GX7 Question please

rolandb wrote:

Adrian Harris wrote:

rolandb wrote:

Hi guys,

Looking to maybe "move up" from my compact "combo" of LX7 & TZ70 and to take my photography a bit more seriously so,,, the questions are,,

Any of you guys use a GX7, if so how do you rate it.

Also,, is there a difference between the

14-42 3.5-5.6 ii ASPH & OIS lens ? or are they in fact the same lens ?

Looking to shot mainly days out / holidays. Church interiors / stained glass,, flowers.

Any help / info would be greatly appreciated.

Roland.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rolandb52/

"" I'm a snap-shooter! I shoot anything that interest me. Sometimes, I get lucky and some of my snap-shots turn into a photograph.""

The GX7 when partnered with the Panasonic 14-140 Mk2 is a superb and in my opinion a faultless combination that will cover most photographic scenarios and so easy to carry in a very small bag/case.

Best results are acquired by using the electronic shutter - which I do 99% of the time.

Thanks Adrian,

Having taken a quick look at prices for both a body and then the 14-140 lens,, I'd have to be 100% sure this is the right way to go for me before spending that much on a camera / system that I've never had before,, but yes the lens does sound a good one.

Roland.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rolandb52/

"" I'm a snap-shooter! I shoot anything that interest me. Sometimes, I get lucky and some of my snap-shots turn into a photograph.""

Hi Roland, although I own many of the m4/3 Pro lenses and think they are wonderful, I was blown away by the 14-140 mk2 which I finally bought after about 2 years of stalling ( because I already own the mk1 version) but was convinced after trying a friend's. The mk2 is so sharp from full wide to full zoom i could hardly believe that it was possible.

Over the years i have bought the original Panasonic G1, the GX7 and now also the GX8.

The gx7 is a lovely little camera and I still use it as a backup  and also with a second lens. But although conveniently small the camera is not a patch on the gx8. And I mention that as in the UK the gx8 has been selling for less than the gx8.

The GX7 was a fantastic camera when it was first released.

It still is.

It compares well and occasionally favorably with the camera which replaced it - the GX80/GX85 - which although an upgrade in certain areas, was a downgrade in others.

The other huge plus about the GX7 is that its prices have dropped - which makes it one of the more affordable members of the Lumix family of mirrorless micro 4/3 interchangeable lens cameras.

The biggest improvment over your LX7 - which incidentally is still a fine camera - a great portable travel camera - and has superb close-up/Macro capabilities - is not only in the larger sensor size (giving you better IQ, better dramatic range, better ISO sensitivity, better everything) but in fact the GX7 had a much improved m43 sensor for the time which still is almost state-of-the-art.

Keeping the LX7 will give you 2 great cameras, btw.  With regards to your questions about the differences between the 2 similar models of the kit zoom, I honestly don't know.  I've had excellent and superb results from a 14-42 II Panasonic, can't remember which one.  Also, to echo the comments of several other posters, the tiny 12-32mm pancake lens is astoundingly sharp - more than the equal of the larger 14-42 models - and has the advantage of making your whole camera + lens combo feel almost tiny.

One last point - or question ---- given the seriously improved image-making nature of the GX7 & its sensor over the tinier, older, and just not-quite-as-good (though still capable) LX7 --- have you considered buying a good all purpose prime lens, instead of a zoom, for the GX7?  If not, perhaps you should.  Certain prime lenses give demonstrably better results and performance than most of the kit zooms. Additionally, some - like the diminutive but wonderful 20mm Panasonic pancake lens (both in its 1st generation version and the newer version) are both affordable and amazing.  Additionally primes tend to have lower f/stops i.e. wider apertures - that is, they are better suited for lower light shooting - for bokeh - for many things, actually.  The 20mm (the equivalent of a 40mm traditional 35mm FOV, halfway between a very wide 28mm and a more standard-wide-classic 35mm FOV) is both great and very affordable.  The Olympus 17mm f/1.8 (or is it f/1.7?) lens is another superb general purpose prime with remarkable optical qualities which many people keep parked semi-permanently on their micro four thirds bodies.  Also the 25mm offerings from both Panasonic and Olympus are both affordable, extremely high quality, and low-light capable - making them intriguing competitors.

Bottom line - with the right prime on your (new or newer) GX7 body - I suspect you might be able to see seriously significant improvements in image quality -dynamic range - and many other subtle aspects of what makes some good photographs...great.

Good luck in your choices.  But to repeat - the GX7 is a great camera - a good upgrade - and quite affordable these days.

I enjoy my GX7, and  for me is preferable to the GX80/85. For example. It has a 12-bit electronic -shutter, movable EFV (with available accessory eye cup) and generally is a very nice camera. Have never noticed shutter shock.

F.

rolandb wrote:

Pete_W wrote:

rolandb wrote:

Regarding the 12-32 lens,, the only "problem" that springs to mind is that,, I use my LX7 as my main camera and with the 24-90 lens it gets 95% of the shots I take,, I'm not sure if the shorter zoom on the 12-32 would start to pee me off with possibly having to change lenses more often ?. Not having had a micro four thirds camera / system before I don't know if this would be the case or not, or if in fact there is a lens that would cover the same range as the 24-90 of the LX7,,,,

Similar situation to me. I moved up from an LX5 to an M4/3 camera last year and went with the GX85.

I had the same concern about focal length with the kit 12-32mm lens so I asked the store to swap it out for the 12-60mm lens which covered the same wide angle and went a bit further on the telephoto end. It's been a good lens for that.

Of course, I've since added more lenses to my bag.

Thank you Pete,,

That lens sound good, and its given me something else to check out.

Roland.

I've been in M43 system sinc 2009. If I was starting in it today, I'd do what Pete suggests.

I currently have the GX7 and the GM5.  I particularly like the option of the all electronic shutter on the GM5. I'd happily replace them both with the GX85 which also has the electronic shutter.

rolandb wrote:

dmokn wrote:

+1 on getting the 12-32. I bought that for my GX7 years ago and it's really nice to have the 12mm end. While the GX85 is better on paper in most respects, if money is tight and you get a good deal, image quality should be similar and you get the AF/MF switch, which I use all the time.

Hi dmokn,

I"ve just replied to d3x regarding the lens,, would love the wide end but not sure if its too short a zoom compared to the 24-90 of my LX7.

Normally I'll recommend to pair it up with either the tiniest 35-100, still a small size 45-150 or a slightly longer in length (also longer reach) 45-175 PZ for a more complete setup. If money is not a matter and you might not need the 12 wide end, the 14-140 M2 might be a better choice than 14-42 M2 (I'll forget the old 14-42 M1).

"image quality should be similar"

On my first glance on the testing shots from GX85, I felt they were sharper/better micro contrast than those from GX7 (Pany said it could be around 10% but IMHO should be more). And I was also shocked to realize that the pictures from GX7 are more digital feel vs the sharper but more natural looking images from GX85. Nevertheless, GX7 is actually a very good camera.

then I'm possibly temped to go for a GX7 first of all just to see if I get on with the camera system or not,, I have seen one with the 14-42 lens for around £350,, not sure if that's good or not ??

For a brand new GX7 (and not the 14-42 M1 version), £350 is a very attractive price. In my city the grey market price for a new GX85 (body only) should now be at similar price. Nothing wrong to invest in GX7 at such cost but if you pay £100 more (for a 12-32), you might have all the advantage of GX85.... YMMV.

Roland.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rolandb52/

"" I'm a snap-shooter! I shoot anything that interest me. Sometimes, I get lucky and some of my snap-shots turn into a photograph.""

Hi Roland

Since you can't see the camera in person just yet, two sites that will help you contemplate things are:

•    Camera Size Where you can see images from different views side by side

Also on that same site, you can see the camera or cameras with lenses

•   Camera Size with Lens

And this site

•    CameraDecision where you can compare the specs side by side which of course you can do here on DP review as well.

Mark

MiguelATF wrote:

The GX7 was a fantastic camera when it was first released.

It still is.

It compares well and occasionally favorably with the camera which replaced it - the GX80/GX85 - which although an upgrade in certain areas, was a downgrade in others.

The other huge plus about the GX7 is that its prices have dropped - which makes it one of the more affordable members of the Lumix family of mirrorless micro 4/3 interchangeable lens cameras.

The biggest improvment over your LX7 - which incidentally is still a fine camera - a great portable travel camera - and has superb close-up/Macro capabilities - is not only in the larger sensor size (giving you better IQ, better dramatic range, better ISO sensitivity, better everything) but in fact the GX7 had a much improved m43 sensor for the time which still is almost state-of-the-art.

Keeping the LX7 will give you 2 great cameras, btw. With regards to your questions about the differences between the 2 similar models of the kit zoom, I honestly don't know. I've had excellent and superb results from a 14-42 II Panasonic, can't remember which one. Also, to echo the comments of several other posters, the tiny 12-32mm pancake lens is astoundingly sharp - more than the equal of the larger 14-42 models - and has the advantage of making your whole camera + lens combo feel almost tiny.

One last point - or question ---- given the seriously improved image-making nature of the GX7 & its sensor over the tinier, older, and just not-quite-as-good (though still capable) LX7 --- have you considered buying a good all purpose prime lens, instead of a zoom, for the GX7? If not, perhaps you should. Certain prime lenses give demonstrably better results and performance than most of the kit zooms. Additionally, some - like the diminutive but wonderful 20mm Panasonic pancake lens (both in its 1st generation version and the newer version) are both affordable and amazing. Additionally primes tend to have lower f/stops i.e. wider apertures - that is, they are better suited for lower light shooting - for bokeh - for many things, actually. The 20mm (the equivalent of a 40mm traditional 35mm FOV, halfway between a very wide 28mm and a more standard-wide-classic 35mm FOV) is both great and very affordable. The Olympus 17mm f/1.8 (or is it f/1.7?) lens is another superb general purpose prime with remarkable optical qualities which many people keep parked semi-permanently on their micro four thirds bodies. Also the 25mm offerings from both Panasonic and Olympus are both affordable, extremely high quality, and low-light capable - making them intriguing competitors.

Bottom line - with the right prime on your (new or newer) GX7 body - I suspect you might be able to see seriously significant improvements in image quality -dynamic range - and many other subtle aspects of what makes some good photographs...great.

Good luck in your choices. But to repeat - the GX7 is a great camera - a good upgrade - and quite affordable these days.

I am not so sure about recommending using a prime with the gx7 to try and get Sharper images. I bo2 very expensive Voigtlander primes to use on mine only to find out that the strong  gx7 anti-alias filter prevented the images from being any sharper than my ordinary zoom lenses.

It wasn't until I bought the gx8 that the prime lenses showed how good they were.

Tha 14-140 mk2 is as sharp as anything else when on the gx7, and so versatile.

A HUGE thank you to everyone for the replies,, info and ideas.

Theres loads for me to go through before making up my mind but I'm pretty sure 4 thirds is the way to go for me, and to pair it up with my LX7 with its fast lens for my Church interior shots.

Thanks again to you all.

Roland.