Is anyone using the GH7 for Photography or just video?

I have been considering the GH7. Most reviews state it's a video camera. Is anyone using it for Photography? How do you rate it?

I have a GH6, which is quite similar to the GH7... not much was changed between the two models. The biggest change was the addition of phase detect autofocus in the GH7. The GH7 also has 32-bit float audio sampling (with a pricey adapter), and has a new high-end video recording format. Really, the GH7 should have been designated the GH6 Mark 2, because so little is different between the two cameras.

That out of the way, the GH6/7 are really targeted at video, but they both take excellent photos. Both have 25MP sensors, can do handheld high-resolution shots up to 100MP (and it works!), and have many features to streamline photography. In other words, the GH7 is an excellent photography camera.

However, if your focus is on photography, I recommend the G9m2. The G9m2 (which I also have) is the GH7 with reduced video capability. Photographically, the G9m2 does everything the GH7 does. Video-wise, the G9m2 is missing a handful of the GH7's highest-quality recording modes -- but it still does plenty high quality recording for video.

So if you're thinking of using the GH7 for photography, I recommend the G9m2. It *is* the GH7 built for photography.

Ditto to BobKo. The GH7 works fine as a photo camera but you are paying more for a bigger heavier body with all of the extra going to enhanced video functionality. If you are a true hybrid shooter who uses both video and stills great, its the camera for you. If you are mainly a still shooter then the G9M2 will give you the same photo functionality for less money and a smaller lighter package.

BobKo said:

I have a GH6, which is quite similar to the GH7... not much was changed between the two models. The biggest change was the addition of phase detect autofocus in the GH7. The GH7 also has 32-bit float audio sampling (with a pricey adapter), and has a new high-end video recording format. Really, the GH7 should have been designated the GH6 Mark 2, because so little is different between the two cameras.

Click to expand...

I thought DR boost works differently with the G9ii (and GH7).and there's a lower base ISO.

I could be mistaken but wasn't this something of a big deal or am I misremembering and/or overstating the differences (could definitely be the case, I don't trust most of the words that come out of my mouth).

BobKo said:

That out of the way, the GH6/7 are really targeted at video, but they both take excellent photos. Both have 25MP sensors, can do handheld high-resolution shots up to 100MP (and it works!), and have many features to streamline photography. In other words, the GH7 is an excellent photography camera.

However, if your focus is on photography, I recommend the G9m2. The G9m2 (which I also have) is the GH7 with reduced video capability. Photographically, the G9m2 does everything the GH7 does. Video-wise, the G9m2 is missing a handful of the GH7's highest-quality recording modes -- but it still does plenty high quality recording for video.

So if you're thinking of using the GH7 for photography, I recommend the G9m2. It *is* the GH7 built for photography.

Click to expand...

Agreed.

And if you don't need phase detect or PDAF or HHHR, maybe an original G9 could even work (or GH6? ).

I bouht my GH7 mainly for its video features. But of course, I like using it for stills as well.

The rubberized front wheel is a joy to use even with gloves.

mmartel said:

BobKo said:

I have a GH6, which is quite similar to the GH7... not much was changed between the two models. The biggest change was the addition of phase detect autofocus in the GH7. The GH7 also has 32-bit float audio sampling (with a pricey adapter), and has a new high-end video recording format. Really, the GH7 should have been designated the GH6 Mark 2, because so little is different between the two cameras.

Click to expand...

I thought DR boost works differently with the G9ii (and GH7).and there's a lower base ISO.

Click to expand...

No, DRboost works same on both G9m2 and GH7. For photo both are same, for Video gh7 better.
On GH6 DRboost was worse.

mmartel said:

I could be mistaken but wasn't this something of a big deal or am I misremembering and/or overstating the differences (could definitely be the case, I don't trust most of the words that come out of my mouth).

mmartel said:

That out of the way, the GH6/7 are really targeted at video, but they both take excellent photos. Both have 25MP sensors, can do handheld high-resolution shots up to 100MP (and it works!), and have many features to streamline photography. In other words, the GH7 is an excellent photography camera.

However, if your focus is on photography, I recommend the G9m2. The G9m2 (which I also have) is the GH7 with reduced video capability. Photographically, the G9m2 does everything the GH7 does. Video-wise, the G9m2 is missing a handful of the GH7's highest-quality recording modes -- but it still does plenty high quality recording for video.

So if you're thinking of using the GH7 for photography, I recommend the G9m2. It *is* the GH7 built for photography.

Click to expand...

Agreed.

And if you don't need phase detect or PDAF or HHHR, maybe an original G9 could even work (or GH6? ).

Click to expand...

Jens_ac said:

mmartel said:

BobKo said:

I have a GH6, which is quite similar to the GH7... not much was changed between the two models. The biggest change was the addition of phase detect autofocus in the GH7. The GH7 also has 32-bit float audio sampling (with a pricey adapter), and has a new high-end video recording format. Really, the GH7 should have been designated the GH6 Mark 2, because so little is different between the two cameras.

Click to expand...

I thought DR boost works differently with the G9ii (and GH7).and there's a lower base ISO.

Click to expand...

No, DRboost works same on both G9m2 and GH7. For photo both are same, for Video gh7 better.
On GH6 DRboost was worse.

Jens_ac said:

I could be mistaken but wasn't this something of a big deal or am I misremembering and/or overstating the differences (could definitely be the case, I don't trust most of the words that come out of my mouth).

Jens_ac said:

That out of the way, the GH6/7 are really targeted at video, but they both take excellent photos. Both have 25MP sensors, can do handheld high-resolution shots up to 100MP (and it works!), and have many features to streamline photography. In other words, the GH7 is an excellent photography camera.

However, if your focus is on photography, I recommend the G9m2. The G9m2 (which I also have) is the GH7 with reduced video capability. Photographically, the G9m2 does everything the GH7 does. Video-wise, the G9m2 is missing a handful of the GH7's highest-quality recording modes -- but it still does plenty high quality recording for video.

So if you're thinking of using the GH7 for photography, I recommend the G9m2. It *is* the GH7 built for photography.

Click to expand...

Agreed.

And if you don't need phase detect or PDAF or HHHR, maybe an original G9 could even work (or GH6? ).

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

The G9 def. has 40 & 80MP HHHR, which is second only to the GH6's 50 & 100MP in true resolution increase. Unfortunately the implementation in the G9-ii is flawed with extensive aliasing at lower ISOs in DP-Rev's converging line separation test images as well as extended images.

Pete

Jens_ac said:

mmartel said:

BobKo said:

I have a GH6, which is quite similar to the GH7... not much was changed between the two models. The biggest change was the addition of phase detect autofocus in the GH7. The GH7 also has 32-bit float audio sampling (with a pricey adapter), and has a new high-end video recording format. Really, the GH7 should have been designated the GH6 Mark 2, because so little is different between the two cameras.

Click to expand...

I thought DR boost works differently with the G9ii (and GH7).and there's a lower base ISO.

Click to expand...

No, DRboost works same on both G9m2 and GH7. For photo both are same, for Video gh7 better.
On GH6 DRboost was worse.

Click to expand...

That's precisely what I meant, which is why I commented. I just worded it poorly. Thanks for the corroboration.

Jens_ac said:

Jens_ac said:

I could be mistaken but wasn't this something of a big deal or am I misremembering and/or overstating the differences (could definitely be the case, I don't trust most of the words that come out of my mouth).

Jens_ac said:

That out of the way, the GH6/7 are really targeted at video, but they both take excellent photos. Both have 25MP sensors, can do handheld high-resolution shots up to 100MP (and it works!), and have many features to streamline photography. In other words, the GH7 is an excellent photography camera.

However, if your focus is on photography, I recommend the G9m2. The G9m2 (which I also have) is the GH7 with reduced video capability. Photographically, the G9m2 does everything the GH7 does. Video-wise, the G9m2 is missing a handful of the GH7's highest-quality recording modes -- but it still does plenty high quality recording for video.

So if you're thinking of using the GH7 for photography, I recommend the G9m2. It *is* the GH7 built for photography.

Click to expand...

Agreed.

And if you don't need phase detect or PDAF or HHHR, maybe an original G9 could even work (or GH6? ).

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Pete Berry said:

Jens_ac said:

mmartel said:

BobKo said:

I have a GH6, which is quite similar to the GH7... not much was changed between the two models. The biggest change was the addition of phase detect autofocus in the GH7. The GH7 also has 32-bit float audio sampling (with a pricey adapter), and has a new high-end video recording format. Really, the GH7 should have been designated the GH6 Mark 2, because so little is different between the two cameras.

Click to expand...

I thought DR boost works differently with the G9ii (and GH7).and there's a lower base ISO.

Click to expand...

No, DRboost works same on both G9m2 and GH7. For photo both are same, for Video gh7 better.
On GH6 DRboost was worse.

Pete Berry said:

I could be mistaken but wasn't this something of a big deal or am I misremembering and/or overstating the differences (could definitely be the case, I don't trust most of the words that come out of my mouth).

Pete Berry said:

That out of the way, the GH6/7 are really targeted at video, but they both take excellent photos. Both have 25MP sensors, can do handheld high-resolution shots up to 100MP (and it works!), and have many features to streamline photography. In other words, the GH7 is an excellent photography camera.

However, if your focus is on photography, I recommend the G9m2. The G9m2 (which I also have) is the GH7 with reduced video capability. Photographically, the G9m2 does everything the GH7 does. Video-wise, the G9m2 is missing a handful of the GH7's highest-quality recording modes -- but it still does plenty high quality recording for video.

So if you're thinking of using the GH7 for photography, I recommend the G9m2. It *is* the GH7 built for photography.

Click to expand...

Agreed.

And if you don't need phase detect or PDAF or HHHR, maybe an original G9 could even work (or GH6? ).

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

The G9 def. has 40 & 80MP HHHR, which is second only to the GH6's 50 & 100MP in true resolution increase. Unfortunately the implementation in the G9-ii is flawed with extensive aliasing at lower ISOs in DP-Rev's converging line separation test images as well as extended images.

Pete

Click to expand...

The OG G9 high res mode is tripod only. There is no handheld mode (HHHR).

mmartel said:

Pete Berry said:

Jens_ac said:

mmartel said:

BobKo said:

I have a GH6, which is quite similar to the GH7... not much was changed between the two models. The biggest change was the addition of phase detect autofocus in the GH7. The GH7 also has 32-bit float audio sampling (with a pricey adapter), and has a new high-end video recording format. Really, the GH7 should have been designated the GH6 Mark 2, because so little is different between the two cameras.

Click to expand...

I thought DR boost works differently with the G9ii (and GH7).and there's a lower base ISO.

Click to expand...

No, DRboost works same on both G9m2 and GH7. For photo both are same, for Video gh7 better.
On GH6 DRboost was worse.

mmartel said:

I could be mistaken but wasn't this something of a big deal or am I misremembering and/or overstating the differences (could definitely be the case, I don't trust most of the words that come out of my mouth).

mmartel said:

That out of the way, the GH6/7 are really targeted at video, but they both take excellent photos. Both have 25MP sensors, can do handheld high-resolution shots up to 100MP (and it works!), and have many features to streamline photography. In other words, the GH7 is an excellent photography camera.

However, if your focus is on photography, I recommend the G9m2. The G9m2 (which I also have) is the GH7 with reduced video capability. Photographically, the G9m2 does everything the GH7 does. Video-wise, the G9m2 is missing a handful of the GH7's highest-quality recording modes -- but it still does plenty high quality recording for video.

So if you're thinking of using the GH7 for photography, I recommend the G9m2. It *is* the GH7 built for photography.

Click to expand...

Agreed.

And if you don't need phase detect or PDAF or HHHR, maybe an original G9 could even work (or GH6? ).

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

The G9 def. has 40 & 80MP HHHR, which is second only to the GH6's 50 & 100MP in true resolution increase. Unfortunately the implementation in the G9-ii is flawed with extensive aliasing at lower ISOs in DP-Rev's converging line separation test images as well as extended images.

Pete

Click to expand...

The OG G9 high res mode is tripod only. There is no handheld mode (HHHR).

Click to expand...

You're right, of course. I'll plead senility/fog of time on this having turned 85 just 3 days ago!

My talented photog. 25 year grandson has had the G9 since my GH6 came in '22, and currently in the Galapagos on an extended stay of several months, shooting mainly with my Oly 12-100 and Canon 100-400II.

Pete

Pete Berry said:

mmartel said:

Pete Berry said:

Jens_ac said:

mmartel said:

BobKo said:

I have a GH6, which is quite similar to the GH7... not much was changed between the two models. The biggest change was the addition of phase detect autofocus in the GH7. The GH7 also has 32-bit float audio sampling (with a pricey adapter), and has a new high-end video recording format. Really, the GH7 should have been designated the GH6 Mark 2, because so little is different between the two cameras.

Click to expand...

I thought DR boost works differently with the G9ii (and GH7).and there's a lower base ISO.

Click to expand...

No, DRboost works same on both G9m2 and GH7. For photo both are same, for Video gh7 better.
On GH6 DRboost was worse.

Pete Berry said:

I could be mistaken but wasn't this something of a big deal or am I misremembering and/or overstating the differences (could definitely be the case, I don't trust most of the words that come out of my mouth).

Pete Berry said:

That out of the way, the GH6/7 are really targeted at video, but they both take excellent photos. Both have 25MP sensors, can do handheld high-resolution shots up to 100MP (and it works!), and have many features to streamline photography. In other words, the GH7 is an excellent photography camera.

However, if your focus is on photography, I recommend the G9m2. The G9m2 (which I also have) is the GH7 with reduced video capability. Photographically, the G9m2 does everything the GH7 does. Video-wise, the G9m2 is missing a handful of the GH7's highest-quality recording modes -- but it still does plenty high quality recording for video.

So if you're thinking of using the GH7 for photography, I recommend the G9m2. It *is* the GH7 built for photography.

Click to expand...

Agreed.

And if you don't need phase detect or PDAF or HHHR, maybe an original G9 could even work (or GH6? ).

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

The G9 def. has 40 & 80MP HHHR, which is second only to the GH6's 50 & 100MP in true resolution increase. Unfortunately the implementation in the G9-ii is flawed with extensive aliasing at lower ISOs in DP-Rev's converging line separation test images as well as extended images.

Pete

Click to expand...

The OG G9 high res mode is tripod only. There is no handheld mode (HHHR).

Click to expand...

You're right, of course. I'll plead senility/fog of time on this have turned 85 just 3 days ago!

My talented photog. 25 year grandson has had the G9 since my GH6 came in '22, and currently in the Galapagos on an extended stay of several months, shooting mainly with my Oly 12-100 and Canon 100-400II.

Pete

Click to expand...

Well, happy belated birthday to you. Keep that whip snapping!

And it sounds like an amazing trip from your grandson. Hope the journey goes great and the photos/videos are great.

I'm current thinking of swapping my G95 (and my recently acquired and much loved but video quality challenged EM1X) for a second G9 body. I'd love a G9ii but just too much of a cheapskate to spend on it to minimize my video autofocus wobble quibbles with the OG G9. Even without the features of the newer G9ii, the OG G9 is till doing good work for a non/slow-only BIF shooter like me.

I bought a G9ii when first available, primarily for video capabilities over my OM-1. The GH7 came out a few months later and it has a cooling fan and several video features over the G9ii but still has most of the photo features as described above. I should have waited on the GH7 but it turns out I don't use the G9ii for long run video anyway so the lack of internal cooling isn't a big deal after all. I have two S5iiX's for long run video now, problem solved. And a plus for me is that the G9ii menus and dials are almost identical to the S5iiX. I often use them together.

The S5iiX is primarily a video camera, but it, too, is a fine 24mp photo camera. I shot two baseball games with one earlier this week, and was very happy with the results. There is plenty of overlap between the latest video-centric and photo-centric Panasonic Lumix models, in my opinion.

Joe L

mmartel said:

Pete Berry said:

mmartel said:

Pete Berry said:

Jens_ac said:

mmartel said:

BobKo said:

I have a GH6, which is quite similar to the GH7... not much was changed between the two models. The biggest change was the addition of phase detect autofocus in the GH7. The GH7 also has 32-bit float audio sampling (with a pricey adapter), and has a new high-end video recording format. Really, the GH7 should have been designated the GH6 Mark 2, because so little is different between the two cameras.

Click to expand...

I thought DR boost works differently with the G9ii (and GH7).and there's a lower base ISO.

Click to expand...

No, DRboost works same on both G9m2 and GH7. For photo both are same, for Video gh7 better.
On GH6 DRboost was worse.

mmartel said:

I could be mistaken but wasn't this something of a big deal or am I misremembering and/or overstating the differences (could definitely be the case, I don't trust most of the words that come out of my mouth).

mmartel said:

That out of the way, the GH6/7 are really targeted at video, but they both take excellent photos. Both have 25MP sensors, can do handheld high-resolution shots up to 100MP (and it works!), and have many features to streamline photography. In other words, the GH7 is an excellent photography camera.

However, if your focus is on photography, I recommend the G9m2. The G9m2 (which I also have) is the GH7 with reduced video capability. Photographically, the G9m2 does everything the GH7 does. Video-wise, the G9m2 is missing a handful of the GH7's highest-quality recording modes -- but it still does plenty high quality recording for video.

So if you're thinking of using the GH7 for photography, I recommend the G9m2. It *is* the GH7 built for photography.

Click to expand...

Agreed.

And if you don't need phase detect or PDAF or HHHR, maybe an original G9 could even work (or GH6? ).

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

The G9 def. has 40 & 80MP HHHR, which is second only to the GH6's 50 & 100MP in true resolution increase. Unfortunately the implementation in the G9-ii is flawed with extensive aliasing at lower ISOs in DP-Rev's converging line separation test images as well as extended images.

Pete

Click to expand...

The OG G9 high res mode is tripod only. There is no handheld mode (HHHR).

Click to expand...

You're right, of course. I'll plead senility/fog of time on this have turned 85 just 3 days ago!

My talented photog. 25 year grandson has had the G9 since my GH6 came in '22, and currently in the Galapagos on an extended stay of several months, shooting mainly with my Oly 12-100 and Canon 100-400II.

Pete

Click to expand...

Well, happy belated birthday to you. Keep that whip snapping!

Click to expand...

Thanks, M', but I seem to have lost both my whip and my spurs!

The good news is that grandson and his Galapaganea sweetheart will be returning to the SF Bay area this summer, just a couple hrs N of us, for 4-5 years, as she just got news from UC Berkeley of acceptance into a PhD program.

Last time here we revived my long dormant Canon iPF5100 large format roll printer, with some stunning 16x22's he took back to the islands' wildlife protection offices, and I look forward to many more hours printing with him!

mmartel said:

And it sounds like an amazing trip from your grandson. Hope the journey goes great and the photos/videos are great.

I'm current thinking of swapping my G95 (and my recently acquired and much loved but video quality challenged EM1X) for a second G9 body. I'd love a G9ii but just too much of a cheapskate to spend on it to minimize my video autofocus wobble quibbles with the OG G9. Even without the features of the newer G9ii, the OG G9 is till doing good work for a non/slow-only BIF shooter like me.

Click to expand...

Though my GH6 videos are a cut above the G9, I was impressed with the G9's AF-C abilities with the 12-35/2.8 in very low light. Here's a link to my Vimeo video demonstrating this panning around in my darkened studio, shooting 4K/60p @ ISO 10.000, f/2.8, with surprisingly few "double clutches" in re-focusing. The other surprising thing was the exceptionally low black level, measured as RGB 0/0/0 in several places, with very little apparent noise. "Tis the blacks that make the colors vibrant."


Pete

Pete Berry said:

mmartel said:

Pete Berry said:

mmartel said:

Pete Berry said:

Jens_ac said:

mmartel said:

BobKo said:

I have a GH6, which is quite similar to the GH7... not much was changed between the two models. The biggest change was the addition of phase detect autofocus in the GH7. The GH7 also has 32-bit float audio sampling (with a pricey adapter), and has a new high-end video recording format. Really, the GH7 should have been designated the GH6 Mark 2, because so little is different between the two cameras.

Click to expand...

I thought DR boost works differently with the G9ii (and GH7).and there's a lower base ISO.

Click to expand...

No, DRboost works same on both G9m2 and GH7. For photo both are same, for Video gh7 better.
On GH6 DRboost was worse.

Pete Berry said:

I could be mistaken but wasn't this something of a big deal or am I misremembering and/or overstating the differences (could definitely be the case, I don't trust most of the words that come out of my mouth).

Pete Berry said:

That out of the way, the GH6/7 are really targeted at video, but they both take excellent photos. Both have 25MP sensors, can do handheld high-resolution shots up to 100MP (and it works!), and have many features to streamline photography. In other words, the GH7 is an excellent photography camera.

However, if your focus is on photography, I recommend the G9m2. The G9m2 (which I also have) is the GH7 with reduced video capability. Photographically, the G9m2 does everything the GH7 does. Video-wise, the G9m2 is missing a handful of the GH7's highest-quality recording modes -- but it still does plenty high quality recording for video.

So if you're thinking of using the GH7 for photography, I recommend the G9m2. It *is* the GH7 built for photography.

Click to expand...

Agreed.

And if you don't need phase detect or PDAF or HHHR, maybe an original G9 could even work (or GH6? ).

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

The G9 def. has 40 & 80MP HHHR, which is second only to the GH6's 50 & 100MP in true resolution increase. Unfortunately the implementation in the G9-ii is flawed with extensive aliasing at lower ISOs in DP-Rev's converging line separation test images as well as extended images.

Pete

Click to expand...

The OG G9 high res mode is tripod only. There is no handheld mode (HHHR).

Click to expand...

You're right, of course. I'll plead senility/fog of time on this have turned 85 just 3 days ago!

My talented photog. 25 year grandson has had the G9 since my GH6 came in '22, and currently in the Galapagos on an extended stay of several months, shooting mainly with my Oly 12-100 and Canon 100-400II.

Pete

Click to expand...

Well, happy belated birthday to you. Keep that whip snapping!

Click to expand...

Thanks, M', but I seem to have lost both my whip and my spurs!

Click to expand...

Don't worry, Amazon delivers. Just get a new pair.

Pete Berry said:

The good news is that grandson and his Galapaganea sweetheart will be returning to the SF Bay area this summer, just a couple hrs N of us, for 4-5 years, as she just got news from UC Berkeley of acceptance into a PhD program.

Click to expand...

Hopefully with that relocation you'll have a chance to see each other in person more often.

Pete Berry said:

Last time here we revived my long dormant Canon iPF5100 large format roll printer, with some stunning 16x22's he took back to the islands' wildlife protection offices, and I look forward to many more hours printing with him!

Pete Berry said:

And it sounds like an amazing trip from your grandson. Hope the journey goes great and the photos/videos are great.

I'm current thinking of swapping my G95 (and my recently acquired and much loved but video quality challenged EM1X) for a second G9 body. I'd love a G9ii but just too much of a cheapskate to spend on it to minimize my video autofocus wobble quibbles with the OG G9. Even without the features of the newer G9ii, the OG G9 is till doing good work for a non/slow-only BIF shooter like me.

Click to expand...

Though my GH6 videos are a cut above the G9, I was impressed with the G9's AF-C abilities with the 12-35/2.8 in very low light. Here's a link to my Vimeo video demonstrating this panning around in my darkened studio, shooting 4K/60p @ ISO 10.000, f/2.8, with surprisingly few "double clutches" in re-focusing. The other surprising thing was the exceptionally low black level, measured as RGB 0/0/0 in several places, with very little apparent noise. "Tis the blacks that make the colors vibrant."

Pete

Click to expand...

Your demo video does nicely illustrate your point.

The G9 isn't without it's drawbacks and limitations for video, but IMO it's more capable than many who haven't tried it themselves may assume, in particular on the autofocus front.

That said, I have found i notice (and occasionally am peeved a bit by) the signature "focus pulsing" most often when using subject detect AF and aiming at a human or animal subject - not so much with 1-area mode where it tends to be a bit less hyperactive.

Still, it seems to be the right camera choice for me, for what I'm willing to pay and for what I do. Obviously YMMV.