Photography

Panasonic announces the novice- and selfie-friendly GF7

Panasonic announces the novice- and selfie-friendly GF7
The Panasonic Lumix GF7 is the latest interchangeable lens camera to be marketed on its selfie-friendly credentials
The Panasonic Lumix GF7 is the latest interchangeable lens camera to be marketed on its selfie-friendly credentials
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The rear 3-inch touchscreen monitor on the Panasonic Lumix GF7 has 1,040k dots
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The rear 3-inch touchscreen monitor on the Panasonic Lumix GF7 has 1,040k dots
The Panasonic Lumix GF7 will come in black, brown or pink
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The Panasonic Lumix GF7 will come in black, brown or pink
The Panasonic Lumix GF7 is the latest interchangeable lens camera to be marketed on its selfie-friendly credentials
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The Panasonic Lumix GF7 is the latest interchangeable lens camera to be marketed on its selfie-friendly credentials
The rear monitor on the Panasonic Lumix GF7 can be tilted 180 degrees for easier selfie shooting
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The rear monitor on the Panasonic Lumix GF7 can be tilted 180 degrees for easier selfie shooting
The Panasonic Lumix GF7 features a 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) MOS sensor
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The Panasonic Lumix GF7 features a 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) MOS sensor
The Panasonic Lumix GF7 can record Full HD video at 60/50 fps
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The Panasonic Lumix GF7 can record Full HD video at 60/50 fps
The Panasonic Lumix GF7 boasts a number of selfie-friendly features
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The Panasonic Lumix GF7 boasts a number of selfie-friendly features
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Panasonic has updated its GF series of mirrorless cameras with the GF7. The interchangeable-lens camera follows in the footsteps of the Samsung NX3000, Olympus E-PL7, and Fujifim X-A2 by making it easier to shoot and share high-quality selfies. In addition to a 180-degree tilting touchscreen and hands-free selfie shooting, the GF7 also boasts narcissist-friendly picture effects to make you look more attractive and slimmer.

The Panasonic Lumix GF7 does not look like the previous GF cameras which came before it. Gone is the curvy plastic look in favor of the same sort of retro styling which has served Panasonic well on recent higher-end models. It's small, even by mirrorless standards, though not quite to GM1 levels, and measures 107 x 65 x 33 mm (4.2 x 2.6 x 1.3 in) while weighing 266 g (9.4 oz).

The Panasonic Lumix GF7 boasts a number of selfie-friendly features
The Panasonic Lumix GF7 boasts a number of selfie-friendly features

Inside is a 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) MOS sensor which is paired with Panasonic's Venus Engine image processor. This allows an extended ISO range of 100 to 25600, burst speed shooting at 5.8 fps, or 5 fps with AFC, and Full HD 1080p video recording at 60/50 fps. Autofocus is dealt with by a contrast-detection based AF system which features face and eye detection.

However, while this all suggests the camera will be a solid entry-level mirrorless camera, it's the selfie-centric features which Panasonic is choosing to market the camera on. First up is the 3-inch touchscreen which has 1,040k dots and tilts 180 degrees up for easier composition of self-portraits, while dual shutter buttons make it easy to take a photo whichever hand you are holding the camera in.

The rear 3-inch touchscreen monitor on the Panasonic Lumix GF7 has 1,040k dots
The rear 3-inch touchscreen monitor on the Panasonic Lumix GF7 has 1,040k dots

If you don't want an outstretched arm in your selfies, a couple of new hands-free selfie modes have got you covered. With Face Shutter mode, waving a hand over your face will trigger the camera to take a photo, while in Buddy Shutter mode two people bringing their face together will trigger the shutter. Meanwhile, Jump Snap mode uses a wirelessly-connected smartphone to trigger the camera when you're at the highest point of a jump.

Other selfie-centric functions come in the form of picture effects designed to make skin look smoother, soften the area surrounding the face, or a slimming mode option which Panasonic claims "does exactly what the name suggests." Built-in Wi-Fi means that images can be easily shared, and that compatible smartphones using the Panasonic Image App can be used for remote shooting.

The Panasonic Lumix GF7 is due to go on sale in February. It will cost US$600 bundled with a 12-32-mm (24-64-mm equivalent on this camera) kit lens, and will be available in either black, brown and pink, depending on where you live.

You can check out the GF7 in the selfie-filled promo video from Panasonic below.

Product page: Panasonic Lumix GF7

Introducing Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF7

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