Panasonic Introduces Hybrid Focus to the GH Series with the New Lumix GH7
Panasonic has surprised the photography world with the launch of the new Lumix GH7, which aims to finally bring hybrid focus to the GH series of the brand, a feature that users of this high-performance video camera range have been eagerly anticipating. The new camera arrives two and a half years after the GH6, which was the last model from the brand to feature the old contrast AF system. With this release, the Japanese company once again proves that it has not abandoned the Micro Four Thirds system.
Building on the success of the G9 II, Panasonic is introducing the hybrid AF system – combining contrast and phase detection – to one of its most iconic camera ranges, a technology that was first seen in the Panasonic S5 II and has shown significant performance improvements over the previous technology. While hybrid focus is the main highlight of the camera, it is not the only one.
The GH7 inherits the same body and 25-megapixel CMOS sensor from its predecessor, along with an extensive list of codecs, recording formats, and frame rates. The camera can achieve a maximum resolution of 5.7K at 60 frames per second with 4:2:0 10-bit compression and 300 Mbps, and in 4K and C4K up to 60p with 4:2:2 10-bit compression and bit rates of up to 800 Mbps.
Additionally, it can reach up to 120 frames per second in 4K with 4:2:0 10-bit compression and 300 Mbps, all without cropping, with sound, and with the AF system enabled. These specifications put it on par with other high-end models like the Fujifilm X-H2S or the Sony FX3. The GH7 also offers internal ProRes recording, with the new addition of the ability to record in ProRes RAW on CFexpress cards or SSD drives connected via USB-C.
ProRes RAW is a compressed RAW format from Apple that provides a lot of flexibility in post-production, especially for color correction and white balance adjustments. The GH7 can record in this format in 5.7K up to 30p and in 4K up to 60p with bit rates of up to 3.5 Gbps. Another new feature is the ability to record audio in 32-bit floating-point format using the updated DMW-XLR2 interface, also launched by the brand.
Panasonic has also included in the GH7 some features that have been introduced to other models through firmware updates, such as the new «High» electronic stabilization mode, the ability to generate proxy files, and compatibility with the Frame.IO service. The Panasonic Lumix GH7 will be available in July for 2200 euros, the same launch price as the GH6 two and a half years ago. The DMW-XLR2 accessory will cost 550 euros.