Preorders price and specs:
Silver GX7 body at Amazon US (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and Wex UK (Click here).
Silver GX7 with 14-42mm lens at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and WexUK (Click here).
Black GX7 body at Wex UK (Click here).
Black GX7 with 14-42mm lens at Wex UK (Click here).
Black GX7 with 20mm lens at Wex UK (Click here).
Silver GX7 with 20mm lens at Wex UK (Click here).
Previews, reviews and tests:
First impression review at Dpreview, Hands-on by ePhotozine, Preview at Techradar, Spanish Hands-on at DSLRmagazine, Toma de contacto Quesabesde, Hands-on pics at Photographyblog. Hands-on at Pocket-Lint.
Surprise:
Panasonic also announced the Leica 42,5mm f/1.2 Nocticron (Source: Panasonic Japan). No price or release date unveiled.
Image Samples:
Superadrianme (with ISO test), Photographyblog,
Videos:
Introduction Video (Panasonic), Koji Ueda (Panasonic), Bernie DeChant (Panasonic), Kyoto (Panasonic), Praxistest in German (Chip.de), Scandinavian Photo,
Worldwide Press releases:
42,5mm lens at Dpreview, Dicahub (korean), OpenPN (French).
GX7 at Dpreview, ePhotozine, Photoscala (German), DicaHub (Korean), OpenPN (French), Quesabesde (Spanish), DC.watch (Japanese), Panasonic (Japanese), Zoom (Dutch), LeMondeDeLaPhoto (French), Focus Numerique (French), LesNumeriques (French), Fotografidigitali (Italian), Photographyblog, Fotomagazin (German), SLRlounge, PhotographicCentral.
Poll:
[poll id=”202″]
More pictures (Click on it to enlarge):
278 Responses
Definitely a beauty in black.
+1. The black looks so sweet I just wet myself 🙂
Eager to see reviews. The more competition the better.
Precision about the poll :
I voted yes. But I will buy it at a normal price, about 6 or 8 months after today I guess.
Thanks for clarifying. I was wondering about that.
You may consider it. After few months prices are dropping to 30%. It’s a shame. It’s like there’s two release of a new camera : First, for impulsive geeks, then for wise persons.
This is only true for lower-end models from Pana and Oly, which are pressured by competition and their successors much more than the high end models. Or can you tell me where I can get an E-M5 or a GH3 for 30% of its start price?
Good points
I think he was exaggerating by saying 30% but they do drop 10~15%, wasn’t the GH3 launch price $1300 and now it’s $1100?
A good ten months after release.
yeah, but the other guy just said that if you can wait a bit, you can pay less and I think that 10 months – maybe less if we talk about actual availability – for $200, if you can wait, that’s a pretty good discount for a camera with 2+ years life cycle.
hum, for E-M5 I would say…everywhere ! I had it for 1100 euros body only at the very begining. I think I was one of the first french to have it by buying it to DigitalRev in Hongkong…Now, you can have it for 800 euros body only, just search with Google shopping, very easy ! For Gh3, I don’t know, this camera is too big 😀
Not always… if it sell well (probably the case) it may hold value… see EM5. But I agree it use to happen to Pana bodies.
So, some of us are so “impulsive” that we have waited for this through several model iterations, not purchasing though tempted to do so. So we may differ with your opinion of wisdom.
I intend to purchase this as soon as it is available, and I am not swayed by your “wise” counsel. One good trip, or one enjoyable day of shooting, makes up for the cost difference of the launch price vs. an expected sale of one or two hundred dollars off.
This camera will not be clearing out at 30% in six months. Perhaps in a year or more, but even then I wouldn’t expect it. Meanwhile I’ll be glad to have it.
I hear you. I’ve been waiting for them to “get it right” for 3 years now. This camera finally has just exactly what I’ve been looking for. I haven’t made my final decision yet, but if I buy into the M43 system this camera will be the reason. The OMD was close, but it just didn’t do it for me in the video department.
If I remember correctly, the OMD’s original price was 1300US.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/842931-REG/Olympus_V204040BU000_OM_D_E_M5_Micro_Four.html
preorder links are broken
at least 3 more buttons and an addition dial…(let’s hope that’s not an electric zoom control…). It looks promising. but is it still the 16mp sensor used in gx1 and other bodies?
it said “NEW Live Mos sensor”
so It’s newwwww
Definitely a new sensor AND it has no filter in front of it!
Looking at the sample pics I can say that they are way more impressive than my GX1 files…definitely!
kind of sad it doesnt have a 18mp multi aspect ratio sensor. Besides that, the rumors were all perfect.
Wondering about what kind of IBIS it has.
I’m buying it… 🙂
So, is that a second dial around the shutter?
i hope it is but the position is kinda usual for a secondary dial. It sits within top plate, which means it will at least uncomfortable to rotate with the index finger…
Yes it is. The following page (in Japanese) identifies it as “front dial”.
http://panasonic.jp/dc/gx7/appearance.html
Sorry typo. I mean unusual.
It don’t really looks like a dial, because its nearly in a line with the front and it seems that there isn’t space between it and the top plate.
Been waiting for something like this since I preordered the E-P1, had to get a GX1 to sate myself a couple months ago, hopefully I can get one for christmas!
Beautiful. Knobs and dials getting top notch on latest m43 cameras. Tough choices, but panasonic wins in video flexibility.
Is it just me, or is it weird them pairing it with the 20mm? Its of coarse an optically great lens, but its sure not going to show off the fast focusing of the camera…
Maybe its just me
the picture shows the NEW 20mm mk II…at least it;s a pancake
i’ll have to order w/ the 20mm kits…
I think its just to look nice and compact in the press release…
I voted ;”still don’t know yet,.
I admit i got tempted by the Silver version,.the color it almost identical with my E-P5,which i had it for a month and love it,..
if i haven’t purchased E-P5 i might gonna get one,.i used to have Panny body,.GF1, G3 & GX1,[I sold my G3&GX1] still have my GF-1,.my first loved of M43 camera,.loved the operational menu from Panasonic,.somehow i missed the toggle dial ala, GF1 &GX1,.but honestly,.Olympus is better with their JPEG engine and tonal color,..i think i should wait for the review or even The next OM-D Pro,..curious to see the sensor performance from GX7
the NEW F1.7/20mm II ;is definitely a must to buy,.i’ve lost my old one.
Too slow to focus.
I still love my GF-1, I think it’s a modern classic. Image quality at ISO100 is still great. But the E-M5 came at just the right time to upgrade and I don’t think the GX-7 offers enough to warrant another upgrade so soon.
I’d rather spend my cash on the Leica 42.5mm! I’ve been putting off getting the Oly 45/1.8 and using my OM 50mm instead but this no doubt will dominate all before!
looking at the spec sheet in Japanese and I don’t see a headphone or microphone jack
No MP3 player too… 😉 I think it’s because this camera is mostly photo oriented.
For better video features, you should consider the GH serie
the rumor said 25% improvement on SNR and 10% improvement on resolution – which was weird -, but it’s actually sensitivity.
is the PDAF just a gimmick o does it actually improve low light AF? Fuji, Sony, Canon has been using it but it doesn’t seem to have such a big impact like the marketing says, does somebody know more about this? And I wonder why Panasonic didn’t include that in this new sensor.
PDAF as used in AF-modules on dSLRs is so far the best way to achieve focus tracking. PDAF sensors on the image sensors don’t seem to solve this (yet), at least not as well.
PDAF on the sensor can help speed up AF, particulary with lenses designed for dSLR (and PDAF), but this is a complex question and even the manufacturers might not know the answer to this problem.
Anyway, Panasonic have very fast and accurate contrast based (AF) and might not feel they need PDAF on the sensor, or might not be willing to pay royalties for patented technology. At least not until PDAF really solve the problem of fast AF with old lenses, which Pansonic doesn’t have anyway. They might prefer tha you buy a new Panasonic lens rather than use an old Olympus FT-lens.
Thanks, I actually forgot to specify that I’m talking about on sensor PDAF. So it has to be a lens made for PDAF to take advantage of that? I thought it was something done inside the camera, be it by hardware (processor or something) and/or software.
PDAFs main advantage is for heavy lenses and tracking because by that technique the system ‘knows’ where the focus is and doesn’t need to try & error. The latter isn’t a problem for most of m43 lenses though, because they dont have that much glas, and use extrem fast ultrasonic motors.
In most conditions CDAF is almost on par with PDAF.
another problem would be the weird and ugly “hunting” from CDAF but Panasonic seems to solved that already. from some videos I watched that were taken with the GH3, the focus and defocus was pretty smooth and natural, which is great.
PanaLeica 42.5mm f/1.2, what a nice portrait lens and a nice surprise since people were expecting it by only 2014
I think I’m in love. How will I tell my GF?
You can tell your GF that the new GX is more performant than her 😉
😀
Those built in flash and evf made my EPL5 so jealous…… Let’s see if she keeps proud of her IQ..
which GF? GF6? GF1? because this is the definitive GF1 successor
GF = girlfriend (aka: bank manager)
c’mon, I know what GF stands for, it was a joke, a pun!
The 1 and only, of course!
tell her ;Your younger sister [GX7] is more sexier and possible can produce better OFFSPRING since you[Gf] is getting Old and a lot of wrinkle.,..Just don’t have enough the lust to touch you anymore.
Hey, the GF1 still has lots of style. But yeah, it’s getting a bit old, and the GX7 has the bigger assets, if you know what I mean.
You should tell her : “Your young sister has a hole I can look in”
So, 42.5/1.2 has an aperture ring?
Hell Yes!! Would be nice to see this feature on future m43 lens releases 🙂
And look at that cheeky Fuji-like ‘A’ setting. I hope this has mechanical focus in manual-mode. A very exciting lens and a very exciting camera for m43.
Not just Fuji. It’s been a feature on many cameras in the past, including the excellent PanaLeica 14-50 kit lens for the 4/3 Panasonic DMC-L1.
Of course the difference is that the L1, and the Fuji X cameras, have a dedicated shutter speed dial that also has an “A” position. For those who haven’t used that system: you get Aperture priority by setting the speed dial to “A”, you get Shutter priority by setting the aperture ring to “A”, or Program by setting them both to “A”.
But with the GX7, you don’t have the dedicated shutter dial – set the mode dial to S and see the speed readout in the viewfinder.
Doubt it. They would probably put DOF scales on it if it were a mechanical focus.
Whats a nocticron?!
Looks like it. Hopefully they’ll refresh the 25mm to include one too?
Leica logic: f2=summicron, f1,4=summilux, f1=noctilux, so what’s f1,2? Nocticron. Although they produced noctilux lenses with “just” f1,2, it seems they wanted to keep this brand name for their own lenses instead to sell it to Panasonic. (By the way, there are strong hints that the PL 25/f1,4 is not only produced by Panasonic, but was designed by Sigma. So Leicas involvement in these leneses seems restricted to receiving payments from Panasonic).
Noctcron sounds silly, though.
Did they just invent a new Leica lens category? Nocticron? So is it as fast as a Noctilux with the image quality of a Summicron? Or just bla bla?
Bla bla is easier to say than Noct…., so let’s call it that way, lol 🙂
The 35 summicron is a great lens,.and also the NEW APO-Summicron F2/50,.is one extraordinary Glass ever made by Leica,..btw is $7500 piece of glass
Leica logic: f2=summicron, f1,4=summilux, f1=noctilux, so what’s f1,2? Nocticron. Although they produced noctilux lenses with “just” f1,2, it seems they wanted to keep this brand name for their own lenses instead to sell it to Panasonic. (By the way, there are strong hints that the PL 25/f1,4 is not only produced by Panasonic, but was designed by Sigma. So Leicas involvement in these leneses seems restricted to receiving payments from Panasonic).
Noctcron sounds silly, though.
Sorry for the double post
Tony… you here! 😉
Life will never be the same now. Forget your wedding day. Forget the birth of your new born child. The announcement of the Panasonic GX7 is truly the most momentous day for all equipment measurebators’ lives, everywhere!
Really seems so – like the pope came to town… Instead it´s just a consumer product from panasonic.
Quick! Its not something oly! Lets say something stupid!
if the GX7 IBIS cannot be used for video, I’ll just go for G6….
I’m still undecided because of this lacked feature. I read comments that 2-axis produces bad video, but I would like to see an example video how bad it is, because microshakes in video with non-stabilized lens are driving me crazy.
Consider using something like Steadicam or tripod when shooting video, if you are concern handshake problem. In addition, you can use smartphone with Panasonic Image App to control the camera (and motorized zoom lenses) remotely by WiFi (both G6 and GX7) to further reduce any chances of vibration if you place it on a steady location.
When talking serious video that you were planning on that may be an option, but its not very helpful for your typical unplanned for handheld video.
Besides, why drag along a steadycam rig when for most uses this can easily be solved by the camera?
Steadicam is unfortunately not a suitable equipment for me (zooming when shooting or manual focusing+additional equipment of weight of camera and lens+price). And tripod is not that flexible unless you have a scenario what to shoot, but definitely not family shooting.
So I will have to either use more 12-35 with OIS and fight low light conditions using capabilities of GX7, or find better ways in post processing and decreasing output resolution.
For casual videography, either OIS or 5-axis IBIS is good option. I suggest adding some loads to the camera, and using a monopod (eith with or without video head) is very good option.
Ok, thanks for suggestions 🙂
You are right! If video is in your priority, G6 is better choice as you can connect external mic to the camera.
GX7 DOES NOT HAVE IBIS. Just an attempt of image stabilization by Panasonic.
IBIS is Olympus ¨invention¨ and should never be confused with other implementations.
Just so NOT to confuse people trying to buy the GX7 EXPECTING it to have the acclaimed IBIS performance.
IF the stabilization by Panasonic works beneficially, then cudo´s to Panasonic of course.
Everybody stop saying ibis, we’re offending olympus and its flock
As in:
I B In Shit
Nocticron: The Klingon Photographer
Or it’s like spending a night in Cybertron
Summilux Prime: “Roll out!”
1/250s or 1/320s max flash sync speed – that’s not bad, but GN7 flash at ISO 200, that’s silly. Even E-PL1 has GN10 flash at ISO 100 – and that’s weak. Oh well… If nothing better comes out of Oly in the next few months and if the image quality similar to GH3, I’ll buy it.
I vote Yes
just for AA filters removal .
GX7 , likely my upgrade to GX1 .
Yun, you will never spend $1000 on a camera body…and we all know it!?
Strange, somehow the official announcement feels anticlimactic after all the rumors.
I agree, I didnt climax at all….*shrugs*
The 42.5mm has aperture control on the lens?!? Am I the only one who didn’t know this? I have to imagine the image quality on this thing will be superb. Looks like I’ll be selling an Olympus 45mm very soon.
The 42.5mm has aperture control on the lens?!? Am I the only one who didn’t know this? I have to imagine the image quality on this thing will be superb. Looks like I’ll be selling an Olympus 45mm very soon.
The 42.5mm has aperture control on the lens?!? Am I the only one who didn’t know this? I have to imagine the image quality on this thing will be superb. Looks like I’ll be selling an Olympus 45mm very soon.
The 42.5mm has aperture control on the lens?!? Am I the only one who didn’t know this? I have to imagine the image quality on this thing will be superb. Looks like I’ll be selling an Olympus 45mm very soon.
Aperture ring!
Ugh. Hate when the comments section double posts.
Nocticron will be bokehlicious, and I’m guessing more than $999US.
Admin ,.is that the NEW name for F1.2,..NOCTICRON,.NOCTILUX OR SUMMICRON,.I’M CONFUSED
Nocticron: Noctilux
Summicron: Summilux
I have never heard that Name NOCTICRON before,.i know Leica have NOCTILUX; 0.95-1.2,.SUMMILUX; 1.4, SUMMICRON F2, SUMMARIT; F2.5, ELMARIT F2.8 ,& ELMAR F3.5,.and the old name also SUMMITAR ,.but i never heard NOCTI-CRON before
Maybe look at the picture… it’s written right on the lens!
Kind of sucks the F1.2 has OIS….. It would have been smaller, lighter, cheaper and sharper without it.
PRICIER is the word I hate,.i may agree with you since my camera now OM-D and E-P5,.no need for Lens stabilizer
but making it OIS means it has IS for both Oly & Pan … and Pan is gonna look after Pan non-IBIS cameras too
the 45/2.8 OIS isn’t exactly huge! Compare it to the size of the Oly 60/2.8 and it doesn’t look like the OIS brought any significant size gain
Im sure the 45mm 2.8 could have been sharper without it.
Hmm, how many tests of this lens have you seen? Please point us at those tests…
Why is the lens less sharp with IS?
Apparently, the GX7 has elephant recognition: http://panasonic.jp/dc/gx7/cooperation.html
actually Panasonic’s app has a sound that attracts elephants and when they are framed, it’s traps them inside the smartphone!
What the graphic is showing is that you can trigger the camera remotely using the WiFi phone app. In the first picture the photographer is looking at the remote viewfinder image and saying “can’t see the elephant’s face”. In the second he’s saying, “I see the elephant’s face, perfect shot!” and triggers the camera via the WiFi app.
LOL
IF panasonic has A THIRD OPTION BUNDLE ,.GX7+20mm+ 42.5mm ,.with very cheap price compare to buy separately,.i might force to buy,..
oh shiiit,..the 42.5 has Aperture ring,.wow,.how much,.?
What ? Misread something .
The Noctilux is coming too .
Damn , my piggy bank is in trouble this time !
admin the first as usual. Everyone else is sleeping. No previews, hand-ons, preorders, not even press releases on the local Panasonic websites.
WOW —- f/1.2 with OIS!
http://www.panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/gx7/specifications.html
Just 28 Mbps for video? That’s a little disappointing, I think
I think that’s the usual AVCHD standard, I think it’s good enough because I didn’t expect it to have the same video feats as the GH3, it wouldn’t make sense. More importantly is the container, is it still the no-friendly MTS? or are they using another container like MOV or MP4?
You can choose between MP4 files and AVCHD, which always is .mts files.
First video preview (in German) by german computer magazine CHIP:
http://www.chip.de/video/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GX7-Praxis-Test-Video_63408346.html
while we already have a ’85/90’mm in the Oly 45/1.8 at least this is not really that much of a repeat because its an f/1.2 instead of the Oly f/1.8 —- as this system matures we now have the 85-90/1.2 & 85-90/1.8 choice
Nice one Pan (Leica)
pricewise … gonna have to be around the 75/1.8 price point? probably a little more since it is f/1.2 (and Leica labelled)
again, compared to FX format with their 85mm (f/1.2 or f/1.4 or f/1.8) and 135 (f/2) we have the 42.5/1.2 & 45/1.8 & 75/1.8 —– sweet!
NEXT
– FX:18mm f/2.8 (43:9mm) or FX:20mm f/2.8 (43:10mm)
– FX:300mm f/2.8 (43:150mm)
My 2 most important takeaways:
1) Leica designation practically guarantees this lens will be ludicrously expensive, as if the f/1.2 aperture didn’t suggest that enough.
2) AF/MF switch on a M4/3 lens AND an aperture ring. For the love of all that is good, FINALLY.
If the IQ of this is good enough, which it almost undoubtedly will be, I’ll be very happy I held off on buying the 75mm f1.8 for this lens. I’ve rented the latter on several occasions for weddings and it’s worked beautifully, but sometimes you just want a bit shallower DoF for portraiture. This lens should give me equal or shallower DoF than the 75mm for a given framing, while being wider. The 45mm f1.8 *wonderful* as it is, does often leave me wanting just a little more potential for shallow DoF, particularly for full/half body shots.
Really?
I have pics from the oly 1.8/45mm where the nose is already out of focus when focusing on the eyes.
in a full or half body shot? I dont think so.
No, of course not. I just meant there’s plenty of DOF. You just have to know how to use it. And best thing is, the 1.8/45mm has a pretty reasonable price tag.
Of course there are some situations where you cant influence the scene for example, where people are standing, and there would potential more DOF be useful, but i can’t afford to pay 10 times as much for that 😀
75mm @ f/1.8 gives you almost exactly the same DOF as 42.5mm @ f/1.2, have a look at some DOF calculators.
42.5/1.2 at 75/1.8 price point?
BE SERIOUS!
At least TWICE if not even more. Unfortunately.
Since the lens just uses the leica name because it passed some visual tests by Leica, and no other particular involvement in the design is present (at least thats my wild guess)it should be reasonably price as was done with the mft 25mm f/1.4 summilux. Prob no metal barrel? That would make me hope for a 800-1000 euro price tag.
I think to be branded with the big L there can be no digital correction! – has to be all optical!!
No 40..50 mm lens needs optical correction anyway on M43.
Pre-ordered via BH photo!
42.5/1.2
is this the fastest aperture lens to have OIS?
http://www.parkcameras.com/26382/Panasonic-DMC-GX7-Body-Only—Black.html
pre-order in the UK
GX7 with 16mp
same sensor as GH2/G5/GX1/GF6/G6 … or a new sensor?
while this is a very pretty camera it will be a real shame if they did all this good stuff with design, EVF, and IBIS, but um, er, yeah, popped that olde sensor in
to compete with PM-2/PL-5/E-M5/E-P5 it needs to compete on sensor too otherwise it needs to be priced NEARER to the PL-5 than the E-P5
GX7 with a new sensor = £899 (compares to E-P5)
GX7 with that GH2 sensor = £699 (compares to E-PL5 plus some extra for the EVF)
It is a completely new sensor.
http://www.fotomagazin.de/news/detail.php?objectID=7141&class=6
Fotomagazin also has some first impressions
think this so-called Nocticron 42.5/F1.2 is a SHAME and it’s first time I have to reconsider staying with MFT or leaving it.
Why Nikon is able to make an affordable (USD 900) F1.2 portrait lens – as opposite to Pana, where an F1.2 should be an utra-super-high-grade superexpensive jewel with APERTURE RING (moreover, no current body has shutter speed dial anyway)?!!
Is F1.2 such a luxury thing (2.4 eq on FF!!!) so that a good portrait lens has to worth at least 2000 USD?! Unbelievable!
I am also concerned about the price – 1500-2000 USD seems possible… for that price you could buy a ff camera and a 85 1.8^^
Yes
Dixnt you sell your gh3 and bought a 6d? Why are you here?
It also has Focus Peaking for Manual focus. It seems that the color of peaking can be choosed.
A real plus for old lens shooter.
Panasonic GX7 videos
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=panasonic+gx7&search_sort=video_date_uploaded
http://youtu.be/dE55G_YLXZk
the song in this video is clearly based on Tonari no Totoro from Studio Ghibli, I thought it was a coincidence the most of the notes matched but even the bridge? It’s not a coincidence.
Panasonic, thanks for *not* supporting micro-4/3 here in South Africa.
Guys; on photography Blog Image sample,.there are several pictures ;one of them is the RED flower,.1/5000sec, ISO 200, 40mm F1.7,.wait,..WHAT LENS DID THEY USE HERE ?,.is it the new 42.5 NOCTICRON or Oly 45/1.8,.IS 40mm and F1,7
or probably the new 20/f1.7,. which is translated as 40mm on Full frame FOv
Most of the people who say they will be buying it are LYING and that’s not cool.
GX7 is beautifull and has everything on the board, but the question is – what is the IQ from the sensor.
It is new sensor from Panasonic, maybe better then old, but Panasonic sensors was below competition.
If there won’t be significant improvement in IQ, there is no future for GX7.
But we have still Olympus bodies with sensor from Sony in the system…
42.5 f/1.2 – very nice, but price is the key. PanaLeica 50/1.4 is not so expensive, new lens will be more expensive but if they exaggerate with the price… We have still Olympus 45/1.8 – cheap and with very good IQ, and it is only 1EV slower.
This camera is Same size of ex1 And fact fuji sensors way better dont even talk about panasonic colors.
So you’re shooting jpeg-only? Get a compact then.
There is no such thing as Fuji EX1. There is Sony EX1 and Samsung EX1. Also, there is no Fuji ILC close to 123x71x55 mm, they’re either bigger or smaller.
Have a rest and come back with some sensible comment.
I just knew the Leica was going to be the 42.5. Can’t wait to get this bad boy. I held off getting the Olympus 45 in antisipation for this. Sometimes my 20mm is too wide and my 75mm is too long. This beast is going to be jusssssssssttttt right!
Preliminary High ISO test:
http://www.superadrianme.com/2013/08/01/panasonic-lumix-dmc-gx7-hands-on-and-iso-test/
At first look it does’t seem to be a too impressive high iso performance. Or am I wrong?
My thoughts as well. We need another camera for comparison.
yes if the Noctitron will be too expensive, we can always use the 45mm 1.8 instead. But..this lens seems to be made for Aneu Sonia….
why a huge grip and at the same time trying to make a retro look. The mount is also too assymetrical positioned in the rectangular bodyshape for the look. The advantage of having a rangefinder-like compact formfactor is not there because of the vf that sticks out too much and moveble.
A lot of consessions designwise I think. If someone wants a pretty camera I think a Fuji or a pen e p5 is the choice (the ep5 even with vf-tumor looks better than this GX7 I think)
Get over it. You’re not even nitpicking at this point, you’re just being annoying.
Buy the camera to take pictures or leave it alone. I don’t understand why you would think the design is the only reason to buy this camera when it is a camera and not a piece of jewelry. And if you’re going to complain about the EVF sticking out so much, then why do you prefer the “vf-tumor” if it sticks out like a tumor? Is the lens sticking out so much a design-over-function problem, too?
According to dpreview, the viewfinder has the same tech as the one in the GH3. But since it has more pixels and a higher refresh rate, tearing should have been reduced. Eyepoint is apparently quite short, so I might have to get contacts …
Gf on gh3 is terrible 43 will die soon
DPreview has no clue, they even haven’t guessed the resolution:
Damn, Amazon U.S. says it will be available at the end of September. I hope we get it sooner in Germany …
It’s supposed to be mid September in Japan and Europe.
WTF!! Nocticron!? With that Leica’s badge, I don’t think I can afford the lens anymore…
But seeing this lens make me think of Pana’s “strategy” of putting aperture ring where it belong. Do we gonna get an updated 25 Summilux soon?
Last but not least, GN7 at ISO200 is pure silly.
Touchpad AF implemented!
No mention of an intervalometer…
Anyone got the manual?
Now we need GH7 with a MUCH better EVF, focus peaking and compressed raw video! At Photokina 2014 pls… 😀
I was holding out on buying a new camera, unfortunately this is way to expensive for poor ol me. Especially when i managed to get an e-pm2 double zoom kit on amazon with flash air card (and oly 17mm from the offer) for £396, half the price than just the gx7 body but with three lenses and possibly similar IQ
uff ..this was nice deal 😉
waw this GX7 camera is sweet! good job Pana
but GX7 deserve to be sold with 12-35 f/2.8 lens as a kit …with some discount(eg 1699eur) …so Pana emphasize/offer the best they have
that would make it attractive for enthusiastics…not with the “old” pancake or standard zoom lens …most of the m43 users already have thos kits and evergreen primes
Leica 42.5 I dont comment …the price tag will be 2500usd as rumored couple of days ago
Watch here, guys!
So the field-sequential display is back! 😀
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/panasonic-gx7/panasonic-gx7A.HTM
Wow !!! that Nocticron (what a weird name, only german can pronounce it :p joke) looks gorgeous !! but also way too expensive for me…
to be honest, the full res samples dont seem so good as i expected from the new sensor..i will wait for the new omd successor.
those are only 5M pics.
the ones on flickr are full size
The Olympus 45mm 1.8 is so brillant, small, sharp – and cheap. Even if the Nocticrux only costs 1000$ – I will not trade my Oly lens for a bit more Boookeeh.
well, the Oly 45mm is overhyped and not that good optically.
it is built very cheap and focuses very very slow.
Derek…NONE of that is true.
Derek: I agree with Anonymus: None of your arguments are true. I am very happy with the Oly 1.8/45 mm at my GH2 , it is fast, it is sharp. Only because it is not buildt in metal like the 2.0/14 mm means less quality.
Then stop your whinging and buy a GH-3.
only die-hard Oly fanboys love it.
really? no other possibilities? Not even going to consider the fact that you don’t know wtf your talking about? The 45mm for its price and size can not be beat. Panny knows that, that is why this 42.5 ($1k+) is going for a different crowd. Product differentiation you know?
I have both 45’s and while the faster speed of the Oly is nice at times, so is the macro of the Panny. The IQ is about the same and I’ve done real world tests with both from 2.8 on and no one could tell which was which. I do use the Panny more often because I seem to end up with more keepers at the end of the day for some reason.
It’s a really excellent lens optically, but the finish is cheap indeed – it’s very prone to scratches, much more than Oly’s kit lenses (if I compare my silver copy of the 45mm lens with my black versions of the 14-42mm mark I, 12-50mm and 40-145mm R version).
Derek, you OBVIOUSLY have zero clue. You also obviously have never had the pleasure of using this lens. Or getting enough hugs from your mom.
I second that. The Olympus 45mm was my most anticipated lens. but was, sadly, a total let down. Rarely has ones expectations been met with such disappointment
while we have all diff opinions about lenses being bad or good, sometimes depending on your style of photography too, imho the 45mm 1.8 shines at portrait photography; both 42.5 mm lenses from either Panasonic & Voigtlaender will have a hard time to show convincing proof not to choose the very reasonable priced Olympus instead, except for the few who want to take advantage of the faster aperture or have too big budget (and i wont consider better build as a decisive argument because i am only talking about aspects important for making the shot.)
What? The 45/1.8 focuses super fast, faster than the rest of my M43 lenses, and faster by far than ANY of my DSLR lenses. Did you try it on an ancient M43 body or something?
Or have you even used it at all?
My copy of the 45mm f/1.8 focuses extremely fast and the IQ is almost as good as my 75mm f/1.8. Bokeh is some of the best I’ve seen across my extensive micro four thirds and Nikon collection. The lens is excellent and the size is perfect.
Just the plastic build quality is terrible.
just plain ignorant comment!
What’s happening at Panasonic releasing such a brilliant camera!!! And such a stupid lens!!!! THIS LENS IS GOING TO BE STUPID EXPENSIVE!!!!!! Has the pointless Leica name you will have to pay for. And OIS!!!! WHY!!!! Has anyone seen what that does to lens prices… I also shot Canon the 35mm f/2 goes from being a $200 light lens to an $800 pig!!! I hope the Voightlander gets here soon!!!
The lens is only $100 more. And it is a decent lens.
Sorry, but this lens is exactly the lens I have been dreaming of for my m43 camera since I first bought a G1. Mid-focal-length prime, big-aperture, autofocus, optical stabilization, with a switch to turn both the AF and OIS off–it’s the ultimate portrait and food lens, the latter of which is the main thing my camera gets used for. It’s my dream lens, and I’m incredibly excited to see what the exact price will end up being.
I tried to sell the 20mm/1.7 to my wife as her ideal food lens for her website, but she just doesn’t like the 20mm focal length and the lack of OIS makes handholding harder on a Panasonic body when you’re not using artificial light. Been using a 50mm/1.4 Minolta manual lens instead, which is a great lens, but autofocus and OIS, plus better optics, would be awfully nice to have.
Nocticron sounds silly. I wonder why changing names this way. Summcron, Summilux, Noctilux, Elmarit are recognizable names, inventing a new name for a product not even existing for the main Leica cameras is strange.
I get the f difference, but until now every >f1.4 was named Noctilux.
The perfect fast AF lens for a new fast dimlight AF camera like this.
Camera + Lens 2000€ at least.
Update: the more I say Nocticron the more I like it.. 😛
@Reeee, are you still loyal to the upcoming Voigty 42.5mm Noktor?
This Aperture ring seems nice, I hope it has a mechanism similar of those on Voigtländer Noktors (click + clickless for videos)
Oh yeah, I’m still waiting for the Voigtländer 42.5mm! I’m just a manual focus kind of a guy. 😉 And I love that f0.95 wandering the streets at night! It will also close focus at 9″, too!
But, it’s mighty cool that the Nocticron has an aperture ring! Nice touch.
Besides, it looks like the $999 Voigtländer will be cheaper than the Nocticron 42.5mm. Who’da thunk that?!?!!! Supposedly it ships this month! No word on when the Nocticron ships…
@ Reeee Yes, this is going to be a heavy autumn/winter for my bank account.. Some posts ago I aske you if there’s a place on the web to see your photos!
I haven’t gotten around post photos online. It’s pure laziness on my part.
My web site needs updating and I’ve been dragging my ass on doing that… 😉
An intriguing, unanticipated lens out of nowhere, and your only reaction is fussy over the MARKETING NAME? This is worse than all those endless squabbles about body color.
Nocticron instead of *lux is because the physical iris opening is smaller than f1.4 opening on the full frame “real” *luxes. As you said, everything smaller than f1.4 ends with *cron. The physical opening of this Nocticron is equivalent to roughly a f2.4 full frame lens opening.
Nice. To me it seems Panasonic has managed to do everything right on this one. IBIS, EVF and a nice design. A square OM-D 🙂
NO RELEASE DATE?
Sep 12th.
“almost as good as optical stabilization” – to me the Oly 5-axis is better than optically stabilised systems, so that statement is a bit of a worry. Can’t wait to see some stabilised video samples.
I like the looks, especially the black version, and some of the features. Unfortunately it also looks too big. I don’t fancy the tiltable EVF, the less moving parts the better. I would like to see some size and video performance comparisons with the G6 before I decide.
HUH?
The G6 Is even larger and has a fully articulating screen…making the body much thicker too???
http://camerasize.com/compare/#472,455
Looks like the best 43 at this moment. But that price is just crazy especially with a good lens like the new Leica. I think it will cost at least 2200 for that combo. And you need a combo like that if you want to have some kind of DOF controle. So lets see what ik can buy for that kind of money………. High end Fuji, Sony etc etc etc. Even if i buy a nex3 for 300 euro with Kit lens i would get better pictures let alone with the Z lens for a combo around 1200 euro. Better IQ, DOF control, movie, print size and in the same small package. I feel kind of sorry for the love blind 43 lovers. You almost can people hear when you walk on the street with youre new 2200 euro combo . Look at that lovestruck fanboy with his 2200 combo taking pictures and getting the same result as a picture taken with a iphone.
why do you compare it with a nex-3? an olympus epm2 will not be better comparison for example?
some peolpe are happy to pay for compactness, knowing they will sacrifice a bit of IQ. the m43 standards should allow for more compact lens in general, which is the most important if that’s what you look for.
Failing to understand the choice of other does not mean they are stupid choices, it might just be that you miss the flexibility to imagine an other point of vue. I don’t say that aggressively, it is just the case that sometime it is needed to humbly admit that other point of vue might be valid, even if you can’t make sense of it.
Its like a freaking Lamborgini with a Prius engine.
Can you link some of your beautiful pictures taken with BIG HUGE sensors?
Btw, dear troll, if you think you need a shallow depth of field to take a nice photo, please remember that shallow DOF used to be an issue. Background is part of the photo.
If you can do a nice composition, shame on you.
You can only rely on a big sensor, to distract people from the messy pic you take..
Your comments are a copy&paste, boring as your APS lens line.
No i do not think DOF controle is a must for good photo’s. But it gives you flex. But i need good low light performance, good room for cutting and big enough files for large prints etc etc etc. Thats something that this camera (combo) can not offer for 2200 euro. And a nex3 kit for example can do. I am convinced that the new line Fuji and for example the new nex7 with one of the many quality lenses outmatch the 43 department in a big way. And yes this camera has nice features but when it comes to taking pictures or video………………..
+1
Can you post an image of an example of one of these big prints you do?
What camera/s do you own and use?
I think he feels lonely and seek for some attention. Probably on other “bigger sensors” forums he is ignored.
Adriaantie suffered bullying at childhood… let him puke
Ken Rockwell’s codename?? Yeah… I got it 😀
He has huge dxo graph prints hung on the walls
Hey that’s nice you like other sensor formats. As for NEX or Fuji offering better video than high end Panasonic, you’re one of the few people in the world making such statements.
Yes the larger sensor will give you better low light performance! But at f1.8 or 1.4 would have so little in focus due to dof. On a m43 you can have a similar dof and similar detail at f5.6 iso 800 as full frame at f11 iso 3200. Bokeh is beautiful but sometimes not appropriate. Like when taking baby portraits.
Don’t feed the troll.
Boehoehoehoe,
Adriaantie do not talk bad about 43. I love it and i do not care about picture quality. You can not talk reason in us 43 users. 43 is the best. I do not care that other systems are better smaller etc etc. 43 for ever.
Talking about your new camera Adriaantie?
http://www.webtechpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/casio-exilim-ex-z80-hello-kitty-edition3.jpg
WOW!…It’s sexy, too! You got it all.
unfortunately , it is not a great vid camera like the GH3 or G6,I ‘m kind of disappointed.
it still has the silly AVCHD codec and I assume the video compression is very harsh, it lacks clean HDMI out or nice audio control with headphone jack and silent audio control,etc.
but that said , as a still compact system camera it seems a great camera.
Then go buy a video camera and stop complaining.
In fact, by the specs (modes and bitrates), the video mode of the GX7 is exactly the same of the G6 – and probably will have the same quality.
G6 will be better regarding audio, with external mic input and bigger internal microphones – I don’t know how the internal mics of the G6 are, but the mics in my GH2 are even better than the mics in my Zoom H1. And these tiny internal mics in the GX7 don’t look very promising.
The GX7 is a stills-oriented camera…(thank God)…if you want high end video that is what the GH3 is there for…I am a stills guy and would not buy that camera. Pany makes different models for different needs…it’s not possible to put everything in one camera and satisfy all needs. Period.
I don’t know why they ever put video in a still camera anyway…It’s a totally different discipline.
Yes, it is possible, of course it is. But they won’t do it. We will have to wait our hero Vitaliy to do so… and then Pana can sell more cameras! Wierd? Reality… Hope BMD approach help to shift the paradigm………
No IBIS by filming ! come on! Making movie is one of the reasons to decide for Pana instead of Oly.. so lets wait how Oly will improve their movie qualities on the OMDs in the future. I pass on this GX7, I bought in the meantime a real rangefinder camera, the x100s. And I am happy with . The GX 7 does not even deserve the expression “Rangefinder”
“The GX 7 does not even deserve the expression “Rangefinder”.”
Neither does the x100s, as it lacks the superimposed image in the OVF that defines a rangefinder camera. None of the two is a real rangefinder, they just mimic the design and viewfinder position of a rangefinder camera.
MARTIN…they are rangefinder “style” cameras,,,everyone knows that…c’mon.
Certainly. But therefore it is bogus to count the x100s as a “real rangefinder” while cliaming that the GX7 “does not even deserve the expression “Rangefinder”.” Both of them are just rangefinder-style and the difference in reaching that target is marginal.
Martin…please loosen your sphincter muscle! They are BOTH rangefinder “style” cameras. Get over it.
The correct term here should be “faux rangefinder” just like many here call the OMD “faux slr”, but both sound negative, so maybe we better just settle with “rangefinder style” and “slr style”
IBIS on video is for the weak… 😉
Video is such a dissapointment. No mic input? And crappy birate?
Stop your cryin and go buy a video camera….this is not about that.
The GX7 looks really nice, though I am worried about the IBIS.
Maybe i will buy the E-P5 just because of the better IBIS, although i dont really like the bulky VF-4 on top of it.
Tough decision..
Fun decision! GX7 has no filter in front of sensor and is cheaper than ep5 w/VF….. Must see image comparison…but then…oh…no…new OMD get released?!! …what to do?
Look at the full sized images linked here. They should have kept the AA filter. The jaggies are pretty bad. Look at the front edge of the left side of the vehicle herehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/superadrianme/9414536332/sizes/o/in/set-72157634885846944/
Sorry to piss on everyone’s parade.
right now, the answer for me is: wait
new omd due
maybe new EPL/EPM?
wait for a reputable source to review the sensor of the GX7 (press release says its a new sensor)
should see price drop on current OMD which still looks like the favourite (for me)
Well, i will keep my OM-D.
absolutely!
if I already had an OMD then these new alternatives (EP5 & GX7) are just that “alternatives” with a slightly different design … neither would make me switch
I am pleased with GX7, it significantly increases the attractivity and variability of m4/3 system. Now you can choose what you prefer: faux rangefinder (GX7) or tiny DSLR design (OMD) for advanced users and compact bodies for P&S upgraders.
Every new HQ lens for m4/3 is also very important. I hope soon we see more lenses than bodies 🙂
http://camerasize.com/compare/#380,381
the ugliest hump i’ve ever seen….. besides bulky, heavy, mirrored, bad video, old-designed heavy lenses, etc, etc, etc…
Oooh Dave, just looked at that example. The sky is horribly blotchy. Very unimpressed with that. The GX1 does better than that.
I want to see some RAW files that I can download and play with, as I don’t shoot JPEG
Forbid making non fullchipcomacts by law…
The Dina,of range on m43 is a joke all the system it is
iPhone better aggahhg
What does Nocticron stands for? Poor men’s Noctilux?
Still a Noc, but not as Luxurious
Unbuttfuckinglieveable. Silver only body. Pany taking lessons from Olympus and Fuji now, Well Fuck them all.
Looks like all the whining finally inspired Panasonic to add the EVF which has now completely destroyed what these cameras were all about from the start; small and mobile. The GX7 is now not much smaller than the APS-C sized cameras and then it becomes, what’s the point?
The GX7 is only slightly bigger than the GX1.
There are several composite pix showing the size difference.
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3524672?page=2#forum-post-51897201
Example fuji. ,……trans x sensor destroy all m43 sensors Togheter
Yes – and Trans X sensor destroys a lot of detail in your photographs (by in RAW-noise reduction?).
Noise reduction is literally just one layer higher in RAW not in JPEG.
With a good NR algo you get same detailed JPEGs at same noise level out of Bayer pattern (NEX or E-M5) sensors. Good comparison on dpreview studio shot.
So u saying m43 gave same quality as trans sensor ? You are a stupid fanboy
trans x = washed out. too much NR. not for me… sometimes nice, sometimes not, imo…
no fanboyism please… real facts will tell more, if you have them…
Yes this is exactly I wanted to say.
Make your own comparison at dpreview: at first sight the xtrans RAWS have stunningly low noise at high ISO. But a 100% comparison reveals the lack of fine details. So if you take NEX or OMD pictures with a good noise reduction you get the same level of details and noise.
In some areas Xtrans looks better, in others not. Maye Fuji cheats with a noise reduction in Raw. They already cheated with their Super-CCD sensor.
http://camerasize.com/compare/#472,7
The GX7 has only 44% the volume of a D7000.
You clearly have not looked at the comparisons. Very compact considering the EVF.
As for the trolls on this site dissing MFT, why are you here?
Go play with the fanboys elsewhere.
A very exciting camera for m4/3 users, have to say that less its lack of weather sealing it’s more exciting to me than the OMD EM5!
http://photographic-central.blogspot.com/2013/08/panasonic-lumix-gx7-review-coming.html
Silver body only in the U.S.? Wow, I suspected lower intelligent levels from Japan, but now I’m certain of it. Must be the power plants leaking brain damaging radiation.
Are you serious with that comment? You had to go there? Congrats, you’re an insensitive idiot.
No, just trying to make a point. I feel like a native and Japan is trying to sell me shinny trinkets, thinking it will impress me. Give me a Gawd Damn tool I can use, not a shinny trinket, to wear around my neck.
You get what you deserve.
It’s Panasonic USA who decides what they will or will not sell. Blame them, not the Japanese.
NO IBIS FOR VIDEO. In a camera with a camcorder-stlye viewfinder? From a top camcorder manufacturer? This is just crazy. This was the single missing feature from ANY panasonic mirrorless camera so far, and it still is. This way the GX7 is still useless for video with any lens besides a few panasonic ones. I can’t believe they cannot pull this off, probably the reason is some twisted marketing issue. Even mediocre image stabilisation would be far better than nothing.
I should go and buy an EPM-2 for video? Which is clearly better than GX7 simply because the footage is not shaky?
BTW I hope Vitaly can crack it.
IBIS on video is for the weak, sorry 😉
the pros used video cameras without ibis for years!! never needed… can be cool, but not essencial
oly 5-axis is nice, but they doesnt care on selling their cameras to video-oriented market
epm2 = no manual control, shitty ibis on video, weak codec, forget it!
I am sure Vitali Klitschko can crack it!
yeah!! in several parts… hahaha…
but it can take a couple of years for the kiselev one to do it… hold up your wishes zlacza!
I would buy the Nocticron… Def beats the price tag of a Noctilux. I’m sure glad to have joined Micro Four Thirds back in 2008. The format is really starting to shine. I feel luck to have lived through the film era and watching the digital era swiftly replace film. This mirrorless revolution is the best thing I have scene since digital. 🙂
I have been waiting to buy the Nocticron since before it was even announced. That is, a ~50mm, ~f1.2, OIS, AF lens is the dream lens for what my wife uses our cameras for, so I’ve wanted this lens for years, even when it didn’t exist.
I’d have gotten the Olympus 45mm/1.8, but this one was so perfect that I just had to hold out to see what the price tag was going to be.
Nocticron for $1599 would be a fair price. Keep the market small. Keep the pretenders out. Good work Panasonic and Leica. Hope it delivers.
FTS – I’m waiting for the super UMC ultra-micro macroeconominecromancinocticron 3D Ultra with micro abrasion coatings. Plus I hear it will only cost $99.
Viewfinder is 16:9 ratio according to press release… That sucks
If you want to take a good deal from this article then you have
to apply such techniques to your won weblog.
Waiting for the $200 off of the 20mm lens like in November, then I will buy.