Panasonic released “LUMIX DC-GH7” is a mirrorless camera “LUMIX GH” series that excels at video shooting, and is equipped with a 3/4-inch IMOS sensor that can shoot 4K / 60fps video, and has evolved in various ways from the previous model GH6. In particular, it is the first GH series to have “Phase detection AF (autofocus)” and “Powerful shutter speed of 7.5 stops” It is said that a powerful image stabilization system has been realized. So, I tested the performance of the GH7’s image plane phase detection AF and image stabilization system while comparing it with the GH6.
Overview Digital SLR Camera DC-GH7 | Digital Camera (LUMIX) | Panasonic
https://panasonic.jp/dc/products/DC-GH7.html
The following article compares the appearance and specs of the GH7 with the previous model, the GH6. You can see that the GH7 looks almost identical to the GH6.
I checked the appearance of Panasonic’s mirrorless single-lens camera “LUMIX DC-GH7” while comparing it with the previous model GH6 – GIGAZINE
Also, the following article provides some example photos to show you what kind of photos you can take with the GH7.
I tried taking various photos with Panasonic’s mirrorless single-lens camera “LUMIX DC-GH7”, which has a wide dynamic range and a wide range of expression – GIGAZINE
◆Testing the GH7’s improved autofocus with the introduction of phase detection AF
The GH7 looks almost the same as the GH6, but the image sensor has evolved from the GH6, adopting a back-illuminated CMOS image sensor with approximately 25.2 effective megapixels. Furthermore, while the GH6 had an AF system based on contrast differences, the GH7 is equipped with an on-chip phase difference sensor that quickly and accurately calculates the distance to the subject and captures the subject with 779 distance measurement points.
What has changed with this evolution is that the speed at which it takes to focus during autofocus has improved significantly. So, we actually compared the autofocus speed with the GH6.
Autofocus is set using the autofocus lever and the autofocus button in the middle of it. MF on the autofocus lever is “manual focus,” C is “AFC” which is suitable for shooting moving subjects, and S is “AFS” which is suitable for shooting still subjects.
This time, to compare and verify the GH6 (left) and GH7 (right),SLIK Plate IIII attached it to the camera and took some photos.
In the movie below, both machines attached to the SLIK Plate III change from “cat picture in front” to “cat picture in back”iCEOWe compared the focus speed when changing the subject to “stuffed toys, etc.” As you can see from the movie, the GH7 clearly focuses faster than the GH6, and you can see that the subject can be switched smoothly.
In addition, the camera brand LEICA and Panasonic’s LUMIX brand have collaborated to developL2 TechnologyThe accuracy of the automatic recognition AF has also been improved thanks to Panasonic’s proprietary DFD technology (spatial recognition technology). While the GH6 could only automatically recognize people and animals, the GH7 can now also automatically recognize “fast-moving subjects” such as cars, motorcycles, trains, and airplanes in addition to people and animals.
Auto-detection AF can be enabled by selecting “Auto-detection ON/OFF” on the autofocus settings screen.
The GH6’s automatic recognition targets were “people,” “faces and eyes,” and “animals + humans.”
Cars, motorbikes, trains, and airplanes have been added to the GH7. Also, human silhouettes, faces, and eyes have been grouped together under “People,” and animals have been separated from people.
For example, if you set it to full area (automatic recognition), the camera will automatically recognize when a subject comes within the field of view and automatically adjust the focus.
For trains, you can choose from two target areas: the front car of the train, or prioritizing the main parts.
Below is a movie of a train actually sliding into the platform to test the GH7’s automatic recognition AF. At first, the focus is on the pillar in front, but when the front of the train coming from the back is reflected, the focus is quickly set on the train.
I also set the GH7 to automatically recognize animals and tried taking a picture of a pigeon that was walking around in front of the station. In the second half of the movie below, the camera captures a pigeon on the other side of a fence, but the camera automatically focuses on the pigeon at the back, not the fence in front. You can also see how the camera instantly focuses on a pigeon that flies off the fence and quickly chases after it.
Panasonic LUMIX DC-GH7’s automatic recognition AF captures pigeons in the city – YouTube
◆Verification of the significantly improved image stabilization system in the GH7
The GH7 is the first GH series camera to implement 5-axis in-body image stabilization (BIS) equivalent to 7.5 shutter speed steps based on information obtained from the “image sensor” and “accelerometer” in addition to the signal from the “ultra-high precision gyro sensor” installed in the GH6. Furthermore, by combining it with “Dual IS” which adds 2-axis lens-shift type image stabilization (Power OIS), the image stabilization system has been strengthened even more than the previous model.
The Micro Four Thirds lens used in this shoot isGX VARIO 12-35mm/F2.8 ASPH./POWER OIS H-HS12035The camera is equipped with a Power OIS function and has an on/off switch on the side.
Image stabilization can be set from the video menu on the menu screen, as shown in the screen below.
The in-body image stabilization “Electronic Image Stabilization (Video)” can be switched between “Strong,” “Standard,” and “OFF.” This time, we selected “Strong.” Note that “Image Stabilization Boost (Video)” is for handheld shooting with the camera fixed, and “Anamorphic (Video)” is for handheld shooting.Anamorphic LensThis is an image stabilization mode that is useful when shooting using.
The GH6’s image stabilization settings screen looks like this. Electronic stabilization (video) has only “ON” and “OFF” settings.
With the GH6 and GH7 attached to the SLIK Plate III, I tried handheld shooting without using a gimbal. The following movie was shot with both lens shift image stabilization and electronic image stabilization turned off, and it is clear that the photographer’s movements are reflected in the screen blur to the same extent in both cases.
And here are the results of handheld shooting with only lens-shift image stabilization turned on: Compared to footage shot with everything turned off, both have less camera shake, but at this point the GH7 already has less camera shake.
Furthermore, when shooting with the electronic image stabilization turned on, the GH7 has almost no camera shake, and the image is so smooth that you would believe it was using a gimbal. The difference is clear when you watch the following movie compared to the GH6.
However, when electronic image stabilization is turned on, the angle of view becomes slightly narrower, and the focal length is about 1.10 times wider when electronic image stabilization is turned on, and about 1.25 times wider when electronic image stabilization is turned on, compared to when electronic image stabilization is turned off. Therefore, if you are going to take handheld photos while walking with the image stabilization turned on, it is a good idea to use a wide-angle lens.
Next time we plan to check out the dynamic range and real-time LUTs of the GH7’s video performance, so stay tuned.
Panasonic’s LUMIX DC-GH7 can be purchased from Amazon.co.jp. The price for the body only is 277,000 yen including tax.
In addition, a zoom lens kit including the lens “H-ES12060 LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-60mm / F2.8-4.0 ASPH. / POWER OIS” can be purchased for 351,000 yen (tax included).
·to be continued
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