What camera do you use to supplement your G7X (or G7X II)?

In addition to my G7X, I have a nearly ten year old 10mp Rebel XSI with the kit 18-55 and 55-250 lens, the latter of which is not focusing very well these days. Needless to say I use the G7X the bulk of the time but there are times when I miss the speed of the DSLR and the reach of the longer lens. Although maybe not bad for a compact, the G7X is relatively pedestrian (to me) in total push the shutter to actual shot time and I've missed some spontaneous photos that way. Some options I have considered.

Canon G3X: Range would more then cover my old DSLR with combined lenses (neither option is fast glass) and image quality would be equal or better given the age and resolution of the DSLR. Plus I could still use my Canon 430 EX flash. A nice overall package but again, performance operation times will not make you forget about your DSLR.

Panasonic FZ1000 (which I've used a little bit). Faster glass and to me, blistering speed of operation, at least in good light. But bigger, less zoom and I'm really used to Canon menu system and Canon colors.

Another system camera (ugh) with a dual lens configuration but would have to be reasonably priced. Maybe a used or good deal T6i? Just not sure I want to do the system thing again but is that what I have to do, to get decent speed of operation?

Dark Horse candidate: Played with the Olympus OM-D E-Mii with 14-42 and 40-150 lens at Best Buy. A speedy little performer and was a fun camera to play with. But not sure how much it would get me over my G7X with 14-42 lens (would slower lens requiring higher ISO in lower light situations) offset any slight sensor advantages? Also 40-150 lens not really super long compared to many. But seemed like good value for the price ($699).

Bottom line if G3X had speed of operation of FZ1000, that would easily be my choice. One reason I'm so wishy washy is that any camera I purchase will have to last me a long time as it looks like I'm not going to be in a position to do regular camera upgrades. Maybe or maybe not a faster operating G3X II will come out but who knows?

Any thoughts or suggestions after this long winded post?

I replaced my 10 year old Pentax K100d with the FZ1000, and as far as I could see, the FZ1000 does everything better.

Canon's menu system is a little faster than the FZ1000's, as it has a touch screen and sub-menus, so there's no need to scroll down in menus. Panasonic does a better job with their on-screen tips of explaining what certain features to. Canon sometimes still has jargon in their on-screen tips. The Panasonic's Leica lens is better than the lens on my G7X II. (price of compactness? Maybe the G3X's is comparable)

I think for you, the best path might be to replace the Canon body with a newer one. Not necessarily new, but maybe one generation old. Keep your old lenses and keep the option for a specialty lens here and there. For example, a fast prime lens on a camera with a bigger sensor cannot be matched on a smaller-sensored camera. I had an 85/1.8G on my full frame Nikon, and it was brilliant for portrait work. You also have the option of true wide angles. I had a 20/2.8 for my FF DSLR. Or you might get the hankering for macro work some day, and compact cameras don't have true macro lenses. (fully optically corrected)

With this option, you boost your old capability with a higher resolution sensor in the newer SLR body, keep the optics you had, and keep your options open for future options that would truly compliment your G7X. You would be able to take the SLR when you're feeling "serious" or need its specific capabilities, but then leave it home. Or when you go out on a shoot, Keep the tele zoom on the SLR and use the G7X for wide-short tele. You'd even have some overlap.

Sage advice, Jeremy, thanks. As far as keeping my old lens, they are useless. The 18-55 kit lens is a first generation and the first generation 55-250 is not focusing properly anymore. The 430 (I think that is the model number) EX flash is useful though.

Wish I had grabbed one of those Canon refurb DSLR's during their Black Friday thru Christmas sales of which they no longer offer the same discounts. I have viewed used DSLR bodies on reputable places such as KEH and the deals are not nearly as good.

Smaug01 said:

I replaced my 10 year old Pentax K100d with the FZ1000, and as far as I could see, the FZ1000 does everything better.

Canon's menu system is a little faster than the FZ1000's, as it has a touch screen and sub-menus, so there's no need to scroll down in menus. Panasonic does a better job with their on-screen tips of explaining what certain features to. Canon sometimes still has jargon in their on-screen tips. The Panasonic's Leica lens is better than the lens on my G7X II. (price of compactness? Maybe the G3X's is comparable)

I think for you, the best path might be to replace the Canon body with a newer one. Not necessarily new, but maybe one generation old. Keep your old lenses and keep the option for a specialty lens here and there. For example, a fast prime lens on a camera with a bigger sensor cannot be matched on a smaller-sensored camera. I had an 85/1.8G on my full frame Nikon, and it was brilliant for portrait work. You also have the option of true wide angles. I had a 20/2.8 for my FF DSLR. Or you might get the hankering for macro work some day, and compact cameras don't have true macro lenses. (fully optically corrected)

With this option, you boost your old capability with a higher resolution sensor in the newer SLR body, keep the optics you had, and keep your options open for future options that would truly compliment your G7X. You would be able to take the SLR when you're feeling "serious" or need its specific capabilities, but then leave it home. Or when you go out on a shoot, Keep the tele zoom on the SLR and use the G7X for wide-short tele. You'd even have some overlap.

--
-Jeremy

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Well, if you're sure those lenses are no good and you don't find yourself needing wider than 24mm-e, by all means go with a superzoom fixed lens camera.

Nikon P900 with its 2000mm-e lens (but small sensor) or Canon G3x with less telephoto but a bigger sensor.

geepondy said:

Sage advice, Jeremy, thanks. As far as keeping my old lens, they are useless. The 18-55 kit lens is a first generation and the first generation 55-250 is not focusing properly anymore. The 430 (I think that is the model number) EX flash is useful though.

Wish I had grabbed one of those Canon refurb DSLR's during their Black Friday thru Christmas sales of which they no longer offer the same discounts. I have viewed used DSLR bodies on reputable places such as KEH and the deals are not nearly as good.

Smaug01 said:

I replaced my 10 year old Pentax K100d with the FZ1000, and as far as I could see, the FZ1000 does everything better.

Canon's menu system is a little faster than the FZ1000's, as it has a touch screen and sub-menus, so there's no need to scroll down in menus. Panasonic does a better job with their on-screen tips of explaining what certain features to. Canon sometimes still has jargon in their on-screen tips. The Panasonic's Leica lens is better than the lens on my G7X II. (price of compactness? Maybe the G3X's is comparable)

I think for you, the best path might be to replace the Canon body with a newer one. Not necessarily new, but maybe one generation old. Keep your old lenses and keep the option for a specialty lens here and there. For example, a fast prime lens on a camera with a bigger sensor cannot be matched on a smaller-sensored camera. I had an 85/1.8G on my full frame Nikon, and it was brilliant for portrait work. You also have the option of true wide angles. I had a 20/2.8 for my FF DSLR. Or you might get the hankering for macro work some day, and compact cameras don't have true macro lenses. (fully optically corrected)

With this option, you boost your old capability with a higher resolution sensor in the newer SLR body, keep the optics you had, and keep your options open for future options that would truly compliment your G7X. You would be able to take the SLR when you're feeling "serious" or need its specific capabilities, but then leave it home. Or when you go out on a shoot, Keep the tele zoom on the SLR and use the G7X for wide-short tele. You'd even have some overlap.

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I can live with the frame-rate of the G3X and bought it Feb. this year after no-G3XII news.
With an EVF, UV filter, filter adapter/lens hood.
Later I added an ONA bag, the Bowery (https://www.onabags.com/store/messenger-bags/the-bowery.html?color=field-tan)
And yesterday the set is completed with a Peak Design Leash Camera Strap.
Perfectly happy with my set.

Both camera's and the EVF fits the little ONA.
The ONA and Peak Design straps are very smooth.

But hey it's the camera
I love both !

Images:

G3X: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bigwade/albums/72157676854509054

G7X: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bigwade/albums/72157647813671333

--
FD

Hi FD. The G3X/G7X oft discussed slow (unusable?) raw burst rate does not bother me. What does affect me at times is the relatively slow (compared to many of it's peers) slow press shutter to shot taken times and the ability to very quickly refocus and take another picture. Olympus and Panasonic cameras maybe from being in the mirrorless camera business for quite some time, generally appear to be better in this regard.

Curious as you own both, do you see any noticeable image differences between the G3X and G7X in the overlapping focal range?

FD said:

I can live with the frame-rate of the G3X and bought it Feb. this year after no-G3XII news.
With an EVF, UV filter, filter adapter/lens hood.
Later I added an ONA bag, the Bowery (https://www.onabags.com/store/messenger-bags/the-bowery.html?color=field-tan)
And yesterday the set is completed with a Peak Design Leash Camera Strap.
Perfectly happy with my set.

Both camera's and the EVF fits the little ONA.
The ONA and Peak Design straps are very smooth.

But hey it's the camera
I love both !

Images:

G3X: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bigwade/albums/72157676854509054

G7X: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bigwade/albums/72157647813671333

--
FD

Click to expand...

No problems with slow press shutter.
Set my G3X with a small AF box and that works.
(I must admit that the camera sometimes goes back to the big AF box..)

Both camera's are menuwise ± the same.
About IQ, both are not at best at 24mm and the 600mm from the G3X is soft but with
correct sharpening you will have good results.
Colors/Software is the same.
Images: see my Flickr links.
It's a good pair for walking around.
The G7X in a big pocket, the G3X in the ONA, or both in the ONA.
Have Fun !

Edit

BTW I had a similar smaller sensorsize set before.
Powershots S100 + SX50HS

Was looking thru your photo albums this morning, Frank. Very good in all with nice punchy colors without being over the top. Was that more to do with camera settings or post processing? Although your SX50 shots are very nice and I know there is a huge love of the camera in this forum but is it safe to say the G3X is going to produce better results even at low ISOs?

FD said:

No problems with slow press shutter.
Set my G3X with a small AF box and that works.
(I must admit that the camera sometimes goes back to the big AF box..)

Both camera's are menuwise ± the same.
About IQ, both are not at best at 24mm and the 600mm from the G3X is soft but with
correct sharpening you will have good results.
Colors/Software is the same.
Images: see my Flickr links.
It's a good pair for walking around.
The G7X in a big pocket, the G3X in the ONA, or both in the ONA.
Have Fun !

Edit

BTW I had a similar smaller sensorsize set before.
Powershots S100 + SX50HS
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bigwade/albums/72157671681293565
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bigwade/albums/72157651368908131

--
FD

Click to expand...

geepondy said:

Was looking thru your photo albums this morning, Frank. Very good in all with nice punchy colors without being over the top. Was that more to do with camera settings or post processing? Although your SX50 shots are very nice and I know there is a huge love of the camera in this forum but is it safe to say the G3X is going to produce better results even at low ISOs?

Click to expand...

Thank You !
All Flickr images are processed to my taste in Camera RAW/Photoshop/ON1 effects.
And yes it's safe to say the G7X and the G3X are better than the S100 and SX50HS ;-)


Happy Easter!

geepondy said:

In addition to my G7X, I have a nearly ten year old 10mp Rebel XSI with the kit 18-55 and 55-250 lens, the latter of which is not focusing very well these days. Needless to say I use the G7X the bulk of the time but there are times when I miss the speed of the DSLR and the reach of the longer lens. Although maybe not bad for a compact, the G7X is relatively pedestrian (to me) in total push the shutter to actual shot time and I've missed some spontaneous photos that way. Some options I have considered.

Canon G3X: Range would more then cover my old DSLR with combined lenses (neither option is fast glass) and image quality would be equal or better given the age and resolution of the DSLR. Plus I could still use my Canon 430 EX flash. A nice overall package but again, performance operation times will not make you forget about your DSLR.

Panasonic FZ1000 (which I've used a little bit). Faster glass and to me, blistering speed of operation, at least in good light. But bigger, less zoom and I'm really used to Canon menu system and Canon colors.

Click to expand...

It doesn't have less zoom than your 55-250 you have now.

geepondy said:

Another system camera (ugh) with a dual lens configuration but would have to be reasonably priced. Maybe a used or good deal T6i? Just not sure I want to do the system thing again but is that what I have to do, to get decent speed of operation?

Click to expand...

You could go with a superzoom lens so you don't need to lug around multiple lenses. Treat it like a bridge camera. Tamron 16-300 for example.

geepondy said:

Dark Horse candidate: Played with the Olympus OM-D E-Mii with 14-42 and 40-150 lens at Best Buy. A speedy little performer and was a fun camera to play with. But not sure how much it would get me over my G7X with 14-42 lens (would slower lens requiring higher ISO in lower light situations) offset any slight sensor advantages? Also 40-150 lens not really super long compared to many. But seemed like good value for the price ($699).

Click to expand...

There's very little, if any, advantage to this and your current SLR setup for standard stills shooting. You would get a more modern camera with marginally better high ISO and DR, as well as some video capabilities. But you'd lose a significant amount of reach, and AF tracking is fairly poor vs SLR.

geepondy said:

Bottom line if G3X had speed of operation of FZ1000, that would easily be my choice. One reason I'm so wishy washy is that any camera I purchase will have to last me a long time as it looks like I'm not going to be in a position to do regular camera upgrades. Maybe or maybe not a faster operating G3X II will come out but who knows?

Any thoughts or suggestions after this long winded post?

Click to expand...

Does the new Sony RX10 III fit your budget? Kind of like the ultimate all in one camera.

tkbslc said:

Does the new Sony RX10 III fit your budget? Kind of like the ultimate all in one camera.

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The Sony RX10III is a huge monster compared with the G3X and the lens is hardly better.
The Panasonic FZ2500, HUGE and the lens is nice for video but not that good for photography.

I've spend about 3 month to compare these 3 camera's and RAW files and my final conclusion was that the G3X was best for me.
Small "ugly" box with lens and strange EVF, but I love it.
No regrets ;-)

--
FD

FD said:

tkbslc said:

Does the new Sony RX10 III fit your budget? Kind of like the ultimate all in one camera.

Click to expand...

The Sony RX10III is a huge monster compared with the G3X and the lens is hardly better.

Click to expand...

It's better in that it is significantly faster across the zoom range and has faster AF and response.

FD said:

The Panasonic FZ2500, HUGE and the lens is nice for video but not that good for photography.

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It's not good for photography? That's a bit of a bold statement to make against a camera.

Also "huge" is relative to a SLR + small telephoto in this case, so it's all relative.


The G3X is also quite a bit taller and deeper with the EVF installed, so it gives up its size advantage vs the Panasonic FZ models.

FD said:

I've spend about 3 month to compare these 3 camera's and RAW files and my final conclusion was that the G3X was best for me.
Small "ugly" box with lens and strange EVF, but I love it.
No regrets ;-)

Click to expand...

There's a perfect camera for everyone, but it's not the same one for everyone. Nothing wrong with discussing and comparing the alternatives.

tkbslc said:

tkbslc said:

Dark Horse candidate: Played with the Olympus OM-D E-Mii with 14-42 and 40-150 lens at Best Buy. A speedy little performer and was a fun camera to play with. But not sure how much it would get me over my G7X with 14-42 lens (would slower lens requiring higher ISO in lower light situations) offset any slight sensor advantages? Also 40-150 lens not really super long compared to many. But seemed like good value for the price ($699).

Click to expand...

There's very little, if any, advantage to this and your current SLR setup for standard stills shooting. You would get a more modern camera with marginally better high ISO and DR, as well as some video capabilities. But you'd lose a significant amount of reach, and AF tracking is fairly poor vs SLR.

Click to expand...

The bolded part is not always true. My FZ1000 has much better focuse tracking than my Nikon D610 did. It goes all over the screen, as it doesn't seem to have discrete focusing points.

More sage advice as well...thanks. Everytime I buy a new camera, the intent is to replace my system camera as much as possible. These days system camera isn't much, a 10 mpixel rebel that doesn't do any movie and tops out out ISO1600 with a first gen 18-55 kit lens along with a first gen 55-250 that no longer works properly and a 430EX II flash which is probably the most valuable piece of the equipment out of the bunch. I'm happy with the image quality of the G7X. The fast lens means I rarely have to push the ISO even above 800. There are times I really do miss the speed the operation though as illustrated by example below that I took this weekend. I definitely had to prefocus and guess the correct time to push the shutter. I took four or five shots to get one I like. Maybe the Panasonic FZ1000 would be the best compromise although I'd have to get a flash as well. As mentioned earlier if G3X had speedy operation, that would definitely be my choice. Also as menioned earlier either in this or another thread, Canon has a good refurb deal on a T7i with both 18-55 and 55-250 STM lenses but that goes against my desire to get away from system cameras.

The high end Sony RX10 III is out of my budget and I read it's not a particular pleasant camera to use.

tkbslc said:

geepondy said:

In addition to my G7X, I have a nearly ten year old 10mp Rebel XSI with the kit 18-55 and 55-250 lens, the latter of which is not focusing very well these days. Needless to say I use the G7X the bulk of the time but there are times when I miss the speed of the DSLR and the reach of the longer lens. Although maybe not bad for a compact, the G7X is relatively pedestrian (to me) in total push the shutter to actual shot time and I've missed some spontaneous photos that way. Some options I have considered.

Canon G3X: Range would more then cover my old DSLR with combined lenses (neither option is fast glass) and image quality would be equal or better given the age and resolution of the DSLR. Plus I could still use my Canon 430 EX flash. A nice overall package but again, performance operation times will not make you forget about your DSLR.

Panasonic FZ1000 (which I've used a little bit). Faster glass and to me, blistering speed of operation, at least in good light. But bigger, less zoom and I'm really used to Canon menu system and Canon colors.

Click to expand...

It doesn't have less zoom than your 55-250 you have now.

tkbslc said:

Another system camera (ugh) with a dual lens configuration but would have to be reasonably priced. Maybe a used or good deal T6i? Just not sure I want to do the system thing again but is that what I have to do, to get decent speed of operation?

Click to expand...

You could go with a superzoom lens so you don't need to lug around multiple lenses. Treat it like a bridge camera. Tamron 16-300 for example.

tkbslc said:

Dark Horse candidate: Played with the Olympus OM-D E-Mii with 14-42 and 40-150 lens at Best Buy. A speedy little performer and was a fun camera to play with. But not sure how much it would get me over my G7X with 14-42 lens (would slower lens requiring higher ISO in lower light situations) offset any slight sensor advantages? Also 40-150 lens not really super long compared to many. But seemed like good value for the price ($699).

Click to expand...

There's very little, if any, advantage to this and your current SLR setup for standard stills shooting. You would get a more modern camera with marginally better high ISO and DR, as well as some video capabilities. But you'd lose a significant amount of reach, and AF tracking is fairly poor vs SLR.

tkbslc said:

Bottom line if G3X had speed of operation of FZ1000, that would easily be my choice. One reason I'm so wishy washy is that any camera I purchase will have to last me a long time as it looks like I'm not going to be in a position to do regular camera upgrades. Maybe or maybe not a faster operating G3X II will come out but who knows?

Any thoughts or suggestions after this long winded post?

Click to expand...

Does the new Sony RX10 III fit your budget? Kind of like the ultimate all in one camera.

Click to expand...

Maybe there's a local DPR-er with one of these cameras to try out?

If you're in the Chicago area, you're welcome to try out my FZ1000.

G3X would make use of your Canon Speedlite; I'd lean that way to gain proper bounce flash capability and extended telephoto.

Your pic above looks like you captured the action just find with your G7X.

For me, it's going to be the other way round. my best camera is the FZ1000, and the G7X II will be the supplement, even though it may be used more often.

I did try a Sony RX100, and just hated using it. But today, I finally found the time to find a G7X II and try it in my pockets (shirt and pants). It feels good in my hand, and it fits nicely in my pockets. It will replace a G15 I've had since 2012. Touching one was a hugh thing for me.

The sensor on the G7X II is larger than the G15's, and even though the G7X II has more pixels, the photo sites are larger. Using digital zoom on both cameras gives about the same focal length at 5 MP, although the G7X II should have an advantage at higher ISO.

Width and depth of the two cameras is similar; but the G7X II is 0.6" shorter, and that seems to make the difference.

I can highly recommend the FZ1000. For a flash, try a used Olympus FL36R. Much less money than the very, very similar Panasonic version and works fine on the FZ1000 in the hot shot, and off-camera with wireless control. I have two of these; both bought used.

I shoot nearly all JPEG, and the FZ1000 does need a little tweaking of the internal adjustments to get best results. My FZ1000 replaced a Canon 70D with three lenses and two Canon 420EX flash.