Piloting small planes, vlogging, and storytelling with the G7

I've been incorporating the Pany G7 into my pilot videos. My action cam (Garmin Virb) is still the workhorse, but the G7 has now replaced my iPhone for the vlog-style shots, b-roll shots of scenery out the window and on the ground, etc. In fact this was one of the main reasons I bought the camera in the first place. I'm really pleased, but am getting more familiar with the well known quirks of these Panasonic cameras.

Not sure if this is a forum faux-pas, but here's the link to my most recent video, where the strengths and weaknesses of the G7 are on display:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY7PCU_Qnzg

1) Autofocus. So this is well documented, and even with the articulating screen, there are times when I thought I had the focus right, but on review found it was off or that it was hunting randomly. I actually missed a few crucial shots, but then others were surprisingly excellent and sharp. I'm still experimenting with technique: using more manual focus and greater DOF for the vlogging-esque moments when I'm addressing the camera, but also may just have to be more disciplined about not moving around so much when I'm talking to the camera. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

2) Stabilization. I've never had a camera with IBIS, but I'm beginning to think it could really improve things. Maybe I'm overthinking it, but that camera shake is pretty distracting. Also lack of IBIS means I'm stuck using the kit lens (which is my only wide lens with stabilization).

So these are 2 big issues, but ultimately can be worked around or solved (with a G85!), and beyond that I'm really loving my M4/3 camera for this kind of storytelling. I'm no video professional, but the video looks great to me, and certainly good enough for YouTube. When you're flying these small planes, every pound counts, and I love how light and capable they are. A breeze to operate with one hand while I fly the plane with the other. I'm also using the cheap Rode Videomicro and am surprised with the audio I'm getting with it.

Some photos of the G7 in action...

filming the time lapse

one way to get around lack of IBIS

johnpatrickbishop wrote:

I've been incorporating the Pany G7 into my pilot videos. My action cam (Garmin Virb) is still the workhorse, but the G7 has now replaced my iPhone for the vlog-style shots, b-roll shots of scenery out the window and on the ground, etc. In fact this was one of the main reasons I bought the camera in the first place. I'm really pleased, but am getting more familiar with the well known quirks of these Panasonic cameras.

Not sure if this is a forum faux-pas, but here's the link to my most recent video, where the strengths and weaknesses of the G7 are on display:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY7PCU_Qnzg

Great wee video nice to see behind the scenes , there is no finer cause than finding cake

1) Autofocus. So this is well documented, and even with the articulating screen, there are times when I thought I had the focus right, but on review found it was off or that it was hunting randomly. I actually missed a few crucial shots, but then others were surprisingly excellent and sharp. I'm still experimenting with technique: using more manual focus and greater DOF for the vlogging-esque moments when I'm addressing the camera, but also may just have to be more disciplined about not moving around so much when I'm talking to the camera. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

2) Stabilization. I've never had a camera with IBIS, but I'm beginning to think it could really improve things. Maybe I'm overthinking it, but that camera shake is pretty distracting. Also lack of IBIS means I'm stuck using the kit lens (which is my only wide lens with stabilization).

So these are 2 big issues, but ultimately can be worked around or solved (with a G85!), and beyond that I'm really loving my M4/3 camera for this kind of storytelling. I'm no video professional, but the video looks great to me, and certainly good enough for YouTube. When you're flying these small planes, every pound counts, and I love how light and capable they are. A breeze to operate with one hand while I fly the plane with the other. I'm also using the cheap Rode Videomicro and am surprised with the audio I'm getting with it.

Some photos of the G7 in action...

filming the time lapse

one way to get around lack of IBIS