Panasonic GX7 review: Hands-on with the enthusiast street shooter that reinvents the GX-series
posted Thursday, August 1, 2013 at 1:59 AM EDT
The Panasonic GX7 compact system camera is here, and it reinvents the company's GX-series with some seriously impressive, enthusiast-friendly features. We've already been hands-on with this exciting street shooter, and came away impressed with Panasonic's commitment to the GX-series. This is no mere level-up with a few more megapixels: Many of the most important features are brand-new. Sure, the Panasonic GX7 has grown in size a little too, but not as much as you might expect given all the changes on the inside.
Key among the new features of the Lumix GX7 are the pairing of both a tilting LCD monitor, and a tilting electronic viewfinder. The latter in particular will likely prove popular with the GX7's target demographic. Framing through a viewfinder -- even an electronic one -- gives you a much greater sense of attachment to your subject than does the arm's-length framing used for smartphones and entry-level cameras. The tilting design means you needn't lose that connection with your subject when shooting from a lower angle.
The Panasonic GX7 also features a brand-new Micro Four Thirds image sensor that will, according to its maker, provide a great leap forwards in image quality. Resolution is unchanged at 16 megapixels, but the new chip features a redesigned structure for both photodiodes and microlenses. And in a first for the Lumix mirrorless line, that sensor is mounted on a movable platter, allowing it to offer in-body image stabilization as well.
Throw in modern features such as Wi-Fi connectivity to help get your photos off the camera and onto the web, plus handy Near Field Communications connectivity that makes the process of pairing camera and smartphone painless, and you've got a very compelling offering indeed.
The Panasonic Lumix GX7 ships in the US market from around the beginning of September, 2013. Two bundles will be available: a kit with 14-42mm lens for around US$1,100, and a body-only variant for around US$1,000. As noted previously, only a two-tone silver and black color scheme will be available in the US market. Overseas, black-bodied cameras will also be available, and some markets will also offer a kit with 20mm prime lens, instead of the 14-42mm zoom optic.
Ready to pre-order? Place an order with one of our trusted affliates, Adorama and B&H, with the links below:
- Adorama: Panasonic GX7 w/ 14-42mm kit (US$1099); Panasonic GX7 body-only (US$999)
- B&H: Panasonic GX7 w/ 14-42mm kit (US$1099); Panasonic GX7 body-only (US$999)
Want to know more about the Panasonic GX7? (You're not alone, we're certain of that!) Come get our first impressions on the enthusiast mirrorless that's going to put the Panasonic GX-series back on the map, in our hands-on Panasonic GX7 review!