Worth upgrading gx7?

h00pla wrote:

Hello Everyone,

Long time lurker. I love my Panasonic gx7 but I am contemplating looking for an upgrade,

GX7 was my main camera from 2015 to 2019.

During the period I bought GX85 but my wife loves it and it becomes her main camera and left GX7 to me .

Finally moved up to G85 (originally looking for a GX9 but the crazy low price of G85, cheaper than the GX85 I bought few years before it, won me over) last year.

I do not have heavy investment in lenses but I do have the stock lense it came with, the H-H020A and an olympus 40-150 f4.0-5.6.

GX7 is basically a lens OIS dependent body having <1 stop of effective stabilization primitive IBIS. Forget the more powerful DUAL IS which Panny relies on to compete with Olympus. If you shall not expand you lens profile to IS lens, any upgrade would make you happier.

My experience on GX85:

• around >2 stops of effective IBIS (says the 14 f/2.5 or adapted vintage MF lenses, slightly better on 15 f/1.7),
• solid 3~3.5 stops effective lens IS, e.g. 14-45,
• 4~5 stops effective DUAL IS (says 12-32, 12-35 f/2.8 mk-I, 14-140 f/3.5-5.6 or 45-150 f/4-5.6 etc)...

GX9 could be similar to GX85 on this, whereas G85 (same for G95) might be another 0.5 stops better because of better ergonomically. Whenever the poorer the lighting condition that slower shutter speed is usable, you will feel the difference.

On IQ, removal of AA filter can expect more than 10% (easily visible) sharper SOOC JPG. I heard that the later JPG engine of those 20Mp models like GX9 etc could expect more please SOOC output.

A new, more quite m-shutter that can reduce shutter shock (not completely). E-shutter is still suggested for certain shutter shock magnet lenses. However, GX7 (so the GX9, G85 & G95 etc) has a 12 bits e-shutter, GX85 has a 10 bits e-shutter only   that we might find the weakness on heavy post processing.

On features, 4K is a game changer. Don't take it just a video feature, its associated 4K Photo mode and Post Focus has opened a new door of shooting features. Great for ultra fast shooting (@30fps, without limitation on using any specific class of lenses, but is restricted to 8Mp JPG), for focus stacking, or for group portrait shot etc...

To be Zebra highlight warning is a great tool for fast exposure setting that GX7 is hard to compare.

I don't use this but some shooter might find in-camera RAW conversion of GX85 useful.

I mainly use it for travelling but I do have a newborn so I am thinking I will start doing more portaits.

IMHO better to get a fast speed portrait lens, e.g. the 42.5 f/1.7 might give you immediate improvement...

Mainly for photos with the occasional video. Size /weight is not a huge issue although I would prefer something smaller

Currently the 8th generation of 16Mp models (GX85 and G85) are the most cost efficient option.

The 9th generation 20Mp models (GX9, G95) can give you a little bit more but on a higher cost. No doubt the flagship G9, GH5 or GH5-II are far better models on another league on every aspect if you can take their size and weight.

My 2 cents.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you