Panasonic lumix GX7 firmware update (and wifi app)

I have very different experience. Indeed I am very impressed by the Pany products.

Used its cameras for 15 years and except one early bridge camera had dust issue on the sensor many years ago, had replaced the rubber sleeves of 14-45 and 45-200 after 4~5 years using, and LCD of GX1 had minor delaminated issue, none of them develop any sort of major problem.

To go extreme, my G1 and 7-14 f/4 had been dropped into a river. Pany Service Center advised me not to repair them because of the cost concerned and issued me a death certificate for insurance purpose. Luckily they were able to keep on shooting without major issue for a few years after the accident. G1 was retired but 7-14 is still one of my major lenses as of today.

Lenses are cool, gx1 as well. Nothing about updating those in the post.

Not sure how you use your gear, I have no complaints on my Pany gear at all.

I also love it, the camera, (obviously, I had three, now only two), just wish they would up the software. I was complaining about that and the app. And I use them well I hope:)

I don't mind all this, the cameras are/were well used and are capable despite this.

This.

Why on earth won't you issue an update?! Auto iso in manual,

GX85 has it. GX9 allows EC to make it complete.

That's a "different" camera. I have the gx85. Never held the gx9. I truthfully prefer the form/size of gx7.

So We are paying 1000e for a software update? That is not "new" tech.

more than one stop bracketing (i.e. -2,0,2),

Why not use 5/7 shots (ie., -3,-2,-1,0,+1,+2,+3), and on merging you might skip the unwanted shots. 5 shots is my default setting and sometimes shall use 7 shots.

I don't use it for hdr (usually). It is important for me that the different exposures happen as close in time as possible. The shoots in between take up valuable time and are sort of useless, for me. Honestly +/-1 is little. "You" end up with 7 shots instead of three, and 7 shutter executions, that not only wear on the cam but also makes more noise(not signal). Really 2 would work for me in many cases, for example 0,-3.

near eye focus,

Not sure would it be useful to me. Single focus in its smallest size is all what I wanted. I think I shall never use it if it is added. Indeed I even never use face detection.

I use it and its useful, to me and I imagine to few others as well. Its good when light is abundant. I use point focus a lot also, obviously.

trippy rainbow colors in the menu...

What is it?

I only own one GX7, not three, but have used it extensively since 2015. The LCD and evf are still working fine. Never noticed your problem. I have set the Menu background color to the traditional black. Not sure would it help?

Its colors of a rainbow turning, twisting and changing shape, often in symmetrical patterns, designed to escalate the effect of a hallucinogen. I wasn't serious.

What problem? I used them a lot. I can send them over if you want to have a look, seriusly, if we can agree on a fair price. Hot shoe one was manufacturer error, or a bug/moth, front wheel one got some cuba-libre over, evf I blasted in a rock.

p.s.: By the way: Your (Panasonic) wifi app is laughable(sh!t).

Comparing to some other brands that I heard from other forums, Image App might not be the best, but never be the poorest... It just does what it suppose to do: operate the camera remotely and transfer files (after testing, I never use it). What more do you wish it to do? GX9 has added Bluetooth...

Which is worse? It barely operates the camera remotely. Have you ever tried it? Seriously. Just install it now on phone/tablet of choice and shoot 10 shots.

Drops connection. Keep awake doesn't work. Wake up doesn't work. The device and camera can't be more than like/about/approx/cca 67 cm apart. Lags worse than 80s dial-up.

Its laughable and a in my opinion a shame for a company the size of Panasonic. It just shows how big/important the particular department is.

p.p.s.: firmware updates history for record:

- 2014/05/22, Ver. 1.3: nothing

- 2013/11/21, Ver. 1.2: Improved MF with one lens, flash expo comp. can be assigned to a botton(very good)

- 2013/09/17, Ver. 1.1: nothing

Look at GX85, which has only 2 firmware update before it was succeeded by GX9!

The 2 firmwares of GX85 were for:

• 1) more quiet operation on video shooting, and
• 2) add Focus Stacking for the Post Focus (a new feature after GX85 was released)

There, actually useful updates. It is ok that a device gets improved after it has been released! Even more so If its made of rough&tough, expensive to mine, alloys.

Other 2 items are minor improvement like flexibility on selection of sequence on bracketing and add Flash OFF to the Menu (meaningless since Pany cameras use physical switch to activate the integrated flash).

IMHO except for the out of factory fault (like the over sensitive IBIS of G85 and Pany issued an update very quickly), we are hard to expect the manufacturer to keep on refreshing the old gear by any mean, especially the lower end models that are generally regarded as consumer products. That is the life we have to live with it.

My 2 cents.

They can charge for it if they think it is better. These are the high-end cameras by panasonic not the lower end ones.

Well, anyhow, I'm glad You like them. I think they are good, too. They could throw it's not-so-loyal-anymore fan base a bone here and there, it's what I'm trying to say. Not make You buy a new camera so you get auto ISO in M. You know, make the planet greener type thing, make less trash, show that they are in the photo community and that they care. Again, for clarity, I like the gxs.

cheers, b