Panasonic DFD

Raist3d wrote:

Paul Amyes wrote:

I'm in a bit of a quandary. I have a m4/3 kit based around an EM1 mki, EM10, and EP5 with the Olympus f2.8 zooms and 4 nice primes. At this stage I'm looking to get more into video - i already shoot quite a bit - and so I want a more video capable camera with 4K. The EM1 mkii would be nice but doesn't have all the video functions I need so consequently I'm looking at the GH5. My question is the Panasonic DFD focus is based only upon Panasonic lens profiles so if I get a GH5 will using my Olympus lenses mean decreased AF performance and so will I need to start acquiring Panasonic lenses as well?

The DFD will work better with Panasonic lenses, and yes, a full profile will realize the full benefit. However, as the Japanese GX850 brochure states, there's a partial DFD benefit even using non-Panasonic lenses (which does include Olympus lenses).

I can say that my GX850 focuses better than my OMD EM5 MKII, Pen-F. Even the GM5 without DFD focuses better than those. But the EM1 MKII represents a major performance jump for Olympus...

My take honestly is- if you need video and by that I mean serious video, go for the GH5. It will still focus very fast with whatever lenses.

If you need ultimate speed/AF performance, but just pretty good video, go with the Olympus.

Honestly I think more than the AF, the first question is how serious you need/are into video. The GH5 may be overkill - or not.

What I can say though is that none of my Olympuses focus the Panasonic pancake F1.7 MKII which I adore accurate on most situations when it should, while the Panasonic bodies do.

My 20mm f1.7 mkii Pana focuses less well on my EM1.2 but not as bad as you make out. In low light, CAF is a struggle and SAF has its limits, especially if without an AF assist light, but I get the job done. It is my "emergency" social pic out and about lens quietly stashed in a small bag to complement my 12-100mm walkabout lens It surprises me how many say it does not work at all on Oly bodies...