Gave The GX7 MkII Another Go...

MrALLCAPS wrote:

So after a discussion where I stated the four thirds sensor has no "3-D Pop", I went out and picked up a GX7 MkII (I refuse to call it anything else) and the Tiny 15mm f/1.7.

I must admit, amazing camera, with its only minus is the sensor. Sure, I could nitpick and wished for weather sealing and a better, Larger Evf, but it is what it is.

But man, the size with that 15mm on the front is cool. Much smaller than my X-Pro2, I was just firing away on my evening commute, without a care. I tried zone focusing, but as soon as the camera goes to sleep when not in use, its gone and I'd have to reset.

And for "ME" the Noise is too much compared to my fuji's. The Fuji's have a very fine noise grain, while the MkII's noise was very harsh.

Fuji bakes NR into the RAW files, unlike pretty much everyone else, and in the process it gives up detail at high ISO (as do pretty much all sensors), so comparing Fuji output from RAW to output from other RAWs is apples-to-oranges unless you also apply significant NR to those as well. Try processing your Panasonic RAWs with DxO PhotoLab 2 Elite and applying PRIME NR. I think you'll be surprised at how clean they can be. It was a game-changer for me. I now have no hesitation about delivering well-exposed ISO 6400 images from my GX8 & GX9 to corporate event clients.

Dynamic Range was an issue as well, trying to bring out detail in the peoples dark clothing. Separation was not on par with my Fuji's either, it didn't break up subjects well.

That's a function of lens aperture, not sensor size.

But all in all, this isn't about bashing the kit. I looked at it next to my X-Pro2 and laughed at how much more discreet it was and the advantages it had being so on the streets. It has a ton of features that would keep me busy for days. The 15mm f/1.7 is an amazing little lens that was made for the streets. The flat top I love. Handling is okay, but at its size, it's manageable. The size of the Evf didn't really bother me and I wear glasses. It's only real knock to me is the sensor size.

Try the GX9 (AKA GX7 MkIII) - you might love the tilting EVF for street.

-Waiting on a Full Frame L-mount GX7.

That sensor will not fit in that body. OTOH, I don't see why Panasonic couldn't make a 35mm-format version of the GX8, which is roughly the size of the A7x bodies (but much lighter).

I'd drop my X-Pro easily for it. Or, Fuji could just knock off the GX7 and use it on the X-E series.