WhiteBeard
Senior Member
Please read the OP's post completely. He states « Even if you reduce the magnification of the viewfinder to .77 or .70 both problems did not become any better. »
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Handled a G9 yesterday - strage observation
- Thread starter Franz Weber
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Over the years lots of Panasonic cameras have had the same complaints about their EVF. Occasionally a model will come along that people say is good, but then another model will follow it and back to the same old Panasonic EVF problem. The GH3, as just one example, was notorious for this, but not the only one.
This distortion is very pronounced on my GM5, much more than on my GX80, where the effect is not that big.
Faster overall operation, faster AF, faster burst speed, much larger buffer, much better IBIS including stabilized video, quiet shutter with no shutter shock, 4K video, new sensor with no AA filter, improved jpeg engine, 4K Photo burst modes, focus bracketing and focus stacking... Yeah, what a terrible downgrade.
jalywol
Forum Pro
That's not been my experience. I can't use a GX80 at all due to it (it's why I didn't buy one after trying it out), but have been using my GM5 for 2 years now with zero problems with the EVF. We must be seeing different things.
-J
jeffharris
Forum Pro
Don’t forget the MUCH lower build quality and not very good handling, compared to the GX7 . The loss of the tilty EVF is significant. The GX7 never had a shutter shock problem.
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I don't know, there might be a copy to copy variation. As I said, the optics in the EVF of my GX80 is clearly superior to the one in my GM5. Only the very center is sharp on my GM5 (when looking straight), the ghosting (double image) is severe in the corners. On the other hand, most of the image is sharp with the GX80, with a bit of ghosting in the corners. I might have an unusually good copy of the GX80 or an unusually bad copy of the GM5. But I was not surprised at all to see the tiny EVF in the GM5, which is based on the same field sequential technology, to be worse. The opposite would seem more unexpected to me.
I have not handled them side by side, but I don't recall any large difference in build quality. Handling is pretty much the same. The grip is a bit different, it is smaller on the GX80, but there is a thumb grip. It seems quite subjective to me, I would say.
Shutter shock - I am sorry, I don't take your word for it. Loss of tilting EVF - yes. But I am not sure how you can call all of this as a huge downgrade. To me, the GX80 is a huge upgrade over the GX8, not to say GX7.
Well, that is a problem of today‘s reviewers, who - because of personal interests - do not really criticize newly released cameras.
The G9 view finder does have a very noticeable distortion and slightly blurry edges, and it is quite disappointing that Panasonic still doesn’t get view finder optics right. It shouldn’t be that difficult.
It was a camera in a retail store- how can you describe it as "pre-production"?
The OP did handle it and so is fully qualified to make a judgement call on the OVF ...
And the classic DPReview that the Olympus E-330 DSLR "live view " was an answer looking for a problem ... :-DPanasonic cameras seem to hold a special place amongst reviewers for magnifying minuscule to barely noticeable things, I'd assume to promote sales of "real" cameras from "real" camera companies rather than consumer electronics wannabes,. And in Panasonic's case, ignoring 4 decades or so of professional video expertise.
Samsung (R.I.P.) and Sony used to suffer from a similar problem, until the A7-series went from alpha to beta status. ;-)
For a good laugh, read the idiotic DPReview review of the GX7, where the reviewer goes on and on not understanding who would use the camera. >What?!!!< Or the many reviewers who failed to understand the concept and possible uses of a tilting EVF. Some users had legitimate issues with the GX7's EVF, but that was only a tiny percentage, but reason enough to damn the damn thing. (I got one anyway…)
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jalywol
Forum Pro
Uh, now you have gone a bit hyperbolic. The GX8, which I do own, also, is in an entirely different league than the GX80. In terms of the sensor alone, it outclasses it by a not insignificant amount. Add all of the other differences and the two really are not comparable at all.
In terms of SS, the GX80 has a new design shutter, sure...but you can't go above 1/4000s with it, where the GX8 does 1/8000 with its mechanical shutter, very handy for bright situations with motion. I use mostly e-shutter anyway (I would with any body as I shoot long lenses which prefer it, in any case), and I've had no issues with the GX8. Oh, and the EVF on the GX8 is glorious.....
-J
I raised this topic about my GH4 when I purchased it a couple of years ago. I was really disappointed by the EVF optics, and still am.
Looking at the viewfinder from a distance, and reflecting light off it, I can even see the glass or plastic lens isn't evenly curved, has a 'ring' where the reflection 'wobbles'.
Very annoying, I can never seem to get my eye in a position where the whole EVF is in focus, actually find mine more blurred in the middle - no matter what diopter I set.
Poor show if these cheap optics have made it through to the GH5 and G9. Crazy, more should be said about this in reviews.
Looking at the viewfinder from a distance, and reflecting light off it, I can even see the glass or plastic lens isn't evenly curved, has a 'ring' where the reflection 'wobbles'.
Very annoying, I can never seem to get my eye in a position where the whole EVF is in focus, actually find mine more blurred in the middle - no matter what diopter I set.
Poor show if these cheap optics have made it through to the GH5 and G9. Crazy, more should be said about this in reviews.
Olympmick
Forum Enthusiast
This is very disappointing to hear, especially if it proves to be widespread. The G9's EVF is one of its differentiators from its competitors. It, along with the dual UHS2 slots, were the only 2 things I coveted from the G9's spec sheet. :-(
jeffharris
Forum Pro
I have. BIG difference.
GX7 handles much better, with it's grippier and more substantial grip.
Shuttershock with the GX-series is totally overblown. I've shot with a GX7 (2013) and a GX8 (2015) since each were first released. It may exist using specific, very lightly constructed lenses (14-140mm II, which I own and use with both and 12-32mm) within a very narrow range of shutter speeds (± 1/80th to 1/250th). I've not seen it with either camera using the 14-140mm II. I tend to use beefier M4/3 lenses and adapted manual lenses.
Silent Mode is your friend.
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It would be a hyperbole, if I claimed the GX80/85 is better for everybody. That is most certainly not true. But for me, there is no contest, really. The gentle shutter and useful IBIS (including video stabilization) are such ground breaking differences to me, that while I bought the GX80, I have never even considered the GX8 for a moment. The slightly better sensor and other small differences does not make up for these two fundamental features. The smaller and lighter body is a much welcome bonus as well.
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Corkcampbell
Forum Pro
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I was never especially fond of the GX7's grip. I don't claim that the one on the GX80/85 is better, but I don't really understand how you can see a huge downgrade because of that and some perceived difference in build quality.
I know you have no problem with shutter shock. Other people have it and demonstrated it quite clearly. A camera without a properly constructed, fully usable shutter is a no go for me.
No, it is my enemy. I am forced to use it with my GM5 and I try to avoid it like the plague. Distorted fast moving objects, banding under artificial light, sacrificed dynamic range. I know it very well, thank you very much. I prefer a fully usable mechanical shutter (or a sufficiently fast electronic shutter with no sacrifice in image quality).Silent Mode is your friend.
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This is strange: all reviewers appreciate G9 EVF as a big step forward. Let me guess that corner softness and other optical imperfections you're talking about came from your eye glasses.
Personally, I never wear glasses with camera, I use build-in camera optical correction instead. Also, when looking through EVF, I never press it to my eye, and instead I keep a very small clearance between eye and EVF - more like looking through the window
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Camera in bag tends to stay in bag...
Personally, I never wear glasses with camera, I use build-in camera optical correction instead. Also, when looking through EVF, I never press it to my eye, and instead I keep a very small clearance between eye and EVF - more like looking through the window
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Camera in bag tends to stay in bag...
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Franz Weber
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