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  • The New Panasonic Lumix GX7 Only Looks Retro
Technology Articles > Photo, Video & Audio > Digital Cameras > The New Panasonic Lumix GX7 Only Looks Retro

Panasonic has gone retro with the new Lumix GX7. This camera looks a lot like something you'd find at an antique shop, but it's entirely new inside. The new Micro Four Thirds camera comes with 3-inch touchscreen display, 16-megapixel sensor, and a a built-in electronic viewfinder. What else? Take a look.

Design and Details

Panasonic isn't the first company to go back to vintage basics. The Lumix GX7 joins a long list of throwback camera designs that manufacturers are loving lately. Panasonic's version is housed in a metal frame and includes the same hard plastic pebbled wrap-around that you would find on a camera from yesteryear.

The only clue that the Lumix GX7 is actually a modern camera is the viewfinder on the back of the body. Well, that and two controls that can be found nestled next to the viewfinder (shutter speed and aperture controls). Inside, the Lumix GX7 is definitely all-new with both NFC and Wifi, a new sensor, and an increased ISO range (25,600). This camera can also be controlled by iOS or Android with Panasonic's new app.

Availability and Pricing

If you love the retro look, you will dig what Panasonic has just come up with. Even though the Lumix GX7 isn't the only camera on the market to include this look, it's one of the few cameras that enters the "semi-professional" level and is still compact enough to slip into a bag.

For that retro look, Panasonic will be selling the Lumix GX7 at $999. That price includes just the camera body. If you want the 14-42mm lens, the price goes up to $1099.99. Yikes!

That's a high price to pay for this camera, and it's a heck of a lot higher than its predecessor, the GX1, which retailed for $699, and can now be found as low as $300. If you have the money to spend on a new camera like this one, Panasonic's Lumix GX7 will debut in September. But, the question remains: is this camera worth that steep price tag?

Conclusions

Those that have had a chance to review the Lumix GX7 have found the camera body to be a bit on the heavy side. But, if heft doesn't bother you, reviewers have also stated that this camera does, in fact, take great photos. There are other retro options on the market, cheaper ones, but Panasonic tends to have a decent reputation, too, and that has to be counted for something.

It still seems uncertain whether or not consumers will pay top dollar for this camera. If you consider the fact that the retro look may soon be over and done with, this could wind up being a really expensive camera that doesn't hold any real design appeal. Then again, it could become a collector's item, it all depends on how you look at it.

My advice is this: wait until the Lumix GX7 hits the market, so that you can take the camera for a spin in-store. If that weight bothers you, this isn't he one for you. If not, the Lumix GX7 does come with a number of great features and additions.