Panasonic announces Lumix GF7 system camera with selfie mode

Panasonic has announced the Lumix GF7 system camera. The successor to the GF6 is equipped with a screen that can rotate 180 degrees, a fast autofocus system and an electronic shutter for silent shooting.

The round shapes of the GF6 and its predecessors have disappeared and have been replaced by a retro look. The 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens has been replaced by the flatter 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 of the GM1 and GM5, making the camera-lens combination even more compact than the predecessor.

The camera is equipped with the same 16-megapixel sensor, but the autofocus system has been overhauled. Like the GH4 and LX100, the GF7 is now equipped with Panasonic’s Light Speed ​​autofocus, which can be used to focus down to -4 EV even in dark conditions. Thanks to an electronic shutter, it can shoot completely silently with a maximum shutter speed of 1/16,000th of a second.

The camera can shoot full HD video in avchd or mp4 h264, where users can use touch autofocus to focus while filming. It is also possible to select an object on which the camera will continuously focus by means of af-tracking.

The LCD screen is touch-sensitive and can be tilted 180 degrees, making the device suitable for taking selfies. When you tilt the screen, the camera activates the self shot mode automatically. This mode has features such as a buddy shutter, where a photo is taken as soon as two faces come close to each other. And also with jump snap, where photos are taken when you jump in the air with a group. Panasonic claims that the camera automatically records the highest point of the spong. Furthermore, there are 22 more filter options, from retro to a miniature. Wi-Fi is also provided, allowing users to control the camera remotely and connect the GF7 to a smartphone for photo sharing. The Panasonic Lumix GF7 will be available from March 2015 for a suggested retail price of 500 euros including kit lens.