Panasonic Lumix GH7 Preliminary Evaluation: Sensor Measurement is the Solely Compromise

The Panasonic GH sequence has at all times been a few of the greatest hybrid cameras ever made, and the brand new Lumix GH7 brings the perfect options of the GH6 and final 12 months’s G9 II collectively in a single physique. It’s principally an ideal digicam for me because the sensor dimension is the one factor I take into account a compromise.

I’ve been an enormous fan of the Panasonic GH sequence of cameras since their inception again in 2009 and have been utilizing them extensively to shoot our YouTube present because the GH5 launched in 2017. That was the digicam that lastly made me transfer away from a devoted video digicam to utilizing a small mirrorless physique that was extra discreet on the road, however nonetheless extraordinarily succesful. The discharge of the completely implausible PanaLeica 10-25mm and 25-50mm f/1.7 lenses stored me fortunately capturing Micro 4/3 for years.

Nevertheless, upon its launch in 2022, the GH6 appeared like a little bit of a misstep. It had intensive recording choices, a splendidly designed new physique, and a model new sensor, however the contrast-detect autofocus was trying very lengthy within the tooth and the dynamic vary on the base ISOs was surprisingly poor. It was all of the extra jarring when the Panasonic S5 II was launched simply months later, boasting new Section Detect autofocus. Why, I puzzled, didn’t Panasonic maintain the GH6 launch a bit longer so the most recent autofocus may have been included?

The Panasonic G9 II Was My Prime Choose — Till Now

I form of acquired my want with the discharge of the G9 II. This Micro 4 Thirds digicam provided most of the GH6 document modes and mixed them with Section Detect autofocus, extra spectacular stabilization, and improved dynamic vary. Certain, I most well-liked the physique of the GH6, however the options of the supposedly photography-targeted G9 II made it my YouTube digicam of selection because it launched.

That mentioned, I used to be pissed off that I needed to compromise the GH6 physique I beloved for the G9 II’s extra trendy performance. That lengthy rambling historical past lesson hopefully provides some context for my pleasure over the $2,200 Panasonic GH7. Now we lastly have a splendidly video-optimized physique with every little thing the G9 II provided and way more.

The Panasonic Micro 4 Thirds line now is smart.

The Final Micro 4 Thirds Video Digicam

What makes the GH7 physique so well-optimized for video? Let me direct you to the built-in fan for limitless recording, two document buttons (with the shutter as an optionally available third), a tally lamp (so you realize once you’re rolling), included PC sync to BNC cable (for timecode synchronization), entrance face pin (to maintain the digicam from spinning on the tripod), a tilt/totally articulated display screen (which retains the display screen away from the ports), and a CFexpress Sort-B card slot which helps extraordinarily demanding document modes. The GH7 is extremely effectively thought out. My one disappointment is the EVF, which stays a big however not terribly detailed 3.68 million dot (1,024 x 768 pixels) show. The Panasonic S1 is greater than half a decade previous and launched at an analogous worth with a stunning 5.76M dot panel.

This digicam options all the identical resolutions, body charges, and codecs because the GH6 together with a few helpful new ones. You possibly can seize up the 5.8K open-gate footage within the 4:3 side ratio too, which is actually helpful for reframing one video for each widescreen and vertical supply. 4K recording is feasible as much as 120 frames per second, with or with out sound. This 4K/120p is extremely detailed as it’s oversampled from the complete 25-megapixel sensor, although the dynamic vary is one cease decrease than different document modes. Full HD 1080p video could be shot at up the (an admittedly tender) 300 frames per second. One new document mode permits the GH7 to shoot 1080/240P WHILE recording audio. This may be extremely helpful for velocity ramping, or capturing motion once you nonetheless need to have the ability to entry the unique audio.

The headline improve on the GH7 is the not often seen means to document inside ProRes Uncooked proper to a CFexpress B card. As a consequence of RED’s patent, this characteristic has not often been seen on mirrorless cameras. In comparison with recording 10-bit V-Log footage, ProRes RAW presents way more management over white stability and noise discount. You possibly can seize the complete width of the sensor in 5.7K 17:9 up the 30P, or from a 1:1 pixel readout C4K as much as 60P with an enormous crop. In the event you care sufficient about picture high quality to be capturing RAW video, you need to in all probability follow the 5.7K mode. Oddly, Open Gate 5.8K RAW recording just isn’t accessible internally however could be captured externally with an Atomos Ninja V/V+.

The Panasonic GH7 Unlocks A lot Potential

The opposite main characteristic requires the brand new $500 Panasonic XLR-2 audio adapter. This accent presents two XLR inputs for skilled microphones and a 3.5mm stereo jack for 4 complete audio tracks. In contrast to the earlier XLR-1 unit, this additionally features a detachable mount for shotgun microphones. The principle advantage of the XLR-2 adapter is that it means that you can document 32-bit float level audio, a characteristic I’ve been asking for for years.

That is basically an audio monitor with an especially expansive dynamic vary, which means customers can seize audio with out setting ranges, and dial them in afterward along with your modifying software program. Consider, if a sound is louder than your microphone can seize, 32-bit audio gained’t allow you to, however as lengthy ranges keep inside the vary your mics can deal with, you by no means must set sound ranges within the area once more.

Although the GH7 is clearly constructed for video shooters, it options all of the photographic capabilities of the G9 II together with 100MP handheld Hello-Res, 75 frames-per-second burst capturing and the flexibility to use Actual Time LUTs for various JPEG seems to be. The excellent news is that GH7 homeowners aren’t lacking any pictures options with this dearer physique, and if you happen to don’t want the superior video options, it can save you $300 and a few weight by grabbing the G9 II.

Autofocus appears equivalent to the G9 II’s efficiency, which is an efficient factor. At a neighborhood BMX competitors, it tracked riders successfully, solely getting misplaced when a gaggle of similar-looking opponents clumped collectively. For capturing a single topic, like Chris presenting our YouTube present, autofocus was extraordinarily dependable. I nonetheless discover Sony’s video autofocus to be the gold customary, however Panasonic’s newest implementation is similar to the most recent autofocus from Canon and Nikon.

Stabilization is class-leading. The Enhance IS mode locks the body so successfully it seems to be just like the digicam is on a tripod however it solely works when trying to maintain the body utterly static. When shifting the digicam, the IBIS does an awesome job taking out micro-jitters whereas nonetheless permitting some pure movement. For a virtually gimbal stage of smoothness, the IBIS mixed with digital stabilization permits an operator to seize extremely steady footage whereas strolling, although this does incur a crop and a few degradation of picture high quality.

A New Favourite for the PetaPixel YouTube Channel

Throughout my admittedly restricted time with the GH7, it looks like an ideal digicam for capturing PetaPixel’s YouTube present. It presents every little thing the G9 II does, with the peace of thoughts solely a cooling fan can deliver, in a physique completely designed for capturing video. The GH7’s $300 premium over the G9 II is definitely justified for many who will make the most of even one among its video-centric options.

The $2,200 query although is why anybody would spend that a lot on a Micro 4 Thirds digicam when the complete body Panasonic S5 IIX could be had for principally the identical worth — or much less. The total-frame sensor will give the S5 IIX a bonus in low gentle, dynamic vary, and shallow depth of area. Nevertheless the GH7’s 4K/120P, a lot lowered rolling shutter, inside ProRes RAW recording, and optionally available 32-bit float audio make a powerful case for compromising on sensor dimension. That mentioned, the GH7 has me pondering that we may even see plenty of these options in an upcoming full-frame, L-Mount S1H substitute. That may undoubtedly be a dearer digicam although, so the GH7 will possible proceed to be an awesome selection for video lovers.

I’ll be utilizing the GH7 as my main video for capturing the PetaPixel YouTube Channel, so keep watch over our channel for an concept of what this digicam is able to, and relaxation assured I’ll be again with a full evaluation after some extra capturing time.