Panasonic has enjoyed a straight run of five-star reviews for its current line-up of compact system cameras (CSCs), however the GX7 would possibly simply be the most effective of the bunch. It replaces the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 with a slim, rangefinder-style style and enthusiast-friendly controls. It's dearer than the GX1 was at launch, however it is also considerably higher nominal.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7
The big news is AN integrated tilting electronic view finder (EVF), that was solely accessible as an upscale and slightly cumbersome add-on unit for the GX1. Optical stabilisation is constructed into the sensing element, therefore it's going to work with any lens. The liquid crystal display touchscreen is deceiver and tilts up and down. There square measure twin command dials for direct access to exposure settings, a fanatical auto/manual focus switch and Wi-Fi with NFC for wireless transfers and device.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7
It's also the foremost handsome camera Panasonic has in-built a protracted time. it should not have the retro stylish of Olimbos Pen and Fujifilm X cameras, however the metal alloy body appearance and looks like a significant piece of kit. The kit lens may be a very little bulkier than the GX1's motorized optical lens, however it's still remarkably little and a wonderful match on the GX7. If you are once one thing slimmer, take into account the excellent 20mm f/1.7 hotcake lens, that is obtainable with the GX7 for around £1,000.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7
Choose a zoom or a hotcake prime lens, ANd conjointly between an all-black or a silver-and-black end
Panasonic cameras tend to be quick and intuitive to use, and this one is not any exception. optical device was seriously fast, at between zero.2 and 0.4 seconds from pressing the shutter to capturing a photograph. we have a tendency to measured zero.4 seconds between shots in traditional use, and the 5.2fps continuous mode lasted till the cardboard was full. Rivals like the Sony NEX-6 and Olimbos OM-D E-M5 manage nearer the 9fps mark however quickly slow to around 3fps. choosing continuous and RAW saw performance fall to 1fps once 10 frames, however that is still a good result.
HANDLING AND EVF
The controls square measure elegantly arranged out, with tagged buttons for all the foremost necessary functions. a fast Menu uses the touchscreen to smart result to access different functions. we have a tendency to just like the new Highlight Shadow operate, that permits distinction to be manipulated via the twin dials and a curve-based graphic show.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7
The Highlight Shadow operate provides a completely unique thanks to change the distinction
The touchscreen makes it straightforward to maneuver the optical device purpose, whereat the command dials management the scale of the active space. it is a nice system, however there's atiny low snag. once the screen was angular upwards to be used at waist height, touching the screen triggered the eye-level sensing element, that the camera mechanically switched from liquid crystal display to EVF. there is a menu choice to cut back the sensitivity of this sensing element however it created no perceptible distinction. we have a tendency to eventually got around it by touching the screen with a thumb instead of a index finger, that unbroken hands out of the method of the EVF.
The EVF itself is extraordinarily spectacular. Its 2.8-million-dot resolution is that the highest we've ever seen, and it's huge – like the visible size of a full-frame SLR's optical view finder. The tilting style is we have a tendency tolcome however we would not say it is a major technology breakthrough. Once the camera is at eye level, it isn't abundant of AN inconvenience to purpose your head within the direction of the topic you are shooting. The eyecup that surrounds the EVF is insubstantial, and does not totally cut out close lightweight. we have a tendency to found this quite distracting once the sun was in mere the incorrect place and shone in through the facet of the EVF.
Sensor-based optical stabilisation may be a little bit of a surprise considering that Panasonic habitually builds it into its lenses, {including|as we have a tendency toll as|together with} the 14-42mm kit lens we tested. Its prime lenses are not stabilized, though, and neither square measure compatible Olimbos lenses, therefore it is a welcome addition. The camera offers priority to lens-based stabilisation if it's available; testing with a Panasonic 20mm hotcake lens, we predict we will see why. The sensor-based stabilisation gave a welcome improvement to the success rate of shots at 1/13s, however did not seem to form abundant distinction at quicker or slower shutter speeds compared to tests with stabilisation disabled. The kit lens's stabilisation (at identical 20mm focal length) gave far better results, and solely began to struggle at 1/3s. It's arduous to form definitive judgements concerning the responsibleness of stabilisation systems, however supported our tests we have a tendency to would not say this one is value obtaining excited concerning.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7
There's sensor-based image stabilisation for the primary time in an exceedingly G-series camera
The Wi-Fi implementation is extraordinarily comprehensive. The related to iOS and robot apps have a far off shooting mode with a live VGA preview and management over a large vary of functions. we have a tendency to significantly just like the ability to use AN iOS or robot device as a far off monitor once recording videos, with management over the optical device purpose and therefore the ability to regulate manual focus and exposure settings whereas recording. This avoids any risk of shaking the camera or disrupting the sound recording. Photos is transferred as presently as they are taken or picked for transfer on the camera or the iOS or robot device. it is also potential to stream MP4 (but not AVCHD) videos while not transferring them.
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