Panasonic Lumix GH7 2024 (ROLLING ACTIVE)

(Rolling reviews are updated in descending date order.  This is to make it easier to revisit and always see the latest content.  Start from the bottom, and read up if this is your first visit)

7/25/2024 - Day 3 update 1:30 PM

Today we finally got the Rode Wireless Pro issues lined out.  As the GH7 does not recognize USB as an audio source, we had to use the standard Rode mic cable.  And since we could not get the camera to capture the audio feed from the receiver, we had to do some experiment and think we have captured a usable procedure.  If you are experiencing this issue and this fixed it, let us know.

7/24/2024 - Day 2 update 10:00 PM

Today we worked on a few things.  First and foremost, connecting this camera to an HDMI capture card and pulling the feed into the Mevo MultiCam App and used the Mevo Core to capture the audio using the Rode Wireless Pro.  There was a slight delay on the Mevo which cause the Audio to not sync exactly with the primary video feed.  We will certainly be working on that.  But expect a simple time adjustment in the Mevo app to resolve.  You can see that video here:

The other thing we were able to get working today was the "Dummy Battery".  We found that our Anker 737 Power Bank powered the camera just fine.  We will do a dedicated post and video about the power pull and other various bits of data.  But essentially, the camera pulled 8.5 watts when on.  So I'm not really sure why a 27 watt minimum is required.  I'm sure more features will have more draw.  And we will try to capture and document that as well.

7/23/2024 - Day 1 update 3:30 PM

I was able to get out and use the camera bit outside of the shop.  We played around with interfacing to the Mevo MultiCam application via an HDMI capture card on the iPad.  The video captured exceptionally.  Unfortunately, the audio across the HDMI cable ended up corrupt.  So we will not be posting that video and will certainly be testing again.  We did capture some video right out of the camera.  Thus far, the quality is pretty incredible.  Face tracking autofocus works phenomenally.  But we also found a couple things that we don't like:

• Unless we are doing something wrong, we cannot get the USB port to recognize the Rode Wireless Pro receiver as an audio interface.  This works great on the Mevo cameras.  But perhaps Panasonic does not support this.
• We did a little digging on the "Dummy Battery" mentioned below.  Evidently, the device requires a 27watt minimum power source (which is really high, with regard to external power packs).  We have a few PD power options we will try later.  But it certainly isn't going to be a throw and go solution.
• Smart device connection to the camera is as slow as we remember from previous Lumix devices.  As such, it really isn't an option we will use that much.
• Still miss that informational LED display.  That's going to be a hard one to get around.
• Not a big deal, but you cannot tilt the LCD up in the shooter position (not selfie mode) without opening it to the left.  This creates a pretty wide setup and can be clunky.

Sample video mentioned above (stock settings and onboard microphones.  Again, unedited.  Please excuse the fumble fingers at the end.)

7/23/2024 - Day 1

Today we start the rolling review of the Panasonic GH7 Mirrorless Camera.  This is a hard phrase, because we usually want to end the camera name with DSLR.  But that is not the case with a mirrorless camera.  DSLR stands for Digital Single Lens Reflex.  And all reflex really means is that the camera has a prism and a mirror, allowing the shooter to look through the lens from the eyepiece.  A mirrorless camera has not mirror or prism.  So sadly we must say goodbye to SLR and DSLR.  They are still being made, but I don't envision for much longer.  And for us, this will be the new design going forward.  Having started with still photography roots, SLR's were our go to device.  But with most of our direction now leaning towards video, a mirrorless camera makes the most sense.

So why did we choose the GH7?  Like most camera expansion decisions go, it' all about that lens (that lens).  We have a bunch of great Nikon glass.  But being tied to that glass has held us back for years.  When we picked up the Mevo Core this year, we had to invest in some Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lenses.  Having been blown away by the video quality of that device, we have been looking for a new MFT camera that would take the place of our aging Nikon line and share the lenses.  We feel the GH7 fits that bill quite nicely.

While the review process will advance as we learn this new system, here is what we like thus far:

• USB-C power and charging (even the external charger takes USB-C).  This is super convenient and allows the reduction of multiple chargers in our kit.
• Nice articulating LCD
• Ability to handle long recordings.  It has an internal fan as well as not being software locked to prevent long recordings.
• Has WiFi capability and has some live streaming ability
• Full sized HDMI port (I hate adapters!)

What are we struggling with so far:

• When I first put the device in my hands, my initial response was that it felt "cheap".  That's unfair because I'm sure the materials are lighter.  I have shaky hands (genetic essential tremors).  So a lighter camera may be a good thing.  But the initial feel is all I have to work with right now.  It isn't my Nikon DX2 tank.
• While the LCD is nice, I miss the small informational LED displays on my Nikons.  Even when my Nikons are off, these displays give you some details about your camera.  While all of this can probably be found in the eyepiece and the LCD, it is going to be a challenge in the short term.
• We purchased the DMW-DCC18 USB-C "Dummy Battery" adapter.  At this point, we have not been able to make it work.  So perhaps it will be sensitive to a specific power source.  But first attempt was a fail.  This will be needed to power external while also using the record to SSD option.

Stay tuned!