Panasonic Lumix GH7 Digital Camera Body

Panasonic Lumix GH7 Digital Camera Body Summary

The next-generation flagship micro four-thirds camera arrives as the Panasonic Lumix GH7 Digital Camera Body, which offers a host of enhanced capabilities for videographers and video-first hybrid creators. This compact, interchangeable lens Lumix camera features a newly developed 25.2 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor with up to 13+ stops of dynamic range, along with supporting internal ProRes, Open Gate, and unlimited video recording thanks to its efficient cooling system.

The flagship MFT camera from Panasonic Lumix significantly improves autofocus with highly accurate and faster phase-detection AF, enhancing both subject detection and subject tracking. Creators also benefit from numerous new and improved features, including enhanced Real Time LUTs for both stills and video, allowing the addition and sharing of user-made LUTs. The Electronic Image Stabilisation (E.I.S.) has been improved, live streaming capabilities have been added, and the GH7 supports Open Gate video recording for effortless framing across social media platforms.

Ergonomics have been enhanced with a free-angle LCD monitor that avoids cable interference when fully tilted, and proxy recording is now available through Adobe Frame.io camera to cloud integration. Additionally, the GH7 supports the world's first 32-bit float audio recording with the DMW-XLR2 microphone adapter (sold separately), eliminating the need for sound level adjustments during recording and ensuring distortion-free results in virtually any environment.

Key Panasonic Lumix GH7 Features

• Newly developed 25.2 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor
• Improved AF with PDAF (Phase Detection Autofocus)
• Wide dynamic range with up to 13+ stops (V-Log)
• Apple ProRes RAW internal recording with 5.7K 30p ProRes 422 HQ and ProRes RAW HQ
• Also high-res slow motion 4:2:0 10-bit 4K 120p and 4:2:2 10-Bit Full HD 240p HFR
• World’s first 32-bit float recording when using the optional DMW-XLR2 microphone adapter
• Enhanced Real Time LUT for photo and video
• Improved E.I.S. performance corrects shake and perspective distortion
• Proxy recording via camera to Cloud integration with Adobe frame.io
• Open Gate recording for flexible framing for any social media platform
• Efficient heat dissipation for unlimited recording times
• ARRI LogC3 license key available for the LUMIX GH7
• Free-angle monitor designed for operation without cable interference
• 1x CFexpress Type B and 1x SD memory card slot
• Live streaming and support for external USB-SSD recording
• Dust, splash and freeze-resistance to -10ºC

Panasonic Lumix GH7 Micro Four Thirds Camera Body in More Detail

Newly developed BSI CMOS sensor

The GH7 debuts a new micro four thirds BSI CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13.0mm, which captures up to 13+ stops of dynamic range (V-Log), supports on-sensor phase detection AF and records approximately 25.2 megapixels.

The sensor supports a native ISO 100-25600 for stills images, which caters to range of lighting conditions.

New Phase Hybrid AF Features

The GH7’s on-sensor phase hybrid AF offers significantly enhanced subject recognition and tracking capabilities, allowing for precise tracking of various vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, trains and airplanes.

• Cars – Focuses on the driver’s helmet and the front area of the car
• Motorcycles – Prioritises the rider’s helmet for optimal tracking
• Trains – Tracks the cabin or front end of the train
• Airplanes – Focuses on the nose of the plane

These advanced tracking features ensure that the GH7 delivers superior performance when capturing these and other subjects in dynamic environments.

Professional video formats 

The combination of Venus engine and CMOS sensor enables up to 5.7K 60p video recording over HDMI and Open Gate 4:3 recording at 5.8K 30p. Creators and cinematographers can also record high resolution slow motion footage at up to 4:2:0 10-bit 4K 120p. 10-bit Full HD VFR recording at up to 300fps is also available for ultra slow-motion playback.

Internal recording of 5.7K 30p ProRes 422 HQ and ProRes RAW HQ are available, and users can load original LUT files and apply new colour looks directly to videos and photos with REAL TIME LUT, discussed below.

When shooting in V-log colour gamut the GH7 maintains 13+ stops of dynamic range, ensuring brighter highlights and darker shadows are captured without clipping.

Unlimited recording times

The heat generated by the Venus engine and CFexpress / SD card is more effectively dissipated thanks to an updated thermal management design with TIM, graphite and a cooling fan. This allows for unlimited recording times for interviews, live streaming and other long form video content.

Open Gate recording

By using the full width of the 4:3 sensor, the GH7 facilitates Open Gate recording for flexible framing suitable for any social media platform or client needs.

This feature means that you can crop 1:1 square, 9:16 vertical for TikTok and similar formats, 16:9 in horizontal for Youtube and other platforms, as well as native 4:3 format.

World’s first 32-bit float recording

The camera eliminates the need to adjust audio recording levels when using the newly launched XLR microphone adapter DMW-XLR. The audio device features enhanced usability and improved connectivity in support of professional videography.

Improved E.I.S. performance

The GH7 features improved Electronic Image Stabilisation (E.I.S.) with a new High mode, which corrects perspective distortion that can occur when straight lines appear distorted during electronic stabilisation.

This also more effectively handles significant camera shake, such as during running and recording, reducing the need for a third-party gimbal stabiliser in many situations.

Enhanced Real Time LUT

Mirroring the capabilities of the Lumix S9, the GH7 micro four thirds camera now supports LUT imports, allows you to create unique filters by layering Photo Styles and LUTs, adjust LUT settings and seamlessly capture photos and videos with enhanced Real Time LUT support.

This provides the ability to capture content with pre-defined styles, for easy editing, sharing to social media, LUT creation, and much more for content creators to enjoy.

Compatible video recorders

HDMI RAW data output is possible with numerous industry standard compatible on-camera video recorders, enabling recording in a variety of formats including Open Gate 5.8K 5760x4320 (4:3) 29.97p, 12-bit (LPCM), 5.7K 5728x3024 (17:9) 59.94p, 12-bit (LPCM) and C4K 4096x2160 (17:9) 119.88p, 12-bit (LPCM). Compatible recorders include:

• Blackmagic Video Assist 5" 12G HDR Monitor Recorder and Blackmagic Video Assist 7" - note that when recording in C4K 120p/100p or 5.7K 60p/50p, a constant bitrate 5:1 or less is recommended for SSD recording and 8:1 or less for SD card recording
• Atomos Ninja Ultra HDR, Atomos Shogun 7”, Atomos Shogun Ultra 7”, and earlier Ninja V / Ninja V+ / Ninja

USB-SSD Direct recording

Straight out of the box, the Lumix GH7 will record photos and video data to an external SSD drive via USB. An AC Adaptor DMW-AC11 (optional) and DC Coupler DMW-DCC18 (optional) are required to record video on a USB-SSD.

External recording is available up to C4K 4096x2160 and 4K 3840x2160, at 59.94p (Maximum output of sensor is 120fps), 200Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP) (H.265/HEVC, LPCM), when using VFR MOV.

Proxy recording

The Panasonic Lumix GH7 camera supports proxy recording for efficient workflows with native Camera to Cloud integration using Adobe’s frame.io. This enables images and videos to be automatically uploaded, backed up, shared, and worked on collaboratively via the cloud.

Live streaming and tethering support

RTMP / RTMPS protocols are available with Wi-Fi connectivity for up to 1920x1080 FHD at a maximum 59.94p. A maximum 4K USB Tethering is also available at a maximum 30p, along with Wired LAN for flexible content creation.

3.0-inch free-angle LCD touchscreen

The tilt free-angle 3.0-inch monitor with a 3:2 aspect supports convenient framing and camera control, and does not interfere with HDMI or USB cables when tilted.

High-speed burst shooting

With both mechanical and electronic shutter modes, photographers can capture high-speed bursts at up to 14fps (AFS) and 10fps (AFC) in mechanical shutter, and a maximum 75fps (AFS) in electronic shutter mode.

Up to 170 images can be recorded in RAW+JPEG, 215 images in RAW only and more than 260 images when shooting JPEG files.

Extremely robust and reliable body

The GH7 is made for demanding creators and is able to withstand harsh environments with dust, splash resistance, and freeze-resistance down to -10 degrees Celsius.

5-axis in-body stabilisation offers advanced image stabilisation with up to 7.5-stops B.I.S. and 7.5-stops Dual I.S. when shooting with compatible micro four thirds lenses.

Connectivity

As a professional video camera the Lumix GH7 features extensive connectivity options for content creation. These include:

• USB Type-C® (USB 10Gbps)
• HDMI Type A
• φ2.5mm
• φ3.5mm for external microphone / external audio device
• 4ch mic input with DMW-XLR2 (sold separately)
• Slot 1: CFexpress Card (CFexpress Type B)
• Slot 2: SD Memory Card
• TC IN/OUT
• WiFi with 2.4GHz bands (STA/AP) (IEEE802.11b/g/n) and 5GHz bands (STA/AP) (IEEE 802.11a/n/ac)
• Bluetooth® v5.0 (Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE))

Panasonic licenses ARRI LogC3 from ARRI for the LUMIX GH7

Users can purchase an additional software license key DMW-SFU3A (sold separately) from Panasonic in order to utilise ARRI LogC3, whereby seamless colour matching with ARRI's digital cinema cameras can be achieved. The ARRI LogC3 curve on the GH7 has been certified by ARRI for the implementation of this function!

Vast MFT lens ecosystem

One of the key benefits of the micro four thirds system is its extensive and diverse lens ecosystem. The MFT system offers unparalleled portability, allowing photographers and videographers to benefit from a compact and lightweight setup without compromising on quality or versatility.

With a vast selection of lenses available, users can easily find the perfect option to suit their specific needs, whether shooting landscapes, portraits, macro, video or telephoto work. Choose from affordable releases like the G Vario 12-60mm F/3.5-5.6 ASPH Power O.I.S. Lens, or similar Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm F/2.8-4 ASPH Power O.I.S. Lens, which is included in the GH7 with Leica 12-60mm Lens Kit

The versatile Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm F/1.7 ASPH Lens offers an equivalent 50-100mm range, and has a large following thanks to its tried-and-tested optics with great results across a variety of subjects.

What’s in the box

• Panasonic Lumix GH7 Digital MFT Camera Body
• Battery Pack
• Battery Charger
• BNC Converter Cable
• Shoulder Strap
• Body Cap
• Eye Cup
• Hot Shoe Cover
• Flash Synchro Socket Cap