Panasonic Lumix G7

1. Does anyone know if there is a setting to see, through the viewfinder, how my settings will affect result? Like if I change my aperture or shutter speed, it can show me how it would look before I take it? I heard electronic viewfinders can do that, but when I change the settings, it remains the same (I can only see the result after taking the photo).

2. Also, does anyone know how I can see the light meter on the screen?

Thank you!

it will show your light metering, but it cannot tell your final result until you took it that is why you prep before you shoot when you can.

It's called "constant preview" and it does show what the results will be - at least a close approximation. IIRC correctly it only works in Manual mode.

Light meter? Do you mean histogram? Or aperture/shutter data. The latter you should see on half shutter press, for the former most Panasonics have that accessible from the on-screen Fn. menu by default.

jhglondon wrote:

1. Does anyone know if there is a setting to see, through the viewfinder, how my settings will affect result? Like if I change my aperture or shutter speed, it can show me how it would look before I take it? I heard electronic viewfinders can do that, but when I change the settings, it remains the same (I can only see the result after taking the photo).

2. Also, does anyone know how I can see the light meter on the screen?

Thank you!

Hindesite had partial answer on M mode.

I suppose the preview you are looking for should understand how Live View work. G7 same as all M43 cameras is working 100% on LV.

LV works differently in iA/iA+/P/A/S vs M. It is to simulate an image according to the data sensed by the sensor and so, it will show the combined effect of f/stop, shutter speed and ISO in used. Saved for auto modes (iA/iA+/P) that the camera will decide everything to capture a so-thinking correct exposure (0ev metering of exposure meter), under semi auto modes (A/S) when we set a parameter (e.g. f/stop in A), the camera will adjust other parameters in its disposal (i.e., Shutter speed and ISO if under Auto ISO) to maintain 0ev exposure. As a result, if you use a larger f/stop (e.g. from f/5.6 to f/3.5), the camera will use lower ISO or faster shutter speed to counter off your action. As a result, what you did will be canceled by the camera automatically. Hence no change in exposure value and so nothing change in LV simulated image.

If we adjust the parameter by Exposure Compensation, then we can see the change in brightness condition of LV (the amount of change is to reflect the amount of derivation from 0ev exposure). So EC -1ev will see a darker LV and +1ev will see a brighter screen. If no EC, we might easily misunderstand LV does not response to setting change. Indeed it does, as long as we change the total exposure value of the shot.

Like other members said, Preview can be used to show a more accurate LV similar image because under Preview, the camera will physically close the aperture of the lens to generate the image.

M of Pany traditionally does not support LV as other shooting modes. Because the camera will not set any parameter for a 0ev exposure (the default base of LV). So it will only show a boosted screen and will not response to the parameters used.

Constant Preview is a feature to activate Preview to M. As a result, when CP be enabled, Preview becomes the only LV similar feature to M mode.

How Preview works has been mentioned here earlier. It can produce a more close to actual image to be captured, and free of the limitation of LV (e.g. LV will stop update >+/-3ev etc). However Preview has a draw back, it will also simulate the effect of shutter speed. When e.g. 1 second shutter speed is used, the refresh rate of the Preview will be reduced materially and such lagging makes usual operation difficult. It is not good for low lighting shooting.

jhglondon wrote:

1. Does anyone know if there is a setting to see, through the viewfinder, how my settings will affect result? Like if I change my aperture or shutter speed, it can show me how it would look before I take it? I heard electronic viewfinders can do that, but when I change the settings, it remains the same (I can only see the result after taking the photo).

Two ways to do so.

1) Preview (see page 100 in advanced manual): assign to function button and press it to activate effect. It cycles between normal (no preview) or aperture preview or aperture+shutter preview.

2) Constant Preview (p 99): only works in M mode and will show aperture+shutter effect continuously.

ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/camera/om/dmc-g7_adv_en_om.pdf

2. Also, does anyone know how I can see the light meter on the screen?

Thank you!

If you are talking about the exposure meter (where it shows SS and F-stop), see page 93 to enable it.  The settings where it shows red is the boundary that camera determines will be over or under exposed.

If you are talking about Manual Exposure Assistance, see page 98. It shows in the bottom center and only in M mode. When value is at 0, its shows the exposure comp symbol with 0, other wise it shows 0 to +3 if it's bright or -3 to 0 if it's dark.

If you want to see the whole meter (like in traditional cameras), you can show it on the rear screen using the Disp. button to cycle to the "On-monitor recording information" view (see page 51). The meter is shown dead center (and again only shows in M mode).

ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/camera/om/dmc-g7_adv_en_om.pdf