Panasonic has once again shown its commitment to research and development with the release of a groundbreaking new digital camera model – the DMC GX-7.
While fuller testing of the camera’s sensor is needed to say for certain, it appears Panasonic has finally overcome the Achilles heel of the Micro Four Thirds system, which, to date, has been the relatively poor performance of the small sensor at high ISO.
The GX-7 offers a rangefinder style body with a tiltable live viewfinder that can be used in conjunction with the rear display to control capture.
Panasonic has once again shown its commitment to research and development with the release of a groundbreaking new digital camera model – the DMC- GX7.
While fuller testing of the camera’s sensor is needed to say for certain, it appears Panasonic has finally overcome the Achilles heel of the Micro Four Thirds system, which, to date, has been the relatively poor performance of the small sensor at high ISO.
The GX-7 offers a rangefinder style body with a tiltable live viewfinder that can be used in conjunction with the rear display to control capture.
Other exciting features include a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000, further bridging the performance gap between the Four Thirds system and the DSLR world.
Another welcome feature is focus peaking, which shows the user when critical focus is achieved by highlighting in blue the pixels in focus.
This helps overcome one of the main difficulties of working with the smaller viewfinder and during initial testing on a photo safari on Fraser Island was very satisfying.
The GX-7 is the first G series camera to offer in- body optical image stabilisation, which when paired with a stabilising lens, will by default switch to the lens for stabilisation.
As with all G series cameras, the GX-7 boasts a wealth of features, chief among them a new 16-megapixel Live MOS sensor that performs nothing short of brilliantly, and can be set as high as ISO 25, 600.
Speaking at the product launch, which brought tech writers from over the Asia- Pacific region, product marketing manager Doug Campbell described the GX-7 as a game changer.
I shy away from that kind of hyperbole but on this occasion, it’s a claim that might just stick.
The GX-7 starts at $1249 body only, with a choice of kits on offer and an extensive range of lenses and accessories.
The GX-7 will be available in Australia in September.
If you’re in the market for a Four Thirds camera, this one is definitely worth holding out for.
* Chris Oaten travelled to Fraser Island as a guest of Panasonic. Chris is a professional photographer, and Tech Guide’s camera reviewer, from Insight Visuals.
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