Pansonic Lumix DMC-G7 problems

Brisn5757 wrote:

brentbrent wrote:

Brisn5757 wrote:

I'm thinking the lbis has something to do with better focusing?

Your posts seem to touch on three different issues;

1. Blurred images from movement of the camera when shooting hand-held at slower shutter speeds. Image stabilization systems are intended to allow slower shutter speeds by moving elements in the lens ("OIS" or Optical Image Stabilization) or by moving the sensor in the camera ("IBIS" or In Body Image Stabilization") to compensate for movement of the camera in the photographer's hands. Starting with the GX8, the IBIS of the camera and the OIS of compatible Panasonic lenses can work together for Dual Image Stabilization.

The G7 does not have any IBIS. All Panasonic lenses (zooms or primes) that have a focal length greater than 25mm have some form of OIS. That includes the 14-140mm zoom, which is in your gear list. I don't think that image stabilization affects autofocus speed or accuracy.

2. Soft or double images caused by "shutter shock," where the mechanical shutter impact degrades image sharpness. This may vary depending on the lens being used. The 14-140 is one lens that many find more susceptible to shutter shock with certain cameras. Using electronic shutter eliminates this, but e-shutter won't work with flash, it can cause banding under some artificial lighting, and it can cause distortion of moving subjects.

Shutter shock is more an issue at slower shutter speeds (DPR's review of the G7 mentions it at 1/100 second shutter speed). A poster above mentioned using Auto shutter mode, which lets the camera automatically select electronic shutter when the shutter speed is in the danger zone, and perhaps depending on what lens is being used. Looking at the G7's PDF manual (I owned one for a short time), it does not mention an Auto setting for shutter mode. Nor does the GX8's manual, and the auto mode was added by a firmware update.

That may be true for the G7 as well, so you might want to check what version of firmware your G7 has (you can do that in the menu). If you are not at v. 2.2, I'd suggest you update the firmware. You can download it here: https://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/dl/g7_g70.html Do read the instructions for installing firmware carefully if you have not done this before. The notes on the firmware updates do not mention adding the Auto shutter mode feature, but that is also true for the firmware notes for the GX8. Using e-shutter when shooting with the 14-140 between, say, 1/60 and 1/200 shutter speeds, or using Auto shutter to let the camera make that call, should eliminate any shutter shock problem.

3. Autofocus hunting when shooting video. All Panasonic cameras do this to some extent. As a previous poster mentioned, using manual focus when shooting video avoids this. Panasonic has been improving autofocus for video, with the G9 perhaps being best at it (with improved processing power and a firmware update improving autofocus), but it's not perfect. Autofocus speed on Panasonic cameras (which might reduce "hunting") has been improved a bit by its DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology. I'm not sure when DFD first appeared. I know it is on the GX8 (which was released after the G7). I can't find any mention of DFD in DPR's review of the G7. Curiously, though, in DPR's review of the GX8, they discuss DFD and say that it was also in the G7: https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-gx8-review/8

As stated in a former post, I have G7 and GX8.

They both have DFD AF. Actually, their AF performance and handling are almost identical, with 49 AF points, back LCD touch AF, and almost instant SAF. CAF is up to my expectations, it automatically kicks in in video, but for stills it may struggle when tracking fast moving targets.

The AF performance in the flagship G9 is in another league.

I handled the G85 in a shop. As described in dpreview review, it looks and handles very close to G7, but feels higher end, with many magnesium alloy parts instead of plastic, and the ability to add an external battery grip.

G95 is very close to G85, but uses the newer 20 MP sensor first introduced in GX8, has a more advanced AFC, a more efficient IBIS, and an improved JPEG engine.

The 25% increase in pixel count means 12% increase in definition when using very sharp lenses, like primes or f2.8 zooms, but it is not obvious when using a superzoom like the 14-140.

The most visible improvements compared with the older 16 MP sensor are around 1 EV of extra dynamic range, (which means better highlights and shadows recovery when shooting RAW), and better IQ at ISO above 800: ISO 3200 is usable in out of camera Jpegs and ISO 6400 is now my upper limit when shooting RAW.

The only downside of the 20MP sensor in G95 and GX8, compared to the 16MP in G7 and G85 is a higher cropping factor in 4 K video (see dpreview review for details).

Other body options. Newer dSLR-form-factor models than the G7 have improved shutter mechanisms to avoid shutter shock, IBIS and Dual IS to help avoid blur from camera movement, and definitely include DFD. Those are the G85, the G95, and the G9 (plus the more expensive video-centric GH5). I think the G95 and the G9 probably have better video autofocus than the G7, but, again, don't expect perfection. If you have the budget, I think any of those three would be a worthwhile upgrade from the G7. The G9 is the best camera I've ever owned, but it is bigger and heavier than the G7, G85, and G95 (which I consider all in roughly the same range in terms of size).

Thanks brentbrent

Useful information and some suggestions to consider.
I'm wondering why the focus issue is only a problem for Panasonic cameras as none of my other cameras have this problem.

There use to be an old saying that either a camera is good at taking photos or is good at video photography but not both. However these days the video has improved in most cameras which is good as there is a decide for video cameras on the market. The only thing lacking is a powered zoom.

There are two OIS powerzooms in Panasonic line up, a 14-42 and a 45-175.

I bought the 45- 175 last year, it is a very nice lens, small, light, inexpensive, with internal zooming (it doesn't extend when zooming). Its OIS is very efficient on my G7 or GM5, around 3 stops IMO, and 4 with dual IS on my GX8. It is very sharp across the range, obviously sharper at the long end than the 14-140, and with better contrast. The powerzoom feature is very well implemented for both video and still users,with manual zooming handling very nicely. Using auto e-shutter mode, I never met shutter shock.

Back in 2018 the Panasonic camera was the only camera that could record in 4k for long periods without the camera over heating.

Brian