Good cheap second to my g85

Isonychia wrote:

I have researched this to death. The G85 is my primary for video and action wildlife shooting as well as some starry nights. I am looking for a smaller and cheaper "backup" camera. The Gx8 is obviously the answer having the microphone input but it appears it can no longer be had aside from high connoisseur used pricing. Maybe one day there will be a real replacement. The Gx7 seems adequate as a backup and used around $230 vs the Gx85 which is about $350 used but not sure as a backup camera is worth the extra $$ As someday I'll use the G85 as the backup and when I can afford it, the Gh5 my mainstay.

It's 2020, is the GX7 still adequate as a backup or will the GX85 DFD really be important for photographing moving objects? Is $450 a reasonable price for used GX8, all things shutter shock considered?

the gx80/85 is mostly your camera squished into a smaller body.

paying extra for the gx8 I wouldnt/didnt do, I'd love the weather sealing, but like you my bigger camera has that.

ibis in 4k, the gx8 I believe only used it in 1080p (and stills of course), someone correct me if I'm wrong on that, and aside from the shutter shock, I love the g85/gx85 for the soft shutter sound very much.

I think if your g85 still makes you happy a gx85 would do the same in a smaller body, the evf isnt as good in the gx85 but depending on you sensitivity it may still be fine.

Or save and get a G9, unless you're a very serious video person the G9 does a great deal for the price if you can deal with the 30min record limit and 10min in 4k60. Its also somewhat better AF in video and stills with a faster burst make it a great choice for action photography, however it doesnt do birds in flight very well compared to an em5iii or em1ii/iii.

Good luck!