IQ GX7 compared to G6

I own a Panasonic GX7 with Panasonic 14-42mm.

I want to buy a Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO 14-140mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH, but I think it's rather expensive (€ 599). I can buy a brandnew G6 with this zoomlens for only € 50 more (€ 649).

Is the IQ (JPEG) of the G6 on par with the GX7 ? And the video quality?

Not 100% on par bet very close. With raw and pushing shadows the GX7 might win a little but with jpg and video they are quit equal in practice. Absolutely worth the 50 difference and you could even sell it for much more if needed.

As someone state, IQ is close, but gx7 is better slightly. Gx8 is emensely better.

I was just comparing 14-42 & 14-140, and the are similar image quality. 140 is slightly better but almost imperceptibly. You need to really blow it up to the pixel level, and then its just a (blur vs a slightly better blur)

The $230 Sigma 60mm 2.8 is almost as good a resolution as you are going to get on M43, so if you are looking for IQ, grab one of those - one of the best lens for the money.

But the 14-140 is so liberating - you just about always have the right focal length (unless your shooting birds at a distance etc)

You can compare the the cameras here.
I an not sure what image 0 and image 1 in the g6 is, but image 1 (second selection) is much better.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/image-comparison/fullscreen

dulynoted wrote:

the ergonomics of the g6 are possibly the best any camera has ever had. They are perfect. With a few control changes it would be flawless handling wise.

I find that a rather surprising statement! The G6 handling was pretty lousy as far as I'm concerned. I had one and sold it because of handling issues then bought a second and after a while sold that too. It's almost impossible to carry it in your right hand without hitting the display button and adjusting the exposure compensation with the rear dial usually results in pressing it in and changing the actual exposure instead of the compensation. Both these issues have been discussed in forums ad nauseum. I and many others fashioned foam washers around the display/ review buttons to prevent accidental pressing. The number of grab shots missed because the settings had been inadvertently changed when I raised the camera up was impossible to remember.

It successor, the G7 has the best ergonomics ever - it's a whole different ball game than the G6.

Dave

To have 2 bodies side by side should always be great.

Agreed with members' opinion, IQ of GX7 is slightly better than G6 but in real life very close. No matter what the mini dslr-like design of G6 is easier to handle than the range finder design of GX7. But never forget GX7 has the nearly latest (unfortunately still no Zebra, Auto ISO in M allowing EX etc) features that are improved or lack in G6. These difference is not essential but fun to use and why not? Unless you need to sell GX7 to fund your new purchase, I would rather keep both (or sell G6) as keeping a later model is always better than an older model.

14-140 II is a surprise to me the kind of old school boy always looking suspicious on high power zoom lens. It is indeed sharp as primes in similar focal length and f/stops, good contrast, small and versatile (Wish not to start a new round of shutter shock/micro jittering in video etc argument). Excellent for people like my wife who hate to change lenses often. 14-42II (panny) and 14-45 are also excellent in their class but IMHO could completely be replaced by 14-140II unless that extra 150g (heavier than 14-42II) would be important...

saudidave wrote:

dulynoted wrote:

the ergonomics of the g6 are possibly the best any camera has ever had. They are perfect. With a few control changes it would be flawless handling wise.

I find that a rather surprising statement! The G6 handling was pretty lousy as far as I'm concerned. I had one and sold it because of handling issues then bought a second and after a while sold that too. It's almost impossible to carry it in your right hand without hitting the display button and adjusting the exposure compensation with the rear dial usually results in pressing it in and changing the actual exposure instead of the compensation. Both these issues have been discussed in forums ad nauseum. I and many others fashioned foam washers around the display/ review buttons to prevent accidental pressing. The number of grab shots missed because the settings had been inadvertently changed when I raised the camera up was impossible to remember.

It successor, the G7 has the best ergonomics ever - it's a whole different ball game than the G6.

Dave

I applied a bit of Sugru rubber around several buttons on our G6s and we have not had a problem since.

Sugru rubber on Amazon

Applying Sugru might make selling the G6 later a bit harder.

saudidave wrote:

dulynoted wrote:

the ergonomics of the g6 are possibly the best any camera has ever had. They are perfect. With a few control changes it would be flawless handling wise.

I find that a rather surprising statement! The G6 handling was pretty lousy as far as I'm concerned. I had one and sold it because of handling issues then bought a second and after a while sold that too. It's almost impossible to carry it in your right hand without hitting the display button and adjusting the exposure compensation with the rear dial usually results in pressing it in and changing the actual exposure instead of the compensation. Both these issues have been discussed in forums ad nauseum. I and many others fashioned foam washers around the display/ review buttons to prevent accidental pressing. The number of grab shots missed because the settings had been inadvertently changed when I raised the camera up was impossible to remember.

It successor, the G7 has the best ergonomics ever - it's a whole different ball game than the G6.

In my experience, the G6 handling is excellent except for that area under the thumb. The problem is that the thumb rest area is a bit low and there is a lack of purchase for the thumb further down because the body rolls away.

The GX7 is flatter and the body extends out a few more mm to the right (looking at it from the back as you hold it) providing a rest for the thumb lower down so the buttons are not accidentally pressed.

I have made a rude, crude, and awful looking adaptation to the body to overcome this and it works perfectly. Basically, I have built up the thumb rest a little and put a little lump of stuff on the right of the 4-way to provide purchase for the lower areas of the thumb there.

Rude, crude, and rough as guts (as we used to say) it might be, but it works perfectly.

HOWEVER -- there are better solutions around. The best is in a thread about the same problem with the GX8 . The writer shapes a very nice little lumpy thing with epoxy clay. His very good looking solution works perfectly, he says. He did not built up the thumb rest as I did on the G6.

The GX8 shares the G6's problem (and the G7's I suspecct) despite being wider because of the extra space at the back taken up by the new fully articulated screen and its hinge.

Do not look st this picture of what I did to the G6 if you have a weak stomach!

The G6 really does meld into the photographer while shooting, once you get it set up exactly to your style, it just fades away and it is just you and your subject.

I too find a need to identify a few key buttons. I have seen people put small black washers or o-rings on a couple to differentiate them.

I used to hit the WB a lot, then I changed the four-way to directed focus and put the other 3 on the Q-menu and that worked a lot better- i didnt have to memorize what was each of the 4 positions - everything was right there in the evf. And I didnt have to check sure the focus - I just tell it where to focus and not worry about it anh more.

To Old Listener, Hen3ry & Spectre 38!

There are many ingenious solutions to the handling shortcomings of the G6 and those shortcomings aside it is one of the finest digital cameras I've ever owned, hence I bought a second after selling the first because of those shortcomings. The bottom line is in this day and age where designers have a wealth of tools in their box, why do so many camera designers keep cocking up and why do we have to resort to D.I.Y? How would you feel if you bought a Mercedes or a Ford even and had to sit on a rubber cushion to drive it properly?

I've recently purchased a GM5 and after adding a franiec grip I've transformed it from a pigs ear to a silk purse. The first time I handled one I thought this is brilliant but it needs an after market grip! I shouldn't have needed to do it.

As regards the G7, the handling is on another planet to the G6's and Panasonic look to have got it right this time. I love mine..........

Dave

Willem15 wrote:

I own a Panasonic GX7 with Panasonic 14-42mm.

I want to buy a Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO 14-140mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH, but I think it's rather expensive (€ 599). I can buy a brandnew G6 with this zoomlens for only € 50 more (€ 649).

Is the IQ (JPEG) of the G6 on par with the GX7 ? And the video quality?

Buy the G6 kit.

Sell the G6 with the 14-42mm.

Keep the GX7 and the 14-140mm II.

If possible, pick up a prime like the 20mm or 25mm f1.4/f1.7 for low light.

jeffharris wrote:

Willem15 wrote:

I own a Panasonic GX7 with Panasonic 14-42mm.

I want to buy a Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO 14-140mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH, but I think it's rather expensive (€ 599). I can buy a brandnew G6 with this zoomlens for only € 50 more (€ 649).

Is the IQ (JPEG) of the G6 on par with the GX7 ? And the video quality?

Buy the G6 kit.

Sell the G6 with the 14-42mm.

Keep the GX7 and the 14-140mm II.

If possible, pick up a prime like the 20mm or 25mm f1.4/f1.7 for low light.

Perfect advice. The 14-140II is one of the best zooms I've ever used.

saudidave wrote:

To Old Listener, Hen3ry & Spectre 38!

There are many ingenious solutions to the handling shortcomings of the G6 and those shortcomings aside it is one of the finest digital cameras I've ever owned, hence I bought a second after selling the first because of those shortcomings. The bottom line is in this day and age where designers have a wealth of tools in their box, why do so many camera designers keep cocking up and why do we have to resort to D.I.Y? How would you feel if you bought a Mercedes or a Ford even and had to sit on a rubber cushion to drive it properly?

I've recently purchased a GM5 and after adding a franiec grip I've transformed it from a pigs ear to a silk purse. The first time I handled one I thought this is brilliant but it needs an after market grip! I shouldn't have needed to do it.

As regards the G7, the handling is on another planet to the G6's and Panasonic look to have got it right this time. I love mine..........

Thanks for that assurance about the G7, Dave.

The need for an accessory grip on such cameras as the GM1/5 is ridiculous, of course. If they built in a grip they could use a battery that is twice the size -- to great benefit for the user.

I experienced that problem with the GM1 but also with the Oly E-PM1 and E-PL3. Oly had worked hard to make the body so slim that it required a big spacer to sit between the body and the lens! Totally stupid! And in both cases, I had to add my own grip which was a line of little rubber/plastic stick-on buttons used for chair legs!

saudidave wrote:

jeffharris wrote:

Willem15 wrote:

I own a Panasonic GX7 with Panasonic 14-42mm.

I want to buy a Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO 14-140mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH, but I think it's rather expensive (€ 599). I can buy a brandnew G6 with this zoomlens for only € 50 more (€ 649).

Is the IQ (JPEG) of the G6 on par with the GX7 ? And the video quality?

Buy the G6 kit.

Sell the G6 with the 14-42mm.

Keep the GX7 and the 14-140mm II.

If possible, pick up a prime like the 20mm or 25mm f1.4/f1.7 for low light.

Perfect advice. The 14-140II is one of the best zooms I've ever used.

I agree you can't do much better than follow jeff and saudidave's advice.  GX7 and 14-140 go together like strawberries and cream

saudidave wrote:

jeffharris wrote:

Willem15 wrote:

I own a Panasonic GX7 with Panasonic 14-42mm.

I want to buy a Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO 14-140mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH, but I think it's rather expensive (€ 599). I can buy a brandnew G6 with this zoomlens for only € 50 more (€ 649).

Is the IQ (JPEG) of the G6 on par with the GX7 ? And the video quality?

Buy the G6 kit.

Sell the G6 with the 14-42mm.

Keep the GX7 and the 14-140mm II.

If possible, pick up a prime like the 20mm or 25mm f1.4/f1.7 for low light.

Perfect advice. The 14-140II is one of the best zooms I've ever used.

Yeah, I have both lenses and wish I hadn't wasted the time/energy/money on the 14-42mm II, even though it's a pretty good and tiny lens.

Honestly, in good light the 14-140mm gives the 12-40mm some competition. With some shots I have to check the EXIF to see which lens took the shot!