Lumix G6 first impressions.

[kentwosheds]

I have the Lumix G1 with the 14-45mm, 45-200mm lens, but the memory cover fell off, the flash hot shoe damaged by a third party thumb rest ,with a trip to Africa coming up I decided to upgrade to the Olympus OMD-em5. When I compared it with the G6 in the shop, despite the better quality of the Olympus I didn't like its handling, the Lumix G6 felt so secure to hold.

I bought the G6 with an Olympus 60mm macro lens, these two are a good combination.

The rear screen and viewfinder have improved in contrast and clarity, however image quality is on a par with the G1, so disappointing in that respect.

Also the lever for exposure comp. is badly placed, constantly being moved when trying to take shots quickly. I also find some functions that were changed by sws. are now in menus. For someone who wears glasses for reading this is a bind.

I still accidently change the white balance by pressing the 4 way wheel whilst gripping the camera.

Dynamic range is still a problem with the small sensor, having to underexpose to retain highlights.

For travel though it is far better than my much loved Pentax K5, the G6 is very light and its lenses compact.

In short there is no substitute for a larger sensor, in fact the K5 has not moved on much from the IstD 6M Pixel , in real world terms it is difficult to tell the difference between the two with A3 prints.

 

[Hen3ry]

It would be good if you showed us a picture or three to illustrate your points.

kentwosheds wrote:

I have the Lumix G1 with the 14-45mm, 45-200mm lens, but the memory cover fell off, the flash hot shoe damaged by a third party thumb rest ,with a trip to Africa coming up I decided to upgrade to the Olympus OMD-em5. When I compared it with the G6 in the shop, despite the better quality of the Olympus I didn't like its handling, the Lumix G6 felt so secure to hold.

Sounds reasonable so far.

I bought the G6 with an Olympus 60mm macro lens, these two are a good combination.

Interesting -- but "good combination" for what? You say nothing about USING this combination and it doesn’t fit readily into any of the categories in which you rate the G6. Studio, maybe? When the G6 rates just good?

How can you rate the camera as only "good" in the studio? What doesn't work? What studio work did you do with it? Show us.

Or did you take pictures of kids and pets with this lens combo? How can a camera rate well for kids and pets and not well for sports and action? What is child and pet photography? Action!!! Wht sports are you talking about? For example, I did very well with soccer and cricket with my G1 and the 45-200.

The rear screen and viewfinder have improved in contrast and clarity, however image quality is on a par with the G1, so disappointing in that respect.

Huh? Image quality of the screen? Nope, can’t be that. Of the final images? That is patently nonsense.

Also the lever for exposure comp. is badly placed, constantly being moved when trying to take shots quickly. I also find some functions that were changed by sws. are now in menus. For someone who wears glasses for reading this is a bind.

As someone who wears glasses for everything -- and has for 50 years -- I find I get by pretty well. Stuff is in the menus in ANY camera. I don’t wear my glasses taking photos -- I have them hanging down on a string and pop them on when I need them. Or I just do the menus through the EVF which, of course, is corrected.

I still accidently change the white balance by pressing the 4 way wheel whilst gripping the camera.

Dynamic range is still a problem with the small sensor, having to underexpose to retain highlights.

Might I suggest you just try getting the exposure measured right in the first place? This is the key. Having said that, the G1 was pretty well known for blowing its highlights; the more recent sensors do a much better job.

For travel though it is far better than my much loved Pentax K5, the G6 is very light and its lenses compact.

Well. this is right at least.

In short there is no substitute for a larger sensor, in fact the K5 has not moved on much from the IstD 6M Pixel , in real world terms it is difficult to tell the difference between the two with A3 prints.

What two are we talking about now?

Cheers, geoff

 

[s_grins]

I'd like to see your photos. They would be a key to understanding of your assessment of the camera.

 

[Trevor Carpenter]

kentwosheds wrote:

I still accidently change the white balance by pressing the 4 way wheel whilst gripping the camera.

I've had my G5 for nearly a year and I still do this all of the time. It annoys me more than anything else about the camera especially as WB is one setting that I never change, I like AWB. I'd like to see manufacturers start to give the ability to lock functions and require deep menu penetration to unlock them.

 

[Longboat]

Wonder if this will happen on the new GX7? Planning to replace my GH2 because of this problem.

 

[FrankS009]

I have a G1 and really enjoy it. But given the comparative DxO scores of the sensors of the G1 and G6, the move from 12 to 16mp, and other development during the time between the two models, I would be absolutely astounded if image quality was on a par.

F.

 

[jobasic]

Greate camera!
but -
need another battery
the buttons on the back side is switching themselves while holding the camera especially white balance.
Video mode - wonderful!!!

 

[tombell1]

From my point of view it is horses for courses. I suspect the G6 images are not quite up to the K5 especially in higher ISO

BUT what a bargain u43rds is ….

I bought the GX1 with 14-42 Vario … sold the GX1 …. kept the vario …. bought a 20mm/1.7 second hand then bought the G6 with the 14-140 for £550 with a £100 back from Panasonic. I had planned on selling again the body and then buying the GX7 when it came down in price BUT I really like this camera …. and actually am keeping it rather than getting the GX7 ….

Not as good to lok at as the GX7 … but better to hold by far.

So now I have an incredible light responsive camera with either 14-42 / 14-140/ 20 .. what travel options this presents …..and the new 14-140 is very good indeed for a consumer 10x lens ….

I am only just getting used to the options of using the touch screen for focusing … excellent though and the Q menu is a little stroke of genius!

It is solidly built , good to hold … much better than the GX7 IMHO and with a VERY good OLED EVF which is less good than OVF in daylight but rather better indoors , in poor light and with MORE info +++

The Pentax has rather better image quality , has IBIS and is weatherproof … and built like a tank … but as a new owner I think the G6 is a little winner …now a crowned pleaser … but for many of us enthusiastic amateurs it offers a wonderful neat compact practical solution in a very portable form.

What would i have liked … well IBIS would have been great …. and I find I keep setting up the wifi by accident which is a little annoying … but al in all a winner of a camera .. with much for me to learn!!

 

[jeffinvan]

You can modify the behaviour of nearly every button on the back of the camera for one-touch feature access.

For example, I'm currently working with the following button setup:

Fn1 - Peaking on/off
Fn2 - AEL
Fn3 - Metering mode
Fn4 - HDR on/off
Fn5 - Q menu


Basically I've enabled shooting-related features that could possibly be needed on the fly without having to lower the camera; everything else is either preset before I shoot (white balance, etc) or looking at the back LCD (Q menu) which is normally set to touchscreen focus (display off).
Like yourself, I'm a Pentax K-5 user in transition from the larger, heavier equipment moving towards a more compact kit.

What would i have liked … well IBIS would have been great …. and I find I keep setting up the wifi by accident which is a little annoying … but al in all a winner of a camera .. with much for me to learn!!

--
Tom Bell
Dartmoor
Devon
http://flickr.com/photos/tombell1

 

[grcolts]

Thanks for posting your impressions of the G6.

I too recently purchased a G6 with the two lens kit and have been shooting and comparing to my Pentax outfits. First off, the G6 is a pleasure to haul about when hiking. Its small size and light weight is nice, even though it does feel cheap compared to my Pentax. Time will tell its durability.

Image wise I have been very pleased with the G6 compared to my Pentax's. If pressured I would give the edge to Pentax (K-01) and on equal par with my older Pentax K10. The Pentax wins hand down on weather sealing. The Panasonic G6 wins hand down on having an articulating screen (one of the main reasons I bought the G6) and as you mentioned, traveling with it is more convenient. All in all I give the G6 a big thumbs up!

GR

 

[jimread]

I have a G1 and really enjoy it. But given the comparative DxO scores of the sensors of the G1 and G6, the move from 12 to 16mp, and other development during the time between the two models, I would be absolutely astounded if image quality was on a par.

F.

Hello I wondered if anyone else has changed from G1 to G6 and noticed any difference? I'm thinking of changing from G2 to G6.

I had thought about the E-M5, but I scramble through old quarries and being able to turn the G2 screen around is a big plus for me.

As of now I'm thinking of buying another G2 as a spare. I can get 12" x 18" prints off it that are indistinguishable from the same scene taken with my Canon 5D Mk1.

Cheers - Jim

 

[Marriott]

I recently went from G2 to G6 and am delighted with the improvements. I loved my G2, but the G6 is improved in almost every way: more DR, cleaner ISO 1600, much faster, more configurable, sharper screen and higher resolution EVF, superior haptics. I really enjoy the silent E-shutter. Finally, I get a big kick out of taking stealth photos with the camera on a neck strap while using my Samsung phone to compose and actuate the shutter. People think I'm just another guy fiddling with his phone when I'm turning this way and that while shooting shots silently. Try it, you might like it!

 

[BLX1972]

thanks for your write up

I'm looking forward to getting mine soon

 

[Ron Joiner]

Great discussion. I am now closer to purchasing the G6.

Ron

 

[saudidave]

I have a G6 & 14-140.

It's a fabulous camera in every respect, albeit at first it annoyed me because I accidentally changed settings due to the diminuitive size of the rascal.

The IQ is fantastic - on a par with my last digital SLR - a Canon 400D with 17-85 lens.

It's the biggest bargain going right now

 

[Paul T.]

I have a G6 & 14-140 ... It's the biggest bargain going right now

It certainly WAS a terrific bargain. Amazon special "deal of the day" for £470, less the £100 Panasonic cashback = £370. Current Amazon.co.uk price for just the 14-140 lens is currently £495!

 

[Brentliris]

I'd be interested to get the G6 and a couple of the quality consumer VR Panasonic zooms as a lighter travel kit..

Seems like the way to go for a good price on a light kit with great IQ and a huge zoom range..