Panasonic unveils Lumix DC-GH7 camera

The new Lumix DC-GH7 camera, shown without a lens. (Source: Panasonic.)

The new camera retains the same 25.2 megapixels effective resolution as the GH6 but has a new BSI-CMOS sensor, which is the same BSI chip as the G9 II’s. The new sensor is faster and adds capabilities such as support for phase detection AF, which has been added to the DFD-assisted contrast detection autofocusing system in the previous camera. The camera’s subject detection and tracking capabilities have also been expanded to include humans (eye, face, head, body), animal (eye, body), motorcycle (helmet, bike), car (body, grille/helmet), train (cabin, body) and airplane (nose, body). These modes are easily selected and switched via the AF mode button. An anti reflection coating has been added to the sensor to reduce back-scattering. The tilt-free angle monitor doesn’t obstruct either the HDMI or USB cables when tilted. Otherwise, the body of the camera is largely unchanged from the GH6, as shown in the illustrations below.

These illustrations show the back and top of the GH7, along with the positions of the weather-resistant seals. (Source: Panasonic.)

Image and video resolutions are also largely unchanged, although the GH7 comes with full sensor 4:3 ‘open gate’ video recording built-in, as well as support for Apple ProRes RAW video recording in MOV format plus the ability to record to an external SSD recorder via the USB-C 3.2 port. These features were added to the GH6 via a firmware update in September 2022. A large, built-in cooling fan has been added to support much longer recording times. The new camera can also integrate seamlessly with ARRI cinema cameras and data recorded with it can be converted into any of the 87 high-quality ARRI Looks in the ARRI Look Library. The ARRI Look Library (log-to-log) can be used to colour grade videos and apply a desired ARRI Look within the log space to clips recorded with ARRI LogC3. Footage recorded with the GH7 can also be colour-matched with videos recorded with other  cinema cameras, such as the ARRI ALEXA Mini, irrespective of the ISO value used for the clip since the gamma curve does not change with the ISO sensitivity. This also enables recording at ISO Auto, which is unique to mirrorless cameras.

A large, built-in cooling fan removes excess heat, enabling ‘unlimited’ recording times. (Source: Panasonic.)

This illustration shows the dual media slots. (Source: Panasonic.)

The dual media slots are also the same as in the GH6, with one configured for CFexpress Type B and the other accepting UHS-II / V90 compatible SDXC cards. The GH7 can also record directly to an external SSD via its 10Gbps USB-C port. Panasonic’s real-time LUT feature is supported by with the latest Lumix LAB smartphone app. The new camera also supports Frame.io and proxy file recording to ensure an easier editing workflow.

Continuous shooting speeds remain unchanged from the GH6, with a top speed of 75 frames/sec. with electronic shutter in SH75 mode and 14 fps with mechanical or electronic front curtain shutter, both with the AFS and MF settings. Interestingly, the buffer memory is much larger than the GH6’s and will accommodate more than 260 Large/Fine JPEGs or 215 RAW+JPEG pairs. In-body image stabilisation promises up to 7.5 stops of shake reduction when shooting stills and supports Dual IS 2 with compatible lenses. The camera can also be powered via USB while shooting.

The GH7 kitted out for video with the new DMW-XLR2 unit providing an interface for a shotgun microphone. (Source: Panasonic.)

A new XLR unit has been announced along the GH7, updating the optional DMW-XLR1 hot-shoe adapter, which was released concurrently with the GH6. The new DMW-XLR2 adds a third input terminal with a 3.5mm diameter stereo mini jack for accessory microphones that can handle 24-bit linear and 32-bit float recording. It’s also about 15 grams lighter.

The GH7 will be offered as a body alone for an RRP of $3,899 or in three kit formats: with the H-FS12060E lens for $4,199, the ‘Leica’ kit with the H-ES12060E lens for $5,099 or the ‘Pro’ kit with the H-ES12035GC lens for $5,399.

 

SPECS
Image sensor: 17.3 x 13.0  mm BSI CMOS sensor with 26.5  million photosites (25.2 megapixels effective); primary colour filter, AR (anti reflection) coating
Image processor:  Venus Engine
Lens mount: Micro Four Thirds
Focal length crop factor:  2x
Image formats: Stills: JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver. 2.31), RW2.RAW (14-bit), RAW+JPEG; Movies: MOV: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, H.265/HEVC, ProRes, ProRes RAW; MP4: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, H.265/HEVC
Audio: MOV: LPCM (2ch 48kHz/24-bit, 96kHz/24-bit, 4ch 48kHz/24-bit and 96kHz/24-bit possible with optional DMW-XLR2 microphone adapter and accessory microphones) MP4: AAC (2ch 48kHz/16-bit)
Image Sizes: Stills in 4:3 aspect ratio: 5776×4336(L) / 4096×3072(M) / 2944×2208(S) / 11552×8672(XL)* / 8192×6144(LL)* [*High Resolution Mode]; Movies:  [5.8K] 5760×4320 (4:3) at 25p 200Mbps; [5.7K] 5728×3024 (17:9) at 50p 300 Mbps or 25p 200Mbps; [4.4K] 4352×3264 (4:3) at 50p 300Mbps; [C4K] 4096×2160 at 100p 300Mbps, 50p 800 Mbps/200Mbps or 25p 400 Mbps/150Mbps; [4K] 3840×2160 at 100p 300Mbps, 50p 800 Mbps/200Mbps or 25p 400 Mbps/150Mbps; [FHD] 1920×1080 at 200p 800 Mbps/200Mbps or100p 400 Mbps/150Mbps or 50p 200 Mbps/100Mbps or 50i 100Mbps, 25p 200 Mbps/100Mbps; Variable frame rate recording also available
Aspect ratios: 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 1:1
Image Stabilisation: IBIS – 5-axis / 7.5-stops; Dual I.S. 2 supported
Shutter (speed range): Focal-plane shutter. Mechanical & Electronic shutter: 60 to 1/32,000 second; Movies: 1/25 to 1/25,000 second (with extension to 1/8 sec. in Creative Video mode)
Exposure Compensation: +/-5EV in 1/3EV steps (+/3-EV for movies)
Exposure bracketing: 3, 5, 7 images in 1/3, 2/3 or 1 EV steps, max. ±3 EV, single/burst
Other bracketing options: Aperture, focus, white balance
Self-timer: 2 or 10 seconds delay plus 10 sec. delay/3 frames or Custom Time
Interval recording: Yes, for time-lapse; Stop Motion Animation
Focus system: Phase detection plus Contrast AF system with DFD technology, range EV -4 to 18
AF  selection: Tracking / Full Area AF / Zone (Horizontal/Vertical) / Zone / 1-Area+ / 1-Area / Pinpoint; Automatic Detection can be turned ON to switch between Human/ Face/Eye, Animal, Car, Motorcycle, Train, Airplane. Except when Pinpoint is set.
Focus modes: AFS (Single) / AFC (Continuous) / MF
Exposure metering:  1,728-zone multi-pattern sensing system with Multiple, Centre-weighted average, spot and  highlight-weighted metering patterns
Shooting modes: Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual Exposure, Creative Video (P/A/S/M), Custom 1, 2, 3, 4, Intelligent Auto
Photo Style modes: Standard, Vivid, Natural, L. Classic Neo, Flat, Landscape, Portrait, Monochrome, L. Monochrome, L. Monochrome D, L. Monochrome S, Cinelike D2, Cinelike V2, Like709, V-Log,, Hybrid Log Gamma, My Photo Style 1-10
Filter modes: Expressive, Retro, Old Days, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Cross Process, Bleach Bypass
Motion Picture Functions: Master pedestal level (31 steps), Luminance level (8-bit: 0-255, 16-235, 16-255, 10-bit: 0-1023. 64‒940, 64‒1023), Wave form monitor / Vectorscope, LUT and HLG view assist, Anamorphic desqueeze display (2.0x / 1.8x / 1.5x / 1.33x / 1.30x / OFF), Synchro scan, SS/Gain operation, Colour bars SMPTE / EBU / ARIB), 1kHz test tone,  Knee control, Red REC frame indicator, Vertical position information. Level gauge
Colour space options: sRGB and Adobe RGB
ISO range: Auto, ISO 100-25600  with extension to ISO 50;  V-Log range – Auto 500-12800 plus ISO 125 (extended)
White balance: AWB, AWBc, AWBw, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Flash, White Set (x 4), Colour temperature setting (2500-10000K in 100K steps)
Flash: External flashguns only
Flash modes: Auto / Auto/Red-eye Reduction (iA only), Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync. / Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Flash exposure adjustment: +/- 3EV in 1/3EV steps
Sequence shooting: Max.75 frames/sec. with electronic shutter in SH75 mode; 14 fps with mechanical or electronic shutter  (AFS/MF)
Buffer capacity: Max.>260 Large/Fine JPEGs,  >215 RAW files
Storage Media: Dual slots for CFexpress (Type B)  and SD  (UHS-II / V90 compatible)
Viewfinder: OLED Live View Finder with approx. 3.68 million dots, 0.8x magnification (35mm camera equivalent), 21 mm eyepoint, -4.0 to +2.0 dpt adjustment, eye sensor
LCD monitor: Tilting free-angle, 3.0-inch 3:2 aspect TFT LCD monitor with static touch control, approx. 1.84 million dots
Interface terminals: USB Type-C (USB 10Gbps), HDMI Type A, 2.5mm remote control socket, 3.5mm jacks for external microphone/audio device and headphones, TC IN/OUT port
Wi-Fi function: Built-in Wi-Fi (2.4GHz bands, IEEE802.11b/g/n & 5GHz bands, IEEE 802.11a/n/ac); Bluetooth v5.0 (Bluetooth Low Energy)
Power supply: 7.2V, 2200mAh, 16Wh rechargeable Li-ion battery; CIPA rated for approx. 330-800 shots/charge depending on card & power save mode,  40-90 minutes of video recording time
Dimensions (wxhxd): Approx. 138.4 x 100.3 x 99.6 mm
Weight: Approx. 805 grams body only; 823 grams with battery and SD card

RRP: AU$3899 (body only); $4199 (with H-FS12060E kit lens)
Distributor: Panasonic Australia, Ph. 132 600; www.panasonic.com.au