The GH7 is a tiny JUGGERNAUT | Review

The Panasonic LUMIX GH7 is a video centric juggernaut of a camera - but can a Micro Four Thirds sensor still cut it in 2024? does the addition of Pro Res RAW and the ARRI Log C3 profile make a difference? Let's find out!

The majority of footage in this video was shot at ISO 500 with the Panasonic Leica 10-25mm f/1.8 lens.

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CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
00:43 - My history with Micro Four Thirds cameras
01:46 - Panasonic LUMIX GH7 form factor and features
03:22 - Recording formats and framerates
04:26 - Pro Res RAW in the GH7
06:31 - 120fps in 4k 10bit is gorgeous!
07:34 - Dynamic range on the GH7
10:18 - ARRI Log C profile on the GH7
13:23 - Awesome IBIS on the GH7
16:07 - Autofocus improvements on the GH7
17:44 - Rolling shutter performance on the GH7
18:40 - Does sensor size really matter in 2024?
21:50 - Final thoughts on the GH7 and what it hints about the next flagship camera

#lumix

[hiscifiguy]

NICE. A great thorough review - especially giving explanation to speedbooster options and rolling shutter speeds, which most reviewers never mention. I've shot with Lumix since the GH4. Now, with the GH6 I've filmed broadcast spots and a ton of food shoots (240 fps is quite excellent - if the exposure is perfect).
Our studio has since evolved to a RED V Raptor x and DJI Ronin 4D, but I will absolutely buy a GH7, slap my loyal speedbooster on it, and keep shooting. They're amazing cameras and anyone complaining that it (or really any current camera) doesn't record beautiful imagery, should assess their own skills as a creative.

[CartyCantDance]

To solve the ProResRAW to resolve issue:
There’s a RAW convert program to compress the PRR to CDNG and keep both your 12 bit color depth and RAW panel in resolve. It’s not internal BRAW, and it is another step, but it saves you HDMI output and a Blackmagic recorder

[ngonzale]

As a Fuji shooter, it's hard not to consider this instead of a Fuji XH2s. Lumix is far more reliable, but the image (when in focus) is incredible in Fuji.

[CartyCantDance]

Love being this early!
EF or PL mount lenses are the only solution to the compatibility issues between MFT and L mount. I chose EF, but I find myself using full frame more and more often. Great video Ed!
I hope you get your s5iiX back soon

[Wildridefilms]

I think the most recent Panasonic cameras' AF has surpassed Canon's video AF. They're a lot more sticky and reliable. Sony's recent cameras with the "AI" chip probably have superior AF. Only thing the Panasonic cameras lack is consistency. The AF doesn't stay that good as you go up in frame rates. Whereas Sony and Canon have consistently good to great AF regardless of the frame rates.

[GrayGhostDog]

What makes a huge difference is the inclusion of 32-bit float support along with the internal ProRes Raw and ARRI Log C3 features. The GH-series has had video-centric tools most other hybrid cameras did not possess and some still do not to this day...

[williamburkholder]

I wouldn't compare body prices between full frame and Micro 4/3. Compare whole kit prices! What does it cost to buy equivalent angle of view coverage? What does it cost to buy equivalent light gathering capability? Total cost of ownership and total kit size and weight matter a lot to many of us. What we film and photograph may benefit more from one or the other platform. Choosing cameras should not be as cavalier as, "Full frame is God." Just as Fujifilm has medium format and APS-C cameras, Lumix has full frame and Micro 4/3 cameras. Each format serves a different user base with different features and benefits. The GH7 is an ideal replacement for those of us with older GH cameras.

[JoshCameron]

As always, a thorough and concise take on this camera! And the footage you shot in Italy looks INSANE! ✌🏻

[georgec]

I was rewatching your older videos and just fot the notificatin that this was uploaded. Can't wait to see it!

[stangatsonjr]

Always a pleasure watching your videos, Ed. I love my S5 and planning on making a move to the S5ii soon, but the GH7 is enticing. I still have all my lenses for my G85, so I wouldn’t mind grabbing the GH7. What a phenomenal camera. Great job as always, cheers!

[overnightdelivery]

I've been more of a photo guy, than a video guy over the years. However, I love the Big M43 zooms being the 10-25 and 50-200. To me they are the perfect balance of size, light gathering, handheld sports photography/movies and everday usability. The GH7 is the perfect size body for these bigger lenses and can't wait for it to be released. 🙂

[jeremy_woods]

Still holding strong for the S2H (or whatever they call it). They registered a cam with internal ND’s we’ve yet to see, and they don’t have a cinema line to protect… so I’m fully expecting to be blown away by the S1H sequel.

[AudioVideo_IT]

As a software developer working in the field of video stabilization I can tell you these micro jitters can appear on very shallow depth of field content or when the small objects like seed pieces look to similar and the movement detection links false different objects of the two compared video frames together. Some videos can be stabilized without any failure and other video content is just failing. With some experience you can estimate when the digital stabilization fails and when not. Currently I am also working to solve this problem on my product. Post production stabilization should work more reliable. The very good IBIS from the GH7 also should reduce the jelly visual rolling shutter effect to zero.

[vanzetti]

Great review mate - have to say your footage with the Arri lut looks incredible.

[dull_Asian_dad]

Excellent in-depth pros and cons Ed, all very valid and well thought out. Stef has the patience of a saint. Not many people like having a lens in their face 24/7 unless.... she shoots as well, perhaps all the b-roll of you filming? 22:57-23:09 is a pretty intermediate to advanced camera move. Enjoyed your POV from a film maker's perspective. I shoot FF Canon (mostly stills) and I went to a GH6 due to small size, weight and video centric features, frame rates and codecs; but long for a shallow DOF of FF. To get that, I need a 10-25, but then I'm smack dab back to something weighty and chonky. 😞

[jvburnes]

Excellent review. I've been off doing a ton of stuff other than indie film. I started with GH2 hacking and then used the GH4 and when doing hard core indie work rented Sony FS700s, but now it's time for a personal upgrade and the GH7 looks like it. I've got lots of anamorphic open gate to try out -- a big Sankor 16D at night shooting and getting amazing flares.

[the_black_douglas]

Very nice vid, as always Ed! Palermo looks absolutely lovely ☺️ In my day job working mostly as an editor for a small Australian company making longform in the Agricultural sector, we have a secret pact amongst cammos and producers always to get the cute farm doggos somewhere into our clients’ films. So I approve of your closing shots! 🐶 I sometimes have rose coloured glasses about my old GH5 days, but as usual you’ve captured the vibe of why so many of us switched to FF and stayed after the release of the S5…the whole no-fuss exposure experience. Mind you the image still looks ace in lower contrast situations…particularly when your very patient partner Steph poses with the Lumix/ Leica 10-25. The image from that thing is really special. My colleague still uses the old G9 on lower budget jobs to get stunning images using the Lumix/ Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 ASPH Nocticron, just out in the field, natural light. There is a certain je ne sais quoi to that Lumix/ Leica glass!!

[bharumusic]

Music selection for this review is excellent!!! 👌🏾

[MikeLindup]

Great review, Ed. Currently rocking a Sony A7R3 having jumped from GH2 and GH4, which was a great hybrid camera for its day and one I really bonded with. I've been thinking of returning to Lumix, shooting mainly wildlife, landscape but also travel vlogging. The dilemma being whether to go full frame (S5II) or M43 with the lens investment dilemma. But definitely moving to 10 bit colour and better autofocus & IBIS are big attractions (plus timelapse conversion internally) as the more affordable Sony bodies would seem to have crop and rolling shutter compromises, though great autofocus and dynamic range. I'm rambling...!!

[leafcatcherstudio]

Thanks for the review and sharing the autofocus and 4k120 e-stabilization issues, it's good to know about them.