Panasonic GX10 (rumoured, FT4)

Tom Caldwell wrote:

The GX9 was a bit of a weaker sort of sibling of the G9 - sort of scaled back to a price. But basically I have few complaints with it. The major issue has to be that stupid external EV dial as some sort of fashion statement. It made the re-arranged/re-sized controls on the top plate harder to use. Furthermore my thumb naturally found the EV dial instead of the rear wheel. So I simply made the external EV dial a more useful ornament by switching its function off. The GX7 is near perfect about the top plate and when something is as good as it gets I suggest that Panasonic should not mess with it trying to improve it.

The GX7 was a great camera, in its time. The grip is perfect! WHY Panasonic decided to ditch it in favor of those brick-eded lumps is beyond me. Probably to save a few cents.

At Adorama last week, I spent some time comparing all the current Panasonic M4/3 cameras (GX9, G9, G95) to my GX8… size, weight, handling and EVFs.

The GX8 is the Goldilocks camera… just right in so many ways. Not too big or bulky, not too small, not too heavy. And a great EVF. Handles well with lenses big and small, too.

I don’t really need a tilt evf.

Have you used one extensively? I was dubious when I got my GX7, but It's incredibly great. Just tilting it to 30° or 45° makes the camera much more comfortable to use. No nose presses on the LCD, either… especially with my beak.

Shooting UP toward ceilings or into trees is where it really shines! I can't imagine a camera without it at this point.

GX8 and Voigtländer 42.5mm taking shots of the ceiling at the Vatican Museum. Yes, the crowds were HORRIBLE!

A side hinged lcd would drive me mad - I don’t buy camera bodies with side hinged lcd - but I did buy a g9 despite my better judgement but can only stay sane by pretending that it is a fixed lcd just like my old dslr bodies.

I've used both tilt and fully articulated. Both have pros and cons. I do a lot of vertical oriented shooting, so the fully articulated is better for my shooting style. I can manage either one, though.

If anyone needs more articulation then the second catch hinged portrait tilt on the S1 gives more playroom without the articulation madness.

The S1 LCD doesn't tilt enough.

I have no issue with the present sequential field evf (GM5, GX7, GX85, GX9) although many would wish to see a larger evf to make the line into a larger camera body.

Using mostly manual lenses, for me a bigger EVF is essential. The GX7 series fails big time in that regard.

Grip is fine, flush top plate is great ....

Those that wish for a bigger grip, “Better” evf, side hinged lcd, more firmware goodies, etc need look no further than the present G9 that packs somewhat more punch than the present GX9 (and technically costs more). Please don’t turn the GX9 into a pseudo G9 .... that is why Panasonic makes two types of very similar performance camera bodies.

I tend to carry my camera most days, so a smaller, streamlined camera is essential. For travel and wandering around, a more discrete camera is important, too. While the G9 is feature packed, etc, I simply wouldn't want to carry one. Too big.