Panasonic LUMIX GF7 Camera Marries Selfie Functions with Classic Style
Panasonic announced a new Digital Single Lens Mirrorless (DSLM) Camera, the DMC-GF7 (GF7). The GF7 offers modern selfie shooting features in a classic styled camera with its 180-degree flip-up monitor. The rear monitor is a 3.0-inch 1,040K-dot touch screen LCD. The monitor tilts up to approx.180-degrees and puts the camera into Self Shot Mode automatically. In the Self Shot Mode, a variety of functions for selfie - Face Shutter, Buddy Shutter and beauty functions - are enabled. With Wi-Fi connectivity, users can connect the camera to their smartphone / tablet to expand shooting flexibility. Pairing the camera and the smartphone is quick, even without a need of inputting a password. It is possible to use a smartphone / tablet as a multi-capable remote shutter with a monitor. With the Instant Transfer function, photos are automatically sent to the smartphone / tablet immediately after shooting. On the other hand, both photo and video can be archived to a computer via the wireless access point (router) at home.
The camera uses a 16.00-megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor and a Venus Engine, allowing it to shoot clear pictures even when exposed in low-light situations when ISO 25,600 is selected. The Contrast AF System of the GF7 excels in both speed and accuracy by exchanging the digital signal between the camera and the lens at max. 240 fps. A variety of extensive AF functions including Face/Eye Detection AF, Low Light AF, Pinpoint AF and One-shot AF enhance usability to help in a wide-range of shooting situations.
The GF7 also features full HD 1920 x 1080, 60p (60 Hz) video recording in AVCHD progressive and MP4 with stereo sound. The practical full-time AF and tracking AF are available in video recording as well.
Last but not least, the iA (Intelligent Auto) mode and the Scene Guide make GF7 easy to use even for beginners. Portrait, Child, Scenery modes, which are used often, have respective shortcuts on the dial.
The GF7 will be sold for $599 with the 12-32mm F3.5-5.6 collapsible kit zoom and is expected to ship in February.
| Body type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
|---|---|
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 4592 x 3448 |
| Other resolutions | 4:3 (3232 x 2424, 2272 x 1704), 3:2 (4592 x 3064, 3232 x 2160, 1824 x 1216), 3:2 (4592 x 2584, 3840 x 2160, 1920 x 1080), 1:1 (3424 x 3224, 2416 x 2416, 1712 x 1712) |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 16 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 17 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | Venus Engine |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 200-25600 (extends to 100-25600) |
| White balance presets | 5 |
| Custom white balance | Yes (2 slots) |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, standard |
| File format |
|
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus |
|
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Digital zoom | Yes (2x-4x) |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 23 |
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds |
| Focal length multiplier | 2? |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 1,040,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes (with touch AF, shutter, playback, menus) |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | None |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/16000 sec |
| Exposure modes |
|
| Scene modes |
|
| Built-in flash | Yes |
| Flash range | 4.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| External flash | No |
| Flash modes | Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, flash off |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/50 sec |
| Continuous drive | 5.8 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3-shot/10 sec) |
| Metering modes |
|
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±3 (3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes (3 shots in blue/amber and magenta/green axes) |
| Videography features | |
| Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) |
| Format | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| Videography notes | 24p only available with AVCHD |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (micro-HDMI) |
| Microphone port | No |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n with NFC |
| Remote control | Yes (wired, via smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | Lithium-ion battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 230 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 266 g (0.59 lb / 9.38 oz) |
| Dimensions | 107 x 65 x 33 mm (4.21 x 2.56 x 1.3″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| GPS | None |
