Talk Me Out of Panasonic G7

Silverback46 wrote:

situman1 wrote:

JSB wrote:

I'm looking for a mirrorless camera option and have been looking at the Panasonic Lumix G7. There is a great deal at B&H for the G7 with a Panasonic 14-140mm kit lens for around $900. I will be using this camera for mostly landscape photos. In the future I would like a macro lens for flower photography and a long lens for birding. I'm not interested in video although it has 4K video. It also has a pop-up flash. I like the feel of the G7 body because I'm use to an SLR body type. I want to be able to print images up to 16x20 inches. The salesman also suggested the Panasonic Lumix GX8. It has a 20MP sensor (versus 16MP for the G7), in-body image stabilization and better weather seals. It is more of a rangefinder body style and lacks a pop-up flash. The cost of the GX8 is greater. It comes as a body only option with a price of about $1000. The price of a Lumix 14-140mm lens is about $500. Overall it will cost me about $600 more to put together a GX8 and lens than the G7 kit. Is it worth the price or should I stick with the G7? Will I regret not getting the GX8 if I buy the G7 package? Above all, I really want to be able to print up to 16x20 inch images. Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.

I personally have the GX8. Despite what other posters said, its a little bit smaller than the G7, but also heavier since its made from Magnesium. I also purchased mine from a Canadian seller on ebay so that saved me $200 bucks. Compared to my old GX7, operations and picture quality was an improvement. The G7 has a similar sensor as the GX7 but same AF and video features as the GX8. So if you dont mind giving up a bit of IQ, then the G7 is a no brainer at half the price with a lens. My zoom lens needs were satisfied with the 12-32 f3.5-5.6 and 35-100 f4-5.6 and I got them for $135 a pop on ebay dekitted.

So my GX8 setup was $1,100 in total. $859 for GX8 body (currently for $819 from the same seller), and $260 for the two lens.

Honestly, you can't go wrong with the G7 and the value it presents with the 10x zoom.

You did really well with your GX8 set up! I really wanted the GX8 mostly because all of my lenses are Olympus and I wanted 4k video. the best price I could get was $1389 for the body. In the end I got the G7 and I would recommend it to the OP. Canadian prices for Panny products is atrocious unless you find deals like you did.

For a US buyer with the discounts they offer I agree with you, you can't really go wrong with the G7.

Silver

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