From G7 to... GX80 or GX9?

Hello all

I have the Lumix G7 and am actually pretty happy with the camera. My most used lens by far is the 14-140 II and my second most used lens is the 20mm pancake. I take stills only, no video. I pretty much only use the camera when I travel, but I travel quite a bit at the moment. I will take some time out from work later this year for an extended trip and I am considering buying a new body.

The reasons why I am interested in the GX80 and GX9 are as follows

• IBIS
• USB charging (I like to travel light and the huge external charger annoys me)
• Tilt screen (I never use the flip out screen on the G7 - a wasted feature for me)
• Better sensor on the GX9

I guess my questions are as follows:

1) Is the GX9 worth it for the better sensor and newer technology? I won't be buying anything until July, but at the moment I could get the GX80 with 12-32mm lens (which I would be selling) for 380GBP, whereas the GX9 costs 200GBP more for the body only.

2) Is anyone using either of those cameras primarily with the 14-140 II? I have read a lot of reviews and they generally seem to state that these cameras are not that comfortable to use "with larger lenses". I don't really know what this means. Would you consider the 14-140 II already a larger lens? I guess everyone's preferences are different but would be nice to hear from some people that use this combo. I think the 14-140 II sits perfectly on my G7 so I do worry about giving up some comfort. I know I could buy the additional hand grip which I imagine I would.

Thanks in advance for any input!

Maren V wrote:

Hello all

I have the Lumix G7 and am actually pretty happy with the camera. My most used lens by far is the 14-140 II and my second most used lens is the 20mm pancake. I take stills only, no video. I pretty much only use the camera when I travel, but I travel quite a bit at the moment. I will take some time out from work later this year for an extended trip and I am considering buying a new body.

The reasons why I am interested in the GX80 and GX9 are as follows

• IBIS
• USB charging (I like to travel light and the huge external charger annoys me)
• Tilt screen (I never use the flip out screen on the G7 - a wasted feature for me)
• Better sensor on the GX9

I guess my questions are as follows:

1) Is the GX9 worth it for the better sensor and newer technology? I won't be buying anything until July, but at the moment I could get the GX80 with 12-32mm lens (which I would be selling) for 380GBP, whereas the GX9 costs 200GBP more for the body only.

2) Is anyone using either of those cameras primarily with the 14-140 II? I have read a lot of reviews and they generally seem to state that these cameras are not that comfortable to use "with larger lenses". I don't really know what this means. Would you consider the 14-140 II already a larger lens? I guess everyone's preferences are different but would be nice to hear from some people that use this combo. I think the 14-140 II sits perfectly on my G7 so I do worry about giving up some comfort. I know I could buy the additional hand grip which I imagine I would.

Thanks in advance for any input!

If you are not tight on budget, go for the GX9 because of the latest 20Mp sensor, plus certain incremental improvement over GX80/85 but quite big from the generation of GX7/G7 IMHO.

Those improvement over GX85 been listed by good member here at: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/62464309

I am afraid that that post had omitted one of the major selling point of GX7 to me, the upward tilt-able evf be reused in GX9 for waist level shooting.

As you know well, 14-140 Mk-II actually is not large at all. Likely in the same size as 7-14 f/4, 12-35 f/2.8 or 45-150 f/4-5.6 and is not much larger than 14-45 f/3.5-5.6.

Lenses line up

14-140 mk-II on GX85 vs various lenses on GX7:

14-140 mk-II on GX85 (left) vs GX7 (right)

14-140 mk-II is permanently mounted on the GX85 of my wife. I would never worry using 14-140 mk-II on GX85 (only 686g including battery), and would happy to do so if I have GX9.

Maren V wrote:

Hello all

I have the Lumix G7 and am actually pretty happy with the camera. My most used lens by far is the 14-140 II and my second most used lens is the 20mm pancake. I take stills only, no video. I pretty much only use the camera when I travel, but I travel quite a bit at the moment. I will take some time out from work later this year for an extended trip and I am considering buying a new body.

The reasons why I am interested in the GX80 and GX9 are as follows

• IBIS
• USB charging (I like to travel light and the huge external charger annoys me)
• Tilt screen (I never use the flip out screen on the G7 - a wasted feature for me)
• Better sensor on the GX9

I guess my questions are as follows:

1) Is the GX9 worth it for the better sensor and newer technology?

Check DPR's studio shot comparison to get an idea of sensor performance. Here's the links.

ISO - Studio shot comparison

Raw DR: Exposure Latitude comparison

I won't be buying anything until July, but at the moment I could get the GX80 with 12-32mm lens (which I would be selling) for 380GBP, whereas the GX9 costs 200GBP more for the body only.

2) Is anyone using either of those cameras primarily with the 14-140 II? I have read a lot of reviews and they generally seem to state that these cameras are not that comfortable to use "with larger lenses". I don't really know what this means. Would you consider the 14-140 II already a larger lens? I guess everyone's preferences are different but would be nice to hear from some people that use this combo. I think the 14-140 II sits perfectly on my G7 so I do worry about giving up some comfort. I know I could buy the additional hand grip which I imagine I would.

I can't imagine the 14-140mm would be terribly unbalanced on any of these cameras, it's quite a light lens. I tried the GX9 with 12-60mm and that balances fine.

I personally would get the GX9 over the GX80 for these reasons:

A minimum shutter speed can be set when using auto ISO.

Exposure compensation can be used in manual mode with auto ISO.

Tilting viewfinder.

If those features weren't relevant to me I would get the GX80.

Cafe Racer

I would be inclined to try the 20 mp sensor. I am reminded of little articles such as this one that has left me wondering

https://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2018/09/that-addictive-little-sensor.html

jwilliams wrote:

GX9 for 2 reasons. 1 - Better sensor. More resolution, better DR, better high ISO. 2 - Better colors. Panny vastly improved the image processing and the GX9 and G9 have much better colors than any earlier Panny cameras.

I keep reading this but looking at the samples, I don't see any significant difference compared to the g80/gx80.

There are a few other things like the tilty VF and exp comp dial, but sensor and color response just make the GX9 produce better pictures.

-- hide signature --

Jonathan

You should wait a few weeks until Panasonic announces the new successor to the G85. https://www.43rumors.com/ft4-panasonic-g85-rumored-to-be-announced-in-early-april/

The G85 was the successor to the G7 and is a much better camera than the G7, but it still uses the older 16MP sensor. The camera that will soon be announced might use the 20MP sensor and be just as capable or more capable than the GX9, in a form factor that is much closer to your familiar G7. (It will likely have the flip out screen, though, like your G7.)

Hi

Not much mentioned about how it will feel in your hand.

I started with the GX7 and found it too small to work with nicely in my hand so when the G7 came out I switched to that and was much happier. I later added the G80/85 as it is almost identical in body size but has IBIS.

Be sure you'll be happy with the smaller form factor of the GX9.

From:  Camerasize.com      http://j.mp/2TwmcSb

here is an image from left to right all with the 14-140 lens: G85, G7, GX9

photofan1986 wrote:

jwilliams wrote:

GX9 for 2 reasons. 1 - Better sensor. More resolution, better DR, better high ISO. 2 - Better colors. Panny vastly improved the image processing and the GX9 and G9 have much better colors than any earlier Panny cameras.

I keep reading this but looking at the samples, I don't see any significant difference compared to the g80/gx80.

La La La

There are a few other things like the tilty VF and exp comp dial, but sensor and color response just make the GX9 produce better pictures.

I've got a G7 and GX85 - I'm in (very slow) transition at the moment. The GX85 is intended to be my backup body to a G9 or the upcoming replacement of the G85, and the G7 will be sold.  My general lens is also the 14-140ii, although I am building a small collection of primes too.

The GX85 has slightly better image quality than the G7. This is because of 2 factors - IBIS and the lack of AA filter. However, for me, the ergonomics are not as good. I prefer the DSLR style and the control buttons are not as good (lack of switch to change between AF and MF, for example). At the moment, I probably use the GX85 a bit more than the G7 (IBIS is the key reason as I do shoot video). However, when I do upgrade the G7, the GX85 will fall back to more occasional use. I took the G7 out for a spin last weekend, and really appreciated the DSLR form factor while walking about.

If you are thinking of changing, form factor is not irrelevant. It's personal preference.

Consider that the G85 will likely drop in price soon once it's replacement is released, and this could also be a good option.

As an aside, the 12-32mm that comes with the GX85 is a gem of a lens and if you end up with that, I'd strongly consider keeping it rather than selling. Tiny, sharp, and gives you extra at the wide end over the 14-140. I've used it more than I thought I would.

Maren V wrote:

1) Is the GX9 worth it for the better sensor and newer technology? I won't be buying anything until July, but at the moment I could get the GX80 with 12-32mm lens (which I would be selling) for 380GBP, whereas the GX9 costs 200GBP more for the body only.

I think price drops will be coming for GX9, especially if you can wait for black friday. Given you already have the G7, perhaps the GX9 would make more sense as you get the newer sensor and new JPEG engine from the G9.

2) Is anyone using either of those cameras primarily with the 14-140 II? I have read a lot of reviews and they generally seem to state that these cameras are not that comfortable to use "with larger lenses". I don't really know what this means. Would you consider the 14-140 II already a larger lens? I guess everyone's preferences are different but would be nice to hear from some people that use this combo. I think the 14-140 II sits perfectly on my G7 so I do worry about giving up some comfort. I know I could buy the additional hand grip which I imagine I would.

Thanks in advance for any input!

I use the GX85 with the 14-140 II and it handles perfectly with it. The 14-140 II actually isn't a particularly large or heavy lens. It's only slightly larger/heavier than the 45-150mm bundled with the GX85.

When talking about larger lenses, it's usually talking about the larger tele lenses like the 200mm f/2.8, 300mm f/4, 100-400mm, etc. And perhaps something like the 12-100mm f/4.