GX8 II or GX9 ?

The G7 was announced in May 2015 - 2 and ½ years later came the G9

The GH4 was announced in February 2014 - Less than 2 years later came the GH5

The GX7 was announced in August 2013 - Less than 2 years later came the GX8. After 6 more months came the GX7 II.

Now, considering that 2 and ½ years went by since the GX8 announcement, when will Panasonic announce an upgrade?

Will it be GX8 II or  GX9 ?

What will be the improvement over the GX8: New Shutter? Joy Stick ? Headphone connection? Any Guess?

Valentinian wrote:

The G7 was announced in May 2015 - 2 and ½ years later came the G9

The GH4 was announced in February 2014 - Less than 2 years later came the GH5

The GX7 was announced in August 2013 - Less than 2 years later came the GX8. After 6 more months came the GX7 II.

Now, considering that 2 and ½ years went by since the GX8 announcement, when will Panasonic announce an upgrade?

Will it be GX8 II or GX9 ?

What will be the improvement over the GX8: New Shutter? Joy Stick ? Headphone connection? Any Guess?

Panasonic decided that the GX8 replacement would be a revolutionary camera.

The first invisible camera, for those moments where you need absolute stealth.

When they (secretly of course) marketed it a few months ago, they discovered that Samsung had beaten them by two years with their NX2...

Bummer.

Valentinian wrote:

The G7 was announced in May 2015 - 2 and ½ years later came the G9

The GH4 was announced in February 2014 - Less than 2 years later came the GH5

The GX7 was announced in August 2013 - Less than 2 years later came the GX8. After 6 more months came the GX7 II.

Now, considering that 2 and ½ years went by since the GX8 announcement, when will Panasonic announce an upgrade?

They won't announce it, any time soon. Their new stills-oriented flagship is G9. The successor to GX8 is G9 and will remain in that position for some time, I honestly believe.

Will it be GX8 II or GX9 ?

I don't want to crush your hopes but neither GX8II or GX9 are coming this year, I honestly believe. G9 replaced them. Take it or wait for Olympus E-M5mIII.

If I was to make a guess, I would bet on GM6 appearing this year with that Sony 20 MP sensor to fill in a niche (very small, kind of pocketable m43 body).

Sadly, I think that anyone hoping for a GX9 or a GM6 will be waiting a loooooong time.  Like, forever.

brentbrent wrote:

Sadly, I think that anyone hoping for a GX9 or a GM6 will be waiting a loooooong time. Like, forever.

I think GM6 is coming. With that 20 MP sensor.

But they'll charge a lot for it.... 1,200 or something like that.

Valentinian wrote:

The G7 was announced in May 2015 - 2 and ½ years later came the G9

The GH4 was announced in February 2014 - Less than 2 years later came the GH5

The GX7 was announced in August 2013 - Less than 2 years later came the GX8. After 6 more months came the GX7 II.

Now, considering that 2 and ½ years went by since the GX8 announcement, when will Panasonic announce an upgrade?

Will it be GX8 II or GX9 ?

What will be the improvement over the GX8: New Shutter? Joy Stick ? Headphone connection? Any Guess?

the problem here is that during those 2 1/2 years Panasonic switched to their new naming convention starting with the GX8.

The new naming convention states that single digit model numbers: # are pro cameras, ## = mid level and ### entry level. From before G/GH were video-centric while GX where more photo-centric.

So starting with the GX8, by that convention, it's the first PRO level photo-centric camera line. In that case,  it's not actually a successor to the GX7, which should really be named and was actually named the GX70  in some european markets.

The true successor to the GX7/GX70 was the GX85.

The G7 (called the G70 in some european markets) successor, is actually the G80. NOT the G9.

The G9 , like the GX before it, is the FIRST PRO level G camera in the line.

Unfortunately it looks like Panasonic has decided to go with the SLR shaped G line for their pro -photocentric camera rather than the GX so I wouldn't expect a true successor to the GX8 any time soon.

BTW. During that time the GX850 came out , so it represents an entry level (###), photo-centric (GX) camera.

No new premium cameras will be announced in the near future.

We already have:

GH5 (best video camera on the market)

GH5s (best low light video camera on the market)

G9 (best combination of stills and video on the market)

G85 (Best inexpensive all-rounder)

GX85 (cheapest small all-rounder)

I think a premium compact will be announced next. Probably with IBIS.

Hope you are right and that it has a viewfinder.  I will warm up my checkbook!!

Cyvan wrote:

Valentinian wrote:

The G7 ...... 2 and ½ years later came the G9

The GX7 .....2 years later came the GX8. After 6 more months came the GX7 II.

Now, considering .....the GX8 when will Panasonic announce an upgrade?

Will it be GX8 II or GX9 ?

.....

So... the GX8 ... it's the first PRO level photo-centric camera line. In that case, it's not actually a successor to the GX7, .

The true successor to the GX7 was the GX85.

The G7 successor, is actually the G80. NOT the G9.

The G9 , .... is the FIRST PRO level G camera in the line.

...... so I wouldn't expect a true successor to the GX8 any time soon.

What you wrote makes sense.

Sure, the G9 is a great camera, it has headphone port, an AF joystick and a top led window. its EVF is better, but it is not tilting and it is not in the same well-chosen position of the GX8.

Also, consider the cons of the Dpreview review:

• Depth from Defocus flutter is distracting when shooting action
• EVF resolution drops when shutter is pressed
• AF joystick can not move points diagonally and is not responsive enough
• Nose activates touchpad AF, no option to limit activation area
• Screen can not be flipped out when ports are in use
• 20 fps mode using electronic shutter can result in rolling shutter effect

So, I will wait. Maybe , just maybe, if, let’s say in a year, a GX9 will be announced, then it will have some of the G9 goodies, without the cons….

Valentinian wrote:

Cyvan wrote:

Valentinian wrote:

The G7 ...... 2 and ½ years later came the G9

The GX7 .....2 years later came the GX8. After 6 more months came the GX7 II.

Now, considering .....the GX8 when will Panasonic announce an upgrade?

Will it be GX8 II or GX9 ?

.....

So... the GX8 ... it's the first PRO level photo-centric camera line. In that case, it's not actually a successor to the GX7, .

The true successor to the GX7 was the GX85.

The G7 successor, is actually the G80. NOT the G9.

The G9 , .... is the FIRST PRO level G camera in the line.

...... so I wouldn't expect a true successor to the GX8 any time soon.

What you wrote makes sense.

Sure, the G9 is a great camera, it has headphone port, an AF joystick and a top led window. its EVF is better, but it is not tilting and it is not in the same well-chosen position of the GX8.

Also, consider the cons of the Dpreview review:

• Depth from Defocus flutter is distracting when shooting action
• EVF resolution drops when shutter is pressed
• AF joystick can not move points diagonally and is not responsive enough
• Nose activates touchpad AF, no option to limit activation area
• Screen can not be flipped out when ports are in use
• 20 fps mode using electronic shutter can result in rolling shutter effect

So, I will wait. Maybe , just maybe, if, let’s say in a year, a GX9 will be announced, then it will have some of the G9 goodies, without the cons….

I have a GX8 so I would love a GX9 , but I think Panasonic realised they got more traction from the DSLR form factor than the rangefinder form factor of the GX8. There was a lot of negativity surrounding the camera at launch so ppl were against it. But if you got one most people, like myself , loved it.

Personally I'd be happy if they did a GX8 refresh and called it the GX8 II and just gave it the new shutter and IBIS. That's the only thing I really wish my GX8 had. I'd really miss having my tilting EVF if I switched to a G series camera.

Cyvan wrote:

Valentinian wrote:

Cyvan wrote:

Valentinian wrote:

The G7 ...... 2 and ½ years later came the G9

The GX7 .....2 years later came the GX8. After 6 more months came the GX7 II.

Now, considering .....the GX8 when will Panasonic announce an upgrade?

Will it be GX8 II or GX9 ?

.....

So... the GX8 ... it's the first PRO level photo-centric camera line. In that case, it's not actually a successor to the GX7, .

The true successor to the GX7 was the GX85.

The G7 successor, is actually the G80. NOT the G9.

The G9 , .... is the FIRST PRO level G camera in the line.

...... so I wouldn't expect a true successor to the GX8 any time soon.

What you wrote makes sense.

Sure, the G9 is a great camera, it has headphone port, an AF joystick and a top led window. its EVF is better, but it is not tilting and it is not in the same well-chosen position of the GX8.

Also, consider the cons of the Dpreview review:

• Depth from Defocus flutter is distracting when shooting action
• EVF resolution drops when shutter is pressed
• AF joystick can not move points diagonally and is not responsive enough
• Nose activates touchpad AF, no option to limit activation area
• Screen can not be flipped out when ports are in use
• 20 fps mode using electronic shutter can result in rolling shutter effect

So, I will wait. Maybe , just maybe, if, let’s say in a year, a GX9 will be announced, then it will have some of the G9 goodies, without the cons….

I have a GX8 so I would love a GX9 , but I think Panasonic realised they got more traction from the DSLR form factor than the rangefinder form factor of the GX8. There was a lot of negativity surrounding the camera at launch so ppl were against it. But if you got one most people, like myself , loved it.

My ranting.

IMHO GX8 is a wire product. When we go down the path of M43, most of us (except pro users) are looking for a reduced size/weight gear from traditional CaNikon gears. The flat top and more soap like design of rangefinder form factor body is a good candidate on downsizing than a dslr form factor. So there were as extreme as GMs and the GX1, GX7 and later GX85, or EPM, EPL, EP and Pen-F the equivalent offering from Olympus.

GX8 is a great product of its time. Has the highest resolution M43 sensor, Dual IS, a deeper hand grip, extra EC wheel, metal alloy body, upward flippable but larger evf then GX7 (only 2 M43 models to have it)...

But its size and weight should have put many potential buyers off, including me. I upgrade from the older G to GX1 and later GX7 was for their size and weight benefit over the traditional dslr form factor. If I can take GX8's size and weight, why not go for the lighter weight G7 (sadly no Dual IS and non WR) in the similar period of time? In my eye the size of GX8 should have no obvious reason, except to make it bigger to comfort those users who originally jumped ship onto M43 for the size and weight benefit but later complained the offerings on table be too small for them! Except for the different in form factor, today there is G85 in similar size and weight but has the latest standard of hardware (floating IBIS sensor, shutterstock free shutter...). Again why GX8, except for its deep enough recent discount?

Personally I think if the successor of GX8: GX9 or whatsoever, can shrink into the size of GX7/GX85, has a deeper handgrip in the front and similar capability of G9, it could be a real winner. The size and weight of GX8, as well as its initially high listed price making it never warm up as quickly as other models.

Practically it is feasible since put in an improved AF system, same size 20Mp M43 sensor, replace the plastic top plate with a metal alloy one to hold an upward flippable evf, use a 4:3 native display panel instead of 16:9 to give a larger size evf (in terms of magnification) than EM10/5 etc, add weather seals to GX85 etc would already create a smaller but upgraded GX8...

Personally I'd be happy if they did a GX8 refresh and called it the GX8 II and just gave it the new shutter and IBIS. That's the only thing I really wish my GX8 had. I'd really miss having my tilting EVF if I switched to a G series camera.

If GX and G would be in similar size and weight, what would be the difference to use one vs another? Camera is a tool to use, how it looks will not affect IQ/operation. YMMV.

alcelc wrote:

Cyvan wrote:

Valentinian wrote:

Cyvan wrote:

Valentinian wrote:

The G7 ...... 2 and ½ years later came the G9

The GX7 .....2 years later came the GX8. After 6 more months came the GX7 II.

Now, considering .....the GX8 when will Panasonic announce an upgrade?

Will it be GX8 II or GX9 ?

.....

So... the GX8 ... it's the first PRO level photo-centric camera line. In that case, it's not actually a successor to the GX7, .

The true successor to the GX7 was the GX85.

The G7 successor, is actually the G80. NOT the G9.

The G9 , .... is the FIRST PRO level G camera in the line.

...... so I wouldn't expect a true successor to the GX8 any time soon.

What you wrote makes sense.

Sure, the G9 is a great camera, it has headphone port, an AF joystick and a top led window. its EVF is better, but it is not tilting and it is not in the same well-chosen position of the GX8.

Also, consider the cons of the Dpreview review:

• Depth from Defocus flutter is distracting when shooting action
• EVF resolution drops when shutter is pressed
• AF joystick can not move points diagonally and is not responsive enough
• Nose activates touchpad AF, no option to limit activation area
• Screen can not be flipped out when ports are in use
• 20 fps mode using electronic shutter can result in rolling shutter effect

So, I will wait. Maybe , just maybe, if, let’s say in a year, a GX9 will be announced, then it will have some of the G9 goodies, without the cons….

I have a GX8 so I would love a GX9 , but I think Panasonic realised they got more traction from the DSLR form factor than the rangefinder form factor of the GX8. There was a lot of negativity surrounding the camera at launch so ppl were against it. But if you got one most people, like myself , loved it.

My ranting.

IMHO GX8 is a wire product. When we go down the path of M43, most of us (except pro users) are looking for a reduced size/weight gear from traditional CaNikon gears. The flat top and more soap like design of rangefinder form factor body is a good candidate on downsizing than a dslr form factor. So there were as extreme as GMs and the GX1, GX7 and later GX85, or EPM, EPL, EP and Pen-F the equivalent offering from Olympus.

GX8 is a great product of its time. Has the highest resolution M43 sensor, Dual IS, a deeper hand grip, extra EC wheel, metal alloy body, upward flippable but larger evf then GX7 (only 2 M43 models to have it)...

But its size and weight should have put many potential buyers off, including me. I upgrade from the older G to GX1 and later GX7 was for their size and weight benefit over the traditional dslr form factor. If I can take GX8's size and weight, why not go for the lighter weight G7 (sadly no Dual IS and non WR) in the similar period of time? In my eye the size of GX8 should have no obvious reason, except to make it bigger to comfort those users who originally jumped ship onto M43 for the size and weight benefit but later complained the offerings on table be too small for them! Except for the different in form factor, today there is G85 in similar size and weight but has the latest standard of hardware (floating IBIS sensor, shutterstock free shutter...). Again why GX8, except for its deep enough recent discount?

Personally I think if the successor of GX8: GX9 or whatsoever, can shrink into the size of GX7/GX85, has a deeper handgrip in the front and similar capability of G9, it could be a real winner. The size and weight of GX8, as well as its initially high listed price making it never warm up as quickly as other models.

Practically it is feasible since put in an improved AF system, same size 20Mp M43 sensor, replace the plastic top plate with a metal alloy one to hold an upward flippable evf, use a 4:3 native display panel instead of 16:9 to give a larger size evf (in terms of magnification) than EM10/5 etc, add weather seals to GX85 etc would already create a smaller but upgraded GX8...

Personally I'd be happy if they did a GX8 refresh and called it the GX8 II and just gave it the new shutter and IBIS. That's the only thing I really wish my GX8 had. I'd really miss having my tilting EVF if I switched to a G series camera.

If GX and G would be in similar size and weight, what would be the difference to use one vs another? Camera is a tool to use, how it looks will not affect IQ/operation. YMMV.

Has nothing to do with looks , specifically, but the functionality. I had a G7 before and I much preferred the ergonomics of that camera compared to my GX8, the hand grip just melted in my hand. I was able to ameliorate that a bit with the GX8 leather half-case. It makes the grip deeper and softer but it also increases the overall size of the camera to nearly that of the G9. My problem is that I love the SLR shaped cameras for their ergonomics but unfortunately their design precludes one of the distinctive features of the range-finder shaped GX8, the tilting EVF, which I love. I've also added the EC3 eyecup to mine so I get total isolation when I'm using the EVF.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or2qkWSdFmE

I was really hoping to get rangefinder body for which I could add a half-case to improve the ergonomics if needed and with all the high-end cutting edge tech features of the recent cameras all while keeping my beloved tilting EVF.

My GX8 works well, and I will have the G9 this Friday.  Beyond that, I have more than enough camera bodies.  Good time to take a break from buying more of them,

Cyvan wrote:

alcelc wrote:

Cyvan wrote:

Valentinian wrote:

Cyvan wrote:

Valentinian wrote:

The G7 ...... 2 and ½ years later came the G9

The GX7 .....2 years later came the GX8. After 6 more months came the GX7 II.

Now, considering .....the GX8 when will Panasonic announce an upgrade?

Will it be GX8 II or GX9 ?

.....

So... the GX8 ... it's the first PRO level photo-centric camera line. In that case, it's not actually a successor to the GX7, .

The true successor to the GX7 was the GX85.

The G7 successor, is actually the G80. NOT the G9.

The G9 , .... is the FIRST PRO level G camera in the line.

...... so I wouldn't expect a true successor to the GX8 any time soon.

What you wrote makes sense.

Sure, the G9 is a great camera, it has headphone port, an AF joystick and a top led window. its EVF is better, but it is not tilting and it is not in the same well-chosen position of the GX8.

Also, consider the cons of the Dpreview review:

• Depth from Defocus flutter is distracting when shooting action
• EVF resolution drops when shutter is pressed
• AF joystick can not move points diagonally and is not responsive enough
• Nose activates touchpad AF, no option to limit activation area
• Screen can not be flipped out when ports are in use
• 20 fps mode using electronic shutter can result in rolling shutter effect

So, I will wait. Maybe , just maybe, if, let’s say in a year, a GX9 will be announced, then it will have some of the G9 goodies, without the cons….

I have a GX8 so I would love a GX9 , but I think Panasonic realised they got more traction from the DSLR form factor than the rangefinder form factor of the GX8. There was a lot of negativity surrounding the camera at launch so ppl were against it. But if you got one most people, like myself , loved it.

My ranting.

IMHO GX8 is a wire product. When we go down the path of M43, most of us (except pro users) are looking for a reduced size/weight gear from traditional CaNikon gears. The flat top and more soap like design of rangefinder form factor body is a good candidate on downsizing than a dslr form factor. So there were as extreme as GMs and the GX1, GX7 and later GX85, or EPM, EPL, EP and Pen-F the equivalent offering from Olympus.

GX8 is a great product of its time. Has the highest resolution M43 sensor, Dual IS, a deeper hand grip, extra EC wheel, metal alloy body, upward flippable but larger evf then GX7 (only 2 M43 models to have it)...

But its size and weight should have put many potential buyers off, including me. I upgrade from the older G to GX1 and later GX7 was for their size and weight benefit over the traditional dslr form factor. If I can take GX8's size and weight, why not go for the lighter weight G7 (sadly no Dual IS and non WR) in the similar period of time? In my eye the size of GX8 should have no obvious reason, except to make it bigger to comfort those users who originally jumped ship onto M43 for the size and weight benefit but later complained the offerings on table be too small for them! Except for the different in form factor, today there is G85 in similar size and weight but has the latest standard of hardware (floating IBIS sensor, shutterstock free shutter...). Again why GX8, except for its deep enough recent discount?

Personally I think if the successor of GX8: GX9 or whatsoever, can shrink into the size of GX7/GX85, has a deeper handgrip in the front and similar capability of G9, it could be a real winner. The size and weight of GX8, as well as its initially high listed price making it never warm up as quickly as other models.

Practically it is feasible since put in an improved AF system, same size 20Mp M43 sensor, replace the plastic top plate with a metal alloy one to hold an upward flippable evf, use a 4:3 native display panel instead of 16:9 to give a larger size evf (in terms of magnification) than EM10/5 etc, add weather seals to GX85 etc would already create a smaller but upgraded GX8...

Personally I'd be happy if they did a GX8 refresh and called it the GX8 II and just gave it the new shutter and IBIS. That's the only thing I really wish my GX8 had. I'd really miss having my tilting EVF if I switched to a G series camera.

If GX and G would be in similar size and weight, what would be the difference to use one vs another? Camera is a tool to use, how it looks will not affect IQ/operation. YMMV.

Has nothing to do with looks , specifically, but the functionality. I had a G7 before and I much preferred the ergonomics of that camera compared to my GX8, the hand grip just melted in my hand. I was able to ameliorate that a bit with the GX8 leather half-case. It makes the grip deeper and softer but it also increases the overall size of the camera to nearly that of the G9. My problem is that I love the SLR shaped cameras for their ergonomics but unfortunately their design precludes one of the distinctive features of the range-finder shaped GX8, the tilting EVF, which I love.

Why would the SLR shape preclude having a tilting EVF?

Have a look at the Samsung NX30 (which I have). DSLR shaped with a tilting EVF.

I've also added the EC3 eyecup to mine so I get total isolation when I'm using the EVF.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or2qkWSdFmE

I was really hoping to get rangefinder body for which I could add a half-case to improve the ergonomics if needed and with all the high-end cutting edge tech features of the recent cameras all while keeping my beloved tilting EVF.

Has nothing to do with looks , specifically, but the functionality. I had a G7 before and I much preferred the ergonomics of that camera compared to my GX8, the hand grip just melted in my hand. I was able to ameliorate that a bit with the GX8 leather half-case. It makes the grip deeper and softer but it also increases the overall size of the camera to nearly that of the G9. My problem is that I love the SLR shaped cameras for their ergonomics but unfortunately their design precludes one of the distinctive features of the range-finder shaped GX8, the tilting EVF, which I love.

Why would the SLR shape preclude having a tilting EVF?

Have a look at the Samsung NX30 (which I have). DSLR shaped with a tilting EVF.

Oooooooh, I've never seen this before.   Very nice.

Cyvan wrote:

Has nothing to do with looks , specifically, but the functionality. I had a G7 before and I much preferred the ergonomics of that camera compared to my GX8, the hand grip just melted in my hand. I was able to ameliorate that a bit with the GX8 leather half-case. It makes the grip deeper and softer but it also increases the overall size of the camera to nearly that of the G9. My problem is that I love the SLR shaped cameras for their ergonomics but unfortunately their design precludes one of the distinctive features of the range-finder shaped GX8, the tilting EVF, which I love.

Why would the SLR shape preclude having a tilting EVF?

Have a look at the Samsung NX30 (which I have). DSLR shaped with a tilting EVF.

Oooooooh, I've never seen this before. Very nice.

Indeed.

A real shame Samsung NX line went belly up... a NX50 with their NX1 AF system and 28MP chip would have been a real killer...

Oh well, I'm happy with my GX8.

valsan wrote:

i dont think they will add one more.

Well those 3 flagships are more or less same (GHs different sensor) and with small changes (limiting/adding/tweaking) some features they try to target different audience. And it works so far. GX9 can use more or less same technology placed in completely different body (opposite way happened with GX80/G80). I do not know why - but I still believe that this is easily possible.

Robiro wrote:

Valentinian wrote:

The G7 was announced in May 2015 - 2 and ½ years later came the G9

The GH4 was announced in February 2014 - Less than 2 years later came the GH5

The GX7 was announced in August 2013 - Less than 2 years later came the GX8. After 6 more months came the GX7 II.

Now, considering that 2 and ½ years went by since the GX8 announcement, when will Panasonic announce an upgrade?

They won't announce it, any time soon. Their new stills-oriented flagship is G9. The successor to GX8 is G9 and will remain in that position for some time, I honestly believe.

Will it be GX8 II or GX9 ?

I don't want to crush your hopes but neither GX8II or GX9 are coming this year, I honestly believe. G9 replaced them. Take it or wait for Olympus E-M5mIII.

Yes, wait for a camera that does not exist.