After several iterations, Panasonic’s GF compact mirrorless camera line has gradually settled into a comfortable position in the market: providing mass market point-and-shoot appeal while giving photographers the option to fully control settings should the need arise. The latest camera in the series, the DMC-GF7, continues this trend. It’s built around the same 16MP sensor as other recent Panasonics including the GX7, GM1, and GM5, so we expect the image quality to be on par with those cameras.
Where the GF7 diverges from recent GF-series bodies is style. It eschews the rounded, plastic edges that have defined recent GF cameras and instead takes more traditional design cues from Panasonic’s minuscule GM-series cameras. Panasonic explains that while the GM1 has proven popular, a lot of people "just wanted a little bit more camera to hold on to". The result is a body roughly 20% larger than the GM1, but with the same basic control layout and internals.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7 key specifications:
- 16MP Four Thirds sensor
- Focus down to -4EV
- 3" 1.04M dot rear LCD
- 180 degree tilt "selfie" screen
- 5.8 fps burst shooting
- 1080/60p video in AVCHD or MP4 format
- "No Password" Wi-Fi connectivity
- "Face" and "Buddy" shutter modes
The GF7 will be available in the US as a kit with the G Vario 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH lens for $599
Body
In addition to its new styling, the GF7 manages to come in at slightly smaller dimensions than its predecessor, the GF6. Most notable (at least for those who hope to fit the camera into a pocket or purse) is that Panasonic has made the body half a centimeter thinner while still keeping the tilting LCD screen. Unfortunately, while the screen on the GF6 could tilt up or down, the screen on the GF7 only tilts up, joining the ranks of cameras seemingly optimized around shooting selfies. Consistent with other GF series cameras, there is no optical or electronic viewfinder.
Sitting under a faux pentaprism hump at the center is a pop-up flash (GN 4 at ISO100). GF cameras have traditionally included a built-in flash, and we’re happy to see that Panasonic has maintained this feature rather than opting for a small accessory flash as it did on the GM5 and LX100. Unfortunately, flash sync is limited to 1/50 second or slower, a feature that suggests it has inherited the GM1's pared down shutter mechanism.
Unlike the GF6, the GF7 doesn’t include NFC for establishing a Wi-Fi connection, opting instead for Panasonic’s QR code connection method in which the Panasonic app on a smartphone scans a QR code on the camera’s screen to pair the devices. It’s not as high-tech as NFC, but it’s probably more reliable and works for users of Apple’s iOS devices as well.
The GF7’s battery is CIPA rated for 230 shots, which is around 100 shots less than its predecessor.
Sitting under a faux pentaprism hump at the center is a pop-up flash (GN 4 at ISO100). GF cameras have traditionally included a built-in flash, and we’re happy to see that Panasonic has maintained this feature rather than opting for a small accessory flash as it did on the GM5 and LX100. Unfortunately, flash sync is limited to 1/50 second or slower, a feature that suggests it has inherited the GM1's pared down shutter mechanism.
Unlike the GF6, the GF7 doesn’t include NFC for establishing a Wi-Fi connection, opting instead for Panasonic’s QR code connection method in which the Panasonic app on a smartphone scans a QR code on the camera’s screen to pair the devices. It’s not as high-tech as NFC, but it’s probably more reliable and works for users of Apple’s iOS devices as well.
The GF7’s battery is CIPA rated for 230 shots, which is around 100 shots less than its predecessor.
Compared to GM1: Front
In a side-by-side view it’s easy to see how the GF7 has taken its style cues from the GM1. Remove the faux prism and the silver base plate from the GF7 and the two cameras would be virtually indistinguishable when viewed from the front.
Build quality is similar as well. The GF7 feels solid in the hand, and the slight increase in size will appeal to those whose hands are just a bit too large to operate the GM1.
Build quality is similar as well. The GF7 feels solid in the hand, and the slight increase in size will appeal to those whose hands are just a bit too large to operate the GM1.
Compared to GM1: Rear
A rear view highlights the consistency of design between the two cameras, with the notable exception of the GF7’s 180 degree flip-up screen. It’s great for taking selfies, but not so useful if you’re trying to take overhead shots at a concert.
Minor differences aside, the GF7 has the exact same rear controls as the GM1, with the dedicated video button moved slightly to accommodate the thumb grip on the GF7. Although the difference in size between the two cameras is small, the slight increase in size and spacing of the buttons on the GF7 were noticeable (and welcome) in our hands.
In keeping with its point and shoot nature, the GF7 sadly does not inherit the rear thumb wheel from Panasonic's other GM camera, the GM5, which can be used to quickly change settings such as aperture and exposure compensation. It opts for a four-way/control dial instead.
Minor differences aside, the GF7 has the exact same rear controls as the GM1, with the dedicated video button moved slightly to accommodate the thumb grip on the GF7. Although the difference in size between the two cameras is small, the slight increase in size and spacing of the buttons on the GF7 were noticeable (and welcome) in our hands.
In keeping with its point and shoot nature, the GF7 sadly does not inherit the rear thumb wheel from Panasonic's other GM camera, the GM5, which can be used to quickly change settings such as aperture and exposure compensation. It opts for a four-way/control dial instead.
Top Plate
The top plate of the camera includes a conventional mode dial (complete with various scene settings) and a programmable function button, which by default activates Wi-Fi. There’s also Panasonic’s iA (intelligent auto) button, sometimes thought of as the “Hand to Grandma” button, which puts the camera into full auto mode, complete with scene recognition. The pop-up flash dominates the center of the plate. Consistent with most recent incarnations of the GF line there’s no hot shoe; if you need one on a camera this size you may want to look at the GM5.
In the Hand
The Panasonic GF7 is small by interchangeable lens camera standards. The buttons are compact and fairly close together (though not quite as crowded as on the GM1), and although the styling borrows from the GM cameras, in use it feels similar to previous GF bodies. That said, the buttons work about as well as those on any compact camera and we haven’t run into any problems using them.
In addition to the physical buttons the tilt LCD screen features the usual array of touch controls, including full area touch focus, and can display useful tools such as a real-time histogram, guide lines, level gauge, and highlight display.
In addition to the physical buttons the tilt LCD screen features the usual array of touch controls, including full area touch focus, and can display useful tools such as a real-time histogram, guide lines, level gauge, and highlight display.
Photographic Features
The GF7 has a maximum burst rate of 5.8 fps (5 fps with focus tracking), but does not include Panasonic’s Depth from Defocus technology that speeds up focus on the DMC-GH4 and higher-end compacts. There’s a silent mode that utilizes an electronic shutter for essentially noiseless picture taking, and Panasonic claims the GF7 is able to focus down to -4EV.
There are several new photographic features that go along with the built-in selfie screen. Face Shutter does more or less what it suggests: it takes a photo of you, but only after you wave your hand back and forth in front of your face to tell the camera that you're ready. Buddy Shutter takes a photo when it detects two faces right next to each other in the frame. (How did we ever manage to get photos before this? Maybe next we'll have the "Cartier-Bresson" setting that just selects The Decisive Moment for us.)
In a creative use of mobile technology, Jump Snap takes advantage of a paired smartphone that may be in your hand or pocket. When you jump in the air, the Panasonic app on your phone will use the accelerometer to determine the point at which you reach the apex of your jump and snap a photo at just the right moment.
Finally, there are several beauty effects including Soft Skin, Slimming Mode, and Defocus (which tries to isolate the subject from the background). Time lapse and stop motion settings are available as well.
There are several new photographic features that go along with the built-in selfie screen. Face Shutter does more or less what it suggests: it takes a photo of you, but only after you wave your hand back and forth in front of your face to tell the camera that you're ready. Buddy Shutter takes a photo when it detects two faces right next to each other in the frame. (How did we ever manage to get photos before this? Maybe next we'll have the "Cartier-Bresson" setting that just selects The Decisive Moment for us.)
In a creative use of mobile technology, Jump Snap takes advantage of a paired smartphone that may be in your hand or pocket. When you jump in the air, the Panasonic app on your phone will use the accelerometer to determine the point at which you reach the apex of your jump and snap a photo at just the right moment.
Finally, there are several beauty effects including Soft Skin, Slimming Mode, and Defocus (which tries to isolate the subject from the background). Time lapse and stop motion settings are available as well.
Video Features
Video can be recorded in sizes up to 1920x1080/60p in either MP4 or AVCHD format, at up to 28 Mbps. While you can capture 24p video (at 28MBps), you must use AVCHD rather than MP4. The camera includes several useful tools for shooting video including zebra patterns, a level gauge, guide lines, and focus peaking, as well as the option for continuous autofocus during recording. There’s also a built-in stereo microphone with a wind-cut filter.
Continuing the social media theme, Snap Movie mode lets users record short videos of pre-set duration (2, 4, 6, or 8 seconds) which can be shared to various social media sites directly from Panasonic's smartphone app.
There’s no 4K video option on the GF7, which apparently generates just a little bit too much heat for a body this small to dissipate. That said, it would be a surprise to see 4K on an entry-level ILC at this point in time.
Continuing the social media theme, Snap Movie mode lets users record short videos of pre-set duration (2, 4, 6, or 8 seconds) which can be shared to various social media sites directly from Panasonic's smartphone app.
There’s no 4K video option on the GF7, which apparently generates just a little bit too much heat for a body this small to dissipate. That said, it would be a surprise to see 4K on an entry-level ILC at this point in time.
First Impressions
The newest iteration of the GF7 has clearly been influenced by Panasonic's successful GM series of cameras, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The GF7 arrives with a cleaner, more traditional look than its rounded-edge plastic predecessors, which had started to look as anonymous as many common point and shoots, and brings more of a photo purist’s style to the line for the first time since the original GF1 (which many still argue was the best GF series camera made).
Inside, the GF7 is basically a slightly larger GM1. It’s just compact enough compared to the GF6 to feel more pocketable, but doesn’t quite have the minuscule feeling of the GM1. However, while Panasonic was busy borrowing features from the GM1, we wish they would have brought over the rear thumb dial from the GM5, which is more user friendly than the included four-way rocker wheel.
Coming in on the disappointing side is the upward-only tilting LCD, though the design is in line with Panasonic's emphasis of the GF7 as a social media camera. Still, a screen that tilts both directions would be useful for many applications and has been included on recent GF models. Additionally, with a battery rating of 230 shots, a full 100 shots less than its predecessor, keeping an extra battery on hand will be important.
Although we haven’t had a chance to fully test the camera, we expect its image quality to be on par with the GX7, GM1, and GM5, all of which share the same 16MP sensor. From that standpoint there’s not a lot of risk to buying a GF7 since the technology inside is well established. Consequently size, style, and feature set will probably be the best indicator of whether this is the right camera for you.
Inside, the GF7 is basically a slightly larger GM1. It’s just compact enough compared to the GF6 to feel more pocketable, but doesn’t quite have the minuscule feeling of the GM1. However, while Panasonic was busy borrowing features from the GM1, we wish they would have brought over the rear thumb dial from the GM5, which is more user friendly than the included four-way rocker wheel.
Coming in on the disappointing side is the upward-only tilting LCD, though the design is in line with Panasonic's emphasis of the GF7 as a social media camera. Still, a screen that tilts both directions would be useful for many applications and has been included on recent GF models. Additionally, with a battery rating of 230 shots, a full 100 shots less than its predecessor, keeping an extra battery on hand will be important.
Although we haven’t had a chance to fully test the camera, we expect its image quality to be on par with the GX7, GM1, and GM5, all of which share the same 16MP sensor. From that standpoint there’s not a lot of risk to buying a GF7 since the technology inside is well established. Consequently size, style, and feature set will probably be the best indicator of whether this is the right camera for you.
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