

Missed opportunities with simple fixes. I suppose they could all be done in firmware updates. Oly added their 5-Axis stabilization to video mode and it's so good that people are using it, even with their lousy codecs. Both m4/3 companies have missed the opportunity to be the best video camera under 1k.

08-01-2013, 01:49 PM	#1
Aegon Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,416	Panasonix GX7 Panasonic DMC-GX7KS - PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-GX7KS Silver Compact System Camera (DSLM) with 14-42 II Silver Kit Lens - Overview Very nice set of features. * IBIS (new for Panasonic) * rangefinder bodystyle with corner-EVF. IMO much better location than the big hump Olympus viewfinders. Similar to a NEX-7. * no AA filter. * tilt screen * 1/8000 shutter * magnesium body, plus Panasonic makes solid cameras IMO This camera seems to offer everything that should be offered by a rangefinder style body. There really isn't anything lacking here to justify waiting for the next model. Panasonic is also known to dramatically cut prices after an introductory period, so keep an eye on this one for the long term.

08-01-2013, 02:38 PM	#2
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054	The technology packed into this camera, as well as the Sony NEX line, is just mind-boggling. Pentax really is lagging behind on technologically advanced camera features...

08-01-2013, 04:01 PM	#3
Aegon Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,416 Original Poster	Apparently this camera also has a silent mode (electronic shutter). Much like a real rangefinder. No mirror, no shutter noise, actual silent operation (not merely "quiet" as some other cameras provide).

08-01-2013, 06:20 PM	#4
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	I never really put much thought into Panasonic when it comes to cameras, but this looks interesting. I just wish someone would build a FF version of it.

08-01-2013, 06:42 PM	#5
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	It is missing audio inputs which kill it for video. They are the video guys for m4/3. This is a huge omission to an otherwise excellent offering.

08-01-2013, 07:17 PM	#6
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	I think with the RF styling they are going after the still image photographer. That would not be my go-to body for video.

08-01-2013, 08:10 PM	#7
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	I know they don't want to kill their gh3 sales, but IS with manual glass would have been great for video. Two things the gh3 is lacking are IBS and focus peaking. All they had to do was add a mic input.

08-02-2013, 04:37 AM	#8
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Oh-oh.......tilting screen and tilting viewfinder on top of all the other specs......this may just be a game changer for me........

08-02-2013, 04:47 AM	#9
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	It's a nice concept. Before I'd part with over a thousand dollars for a MFT camera (even with a kit zoom) I'd like to be convinced that the EVF is as good as the specification implies. I don't think it's a game-changer for me, even if it's that good, but it might be a good lightweight travel camera, with the right lenses.

08-02-2013, 06:13 AM	#10
apisto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 588	Originally posted by kenafein I know they don't want to kill their gh3 sales, but IS with manual glass would have been great for video. Two things the gh3 is lacking are IBS and focus peaking. All they had to do was add a mic input. I read that the IBIS will be disabled when in video mode on the GX7, anyway.

08-02-2013, 06:29 AM	#11
Clicker Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,241	I looked at this then remembered, i have an NEX 6, pretty much the same/similar features but APS-C sensor. I think it's about the same size and volume too or pretty close? That said, this paired with the 12-35 + 35-100 would be pretty much anyone looking for M43 would need.

08-02-2013, 06:38 AM	#12
snake Banned Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: NY/Germany Posts: 1,183	Unless they came up with a new sensor, no games changed. The Nex6 is great and coming generations will have Olympus' IBIS. or a variant of it. There's the gamechanger.

08-02-2013, 07:50 AM	#13
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	Originally posted by kenafein It is missing audio inputs which kill it for video. They are the video guys for m4/3. This is a huge omission to an otherwise excellent offering. Seemed like a weird omission too, though they probably ran out of space on that small body I was all excited about the silent shutter until I found out they disabled the flash in that mode. I was hoping you could use it to control ambient w/ high shutter speeds and external flash which would have been a first w/ any m4/3's body (you can do this w/ the X100s and the Panny LX5/LX7 which all have leaf shutters as well as 3 stop ND filters)-:

08-02-2013, 04:00 PM	#14
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Looks like an amazing camera, almost perfect. The only knock against it for me would be the lack of TAv mode or auto-ISO in manual. I don't know why Panasonic (or Sony) wont include this in their firmware.

08-02-2013, 05:53 PM	#15
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	Originally posted by apisto I read that the IBIS will be disabled when in video mode on the GX7, anyway. Originally posted by kenyee Seemed like a weird omission too, though they probably ran out of space on that small body I was all excited about the silent shutter until I found out they disabled the flash in that mode. I was hoping you could use it to control ambient w/ high shutter speeds and external flash which would have been a first w/ any m4/3's body (you can do this w/ the X100s and the Panny LX5/LX7 which all have leaf shutters as well as 3 stop ND filters)-: Missed opportunities with simple fixes. I suppose they could all be done in firmware updates. Oly added their 5-Axis stabilization to video mode and it's so good that people are using it, even with their lousy codecs. Both m4/3 companies have missed the opportunity to be the best video camera under 1k.