Conclusion
Pros:
- Wonderfully constructed body with an extremely comfortable grip and easily accessible controls
- Tremendous customization options with regards to controls with 4 programmable function buttons and additional on-screen touch controls.
- Excellent tilting Electronic Viewfinder with outstanding resolution, color and contrast and quick refresh
- Rear tilting touchscreen is rich and vibrant and handles touch input very well
- Excellent dynamic range, matching the best cameras in the Micro 4/3 system
- Outstanding color response in RAW images, including deep into the shadows and at high ISOs
- Well controlled noise through ISO3200 and even acceptable at higher ISOs
- Ultra-fast and accurate single shot autofocus that is the best among all mirrorless cameras
- Focus peaking and manual focus assist work extremely well
- Wi-Fi capabilities allow for complete camera control and image transfer to mobile devices
- Built in intervalometer that is easy to use
- Menu system is well-organized and works well with the rear LCD touch screen
- Nice interface and shooting touches such as the reminder to check the focal length input when mounting a manual focus lenses
- Electronic shutter allows for silent shooting
- High quality video
- 1/8000 second shutter speed capability
- Accurate flash exposure
- Includes in-body image stabilization for the first time on a Panasonic body.
Cons:
- In-body Image Stabilization is not particularly effective, allowing for 1-2 stops of correction and lacking stabilization of the viewfinder image
- Auto white balance struggles when using external flashes
- Burst mode of 5 frames per second with the mechanical shutter is a little disappointing in today’s market
- Image Stabilization isn’t available in video mode
- Continuous autofocus still not useful for forward and backward motion
- Rear thumb grip could be better defined and more secure
- No mic input for video
Panasonic threw everything but the kitchen sink into the GX7, providing what many people had considered their ‘ideal’ Micro 4/3 camera – a great sensor in a rangefinder styled body with a corner EVF, in-body IS and all the other great features that come with a modern Panasonic body. And with most of these features, the GX7 is very successful.
The only real letdown in my experience with the camera was the less than impressive in-body image stabilization, which is a far cry from the truly excellent in-body IS on the Olympus OM-D E-M5 and E-M1. There are a few other minor nitpicks such as a little slower than expected burst mode and other such things, but by and large the GX7 is a truly excellent camera. It takes the best single shot autofocus in the industry and puts it into a small body with great image quality, a very good electronic viewfinder and loaded the body with customizable controls and a great touch screen. The overall impression is impressive. In many ways, it’s the best Micro 4/3 camera to date. In others, it’s not quite there. While the OM-D’s IBIS will keep me using my E-M5 as my primary Micro 4/3 body, the GX7 grew on me tremendously during the review period, and it is worth a long hard look for anyone looking to buy a high-end mirrorless camera.
A truly outstanding effort from Panasonic.
Image Samples
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