Love them or hate them, selfies were the photography phenomenon that defined 2014, and it shows no sign of slowing down in the new year; so much so that Panasonic has introduced a new entry to its micro four thirds compact camera range dedicated to improving the quality of your selfie shots. With a 180-degree flip-up display and face detection shooting modes to make sure you capture the moment first time, every time.
The GF7 won't replace the existing GF6, at least not right away, but it's a big upgrade in terms of design and size. It has the same gorgeous retro-inspired looks as Panasonic's recent high-end cameras, and is much smaller than the GF6, although it took liberal use of plastics rather than metal to get there. The dimensions have shrunk so much that it's barely any bigger than the diminutive GM5, yet it still includes a mode dial, adjustable function buttons and a pop-up flash.
The 3in, 1040k-dot touchscreen automatically activates Self Shot mode when flipped up, and if you want to tweak your look but don't have access to Photoshop modes including 'Soft Skin' and 'Slimming' will automatically adjust your images in-camera. Built-in Wi-Fi will let you connect the GF7 to a network for uploading photos and video directly to social media, while Panasonic's Image App for iOS and Android will turn a smartphone or tablet into a remote control for adjusting shutter, zoom, focus and aperture from a distance.
Inside, the GF7 has the same 16-megapixel micro four thirds Digital Live MOS sensor as the high-end GX7, paired with Panasonic's Venus picture engine. An ISO range of 200-25,600 (equivalent) is identical to the GX7, so it should be capable of high quality photos beyond those taken at arm's length.
Despite the focus on selfie shooting, Panasonic hasn't completely ignored video. It might not be able to record in 4K like the company's high-end models, but the GF7 can still shoot 1,920x1,080 Full HD video at up to 50fps, in either AVCHD Progressive or MP4 (MPEG-4 / H.264) format. Touch AF can be used while filming for adjusting focus on the fly, and AF tracking should keep moving subjects in focus.
It will arrive with the same compact 12-32mm lens that first appeared on the GM1, but retains compatibility with Panasonic's extensive range of micro four thirds lenses. You'll also be able to use Olympus lenses, although there's no in-body stabilisation so you'll need a steady hand if you pair Olympus glass with the GF7.
The Lumix GF7 will be going on sale in a choice of silver and brown colours from March onwards, as a kit bundled with the 12-32mm lens for £429. We're aiming to give it a full review a little closer to launch, so be sure to check back if you're looking for a new compact camera with interchangeable lenses - that can also up your selfie game.