Panasonic g7

ROCKMORE

ROCKMORE

Veteran
Does anyone know what the +crop factor shooting UHD on the G7? I know the GH4 jumps from x2 to something like x2.3. I still have all Canon gear and want to move the GH4, but will need a lot of extras to switch, Speedbooster, some new lenses etc. The G7 might be a good starting point to build up all the support gear and wait for the Gh5 next year. The G7 will probably be a good B-cam later.
 
This review has sample images that show the exact frame in 1080 and 4K. He also compares the GH4 crop in 4K to the G7 crop on the same frame. He doesn't give the actual numbers, but you should be able to estimate based on the GH4 crop (G7 crop in 4K is slightly less.)


If you scroll down in this review, you'll see an image with a very heavy red rectangle drawn inside:

www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_G7/



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I'd love to hear your thoughts on the G7, and year from others here too. I bought a Panasonic FZ1000 as a casual stills camera about 2 weeks ago. Since then I used it to film a music event in 4K and was very pleased with the image and how the camera performed. No overheating in 1 hour 20+ minutes in direct sun in 4K, etc. Now I need a second 4K/UHD camera to pair with the FZ1000 and I am pretty interested in the G7.

I looked around for a GH4, but the prices are still pretty high on those. The best I found was about $1,223 new, imported from Canada, and nothing much better for used. I'm afraid there is going to be a glut that really pushes down prices once the GH5 comes out. With the GX8 already out with the new 20 MP sensor, the GH4 is getting pretty late in it's life cycle. Not a great time to buy it for near full price.

I looked at the GX8, at $1,200 body only, but that is fairly stripped down from a video standpoint. Both the G7 and the GX8 lose their HDMI signal when they start recording! So no external monitor or external recorder while also recoding internally. I would love to get the new sensor on the GX8, but it is really a stills camera. We need it on a video camera.

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It it will be interesting to see which cameras get V Log after the September announcement. I am hoping that I get it in the FZ1000. It would be great if the G7 and GX8 got it too.

I have the Sony RX100IV, which has S Log2, which I like. I tried to use that as a B camera, but it overheated after about 12 minutes in 1080, 60P mode on a sunny day.

I looked at the Sony AX100, it is a 4K camcorder with a 1" sensor for around $1,300. But Sony doesn't have a cheaper 2nd 4K camera. Only the RX10II for $1,250. I'd rather stay with one manufacturer. so the 2 Sony 1" 4K cameras would be about $2,550, versus about $650 + $800 = $1,450 for the FZ1000 (open box) + G7 new.

Good luck! Let us know what you find.
 
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unadog said:
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the G7, and year from others here too.
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Thanks for the info unadog. I just heard about the G7 from a friend who has a PAL version loaner from Panasonic. He said I can borrow it to test next week. If I get my hands on it I will run a lot of tests and post them.
He also gave me a GH4 last year that I really liked but were out of stock here at the time and with so many new releases like the NX1, Sony a7s I had second thoughts, but now with some mysteries with both Sony and Samsung I think Panasonic is the best bet. I agree that the GH4 is still premium price so with the G7 to work for less will give me a chance to get the new x0.64 EF speedbooster to go with my EOS lenses. I think that will keep me busy till the GH5 comes out.
 
I picked up a G7 for a second camera to use with my GH4, haven't had a chance to fully "wring it out" yet but initial quick tests look great. My initial impression was it may be one of the best "grab 'n go" cameras on the market.

4K video edited on a 4K timeline then rendered to a 1080p MP4 file looks "richer" than video shot at 1080p. Detail definition may only be a tad crisper but tonal quality looks a bit more "solid" to me. The "kit" 14-42 lens that comes with it for $797 (at B&H) is getting good reviews as being improved over previous versions. I like the one that came on mine.

And for anyone still hanging onto GH2's, the G7 uses the same battery.

I think the G7 is one of the better values on today's market.
 
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Thanks Bruce, I really appreciate your feedback! The camera is still new enough that there aren't a lot of reports around.

Michael, I also have a full kit of Canon lenses. Let me know how you make out with the G7 and your Canon kit.

I will probably buy the G7 with the kit zoom. Then add the Panasonic 12-35 mm 2.8 as my main/ first "real" lens beyond the kit. I use the Canon 24-70 2.8 II and 70-200 2.8 II quite a bit for events in lower light.

I also have a small Sony kit, an A6000 with about 5 lenses. That will have to go to fund the switch to Panasonic. They are lagging quite a bit for affordable 4k. Plus the A6000 overheats and isn't really usable for even 1080 video without an external recorder. Ot looks like even the A7RII will need an external recorder to keep from overheating.

The one thing that I will miss is S-Log2. I hope that we get V-Log L on everything from Panasonic, including the FZ1000. But they may reserve that for the GH4 to further differentiate between that camera and the lower priced ones. Or the GH5 and newer. Let's keep our fingers crossed! :)

Cheers & Thanks!
Michael
 
Okay folks, I went ahead and ordered the G7 kit with the 14-42 II. It will be here on Wednesday! :)

Panasonic in the US are offering an upgrade to a 3 year warranty for free. THat should help resale if I decide to sell it later, although I will probably keep it as a B camera to a GH5.

Photozone said some pretty good things about the kit lens. I also ordered a $15 "dumb" adapter for Canon EF to M 4/3, so that I can test a bit with my Canon lenses. I won't even be able to change aperture with that adapter, but I didn't want to spend more on an adapter until I have more time to research the speedbooster options. I also want to take a look at the Kipon Auto Focus adapter for Canon EF to M4/3. It seems to only work with a few Canon lenses and costs $285. I will also probably buy the Panasonic 35-100 2.8 lens to start.

Now I need to get busy selling things to pay for it! So I can't promise any detailed testing reports right away. I am learning about Panasonic from scratch, so I have a lot of research to do.

Cheers! New Toys. :)
 
unadog said:
I looked at the GX8, at $1,200 body only, but that is fairly stripped down from a video standpoint. Both the G7 and the GX8 lose their HDMI signal when they start recording! So no external monitor or external recorder while also recoding internally. I would love to get the new sensor on the GX8, but it is really a stills camera. We need it on a video camera.
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What's the difference between the cameras as far as video capabilities? Why is the GX8 more of a stills camera?
 
^^ The G7 and GX8 are really very similar from a video standpoint. It is just that you wouldn't expect as many firmware limitations/ as much deliberate "crippling" in a $1,200 GX8 camera-body-only that was intended for video, as on the $800 (with kit lens) G7. Or, to put it differently: You would expect a lot more on the GX8 at $500 more than the implied G7 body price, but they are basically identical on video spevs, and identically limited compared to the GH4 for video.


Supposedly the GX8 is the "top of the line" stills camera from Panasonic, and the GH4 the best video camera. Apparently Panasonic are trying to leave room/ market for a GH5.

Here is a very quick video that compares the features on the GX8 to the GH4, mostly for video. You will see how the GX8 is limited (a better word than crippled) compared to the older GH4:

"


I always like Imaging Resource camera reviews. Here is a link to their review of the GX8, with a short quote on video that shows mentions a lot of the same limitations as the YouTube video above:

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http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/panasonic-gx8/panasonic-gx8A.HTM


And speaking of 4K, while the Panasonic GX8 is aimed primarily at still photography, it does include both 4K video recording capabilities. And like the G7 and LX100 before it, the GX8 also includes Panasonic's new 4K Photo feature, which offers a variety of 4K video capture modes and the ability to extract 8MP still images from video clips in-camera.

While the GX8 shares the stage as a "flagship" model, the beefier GH4 still reigns supreme as when it comes to video recording features for a Lumix camera, as it offers both Cinema 4K and Ultra HD resolutions, a higher 200Mbps bitrate option, 4:2:2 10/8-bit uncompressed HDMI output with simultaneous internal recording, and a headphone jack -- none of which the GX8 offers.

+++++++++++++++

I hope that helps?


I am looking forward to getting the new 20 MP sensor in a true video body!
 
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Thank you. Yea, the GHX will always be the flagship model. I once owned a hacked GH2 many moons ago.

Was just wondering about the G7 and GX8...Panasonic is releasing too many cameras too fast.
 
Hey Unadog, how's the G7? I'm still looking to get one but where I am the Pal version isn't available till mid Oct. Looking forward to some hands on feedback.
 
Hi ROCKMORE,

i apologize for the delay replying! I have had some bad insomnia that has turned my day upside down. I just woke up at 2:00 pm today, after taking a sleeping pill and falling asleep at 6 am, then getting up at 10 am for the dogs. I'm a walking zombie! :)

further apologies, this is all off the top of my head without much editing. I'll try to loop back when I have more time and fill in any gaps. Fell free to ask if you have questions!

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The short story is that I a,m very happy with the G7! For both stills and video? am still learning/ getting used to Panasonic. In addition to the 14-42 II kit lens, I bought the Panasonic 12-35 2.8 and 35-100 2.8 used, for about $675 each, $1,350 total. I went with Panasonic instead of Olympus to take advantage of the Dual IS that is in the GX8 for video stabilization in a future GH5 or similar.

I have also been looking at a Metabones Speeedbooster to adapt my Canon kit. The 1 extra stop will help me to use the G7 in place of APS-C cameras in lower light events for stills. It will also help in all of the traditional ways for video of course.


I have been wali g around with the G7 with a Sigma 19mm 2.8 on it to do small stills and video testing. I am really learning to love the body. I am going to try to push it to replace my other DSLRs and APS-C mirror less as much as possible.

The images are sharp and clear. I was reading a bit last night about shutter shock between 1/100 and 1/160, but I haven't seen it yet. I shoot stills at events at 1/100 f/ 2.8 on the 12-35 and 35-100 zooms, at ISO 32000, so I will have a lot if images to check once I do stills instead of video.
i was also reading that it is supposed to be able yo autofocus "under starlight", down to -4 EV. I am pretty dubious about this. I have played with the AF at sunset a few times, using a single AF point box, and had it fail to lock onto the edges or patterns of clouds still lit by the setting sun repeatedly. I suppose it might do better in full 49 point mode, but it is impossible to control what it locks into in that mode.

It it also seems to fail to lock onto horizontal lines, like 1" slat blinds, in landscape, but will lock repeatedly if I turn to portrait mode (vertical lines. ) Or visa versa? I will have to check to confirm, but it was 100% repeatable.

+++

The G7it is a great little camera for video! I do wish it had the newer 20 MP sensor of the GX8. But the GX8 was really no better for video than the G7 in most ways, and it was essentially 2x the price.

The one frustrating negative of the G7, GX8, and my FZ1000 is that they all cut HDMI output as soon as you start recording. I assume this is firmware crippling on Panasonic's part to protect the GH4, but it is very frustrating. No external monitor while recording!

I have tried using various aspects of the G7 AF during video recording: face tracking, Touch Screen Autofocus, and continous auto focus while filming a larger music group for an event.

I have decided to go back to "old fashioned" techniques- a combination of locking down the focus/ switching to manual focus after grabbing focus with AF before starting recording. Then adjusting focus manually by eye with the EVF or LCD after zooming. Having a nice external monitor would be helpful, but I can work around that until the GH5 comes out.

I am shooting 2 Panasonic 4k cameras, with the FZ1000 pretty much locked down on a tripod for reference cuts/ jumps. If I need to restart the G7 at 25 minutes (before it hits its max 29 min 59 sec), or lose the image to a fast zoom, pan, and then refocus, I can use shutter button AF when needed and cutting the other camera, etc.

i have a number of Hoodman LCD viewfinders, but of course I am hesitant to use one and lose the touch screen functionality. I will try one with the camera on a Zacuto Target Shooter to see what I think, and how the LCD handles magnification.

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I had also hoped that Panasonic would release VLog for free across the board, on the G7, GX8, and FZ1000, to try to "keep up" with Sony. The Sony RX100IV and RX10II sensor is pretty amazing! I love the RX100IV 120 FPS at 1080 60P in SLog2. And SLog General. Sony is putting that on everything now.

I shot one performance that was backlit during the daytime. I had to open up +2 stops to hold detail in the faces and instruments. On the G7 and FZ1000, in Cine-D, the performers look like puppets, completely punched out of an all white/clipped background like you would do for green screen. I was able to pull that down in post to add a bit of texture and a bit of yellow tint, so it wasn't horrid. I guess I could also turn it into a green screen performance by a ping the highlights and blowing them completely. ;)

The RX100IV, in contrast, held the brick background really well. There was good, usable background detail of a brick wall about 60 feet behind the performers, out i the sun (the performers were right on the edge, inside of a large tent on a sunny day.

So VLog would help Panasonic compete. The Panasonic sensors are fairly dated compared to the incredible, fast Sony 1" sensors. They are so beautiful for slow motion. What has saved Panasonic so far is that everything from Sony overheats trying to do internal 4K! And the incremental cost to add a $1,300 to $1,800 external recorder plus media is a pretty big jump.

Everything except the RX10II that is. If Sony are able to release an interchangeable lens camera, like an A7000/ A6100 that can do internal 4K without overheating, Panasonic is going to need to bring out the GH5 fast. Especially if the body sells in the rumored $1,000 to $1,2000 range, where even used GH4's are selling for $1.1000. Having an A7000 paired with an RX10II would be a pretty awesome kit.

But so far Sony has failed at giving us anything with an interchangeable lens that can do longer internal 4k for events, interviews, etc.


I'm going to post this before my browser crashes. I'll try to loop back and fill in/ add to this without too much editing. Overall definitely a nice/ excellent camera for $600-$650 US, net of the lens.
 



Its nice and small. Very well built. The image is nice if just a bit brittle and the 100Mbps feels limiting.
The screen is nice, EVF is ok, price is great.
So far it feels like a solid c-cam/still cam.

I hate that you often need to double tap record to get it to start (might be a setting, haven't had time to check).


4K Frame



Here is my first dirty test, just used vintage glas. No real grading just quick fiddle with curves, LUTs and some presets.
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You can use the shutter button to start recording in "Movie" mode. I'm not sure if you have to change a setting to enable that.

I like the controls on the G7 much better than on the GH4. The G7 has front and rear controls dials. Plus the rear pad with up/down/left/right function selections: ISO is Up, etc. This is located where the GH4 has the rear dial on the body.

I like the G7 EVF quite a bit. It's specs are about the same as the GH4, but it seems a little better to me. I haven't compared the apparent magnification.
 

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unadog said:
I like the controls on the G7 much better than on the GH4. The G7 has front and rear controls dials. Plus the rear pad with up/down/left/right function selections: ISO is Up, etc. This is located where the GH4 has the rear dial on the body.

I like the G7 EVF quite a bit. It's specs are about the same as the GH4, but it seems a little better to me. I haven't compared the apparent magnification.
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Looks like the Pal version of the G7 will arrive here by Oct 15th. I got a buyer for my 60D hopefully so moving into new territory soon. Looking forward to testing and posting some images soon.
 
Congratulations! I hope it is a great camera for you! :)

I really like the G7 quite a bit. I am still learning the Panasonic menus and ergonomics. It has a nice layout, some very convenient controls once you get used to them. Especially the rear control pad that I posted above.

I also like how the front and rear control dials combine when you are in the "Quick Menu" (from the rear button) to set the AF mode, AF point setting, Movie Settings, WB, Color Profile, EV +-, and similar. The front dial spins you through the top level menu picks- WB, AF Mode, etc. The rear dial "drops" you into the specific options for the menu item you have highlighted. It spins through the available choices- "49 point auto focus" "single point auto focus" etc. This is much easier than using the control pad "down arrow" to enter the settings, then "right" or "left" arrow to highlight, "OK" to select.

The G7 is much nicer and more fluid control! I wish my Nikon D750 had something similar. That camera is very frustrating by comparison. Lots of buttons scattered around the body- back, top plate, lower left from for auto focus mode, etc. Very few assignable or reassign able buttons, and only the 1 place to access AF/MF modes ( because of the stupid mechanical lever in their lenses), etc. I like my D5300 better than the D750 because it has a Quick Menu. But I like the Panasonic's better than both.

I also bought a GH4. I am running 2 video cameras at the same time for events (plus 2 still cameras, with a long & short zoom.) My events run about 1.5 hours, so I can cut between cameras, always have the second camera when I restart the G7, etc.

While the GH4 has a few more settings for video, I really prefer the G7 handling and feel overall. It is just a bit frustrating to have slightly different controls on the G7 and GH4, but I wouldn't be willing to give up the G7 for a second GH4.

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I bought the Panasonic 12-35 2.8 and 35-100 2.8 zooms for about $590 and $670 used (in that order.) I wanted to have the native zooms with good auto focus. I have been pretty happy with them so far.

I have been debating, and am pretty sure that I am going to stay with my Canon zooms and get one of the 2 Speedboosters for my main video lenses. With winter coming I have more indoor events in low light coming up. I bought a $15 "dumb" adapter to play with, but I can't even change aperture without putting the lens in a Canon body, so it's not a realistic solution. I have just been torn between my Nikon bodies (and small Nikon lens kit) and keeping the Canon lenses too.

I love the Canon 24-70 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 II, so I am going to keep those for now and buy a Canon Speedbooster.

Where it gets complicated is that I a, going down to Florida on December 1 for a good part of the winter to do wildlife photography- stills and video. I will probably buy a Panasonic 100-300 for the G7 and GH4, to have the native 600 mm equivalent lens with good auto focus, especially for stills. I will also probably buy a longer DSLR lens for stills, like the Sigma 150-600 Contemporary.

The problem is which mount to buy! I also want to adapt it to the Panasonic. So I really have to decide when I can afford to keep my Nikon bodies. It would be easier just to add to the Canon lens kit than to buy a Nikon mount Sigma. But, I can also buy a Metabones Nikon G "regular" adapter- non Speedbooster, non autofocus, manual aperture control- for $139. So I could still use the lens on the Panasonic with manual focus, especially for video.

But first I have to sell enough equipment to pay fir the GH4, etc.

Good luck! Let me know how you get on when you get the G7, and especially if you get the Speedbooster. I need to sell to pay the credit cards first, then maybe I can order that.

Cheers! Have fun! :)

Michael
 
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unadog said:
Congratulations! I hope it is a great camera for you! :)




I also bought a GH4.

I bought the Panasonic 12-35 2.8 and 35-100 2.8

I have been debating, and am pretty sure that I am going to stay with my Canon zooms and get one of the 2 Speedboosters for my main video lenses.

I love the Canon 24-70 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 II, so I am going to keep those for now and buy a Canon Speedbooster.

Michael
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I had planned to get a GH4 since a year ago but I have one ongoing project where the client is happy with the Canon video quality. It's for youtube and mostly watched on phones. The quality sort of sucks, but for the most part I can make it look as good as any camera except 4K. With the GH4 almost ready to be replaced with the GH5 it's a bit too late to jump on a GH4 since I don't really need it at the moment.
The G7 is a great step in for little cash and right now instead of waiting for the GH5. I have some Canon lenses 70-200 f4L and a Tamron 17-50 and Tokina 11-20 2.8 so with a speedbooster it will also be a low cost solution. I also have a set Original Olympus Zuiko OM lenses so with a cheap adapter I have more to play around with. Be interesting to see how vintage lenses look on 4K.
 
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I was trying to hold off on the GH4 too, because it is so late in it's life cycle.

But I needed the second camera for events. It is nice to have the GH4 with no time limit. It also doesn't cut out yhe HDMI when it starts recording, like the G7, GX8, and FZ1000.

So I will leave the G7 locked down for static shots to cut yo. And more actively use the GH4 to zoom, pan, etc. real time. I can't operate both at yhr s as me time- well, mostly. :)

That sounds like a good kit and a good plan! I think you will really like the G7, and the image. Have fun!
 
unadog said:
I was trying to hold off on the GH4 too, because it is so late in it's life cycle.

But I needed the second camera for events. It is nice to have the GH4 with no time limit. It also doesn't cut out yhe HDMI when it starts recording, like the G7, GX8, and FZ1000.

So I will leave the G7 locked down for static shots to cut yo. And more actively use the GH4 to zoom, pan, etc. real time. I can't operate both at yhr s as me time- well, mostly. :)

That sounds like a good kit and a good plan! I think you will really like the G7, and the image. Have fun!
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'

Sold the 60D body yesterday so I have about half the cash for the G7 which my Panasonic rep said should be here next week. Really looking forward to building this into a daily shooter with lenses and adapters. Work with it a while, then when the GH5 arrives when ever I can just ad that body for another ballgame.
 
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