Perfect M43 Camera

Drewpy · Feb 6, 2019

This is what M43 is all about. Compact, well made, good setup of controls, 20mp sensor, takes great pictures, it's all there. I love it, especially with the Lumix/Leica 15 1.7, a perfect combo for this camera. It becomes the 'poor man's Leica', the perfect rangefinder camera. Some people complain about the grip, but I think it's just right. I shot for many years with no grip and never dropped a camera. Also, this is not the best camera for sports, and you don't need a big grip for 'street shooting'. Many people complain about the EVF, but it's the same as on my LX100, which I have no problem with. I'm not sure how you would get a GX8 or G9 size viewfinder on there anyway. I like the tilting screen better than articulating one on the GX8, particularly since I don't shoot movies. I don't use the touch screen controls at all. For me, this is just a simple rangefinder camera to go out and take pictures with. I don't like it too complex, simple is best.

Chris666666 · Feb 6, 2019

Drewpy said:
This is what M43 is all about. Compact, well made, good setup of controls....

I agree. I moved from a G3 and when I had setup this camera to meet my needs, it seemed to me as though the GX9 is the camera I had been seeking for decades.

kolyy · Feb 6, 2019

I don't mind the EVF, but some people do and that makes it less than perfect.

The big problem of the GX9 for me is video. There is great potential given the good quality of the output and IBIS, but the large crop in 4K, no mic input and poor AF make it very underwhelming for a hybrid shooter. That's not perfect, that's crippled.

Panasonic is trying to save money by reusing 2015-16 technology (GX8+GX85), instead of giving us a mini G9 and I don't like it.

Chris666666 · Feb 6, 2019

kolyy said:
I don't mind the EVF, but some people do and that makes it less than perfect.

The big problem of the GX9 for me is video. There is great potential given the good quality of the output and IBIS, but the large crop in 4K, no mic input and poor AF make it very underwhelming for a hybrid shooter. That's not perfect, that's crippled.

Panasonic is trying to save money by reusing 2015-16 technology (GX8+GX85), instead of giving us a mini G9 and I don't like it.

I find the EVF to be fine, and as I seldom take videos (if I do, all I do is press the button and whatever I get is it), these are not a problem for me.

I bought my GX9 to take photos, and I think it is the best camera I have ever owned. (I still take mostly rubbish photos, but I have been doing that for 60 years!), and gave up blaming the camera or lens a long time ago.

Chris666666 · Feb 6, 2019

Some people expect their cameras to do everything. I saw an article about the new Olympus E-M1X and it apparently has some 'train recognition mode'. Well I often take photos of trains, but I have been able to recognise a train since I was a child, and I really don't need my camera to do this for me. If I need help, my 2 year old grandson can also recognise a train.

Ghost1999 · Feb 6, 2019

Thanks for the review. I'm probably going to buy one later this year, once the price comes down a bit.

BTW, what do you think of the kit 12-60, or did you get it without?

Steve_Price · Feb 6, 2019

At the moment there are only 3 participants in this thread. But it already illustrates what many of us have known for ages. Referring to a camera - any camera - as perfect ignores the fact that not everyone wants the same thing from his/her camera.

MikeF15 · Feb 6, 2019

Yes,. As already said thanks for the review.

I too am looking to upgrade later this year from my GX7 (i might miss the excellent grip but I’ll risk it), to the GX9.

the size seems right, the sensor is improved, more resolution for cropping, because it too take “so-so” photos and really just want a great camera that allows me to have fun using it.

I don’t care about video and the EVF on my GX7 is fine so this one should be too.

and to echo the last post,. What do you think of the kit lens (12-60),. I already have the 12-32 and the 12-35 2.8 so if I could get a body only deal here in Canada that would be great!

cheers

Mike F

Chris666666 · Feb 6, 2019

Steve_Price said:
At the moment there are only 3 participants in this thread. But it already illustrates what many of us have known for ages. Referring to a camera - any camera - as perfect ignores the fact that not everyone wants the same thing from his/her camera.

I agree completely. I have only had my GX9 for a few weeks, and the weather here has been mostly grey with rain, so far from ideal for getting out and taking photos. I am sure given time I will start wishing the GX9 did X or had feature Y, but I have found that it seems to do so much more than my G3, and everything I currently want my camera do in a very user friendly way. In fact is does many many more things that I don't need, and it was quite a learning curve to understand what it could do. The effort I put into understanding what the GX9 could do was well worth it, and I am sure that it is this which enabled me to set it up to meet my needs.

Is it perfect? No. Of course not, but it is nearer my concept of perfection than any camera I have used before.

cameralight · Feb 6, 2019

I think it's a great little camera, but like others I also dislike the 4K video crop.

However the 4K crop, together with the extended teleconverter in 2K, means that you can use the great little PL 15mm as a 30mm, 38mm and 78mm (FF equivalents) - as long as you're prepared to downscale 4K video down to 2K, or upscale 2K to 4K, to mix them together.

(But don't get me wrong, I'd rather not have the crop).

Drewpy · Feb 6, 2019

I received the 12-60 kit lens with the camera, and while it's a very good lens, I just never use that length. I prefer the 15 1.7 for most shooting. I love having the aperture on the lens so I can see where I'm at in a glance.

Drewpy · Feb 6, 2019

I know. I went from the Nikon D200 w/18-200 lens to a Lumix LX3 to the Oly EPL2, EP3 to the OM-5 ( which I liked very much} until the lenses starting getting so big. Then I tried the Fuji 100X enjoying the form and color but not the large file sizes (took forever to load in Camera Raw). I tried the GX8 but too big and not very well set up with the dials and all. So here I am at the GX9 and very happy.

Reaper · Feb 6, 2019

If only it was weather sealed.

Drewpy · Feb 6, 2019

It would probably be the size of the GX8...

Drewpy · Feb 6, 2019

Like I said, I like the lens, it's well made and takes great pictures, it's a perfect 'travel' camera, nice and light and compact. If anyone is looking... I have mine up for sale. Let me know if you're interested.

Kent Ekasak · Feb 6, 2019

As GX9 user, I would say GX9+15/1.7 is a superb combo for "street photography" (without VDO).. Weight/size/IQ/screen/IBIS/Customization/Monochrome are just right.. IMO..

davephdv · Feb 6, 2019

Drewpy said:
This is what M43 is all about. Compact, well made, good setup of controls, 20mp sensor, takes great pictures, it's all there. I love it, especially with the Lumix/Leica 15 1.7, a perfect combo for this camera. It becomes the 'poor man's Leica', the perfect rangefinder camera. Some people complain about the grip, but I think it's just right. I shot for many years with no grip and never dropped a camera. Also, this is not the best camera for sports, and you don't need a big grip for 'street shooting'. Many people complain about the EVF, but it's the same as on my LX100, which I have no problem with. I'm not sure how you would get a GX8 or G9 size viewfinder on there anyway. I like the tilting screen better than articulating one on the GX8, particularly since I don't shoot movies. I don't use the touch screen controls at all. For me, this is just a simple rangefinder camera to go out and take pictures with. I don't like it too complex, simple is best.

I agree it’s a great little camera. Best I have shot. It just works well and has very good IQ. Great price point as well.

Don’t know about perfect. No camera is. Except maybe the Nikonos V with the 15 mm lens.

davephdv · Feb 6, 2019

TChris666666 said:
Some people expect their cameras to do everything. I saw an article about the new Olympus E-M1X and it apparently has some 'train recognition mode'. Well I often take photos of trains, but I have been able to recognise a train since I was a child, and I really don't need my camera to do this for me. If I need help, my 2 year old grandson can also recognise a train.

To be fair, the software recognises a moving train and allows the autofocus to track it.

personnaly I’m waiting for a shark mode, cause that is what I like to shoot.

Jose Viegas · Feb 7, 2019

Drewpy said:
Like I said, I like the lens, it's well made and takes great pictures, it's a perfect 'travel' camera, nice and light and compact. If anyone is looking... I have mine up for sale. Let me know if you're interested.

You like it so much you are going to sell it? :-D

Max Polonski · Feb 7, 2019

Changing type of shutter when down shutter speed below 1\250 is to tiring. Sony's EFCS is better in this front of view.

Perfect M43 Camera

Leading Member

Forum Enthusiast

Senior Member

Forum Enthusiast

Forum Enthusiast

Well-known member

Active member

Forum Enthusiast

Forum Enthusiast

Forum Enthusiast

Leading Member

Leading Member

Forum Enthusiast

Leading Member

Leading Member

Leading Member

Leading Member

Leading Member

Senior Member

Forum Enthusiast

Similar threads

Keyboard shortcuts