In praise of the Panasonic GX7 and comments about the GX8

Tom Caldwell wrote:

Despite the model numbering sequence and the basic design being continued I am not so sure that the GX8 is in the same class of use as the GX7.

It is quite a lot larger and if a "big camera" is what stokes the fire then it is indeed very much the successor of the GX7. But if the GX7 was big enough and comfortable in hand then the GX8 is playing a whole new size ball-game.

To me the GM1/5 is comfortable and light-shooting. A sort of stripped to the basics sports car. Whilst the GX7 was the every comfort limousine with evf, tilt screen and lots of buttons and wheels. The hefty end where a larger grip and more easy-functions were thought desirable.

The GX8 just takes the stakes somewhat further - great evf, articulated lcd, big grip, even more buttons and wheels to use up the extra real estate. In my mind this is the Rolls Royce edition with custom hand built body and almost needs a chauffeur, but might be nice enough to drive-oneself to the shops.

The excess (nice as it is) and in all things including extra size makes a true size replacement model for the GX7 almost mandatory - even if it can no longer be called "GX8" - GM10? perhaps.

Just see what happend with the size when Panasonic went from the GX1 to the GX7

Is that the same class of cameras?

And now they done it again

I will buy the GX8 when the price comes down no matter what it is called