Panasonic G85 from an Olympus user

I've been using Olympus cameras since 2001, picking up a D-510Z after coming back from Disney World with cash left over that was burning a hole in my pocket.  I have had many fine Olympus bodies over the years (C-2100UZ, E-1, E-510, E-3, E-P2, E-5, E-PM2, Stylus-1, E-M5, E-M1 mark 1) and still own/shoot many of them.  I just recently bought my first Panasonic body (G85), and I thought I would mention some things as I explore the new way of shooting.

If others also want to post about getting a Panasonic after using Olympus, or vice versa, feel free to do.  It will be interesting to see the differences and perhaps the things in common.

To start out, with my reasons for picking the G85 this time, was I have a trip to Hawaii planned for February.  I find strong sunlight is one of my migraine triggers, and I need to wear wrap around sunglasses all of the time when I'm outdoors in the sun to reduce the frequency of the migraine attacks.

I'll post each of the observations as a separate post in the thread.

The main reason I went for the G85 is the electronic viewfinder.

The Stylus-1, E-M5, and E-M1 mark I cameras all have LCD electronic viewfinders that have areas that you just can't see with polarized sunglasses when shot in landscape orientation. Now, those there are such that I can generally frame the shot and let auto focus do its work, but it still is a hassle to shoot. All of the LCDs are fine if you shoot in portrait orientation, but I tend to prefer landscape orientation for most vacation shots. I tried the E-M5 mark II in the shop, and the viewfinder was harder to see with polarized sunglasses. I briefly tried the E-M1 mark II in the shop during a store sale where the Olympus rep had a demo available, and it has the same problem.

It turns out the Olympus E-M10 mark II and Pen F both have OLED viewfinders.  I've tried these in the store, and I can see the EVF clearly with polarized sunglasses in both landscape and portrait orientations.

However, ever since I got the E-1, I've liked having environmentally sealed cameras, so that if a rain storm comes up, I don't have to put away my gear into a plastic to protect the poor precious thing.  So initially, I was thinking of getting the E-M10 mark II or Pen F as a sun camera, and use the E-M1/E-M5 when it gets wet.  That's fine if I'm taking a full camera bag, but for a vacation camera, I often times just want to take one camera, lens, and a spare battery in my pocket, and leave the bag behind.  We are going to the big island, and it has both a wet side and a dry side.

Then the Panasonic G85 was announced.  It had the things I liked from my Olympus E-M1/E-M5 cameras, notably weather sealing, and 5 axis IS, plus a viewfinder I could see through.  The fact that the Olympus E-M1 mark II was more expensive and had a LCD viewfinder helped to seal the deal.

One more note about polarization, all of the back LCDs also have polarization effects. Unlike the viewfinders, the effect shows up in portrait orientation instead of landscape orientation. The Olympus LCDs are darker, but still usable when viewed with polarized sunglasses, but the G85 is completely opaque and is unusable. It is a trade off, most of the time when I'm using the camera's LCD, it is mounted on a tripod, or in one of my steampunk camera box setups. In those cases, it is almost entirely in landscape orientation.

Now, an option might have been to have an OLED panel. Olympus did this with the TG-2 (and maybe other TG-x's), but they don't seem to have done this for the higher end cameras.

Now one thing that a lot of people argue about is whether you want the back LCD to move in one directly (ala, E-M5 mark 1, E-M1 mark 1, Stylus-1) or to be fully articulated (ala, E-5, G-H4, G-85, etc.). Now, I've used both, and frankly each has alternatives and disadvantages. I tend to prefer the flippy LCD when I hand holding, and holding the camera up high to shoot over people's head or if it was to use it down low for macro shots. But on a tripod setup, or if I'm shooting in portrait orientation, I prefer the fully articulated setup. So it is a toss up.

Another time I like fully articulated back LCDs is the ability to turn the LCD around and fold it into the camera.  This can protect the LCD if you aren't using it (for example when packing the camera for travel, you don't have to worry about the LCD being scratched in a full camera bag).  It is also useful when you are shooting in a low light environment from the audience, where you won't annoy your fellow audience members with the electronic screen image.

One thing that I do on my Olympus cameras is turn off the automatic switching between the LCD and the EVF.  I often carry my cameras on neck straps, and when the camera is on, but against my chest, the sensor will think my eye is close by, and put the camera into EVF mode.  It will not let the camera power down due to not being used, because it thinks my eye is close.  So, I turn off the sensor, and let the camera go to sleep when I'm not actively shooting.

Like the Olympus cameras, the G-85 has a button to switch the LCD.  Unlike the Olympus setup, where you first have to go into the menu to disable automatic switching, and then just use the button as a toggle, the G-85 button is tri-state (using the EVF, using the back LCD, and automatic switching between the two).  In theory, I have having this choice, but I will see whether having to press the button two times to skip the automatic switching will be hard to remember.

In looking at the G-85, the camera's interface for P/A/S is setup more for a camera with single dial.  The default interface uses either dial to set the main setting (program shift, aperture, shutter speed).  To set exposure compensation, you have to press the exposure compensation button and rotate a dial.

Interesting Michael, I've had Oly bodies for years too (E-500, E-1, E-520, E-3, E-5, E-M5 and E-M1). I was planning to get the E-M1 II, but it's a speed machine (which I rarely need), and the first flagship from Oly I don't think I can justify at the current price. I might get another E-M1 to replace the E-M5, but also been eyeing up the G80 (as it is in the UK). It's got a proper grip, weather-sealed, and IBIS that will work in IS2 mode with my excellent Panasonic f2.8 pair (12-35 and 35-100) that I've used on my Oly bodies since they came out. It's also a sensible price. I could get the E-M5 II, but would have to get the grip too, which I always use on my E-M5, so it's added hassle. It's sad Oly didn't upgrade the E-M1 in its current current form using the same grip and battery. The Mk II should really have been called the E-M1S as a specialist pro speed machine in the manner of Canon and Sony.

Regarding polarising sunglasses, I assume you have prescription ones? If not, have you tried non-polarising sunglasses? I have a superb pair of Oakleys with transition and varifocal lenses that are fine with EVFs and LCDs, if a little dark at times.

Bruce

Michael Meissner wrote:

In looking at the G-85, the camera's interface for P/A/S is setup more for a camera with single dial. The default interface uses either dial to set the main setting (program shift, aperture, shutter speed). To set exposure compensation, you have to press the exposure compensation button and rotate a dial.

Ah, that's annoying, I've got used to the Oly way of doing it with the front dial for exposure compensation. Can it be customised?

Bruce

Bruce Clarke wrote:

Michael Meissner wrote:

In looking at the G-85, the camera's interface for P/A/S is setup more for a camera with single dial. The default interface uses either dial to set the main setting (program shift, aperture, shutter speed). To set exposure compensation, you have to press the exposure compensation button and rotate a dial.

Ah, that's annoying, I've got used to the Oly way of doing it with the front dial for exposure compensation. Can it be customised?

I've looked at the manual specifically on this point, and if there is a work-around I have not clearly identifed it. Different functions can be assigned to the buttons, but not the dial wheels so it seems. It does seem that the AE activation can be re-assigned from the +/- button (Fn1) to the button on top of the rear control wheel (Fn11); perhaps that allows faster operation and no need to stop looking through the EVF.

Michael Meissner wrote:

In looking at the G-85, the camera's interface for P/A/S is setup more for a camera with single dial. The default interface uses either dial to set the main setting (program shift, aperture, shutter speed). To set exposure compensation, you have to press the exposure compensation button and rotate a dial.

GH3 GH4 GX80 can be set via menu to use front button for EV compensation directly witout any additional action. I would be surprised if G80 can't do the same

Bruce Clarke wrote:

Regarding polarising sunglasses, I assume you have prescription ones? If not, have you tried non-polarising sunglasses? I have a superb pair of Oakleys with transition and varifocal lenses that are fine with EVFs and LCDs, if a little dark at times.

Yes, they are prescription sunglasses.  I do have transition lenses in my normal distance glasses, that I have for brief forays outdoors, but I've found I really need the polarization when I'm out for extended periods of time.

Bruce Clarke wrote:

Michael Meissner wrote:

In looking at the G-85, the camera's interface for P/A/S is setup more for a camera with single dial. The default interface uses either dial to set the main setting (program shift, aperture, shutter speed). To set exposure compensation, you have to press the exposure compensation button and rotate a dial.

Ah, that's annoying, I've got used to the Oly way of doing it with the front dial for exposure compensation. Can it be customised?

It is very easy to customize, and setting the dial operation should be the first thing to do with the camera. My G7 has a similar layout as G85, but I had not even realized there is a exposure compensation button! The default setup of the camera indeed can be a bit weird, and it is important to go through all the menus item by item in the beginning.

_vlad wrote:

Michael Meissner wrote:

In looking at the G-85, the camera's interface for P/A/S is setup more for a camera with single dial. The default interface uses either dial to set the main setting (program shift, aperture, shutter speed). To set exposure compensation, you have to press the exposure compensation button and rotate a dial.

GH3 GH4 GX80 can be set via menu to use front button for EV compensation directly witout any additional action. I would be surprised if G80 can't do the same

Took a bit of searching (still getting used to the manual), but it looks like you're right. That's a relief!

from page 43 of the manual

Vesku wrote:

Michael Meissner wrote:

In looking at the G-85, the camera's interface for P/A/S is setup more for a camera with single dial. The default interface uses either dial to set the main setting (program shift, aperture, shutter speed). To set exposure compensation, you have to press the exposure compensation button and rotate a dial.

What is the second dial doing then if not EV comp ??

In default stting they are doing the same thing:

from page 41 of the manual

Michael Meissner wrote:

Another time I like fully articulated back LCDs is the ability to turn the LCD around and fold it into the camera. This can protect the LCD if you aren't using it (for example when packing the camera for travel, you don't have to worry about the LCD being scratched in a full camera bag). It is also useful when you are shooting in a low light environment from the audience, where you won't annoy your fellow audience members with the electronic screen image.

In my use articulated screen is always closed and folded into the camera, or open at the left. It's never in the position of fixed screens. This makes using fully articulating screen easy and quick. This way the camera is also closer to my body when using LCD, and I can keep the screen tilted. It might not be so useful if I was a left-eye-shooter. Anyway, I recommend trying using it this way.

I switched from Olympus to Panasonic with the G6 (now have the G85). The G6 had excellent video for my needs but was lacking in the .jpg and low light end which the G85 addresses.

Ron