Olympus Owner Tests GX8 For One Week

Excellent shots, especially the two insects. Which lens did you use?

jl_smith wrote:

Nice write-up! Some excellent shots, too.

I've owned a large number of systems throughout my photography life, but eventually (after literally 24 complete system swaps) I settled down on m43 for it's combination of size, weight, and image quality.

Amazing! Why?

For most of my m43 shooting, then, I've been an Olympus user. Although using Olympus's menus can make grown men cry…

There are plenty of reasons in this world for crying, the tools one uses shouldn't be among them.

So would I switch to the GX8?

It's tempting - real tempting. Granted, I'm shooting a crusty E-M5 instead of the E-M1 or E-M5 II, but I really like the simplicity of Panasonic's operation. The camera, for the most part, just gets out of my way.

This is why I stick with Panasonics. You can just work with them.

Touch-Pad AF is incredibly useful (and I'll need to test the Olympus implementation)

Yes, a fantastic feature with my GX7. So, simple and intuitive.

I'm not a fan of the GX8's JPEG engine nor some of its Fn button placement, but overall it's a nice camera.

I haven't had a chance to handle one yet, but your piece is pretty thorough and thoughtful from a user's perspective.

jl_smith wrote:

aodi wrote:

Does it have a shutter shock problem in your opinion?

I'd have to test for that specifically. I've been using the electronic shutter 99% of the time, so in that case no

However, that's piqued my interest, so I'll try to find time to do more scientific testing.

You will definitely see it with Pana 14-140mmII lens at 1/160s shutter speed in mechanical shutter mode.

SBS wrote:

24 system swaps? It's appears that you might be more enamored with technology than photography. I loved the scene in the recent movie, "A Walk in the Woods," when Robert Redford is approached by an obvious gear head. First, the gear head starts talking advantages of different back packs, and then ask Robert Redford: "So, why did you buy the X8500---?" Redford replies, "Because I thought it would be easier than carrying my stuff in my hands."

Perhaps you should become a camera reviewer. Testing camera systems seems to be your passion.

Haha, yes for a while I was a gear-head, but luckily that's starting to fade.  At least, for the most part.

No doubt, I love playing with new gear, but I was also really undecided in what / how I liked to shoot, and I finally settled down, so to speak.

I thought about doing reviews, but a well-written review is actually a heck of a lot of work and I just don't have the time.  I think my E-M1 review was 10 pages long.

jl_smith wrote:

Pete_CSCS wrote:

... if you started a new thread and gave your opinion on the 24 or so different systems you used with your pluses and minuses. Alright. Maybe 24 is asking too much but you could do the last few you owned.

Thanks for the response Pete. I could probably do a Pros/Cons of my various systems, it would actually be pretty easy.

And then if you could compare and contrast those systems to the m4/3rds cameras you're familiar with, the thread could stay in this forum.  Look forward to it.

Good review but one thing I don't get. You had the E-M1 but weren't satisfied with it so you switched to a different system. Then your came back to m4/3rds with an E-M5, a great camera but with a lot less features than the E-M1 has, yet now you're satisfied (?). This doesn't seem to jive.

Oh I was satisfied with the E-M1, but the allure of FF got to me eventually, so I sold it all off for an A7 setup with some MF lenses. The A7's IQ was great (the Zeiss 100/2 MP is an amazing lens), but operation of the camera drove me absolutely mad and I eventually sold it all out of frustration for a D800. I lost some money selling the D800 kit, so I throttled down to the EM5.

Ahhh so that explains it.

Don't look now but Canon is rumored to announce a FF mirrorless camera next year!  Think of your cameras like wives.  You can't keep swapping them forever.

Stay Well,
Pete K.

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JL Smith
www.flickr.com/photos/jl_smith

Great to see someone else enjoying the GX8.

I came to the 8 from the 7....after just 2 days with it I put the GH4 on the market. The GH4 was at the house for close to 9 months and only a total of 1 hour of video.

As far as grip I think it won't be long before Fotodiox give up one for the GX8.

I for one have compared the Dual I.S. with the Lumix 30mm macro and the IBIS when the Oly 60mm macro is on the 8. It is a palpable difference and I think Panasonic is to be lauded for finally melding IBIS and OIS. I hope to enjoy the benefit even more someday on the PL 100-400g.