The Panasonic LUMIX GH7 is here! This Micro Four Thirds camera is a new model that bears the name of GH, the flagship model line of the G Series mirrorless cameras. The GH7 will be released on July 26, 2024, and reservations will start from 10:00JST on June 12, 2024. The estimated market price is as follows.
- Body only: Approximately $2,200 (tax included)
- Standard zoom lens kit (LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 included): Approximately $2,500 (tax included). Note – Prices will be announced later in USD. The body price in dollars was announced at launch.
Panasonic’s GH series gives the impression of being a camera series that has shattered the conventional wisdom of mirrorless single-lens cameras, including the GH2, a legendary camera from the dawn of single-lens video, and the GH4, the first in the world to support 4K video recording.
The previous model, the GH6, released in March 2022, was an innovative model that was the first in the LUMIX brand to be able to record Apple ProRes format internally. The GH6 also was the first popular model to feature a tilt and free-angle LCD screen, allowing for more flexible shooting. Two years have passed since the release of the GH6, so let’s focus on what has been updated.
First, here is a summary of the GH7:
LUMIX GH7 Overview
- Equipped with a 25.2 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor
- 5.7K30p FHD240p recording
- Equipped with the long-awaited Phase Detection (PD) AF
- Supports internal Apple ProRes RAW recording
- Supports 32-bit float audio recording (when the optional DMW-XLR2 is installed)
- LUMIX Lab now supports real-time LUTs
- Proxy recording support
- Frame.io compatible
LUMIX GH7 versus the GH6
Left: LUMIX GH7. Right: Lumix GH6.
The LUMIX GH7 appearance is the same as the previous GH6 model, with only the model nameplate changing. The input/output terminals and card slots are also the same.
Panasonic LUMIX GH7 Shooting Features:
The GH7 improves upon the previous cameras with the addition of G9 features, along with other modern technologies that were introduced in previous years. Let’s go over some of these features:
Equipped with the long-awaited Phase Detection (PD) AF
Up until the previous model, the GH6, the GH series cameras had been equipped with contrast AF. The S series’ “S5 II,” equipped with a full-size sensor, the G series’ “G9PROII,” and the recently announced S9 are equipped with image plane phase detection AF, greatly improving the autofocusing aspect that was previously a weak point.
The new LUMIX GH7 is equipped with on-chip phase-detection AF, something that many GH users have been waiting for.
Supports internal Apple ProRes RAW recording
Until now, only a few cameras were capable of recording RAW video, not photos, and RAW shooting, which is commonplace in photography, was still a big hurdle in the field of video. Just two years after the release of the previous model, the GH6, which supported Apple ProRes, the company has now made it possible to support Apple ProRes RAW, which is impressive.
Supports 96kHz/32bit float audio recording
It’s not just the video aspect that has been improved. Audio recording has also been significantly updated. This new feature supports audio recording in 32-bit float format. By attaching the optional DMW-XLR2, newly announced with the GH7, to the body, audio can be recorded in float format. This has a much wider dynamic range than linear PCM. By being able to record audio in 32-bit float format without the need for an external audio recorder, it is now possible to freely adjust levels later on without having to worry about audio input levels on location.
This will solve common problems that even cameramen who are not familiar with recording face, such as distorted sound after recording or a poor S/N ratio due to the volume being too low. There are some limitations, so be mindful of those.
LUMIX Lab now supports real-time LUTs
The full-frame mirrorless camera announced recently by Panasonic is equipped with the LUMIX Lab announced with the S9, as well as the real-time LUT function featured on the previous models, the S5 II and G9PROII.
LUMIX Lab is a smartphone application that is a powerful tool that allows you to easily create and manage 3D LUTs and transfer them to cameras without the need for a PC. By combining it with the real-time LUT function, you can instantly apply LUTs on location to achieve more precise color expression for live streaming and recording.
Proxy recording and Frame.io support
LUTs aren’t the only feature that streamlines workflows. It is now possible to automatically record lightweight proxy data and send it to Frame.io. Frame.io allows remote clients and editors to view and give feedback in real time.
A camera that we recommend to a wide range of people, not just professional videographers.
The GH series has reigned as the flagship of Micro Four Thirds sensor cameras until now. Although it offers high performance and functionality, its benefits have mainly been enjoyed by professionals who make a living from video production or a few high-end amateurs.
However, by combining the real-time recognition AF function that enables accurate autofocus, image stabilization so powerful that it makes a gimbal seem unnecessary, as well as 32-bit float audio recording and a workflow that uses LUMIX Lab and real-time LUT functions, it has become easier for anyone to take high-quality photos with fewer mistakes.
Furthermore, the photo shooting function has also been updated with ultra-high-speed continuous shooting exceeding 60fps and handheld high-resolution functions that can take still images exceeding 100MP. It is a camera that is packed with so many charms that it is impossible to describe them all.
