Panasonic GX80 street with a kit zoom

Just thought I'd share some observations and pics for those interested in this camera, purely from a street photography perspective.

The good stuff:

AF is fast enough to focus as quickly as you press the shutter. So none of this half press mullarky just shoot. The mechanical shutter is barely audible and I find it nigh on perfect. You can feel a small vibration as you release the shutter so even if the street noise drowns out the shutter noise you can still tell you have taken the shot. I shoot with the camera tight to my chest so no EVF/LCD screen to look at. Just aim and shoot. Being able to use the mech shutter is a real plus - no rolling shutter and full 12bit RAW files so better dynamic range/less noise in post. Also using electronic shutter meant not knowing for sure if you'd actually taken the shot at all. Another plus is the little green power LED on top - so you know if your battery has died.

Shot to shot time is very good. Metering seems accurate. I'm not using as much exposure compensation as I expected. Noise performance is okay, not at APS-C levels but only about a stop away. If you nail exposure you are good up to ISO 6400 imo. I quite like some noise in my street work though so you may find ISO 3200 or even ISO 1600 your limit. Personally, I switch to b&w at high ISO's because the colors look unreal as the dynamic range narrows.

Presently I only have 2 lenses I use for street. The classic Panasonic 14-45mm zoom and the newer Panasonic 14-42mm MK2 zoom. I'm currently comparing them and will sell one eventually. The 14-45mm is not dual IS compatible but in its favour it is a tad sharper and has an OIS switch on the body. The 14-42mm is smaller, lighter, has faster AF and benefits from dual IS. So I'm a bit torn between the two lenses. Once I acquire the PanLeica 15mm F1.7 I'll be using that exclusively for street. However, the 14-42mm lens can do surprisingly well for its cost..

















































Best feature for me? The mech shutter. Miles quieter than the GX7.

Wishing you enjoy GX85.

Regarding the kit lens, I'm a bit surprise on your opinion. I don't own 14-42 M2, but so far members generally said it's IQ is better than 14-45 and could be the best Pany standard kit zoom today....

When I bought 12-32 with GX85, have been disappoint by its inconsistent result (good under ideal lighting condition but occasionally poor under bad lighting). Before bought 12-35 f/2.8 to replace 12-32, I had taken out the retired 14-45 to shoot on GX85... If your opinion is correct, likely 14-45 would still be a step ahead of its younger siblings (a reason that 14-42 M2 and 12-32... is cheaper than 14-45?).

Thanks for posting.

If you're able to post some shots with your 15mm when you get it, that would be great.

Some nice shots in there but one question, did you go out of your way to find the most miserable looking b*ggers out there or is everyone near you that "happy"?

alcelc said:

Wishing you enjoy GX85.

Regarding the kit lens, I'm a bit surprise on your opinion. I don't own 14-42 M2, but so far members generally said it's IQ is better than 14-45 and could be the best Pany standard kit zoom today....

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I think many go by MTF tests done online but do not consider 14-45mm tests were done on 12MB sensor whereas 12-42mm is tested on more recent 16MB sensor thus giving the impression the 14-42mm is better.

I did some indoor tests first (at 14mm on a tripod) and the 14-45mm was clearly outresolving the 14-42mm. Also the 14-45mm aperture does not close down as quickly when zooming in.

Realworld tests outdoors are not so conclusive and I need to take more street shots with the 14-45mm for comparison. Here's a few examples..

alcelc said:

When I bought 12-32 with GX85, have been disappoint by its inconsistent result (good under ideal lighting condition but occasionally poor under bad lighting). Before bought 12-35 f/2.8 to replace 12-32, I had taken out the retired 14-45 to shoot on GX85... If your opinion is correct, likely 14-45 would still be a step ahead of its younger siblings (a reason that 14-42 M2 and 12-32... is cheaper than 14-45?).

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I really liked my copy of the 12-32mm. So much so I sold my 14mm pancake. Only downside was somewhat crappy build, lack of manual focus ring and rather prone to flair when shooting towards the sun. Good contrast and sharpness though.

Regarding prices. The 14-45mm can be had for around £90 2nd hand in UK but 12-32mm is around £110. I got my 14-42mm MK2 for £75. It was the smaller size and dual IS support that made me get it. I think it better matches the smaller mft bodies. I'm still not ready to let go of the 14-45mm though and may keep it for landscape etc..

stewart hull said:

Some nice shots in there but one question, did you go out of your way to find the most miserable looking b*ggers out there or is everyone near you that "happy"?

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I think it's a case of small town mid-week and working winter blues. People tend to cheer up at w/ends. I know how they feel. Just lately the best weather happens when I'm at work. I'm off this w/end and snow is forecast. I'm counting the days for spring to arrive. Nice long days and less mud on my shoes!

Some neat ones in there. I'm a fan of the shot of the woman in leather looking straight at you, and the one of the two women with the strollers, one with the word Cutie on it.

Some excellent shots, some depressing ones & overweight.

Pondering if it's worth getting the GX80 with kit lens vs the much smaller (and in most IQ respects equal) GX800.

telefunk said:

Pondering if it's worth getting the GX80 with kit lens vs the much smaller (and in most IQ respects equal) GX800.

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Depends how much you value IBIS and an EVF? If neither is that important then the GX800 is a good buy.

I was all in favour of the Olympus 12-40 for street photography (with my Olympus em5 mk2).

Then I began to suffer from 'lens-droop' - that is one heavy beast???

So, after a bit of research, I attached a Panasonic 14-45 to the front. OK, you don't get the 2.8 business end, but is that REALLY so necessary in street stuff????

It's compact, much less of an arm or shoulder strain, and I defy anyone but the most determined pixelbore to find any quality difference.

Just a slightly negative comment on this thread, with the meteoric rise in 'street photographers' has come a mediocre rise in 'people walking through streets' shots - doing nothing more interesting than 'walking through streets'...... sorry.

TAXI...........

I think more interesting than which lens would be focusing choices and burst mode choices and other setup items.

We're these done with pre-focussing? Shutter priority or better to fix the aperture? Shot in Monochrome? Burst mode to capture the moment?

norman shearer said:

Being able to use the mech shutter is a real plus - no rolling shutter and full 12bit RAW files so better dynamic range/less noise in post.

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Just out of curiosity, did you have a problem with rolling shutter with your street shooting? Despite having a G85 with its much better mechanical shutter, I still prefer to use my GX-7 for street due to its smaller size and tilting evf. I use it in e-shutter mode almost exclusively and haven't run into rolling shutter issues.

norman shearer said:

Best feature for me? The mech shutter. Miles quieter than the GX7.

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Agreed.

Walt Palmer said:

I think more interesting than which lens would be focusing choices and burst mode choices and other setup items.

We're these done with pre-focussing? Shutter priority or better to fix the aperture? Shot in Monochrome? Burst mode to capture the moment?

Click to expand...

AFS and custom multi area focus. I don't recall if I had pre-focus on (probably not).

Zone focus was used now and then - it's better in some cases. if you are on a busy walkway you can zone it and get the right subject in focus rather than using AF which tends to focus on the nearest subject. Nailing focus this way is tough and takes practice but it helps to have a wide lens and the m43 gives a bigger zone than say APS_C or FF. You could do a short burst in continuous if the camera is responsive enough otherwise it may be still writing to the card for your next shot.

Once I got the PL 15/1.7 I always shot in Aperture priority so I could use the aperture ring on the lens. To keep the shutter speed up I had to keep adjusting the ISO - no min shutter speed in autoISO unfortunately. I could've switched to manual mode but then I believe I would lose exposure compensation? Struggling to remember as I've sold the GX80 now.

Why did I sell it? Got a good deal on the GX8 I couldn't resist. Then bought a Sony A7R2, then a 2nd Samsung NX500, then a Samsung EX2F and now a Sony RX100 MKIV!

I had too many cameras. I figured the GX8 could be my sole m43 camera and I'd use that for sports/action only - that way I could sell some m43 glass.

I was hoping to use the A7R2 for street but in e-shutter mode it has severe rolling shutter and the mech shutter is too noisy for me. No worries, that's my portrait/landscape/nature camera now and I have lots of legacy glass finally getting a good work-out.

The 2nd NX500 was because I love that camera for street and I wanted to be sure I got a backup before they became scarce.

The Samsung EX2F is a camera I sold in the past (for a Nikon 1 J5) and regretted it. Now I have it back but unfortunately the mode dial is dodgy and changes modes with the slightest knock on top of the dial. Resolved that partially by adding a wired remote.

The Sony RX100 MK IV was bought solely for street. It has min shutter in autoISO, e-shutter is so fast there's no rolling shutter effect. Very responsive and fast, sharp lens and a sensor that gets close to m43. Still getting acquainted but it looks like a keeper.

Selling my Nikon 1 J5 and lenses to help clear the credit card!

No plans on selling my Sony RX1R or Nikon Coolpix A either - both great street cameras..

larsbc said:

norman shearer said:

Being able to use the mech shutter is a real plus - no rolling shutter and full 12bit RAW files so better dynamic range/less noise in post.

Click to expand...

Just out of curiosity, did you have a problem with rolling shutter with your street shooting? Despite having a G85 with its much better mechanical shutter, I still prefer to use my GX-7 for street due to its smaller size and tilting evf. I use it in e-shutter mode almost exclusively and haven't run into rolling shutter issues.

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I think the GX7 and GX80 have a little rolling shutter but you'd have to go out of your way to see it.

larsbc said:

larsbc said:

Best feature for me? The mech shutter. Miles quieter than the GX7.

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Agreed.

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Although I was pretty fond of my GX7 I hated that mech shutter. When shooting sports/action I used it but felt somewhat embarrassed by its sound! It just sounded weak and old to me. My A6000 was louder but that sounded like a real sports shooter in continuous mode.

Walt Palmer said:

I think more interesting than which lens would be focusing choices and burst mode choices and other setup items.

We're these done with pre-focussing? Shutter priority or better to fix the aperture? Shot in Monochrome? Burst mode to capture the moment?

Click to expand...

My two Bob's worth......

AF on, but silent

Silent shutter

3 bracket at 0.7 apart, giving you 3 slightly different exposures and expressions

On Eric Kim's advice I moved from A to Ps (much better imo)

3 different ISO settings stored as memory.... good light, medium and poor?

I try NEVER to raise the camera to my eye. Swivel and tilts are a godsend?

Always shoot in Monochrome RAW. You still retain that colour option and those LR luminance sliders can have a dramatic effect on a b&w....

ScotShot said:

Just a slightly negative comment on this thread, with the meteoric rise in 'street photographers' has come a mediocre rise in 'people walking through streets' shots - doing nothing more interesting than 'walking through streets'...... sorry.

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Agree. Henri Cartier Bresson will be rotating in his grave

telefunk said:

telefunk said:

Just a slightly negative comment on this thread, with the meteoric rise in 'street photographers' has come a mediocre rise in 'people walking through streets' shots - doing nothing more interesting than 'walking through streets'...... sorry.

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Agree. Henri Cartier Bresson will be rotating in his grave

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I'm sure he had his critics too - or maybe two critics.. ;-)

I've never claimed to be a good street shooter but it's the taking part that I enjoy and as long as I'm happy that's good enough for me. Perhaps you could show your work and give us all something to aspire to?

ScotShot said:

Walt Palmer said:

I think more interesting than which lens would be focusing choices and burst mode choices and other setup items.

We're these done with pre-focussing? Shutter priority or better to fix the aperture? Shot in Monochrome? Burst mode to capture the moment?

Click to expand...

My two Bob's worth......

AF on, but silent

Silent shutter

3 bracket at 0.7 apart, giving you 3 slightly different exposures and expressions

Click to expand...

Not a bad idea for cameras such as m43 and smaller.

ScotShot said:

On Eric Kim's advice I moved from A to Ps (much better imo)

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If using AF perhaps but with zone focussing you need to know how big that zone is hence A mode or M.

ScotShot said:

3 different ISO settings stored as memory.... good light, medium and poor?

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Another good idea.

ScotShot said:

I try NEVER to raise the camera to my eye. Swivel and tilts are a godsend?

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Me neither but I wish I had the balls to sometimes. Best to have all options available to you and use whatever fits the moment.

ScotShot said:

Always shoot in Monochrome RAW. You still retain that colour option and those LR

Click to expand...

ScotShot said:

luminance sliders can have a dramatic effect on a b&w....

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I've been experimenting with RAW+jpeg only recently. I accidentally did a shoot in jpeg only with my NX500 and was impressed with the results jpeg gave so yes a b&w jpeg can save you wasting time in post.