Which would you prefer: GX7 or GX85?

I had the GX7, and now I'm using the GX85. I must say that I preferred the GX7 body: tilting EVF, magnesium body (vs plastic), sharper screen, better grip (my hand feels sore after a short while using the GX85).

Other than that, the GX85 is the better camera for me. Sharper images, less shutter shock (though not completely solved IMO), 4K video, quiet shutter, faster autofocus, in body IS for video and stills and extremely fast operation (this thing is FAST!).

Just a shot from yesterday.

Hen3ry wrote:

On the other hand, I think the grip of the GX7 is better and the GX85 suffers from the built-in flash not being able to act as a trigger for other flashes using RC although an accessory flash in the flash shoe can do so. Crazy -- someone in the design department was out to lunch at a crucial moment! The GX7 built-in flash can be the trigger flash for RC flashes.

I don't think this is an unintentional omission missed by the design team. I think this is done very well on purpose to differentiate the GX85 from the GX8. Does it make sense? arguable... In Nikon/Canon in the past remote trigerring was also limited to higher models, then trickled down.

I'm intrigued if the small flash that comes with Olympus EM1.2 will agree to sit on the Panasonic and be a trigger...

larsbc wrote:

As long as the hotshoe has the power pin on it, it'll work. The bounce/swivel flash that came with my EM5 II worked fine with my LX100 and I'm pretty sure I confirmed that RC commander mode worked as well. It did require a minor bit of surgery on the flash's foot (had to cut off a ridge of plastic IIRC).

The Flash on the EM1.2 is the same as the EM5.2.

I did noticed the stupid plastic ridge on that flash. Any idea why it is there? Did you see any problems with the flash on the EM5.2 in that context after removing the ridge?

Lloyd B wrote:

If you have a GX7, will you let it go for the GX85? Which of the two would you prefer? Any advantages of the GX7 over GX85 and vise versa?

I have a GX7 bought at an estate  sale for $200. Like new everything in box plus an extra battery.   I will keep it as I don't need to upgrade to a better camera.  I am only a hobbyist.

Enjoy your camera whichever one you decide on.

Thank you for your replies and inputs, very enlightening.

-Lloyd

Paul Clark SJ wrote:

If you have not read this review, have a look. It discusses the downgrades the GX85 is from the GX7

http://www.mirrorlessons.com/2016/05/18/panasonic-gx85-gx80-review/

Great review! Thanks for the link.

larsbc wrote:

slartz wrote:

larsbc wrote:

As long as the hotshoe has the power pin on it, it'll work. The bounce/swivel flash that came with my EM5 II worked fine with my LX100 and I'm pretty sure I confirmed that RC commander mode worked as well. It did require a minor bit of surgery on the flash's foot (had to cut off a ridge of plastic IIRC).

The Flash on the EM1.2 is the same as the EM5.2.

I did noticed the stupid plastic ridge on that flash. Any idea why it is there? Did you see any problems with the flash on the EM5.2 in that context after removing the ridge?

No problems but I tried to be more careful when using it on the EM5 2. IIRC by removing the ridge, it might be possible to push the flash too far forward (ie: past the point where the locking pin can engage the hole in the hotshoe). Weird, though, since the hotshoe and contacts should be standardized to the micro four thirds design.

OK. Thanks for the tip. I did the minor "plastic surgery" on my FL3 and voila - it works perfectly with my Panasonic.

As for using it on the the EM1II (or 5 II for that matter) - I don't think there's a real risk for two reasons:
1. you can't push it too far forward as the locking pin locks in and prevents that. 
2. even if not for 1, all the "normal" flashes, do not have that extra lip - so if that would pose a risk to the camera that would be the case with all other flashes... 
Bottom line - I think Olympus just did that so you don't try to use this flash on older Olympus cameras that do not have the fourth contact, but now that Panasonic supports the 4th contact, without that extra lip, it just prevents it from being used and can be removed.

How old is your computer? Packard Bell is a pretty notorious brand...

The still images in question, are the RAW or JPEG?

Take a few jpg photos and a video footage on GX85, take out the SD card and put it inside GX7, except 4K video that GX7 can't recognise it, GX7 should playback everything taken by GX85.

Do the same and should see GX85 can read all files taken by GX7.

It is because jpg is jpg, it is a digital files in forms of 1s and 0s according to the format of jpg. As long as your computer software used support jpg it can read it. Same for video.

AFAIK both cameras support the same SD card standard. i.e., FAT32 file system and I used USH-I SD card in both without problem (I share SD card among GX1/7/85 and GF3).

If my above test on changing SD cards between cameras stands, likely you need to find what's wrong with your computer. Might be a card reader problem (but strange to see no issue on reading. GX7's card). What is the software you used to copy/cut files in SD card and paste on computer? If you have a windows computer, might try using Windows explorer for the job.

Lloyd B wrote:

If you have a GX7, will you let it go for the GX85? Which of the two would you prefer? Any advantages of the GX7 over GX85 and vise versa?

GX85? No way. It’s a lower grade build quality and lacks the tilty EVF.

The tilty EVF is a fantastic tool!

GX9 is a much better camera, on Rothe same level as a GX7 (I have a GX7).

nevada5 wrote:

jeffharris wrote:

Lloyd B wrote:

If you have a GX7, will you let it go for the GX85? Which of the two would you prefer? Any advantages of the GX7 over GX85 and vise versa?

GX85? No way. It’s a lower grade build quality and lacks the tilty EVF.

The tilty EVF is a fantastic tool!

GX9 is a much better camera, on Rothe same level as a GX7 (I have a GX7).

The GX9 wasn't being discussed b/c it didn't exist. Someone dragged up a 2-year old thread.

Oh, SNAP!!!

Details, details.

Consider it an update, then.