Can't seem to find the right m4/3 camera

Looking to downsize. APS-C bodies like the Sony 6500 are a good size but the lenses still too big. I was looking at the Panasonic G7, GX8/GX9, and GX85 in the store. I like the size and handling of the G7 more than the GX8/9, but want higher spec. G5 is too big - might as well buy an A7iii at that point.

Is there a higher spec G7 sized model in Japan that I'm not seeing here in the USA?

I could also go Olympus 10miii or 5mii, but their menu and a few other things has me leaning Panasonic. Not sure what's coming out in the near future either, but I usually stick with what's been out for a little while. I'm more interested in stills than video, but do take video as well.

Any suggestions about higher spec Panasonic in Europe or Japan markets?

G85. It's like a beefed up G7. Weather sealed, IBIS, new shutter mechanism, faster shooting, larger buffer, no AA filter and probably a lot more little things I have no idea about. Comes kitted with a pretty nice 12-60 zoom.

Or wait for a G90. But nobody knows if that is even gonna come.

frst16 wrote:

Is the G85/G80 not an option?

Pretty much a G7 with ibis, weather sealing and a few other upgrades.

That's the answer to the question posed. They're a couple of ounces heavier but almost exactly the same size. All around better

Agreed. So much better, I sold my G7 for a G85 and couldn't be happier without something larger. Never thought I would make a mistake like that, but buying a G7 was a mistake. Buying the G85 was not.

It has more features and (most important for me) better EVF

So I only have a G7, went that way to save the $300-400 between it and the G85 (at the time).  I opted to spend that extra money on lenses (worth it).  Bought a pany 25 f1.7 and the pany 45-150 f4-f5.6 with the difference.  Added a great deal on a pany 42.5 f1.7 and have a pretty well rounded kit.

While I still stare somewhat enviously at the G85, and especially the G9, all I have to do to fall in love with again with my G7 is take it out.  Walk around downtown, snap some pics from the beach, walk through the woods, bring the kids to the park.  Everything is right where it should be from a control perspective, and the camera doesn't improve the photographer.

Its an easy camera to love, just get some trigger time on it.  I'm sure if your budget runs so that the G85 with a few extra lenses is a no biggie, then go for it instead, but even the G7 is still an awesome camera.  I would take a G7 with a few extra lenses over a G85 without.

Max5150 wrote:

Looking to downsize. APS-C bodies like the Sony 6500 are a good size but the lenses still too big. I was looking at the Panasonic G7, GX8/GX9, and GX85 in the store. I like the size and handling of the G7 more than the GX8/9, but want higher spec. G5 is too big - might as well buy an A7iii at that point.

Except, as you already said, "the lenses are still too big."

Is there a higher spec G7 sized model in Japan that I'm not seeing here in the USA?

G85 is the successor to the G7. Among other new features, it has IBIS, which the G7 did not.

I could also go Olympus 10miii or 5mii, but their menu and a few other things has me leaning Panasonic. Not sure what's coming out in the near future either, but I usually stick with what's been out for a little while. I'm more interested in stills than video, but do take video as well.

Any suggestions about higher spec Panasonic in Europe or Japan markets?

Max5150 wrote:

Looking to downsize. APS-C bodies like the Sony 6500 are a good size but the lenses still too big. I was looking at the Panasonic G7, GX8/GX9, and GX85 in the store. I like the size and handling of the G7 more than the GX8/9, but want higher spec. G5 is too big - might as well buy an A7iii at that point.

Is there a higher spec G7 sized model in Japan that I'm not seeing here in the USA?

I could also go Olympus 10miii or 5mii, but their menu and a few other things has me leaning Panasonic. Not sure what's coming out in the near future either, but I usually stick with what's been out for a little while. I'm more interested in stills than video, but do take video as well.

Any suggestions about higher spec Panasonic in Europe or Japan markets?

About Oly menus. Yes, they are a bit of a mess though the more recent models are a lot better.  The EM5.2 is better though the EM1.2 is a lot cleaner.

The menu problems are really mitigated by the super control panel.  The vast majority of things are directly visible and accessible via one touch on the screen. I can go for weeks without dropping into the menus at all other than formatting a card (which is bone head easy to find).

Take a camera with new type of shutter, because shutter shock was the first that disappointed me in M43 after Sony.

Now I have GX80 and GX9 and after a comparison with A6500 I decided to stay at Panasonic.

Max5150 wrote:

Max, so which models have the "new" shutters?

I don't know all series, but my GX80 and Gx9 have one.

Max5150 wrote:

Thank you everyone for all the info. Very useful.

At this point in the life cycle of 4/3, what your feeling on the 20mp sensors vs 16mp? If focus should be on the 20mp, that basically means GX8/9, G9 which is getting a bit large for a compact kit, or OM 1 iii, which honestly is more than I want to spend on 4/3.

All the current 16Mp sensor cameras don't have anti-aliasing (AA) filter. This is good, because in practice they can capture as much detail as older 20Mp sensors (GX8) that have AA-filter.

The newer 20Mp models don't have AA-filter, so they can capture even more detail (comparable to a normal 24Mp sensor).

Some people see a big difference between 16Mp and 20Mp sensors in tonality etc, whereas some people (and AFAIK, most tests) show only show a minor improvement.

G80/G85 is 16Mp without AA-filter.

GX80/GX85 is 16Mp without AA-filter.

G7 is 16Mp with AA-filter (G7 is not current, it is replaced by G80/85).

All the current cameras have electromagnetic shutters (but not G7, and not sure about GF9/GX8xx and GF10)

dinoSnake wrote:

Sadly, no: What you see(ing) is what you (can) get. It's the current topic of many a thread here.

see comments below

From the sound of it you want an Olympus OM-D E-M1 mk II. All the high-end features in the smallest body combination they offer. The menu system is somewhat improved over the EM5 and EM10, so although the menus aren't 'Panasonic-level' hopefully you'll find them acceptable.

Panasonic's G7, the size many of us hope to stay with, hasn't been updated with all the best tech yet.

Not sure what you are talking about here. The G80/81/85 is highly spec'd G7. It might have been called a G8 if they did not change all the naming conventions....It is essentially a G7 that is weather sealed, has the new electromagnetic shutter and 5 axis IBIS. Yes it might have the same 16 MP sensor, but with no AA filter, it is sharper than the G7. I think the G85 and 12-60 / 3.5-5.6 kit lens is bargain combination. Good video also!