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+++++ PROCESSING / HOUSING +++++
If you see the GX7 the first time she seems almost clunky and inelegant. The reason is that the kit lens as opposed to the camera is very small. In addition, the housing is quite simply decorated, with clear and straight lines. Overall, the GX7 is certainly no optical design wonder. But they can convince the more tactile. The camera is super processed and one has to keep the feeling of a really solid piece of photography equipment in hand. The keys have a pleasant pressure point and the operating wheels turn smoothly with the necessary resistance.
Unfortunately, the GX7 is dust and splash proof. During the almost already standard for SLR cameras in this price range, the waiver has developed on many mirrorless an unpleasant character.
Interim conclusion >>> Very simple and unspectacular design, but very good workmanship.
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++++++ HANDLING / Ergonomics ++++++
Through the molded and rubberized grip the camera lies comfortably in the hand and all buttons and knobs are very good erreichtbar.
Since a total of four buttons on the back are assignable to any function, you really have all the functions that are frequently used on any button. So is a lightning-fast parameter setting possible and there is a wonderful workflow. Through the electronic viewfinder you have not even look at the display for the settings.
The menu is quite well in spite of the wide range of functions, even though you often have to click through many tabs. Nevertheless, you will find the required setting for some acclimatization period very quickly.
Overall, I found the handling and workflow while shooting just perfect and has me again like better than my Olympus OM-D E-M5. The buttons have to be pressed for setting of certain parameters are chosen the right place. I never had the feeling that it would have otherwise fallen better. As for what I am usually very fussy and find otherwise at each camera something which would otherwise have been better during handling, but not at the GX7.
Interim conclusion >>> operability is for the size of the camera, close to the optimum.
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++++++ EQUIPMENT / configurability ++++++
> Functions:
Here, the Panasonic GX7, trumps quite large. Panasonic, with its cameras the best currently featured in the price segments. There is absolutely not what I was missing. It has absolutely everything I lack at the OM-D. I would like to now make any miseries long list, but the Panasonic GX7 provides in terms of functionality and configurability currently any direct competitors in the shade. Only the Panasonic GH3 and G6 can keep up.
Wen is exactly what interested the GX7 everything can and can not do so, which should be easy times Download the manual on the Panasonic website.
> Viewfinder:
In addition to the intrinsic values of course also include the outer. The viewfinder has a resolution of 2.76 million pixels, and thus offers an extremely sharp viewfinder image. With a viewfinder magnification of 0.7x he should be very large. At first glance I was a bit enttäucht because the viewfinder was not much bigger than that of my OM-D E-M5, which even a tad seems to me greater. What I have yet to read in any test and is also not in the specifications, which is the viewfinder in 16: 9 format is. So if the image format only on 4: 3 is set, then the left and right a little is cut off. To be exact is over 16: 9 in 4: 3 only 75% of the viewfinder image used.
The exit pupil is also only 17.5mm, which is to capture the entire viewfinder image for spectacle wearers how hard makes me. When in 4: 3 format photographed it comes just as, at 3: 2 or even 16: 9, it is absolutely impossible. Eyeglass wearers should therefore look in the viewfinder Specialists previously necessarily whether they deal with it.
As long as I in 4: 3've photographed, I am personally very well coped with the viewfinder, the expected large viewfinder image is then but gone.
Switching is done by pressing a button or automatically by the eye sensor whose sensitivity can even change.
The folding function of the viewfinder is certainly a nice perk, but I can see the situation where I need to probably count on one hand.
What I also liked less is that the searcher has a slightly visible ghosting, even slightly stronger than other Panasonic cameras.
> Display:
The display has pixels with 1,040,000 on very fine and has a touch function. This is not as phoney as the Olympus OM-D, but was super integrated. Thus, all settings can also be very good to make by touching the screen. A particularly ingenious feature is the ability to move the focus point when looking through the viewfinder using the touchscreen. Simply wipe the touch screen and slide the focal point to the desired location. Use the rear control dial you can then also change the size of the AF frame. That makes just really fun, because you can focus accurately in seconds.
In addition, the touch panel also offers seven other freely assignable Fn keys, so you no longer need guaranteed the menu.
Interim conclusion >>> The Panasonic GX7 offers equipment that leaves nothing to be desired.
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+++++ Autofocus / SPEED ++++++
The autofocus works with a scanning frequency of 240 Hz. In my OM-D is only 120 Hz. Whether the autofocus thus is much faster I would not say now that I found out just no difference with my methods. What is certain, however, is that the Panasonic GX7 the mirrorless competition from Sony and Fujifilm loosely dependent and most SLRs leaves behind.
However, one must keep in mind that you are dealing with a contrast auto focus which has many advantages, but also some drawbacks, of course. For example, is not the distance to the subject measured and it can happen that one focuses the background even though you did not want that. Therefore, the setting of the AF-right field is particularly important. Luckily here you have many options. In addition to face recognition and the entire AF area can also select only one field. This can be adjusted in size in 4 stages and move freely in the frame. In addition, you can also focus directly on a specific point, making extremely precise focusing is possible.
My absolute favorite feature is the ability to move the AF area with the touch screen while looking through the viewfinder. This works just amazing and you have a flash the AF point exactly where you want it hinhaben - Genial.
What I particularly noticed is positive, the short Einschaltedauer. Only about 1 sec. And the camera is ready. By contrast, my OM-D is downright lame.
The the Serienbildgewindigkeit is approximately 5.3 frames / sec (JPEG) and 4.8 images / s (RAW) is not just impressive for a Mirrorless, it keeps them in JPEG so long through until the card is full.
Interim conclusion >>> Fast camera with rapid autofocus which brings all the advantages and disadvantages of contrast autofocus with it.
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++++++ IMAGE QUALITY / LENS ++++++
First of all, to the objective. Kit lens is meticulously crafted and the focus and zoom ring turn very smooth. From the imaging performance wise, it is certainly not the measure of all things, but overall it offers quite decent image quality and in the kit, it cost you only around 100 EUR.
My first tests with the camera showed sharp images. Especially to ISO 1600, the image quality is great and also ISO 3200 is still absolutely great for printing. Furthermore it is then something marginal. ISO 6400 is for smaller prints maybe just fine, but is about to be used only in absolute emergencies yet.
What particularly interests me is whether the GX7 now really delivers as promised as good image quality as the GH3, better as the G6 and how it performs in comparison to the competition from Olympus. But the comparison with the other mirrorless Sony, Fujifilm, Canon, is of interest.
And I have not only your own images compared, since I do not all cameras to handle, but also test shots from different sources. And I've always taken the JPEG shots because I want results presentable rarely reworked and rather out-of-the-box.
########## Panasonic GX7 / G6 / GH3 vs. Olympus OM-D E-M5 / E-P5 ##########
>>> ISO 100,400
In this area, take the Panasonic cameras GX7 / G6 / GH3 and Olymus cameras E-PL5 / OM-D E-M5 / E-P5 / E-PM2 not much. I found the photographs of the GX7 only a bit soft in the default setting. The Olympus cameras are there adapted a little more aggressive, provide very sharp results. This particularly fine details come to better advantage and the images to know somewhat better overall pleasing.
The dynamic range of the GX7 has improved somewhat and now is at the level of GH3 and Olympus cameras.
>>> ISO 800 3200
From here, I realized that has unfortunately gotten a bad feature of the G6 GX7. So engages the noise reduction, even in the lowest setting, for my taste a bit too strong a. So here go more details lost than the GH3 or the Olympus cameras. Where the RU intervenes much more restrained, so that the results to ISO 3200 simply are somewhat handsome.
From ISO 6400 then takes all the upper hand, the noise, so you have to turn the RU higher and the cameras no longer take much.
Interim conclusion >>> That is the image quality (JPEG) at the same level as that of the GH3 unfortunately I could not quite confirm. Especially above ISO 800 has slightly better I like the GH3. I found the GX7 rather marginally better than the G6, especially when dynamic range. The Olympus cameras shine simple still the better JPEG Aufbearbeitung, making the images look a little better. Who is photographed in RAW format can probably hardly notice differences.
Remember you should of course, that I have seen here on small details and the images have considered in 100% view. Most will probably notice little difference, because a total of all have a class picture quality.
########### Panasonic GX7 vs. Sony NEX, Fujifilm, Canon EOS M ###########
Also interesting is the comparison with the other mirrorless with the larger 1/3 APS-C sensor.
This is now a general comparison, because I just want to make it clear whether there is a difference in the picture quality and where it is located.
ISO 100 400
In this area the differences are rather marginal. Mostly I have the pictures of the GX7 even fallen slightly better eg compared to the Canon EOS M. Fujifilm (X-E1 / X-M1 / X-Pro1) shines with the lowest noise, but you have quite strong stopping down the ultimate in sharpness reach.
ISO 800 6400
Here the differences are somewhat clearer. Until ISO 1600 and partly ISO 3200 sensor size falls not so significant. Only Fujifilm can deposed some here whose images stand out by a very low noise and a lot of detail even up to ISO 6400.
Interim conclusion >>> Especially who is photographed in JPEG format hardly notice differences. It was not until ISO 6400 is one slightly better off with a larger sensor. But honestly, the images that I can count on one hand I'm doing with ISO 6400.
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++++++++ CONCLUSION ++++++++
It has given me some sleepless hours, but if I abgebe my OM-D E-M5 for the GX7. Above all, the handling is absolutely perfect succeeded so I previously when taking pictures with no camera had so much fun.
Those who opt for the Panasonic GX7 gets the currently most complete mirrorless system camera in this price range. It offers just about everything you can imagine. Only in terms of image quality they can not put on the top of the Micro Four Thirds cameras themselves. However, these are so close together that one can hardly speak of better and worse. Unfortunately, Panasonic has goofed something the seeker who in a better format would somewhat larger and can fail. In the end it depends on the personal taste of what camera you choose, which is why I have briefly described below various alternatives.
EDIT: The sharp fall in prices (230 EUR in almost 3 months) makes the GX7 a real "value-for-bomb". For the price you can hardly get.
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+++++++++++++++++++++++ ALTERNATIVES ++++++++++++++++++++++
>>> Panasonic GH3
The body can be had for the same price, dustproof, waterproof, more extensive video function, better handling and a tick better picture quality. Only display and viewfinder dissolve slightly lower and to Fokuspeaking have to do without. In addition, the GH3 is already so big and heavy as a mid-range DSLR.
>>> Olympus OM-D E-M5
The sharp decline in prices of GX7 even more expensive, but dust and splash proof (also the kit lens), super 5-axis image stabilization and better picture quality by class JPEG Aufbearbeitung. The viewfinder is a little better suited for eyeglass wearers, dissolves a little lower on, as well as the display. The range of equipment is very good, but not as complete as in the GX7. Even those who would like to make videos had better access to Panasonic, as simply more setting provides.
>>> Olympus E-P5
Meanwhile, more expensive and has no viewfinder, the you have to buy for just under 300 EUR Extra. It is not dustproof, waterproof, but also provides good picture quality as the OM-D E-M5 and also the super 5-axis image stabilization. I like the design a bit better and the buyable viewfinder is simply superb, but the GX7 is something lush equipped.
>>> Panasonic G6
Similarly, good facilities and only minimally worse picture quality. Processing Although not nearly as good, but it is also considerably cheaper. An alternative for those with some small budget.
>>> Fujifilm X-E1
Meanwhile, more than 300 EUR cheaper class retro design and excellent image quality. Features, usability and speed are however far behind the GX7. Provide a camera for purists and those who want the last bit of image quality.
>>> Sony NEX 7
A little older, but especially in low ISO range by their 24 Mpix visibly better picture quality and now be had for less than the GX7. Equipment and speed are but well behind the GX7.
