Panasonic GX8

I currently own an Olympus OMD E-M5 and have been considering purchasing a Panasonic GX8. as an upgrade. A have the Panasonic/Leica 25mm 1.4, Panasonic 14mm 2.5, and the original Olympus  kit lens. I have also been using a number of mfl lenses with adapters. After looking at the DXMark comparison of the sensors it does not look like I would be gaining very much as far as evf range or image quality.

I seldom make prints to over 11x14 and try to compose so that I do not have to do a lot of cropping. I am getting on in age so auto focusing accuracy is really important to me as well anti shake or image stabilization. Are there any features such as focus peaking  that would still make the GX8  a worthwhile upgrade or should I wait for the next generation of micro 4/3 cameras.

Focus peaking is poorly implemented on the GX8. It's okay when it works, but it isn't always easy to see the peaking color. You can change color and the strength of the effect, but those don't entirely fix the issue.

I think you'd be disappointed by the handling of the GX8 compared to your Olympus. At least for some users like me, the right hand back controls are very easy to accidentally activate.

The battery capacity on the GX8 isn't stellar, nor do I care for having the battery and the SD card behind the same door on such a large MFT body.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3935432

Oddly yellow isn't one of the peaking choices. I find it shows up the best on Sonys. The peaking is much more visible though when you enable the Panasonic B&W preview feature. Then the peaking color is the only color on the screen. The nearest equivalent on other cameras (which I use) is to switch to an actual B&W mode, which still allows color photos in raw, but screws up the embedded JPEG previews.

Olympus offers better stabilization. I think the ease of use of the Panasonic is a bigger factor. I'm also a big fan of aperture rings, which you can use on a nocticron with a Panasonic body.

JPG73 wrote:

I currently own an Olympus OMD E-M5 and have been considering purchasing a Panasonic GX8. as an upgrade. A have the Panasonic/Leica 25mm 1.4, Panasonic 14mm 2.5, and the original Olympus kit lens. I have also been using a number of mfl lenses with adapters. After looking at the DXMark comparison of the sensors it does not look like I would be gaining very much as far as evf range or image quality.

I seldom make prints to over 11x14 and try to compose so that I do not have to do a lot of cropping. I am getting on in age so auto focusing accuracy is really important to me as well anti shake or image stabilization. Are there any features such as focus peaking that would still make the GX8 a worthwhile upgrade or should I wait for the next generation of micro 4/3 cameras.

It doesn't seem that you're altogether unhappy with the OMD-EM5. You might be better of waiting for the next gen Olympus models.

I have a GX8. The dual-stabilization and DFD focusing currently works with a limited assortment of Panasonic lenses, of which you do not have. With you're current lenses, you will not realize that benefit.

I cannot comment on how the GX8 compares to Olympus in terms of handling. But the GX8 handles great.

Video doesn't seem to be of interest to you, so... again. Wait for the next crop of Olympus bodies to come out.

I believe that we'll see the EM1-Mk2 in 2016!

I upgraded from E-M5 to GX8 a couple of months ago. After a little acclimatisation, I much prefer the general handling and ergonomics of the GX8.

Regarding the EVF, I certainly find myself using it much more often than I did on the E-M5. The placement to the side works for me and I often tilt it up about 15 degrees or so as I find that more comfortable. Resolution is noticeably better - I had high expectations so wasn't blown away at first but going back to the E-M5's EVF would hurt now.

For my uses, I have found the IBIS in the GX8 to be perfectly adequate. I haven't tested it as such but have definitely not noticed it to be a retrograde step from that in the E-M5 - it really isn't anything I think about. Note I also have the PL 25/1.4.

It's also true what people say about the menus being better - think I know my way around the GX8 better now than I did my E-M5 after 3.5 years.