Panasonic Lumix DC-GH7 Body

Highly Recommended – A powerful Hybrid MFT format camera, handling well and producing excellent stills and video.

The Lumix GH7 builds upon a strong series to become one of the most compelling cameras for videographers and hybrid shooters at this price point. By inheriting the G9 II sensor, the GH7 finally gains phase-detect autofocus, while the subject recognition has been updated to drill-down to target parts like the drivers of cars. It’s one of the few cameras that can record ProRes RAW internally, up to 5.7k. The optional XLR microphone interface now supports 32-bit float audio. The GH7 also inherits Frame IO, proxy recording and enhanced video stabilisation from the latest S5 II updates, along with real-time LUTs and the Lumix Lab app from the S9. These all join a core feature set from the GH6 which includes 4k 120 with no loss of coverage or quality, the flexibility of 4:3-shaped open gate in 5.7k, a cunning screen tilt, external SSD support, Live Streaming direct from the camera (albeit still no USB webcam support), and unlimited recording thanks to the built-in cooling fan. If you’re into video and understand the pros and cons of Micro Four Thirds, you’ll love the GH7, but don’t rule-out the G9 II, available a little cheaper and sporting many of the same core features. If full-frame’s your thing, then the S5 IIx actually comes in a tad less than the GH7, and the standard S5 II even cheaper still, although neither has the sheer wealth of video features of the GH7. Ultimately with the S5 II, G9 II and GH7, Panasonic has a trio of highly compelling cameras for hybrid shooters. The GH7 is a tremendous camera and proves Micro Four Thirds remains both relevant and desirable.

The Panasonic GH7 is a Micro Four Thirds camera with a strong focus on shooting video, and is an evolutionary upgrade from its predecessor, the GH6. The addition of phase-detect autofocus makes it more usable for run-and-gun video, and it gains 32-bit float audio recording and improved dynamic range as well. Although it's a hybrid camera with deep feature sets for both stills and video, it's really video where it excels.