Here is a review of Panasonic LUMIX GF7, a compact & stylish interchangable lens camera that you can pop into your bag where ever you go.
The selfie phenomenon is more than just a fad. From being named Oxford Dictionary’s word of the year 2013 to being the most retweeted tweet ever (cue Ellen Degeneres’ star-studded selfie during 2014’s Oscars), it has also taken over the camera world by storm. What was originally a smartphone’s monopoly has been taken over by selfie-centric cameras. From overly stylised “front cameras” to swivel screens, the whole idea is to encourage all budding narcissists to take better pictures of themselves by coupling a higher megapixel “front camera” with the qualities we love in a DSLR (or at least try to).
Panasonic is jumping on the bandwagon with their newly launched Lumix DMC-GF7. Like its predecessors, it is a compact digital that employs a Mirror-less Micro Four Thirds sensor format, with the a whooping 16 megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor and the option for interchangeable lenses. This refresh, however, comes equipped with quintessential selfie features like the flip screen and beauty enhancing modes – all while maintaining the technology and quality well established in the series.
*All the pictures presented here were taken directly from the GF7 – no further editing was involved.
For The Stylish
Straight away, the GF7 won me over with its design. Boasting a clean angular build and a stylized leather design matched with the metallic body, it is reminiscent of the vintage Leicas that I can only dream to own. No butter fingers with the added friction too.
It comes in four vibrant colours; Black, Caramel brown, White and Pink. I know, I know. Why pink? As monochromatic as I usually am, I found myself especially drawn to it. It’s the pretty shade that’s not too girly, or going too deep into the red. The other colours are incredibly unisex, and all four fits right into every style and outfit – from the fashion forward youngster to the well-mannered gentleman.
The whole compact body comes to a total of 266g. Even when paired with the 12-32mm lens, it is still lightweight and maintains a palm-sized build that is extremely convenient and easy to carry it around with me – especially in my bag that already has everything from an umbrella to my cosmetic pouch in it. For those who have been dragging around huge camera bodies on top of additional lenses, this improvement in weight truly makes a difference for day to day use.
For The Selfie Lover
GF7 comes with a 3.0” 1040K-dot In-Cell LCD Touchscreen, that automatically goes into the much desired Selfie Mode once flipped 180◦C. The instant change in UI gives me quick access to all my beauty enhancing needs, from Skin Smoothing, Defocusing and, most amazingly, a Slimming Mode! I love that the Skin Smoothing, even at the highest setting, did not make me look like a wax model from Madam Tussauds, and that the Slimming Mode actually works through a subtle elongation of my face (goodbye to awkward high angles).
Perhaps it was due to the 16 megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor that the photos turned out exactly the way it was previewed to me – oh who am I kidding, of course it is. Coupled with Panasonic’s Venus Engine, I was able to take stunning selfies anywhere and anytime. Hard to believe, the selfie above was actually taken indoors, in a dimly lit room with no sunlight thanks to Taipei being all cloudy, rainy and freezing cold. My phone obviously failed in all aspects to take a good picture, and even worse, the shadows were accentuating flaws I did not even notice. With the GF7, I got that perfect, sunshine-filled shot that looked like I was in paradise. (Fake it till you make it!)
Another bonus point? The camera is so light, I continued snapping away single-handedly (literally) until I got the right shot without getting one bit tired.
Superior image quality aside, there’s no point if all my shots were restricted to that standard extended arm pose, with hardly any background. Actually, with the crazy influx of selfie cameras coming into the market from all directions, everyone has taken their selfie game to a whole new level. The trend now is to look like you have a professional photographer packed with all the right lenses wherever you go, and, of course, knowing all your best angles.
The GF7 truly embraces this photographic style by (cue drumroll) making it completely hands-free! With the Face Shutter, I could trigger the shutter release by turning on/off the face detection while in Selfie Mode in 3 simple steps;
- Allow the GF7 to detect your face briefly.
- Use your hands, prop or simply move out of the face detection range for a few seconds.
- Allow the camera to detect your face again.
It is completely easy, though it took some getting used to. I personally love to set a three-second timer with this, just so I can ready myself for that perfect.
The face detection is quick and accurate, and I especially tested this out during the Buddy Mode: which only shoots the moment you and your BFF’s face gets close together! Talk about a true hands-free selfie, or should I say, wefie. Oh, and yes, you can definitely do this with a big group as well. No more awkward “Who’s going to sit out and take the photo for us?” situations ever again.
Truly remarketing itself for a new casual audience, I really do love the GF7 for its selfie function. It makes getting a beautiful shoot of myself, and my friends, from what seemed to be an impossible dream to an amateur like me, to an instant miracle. The GF7 has made it way too easy and fool-proof, especially with the How-To videos every time you choose a certain shoot mode. There’s also no fumbling around the menu, because who wants to lose that perfect photo moment looking through the countless options this camera has to offer?
For The (budding) Fashionista
Ever wondered how those established fashion bloggers attain those editorial type shoots? Most probably a high-end DSLR and friends with a photographic flair – but, most of us, are not that blessed.
Now, the GF7 makes taking an OOTD shot extremely easy through its Panasonic Image App (available on iOS/android stores). By connecting the camera to your smartphone or tablet through WI-FI connectivity with a quick press of the FN1 button or using the QR code, I could get Remote Control to the entire camera from my gadget directly.
I am not exaggerating when I say the entire camera. My phone transformed into a mini UI for the GF7 – which included everything from the 30 fps image recording to quick adjustments for aperture, exposure compensation and more. I did a sneaky move by hiding my phone in my copy of The Night Circus (borrowed from my AirBnB host), and adjusted the settings, trigger the shutter and even reviewed the final image – all while being metres away from the camera.
The remote control comes into play thanks to the High Speed Auto-Focus. It is incredibly easy to take paparazzi-like shots in scenic locations, even when I’m by myself. Sure, you are going to get a couple of curious stares here and there, but the instant it got onto social media, there will be enough like to send you to the moon, or at least to the front page of Lookbook if that’s your thing.
For those who are a little out-of-the-box and think the usual hipster poses are way too standard and boring, the Jump Shot might just be thing for you. Easily activated through a quick touch of the button on your phone, the camera detects the highest jump position and triggers the shutter release.
While there was some trial and error involved, like setting the right level of sensitivity and playing with the auto- or manual-focus, there was no need to time my jump at all. Completely through motion detection, I could set up the camera with a GorillaPod (get them cheap off Qoo10!) and get pretty much all the angles I want anywhere and anytime for the ultimate jump shot.
Besides all the fancy functions, it still comes down to how the picture turned out.
The technology packed into this tiny powerhouse produces high resolution images with vibrant colours, where neither the background nor subject looked unnatural. In fact, we pitted the camera against Mother Nature – how would it perform during a rainy and gloomy night? I guess the Low Light Autofocus and Venus Technology came up on top as no one believed that I was freezing in the rain in that photo. GF7 not only managed to capture me with fine details, but also reproduced the colourful backdrop of Taipei’s night life with an excellent S/N ratio.
As usual, it comes with Creative Filters for some playful fun. Compliment the high quality image with the different effects to get that edge you want in your photos. My favourite currently is the Dynamic Monochrome filter which gave every shot an editorial edge – making what was a normal photograph something a little more unique.
With this, any of us can take that first step to be the next sought-after fashion blogger – without having to fork out a fortune for a photography entourage when you are on a trip by yourself. You can bring to life your very own fashion vision, and control how you want to look every step of the way. You never know, but aspiring fashionistas may very well start their own fashion cult with the GF7.
For the Foodie
Instagram, from the beginning, has always been dominated by one thing and one thing only.
You guessed it. It’s the one we cannot live without; food (literally).
Some restaurants come with that typical warm orange light or even little to no lighting for that romantic ambience, which can turn a beautiful dish into a dull and flat picture – how am I supposed to tell the world how delicious my cake is when the photo looks so unappealing?
Regardless of the situation, all can be easily corrected with either the 20 pre-set Scene Guides or the Automatic White Balance options. Settings and modes can be promptly adjusted through touchscreen or the Quick Menu button right on side. Then again, if you’re just getting into photography and the entire menu just looks like gibberish to you, the GF7 actually comes with an Intelligent Auto Mode accessible through the iA+ button right on the top. It is a godsend for newbies to the photography world as it instantly turns on a variety of shooting-assist functions, including the Face Recognition, Intelligent ISO Control and more in one go. An instant remedy to all the challenges the environment has to throw at us.
Coming with the option of up to 22 interchangeable lens options from Panasonic, there is one particular lens foodie might want to invest in. While the 12-35mm that comes with it is a decent performer, the Macro Lens can help take your foodie journey to new heights. This option to switch lens really brings in another flavour to your photos, and with the micro four thirds system, where brand restriction does not apply, can be really convenient. Essentially, unlike DSLRs, the range of optics is huge, and people like, who wants to upgrade their current micro four thirds system, can reuse these lenses.
For The Explorer
Without doubt, this palm-sized camera is meant for travel. Fitting right into anywhere, I could easily whip it out whenever something piqued my interest. The best part is that I do not have to worry about the quality when I blow it up on my computer.
Street photography is all about that spontaneity. The high level precision topped with the High Speed Auto-Focus can help to capture every fleeting moment with great detail. It also comes with a Face Recognition Auto-Focus, which incorporates Face/Eye Detection Auto-Focus that automatically sets focus on the subject’s face. When all of these are combined with Auto-Focus tracking, which tracks a moving subject through consecutive shooting, it was a breeze to capture that natural yet dynamic photo no matter what.
I even learned a little trick during this trip; use the flip screen to get into tricky or “sneaky” angles to that capture decidedly human character, possibly depicting a certain truth of the world – all without bringing unwanted attention to the person behind the camera.
Let’s not forget about the creative filters. They can be used anytime on top of P/A/S/M modes to combine the best setting with the desired filter. Besides, wouldn’t you agree that it really sets the street photography mood with my favourite Dynamic Monochrome? Other effects like the Toy Camera and Cross Process are reminiscent of those lomo cameras that I was really obsessed with a couple years back – but now I get to have both instantly in one camera. Really, the sky’s the limit as to how you want to express your vision, and the creative filters might just be what you need to take your photos there.
For The Next YouTube Star
As a fan of Wallace and Gromit, I have always been fascinated with stop motion animation. However, physically manipulating the object and taking picture by picture, than transferring it on to a computer to make it into one video takes way too much effort and time.
The GF7 comes with a Stop Motion Animation mode that gave me so much ease while producing that shot two minute clip. It works by super-imposing the two previously taken images with live image feed for easy and accurate placement of my prop – for all 80 over shots! There were many times where I heavily depended on the “guiding images” because my doll fell off completely! It even processes it into a stop animation the moment I was done – no need for transfers or pay for an overpriced programme.
With these functions, GF7 encourages tapping into new realms of creative expression with incredible ease. You can make stop animations, film a short story or even use it to vlog your everyday life and make your way up the Youtube chain to be the next internet celebrity.
Verdict
The LUMIX GF7 is an entry level system and may not be as intimidating-looking at its “seniors” in the market, but when the right composition is coupled with its capabilities, the results are comparable. Regardless of day or night, sunny or even raining cats and dogs, this camera delivered.
Like many Micro Four Third users, I rarely go out of my way to buy new lenses to shape up my compact buddy. No need to worry as the 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH lens is decent enough. Then again, the huge range of add-on lenses can help take anyone’s photography game to the next level whenever they desired. Its capabilities shine even brighter with the ICL as it allows for great quality despite the being palm-sized. Great reproducible colours and superior resolution made me feel like I was back at the scene as I flipped through the photos.
Overall, GF7 is well-crafted despite the aggressive price point at S$699 (with the 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH lens). Seeing that it is pretty much an all-encompassing system that fits right into my pocket, it really is a great every day and travel camera. Truthfully, it is not the only micro four thirds in the market with the selfie function, but the whole stress-/hands-free shooting coupled with excellent picture quality deal has made this camera climb to the top of my wish list. I would recommend this to anyone – it’s a camera for selfie fanatics, the budding fashion bloggers, and the new kid on the block to the photography world wanting to document every moment in new and creative ways.
About the Writer
Jessica is a young lady of many obsessions. She gets herself into everything ranging from the latest in the monochrome fashion world (she only wears black, and sometimes, white) to convincing the masses that Community is the best TV series ever made.
Currently, she enjoys looking like Sailor Mercury had a baby with Wednesday Addams.
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