Lumix model differences

Hello there, other than 16 or 20mp sensors (all having similar rating at DXO Mark) how do these series differ from each other?

1) GX_ series i.e. GX7,8,9

2) GX80/85

3) GX850

4) I believe the GM5 would also be comparable however is much smaller and one does not see many used offers.

Thanks in advance!

Hello there, other than 16 or 20mp sensors (all having similar rating at DXO Mark) how do these series differ from each other?

Are you familiar with the camera compare feature on this site?

https://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras

Though the model numbers support how you categorized them, in actuality it is different:

1. GX7, GX85, GX9 are really one series, and in fact in Japan the latter two are named GX7 mkII and GX7 mkIII. They are all about the same size, and all share the same viewfinder (though it does not tilt on the GX85). They all have a tilt LCD. The GX85 had some improvements over the GX7, but it also had some cuts in features to hit a lower price point. I have a GX7 and I was not tempted by the GX85. The GX9 is a clear upgrade over either the GX7 or GX85. In its favor, there are some amazing two-lens kit deals with the GX85.

2. GX8. This camera should really be considered a one-off, at least so far. It has a bigger body, bigger, beautiful EVF, and is weather resistant. It was the first camera with Dual IS. Though its four-axis IBIS isn't as good as the later five-axis IBIS in the GX85, G85, GX9, etc., it does OK. It seems to be becoming a bit of a cult classic, as it appears Panasonic may never release a true successor (the GX9 is a successor to the GX85, as mentioned above).

3. GX850 - a rebranding of the GF line. A smaller camera than the others, no EVF. I don't know as much about this one. It has its fans but never appealed to me.

4. GM5 - a little gem, supremely well built, with a tiny but usable EVF. To make it this small, they had to build a totally new shutter mechanism that is electronic shutter only once you go faster than 1/500. I think the GX850 uses that same shutter.

SFfPhoto wrote:

GX7,9 & gx80/85 seem almost identical - not sure why Panny produced both & LARGE price difference.

You kinda have to understand the history of Panasonic's "range-finder-style" MFT cameras.  In order:

GF1, 2009 - first MFT RF-style camera, 12MP, no built-in EVF (there was a poor, low-resolution add-on EVF available).  This was an enthusiast's camera, with lots of controls.  It was followed by GF2, GF3, etc., which were considered "let-downs" by many because more novice-oriented.  The GF1 was my first MFT camera

GX1, 2011 - the true successor to the GF1, enough controls for enthusiasts, now with 16MP sensor, and a better add-on EVF. I bought one to replace my GF1.

GX7, 2013 - for its time, it was a stunning tour-de-force RF-style camera, in my opinion.  In about the same size as the GX1, Panasonic added a built-in, tilting EVF (the first MFT RF-style camera with built-in EVF), a tilting LCD, a better 16MP sensor, two control dials, 1/8000 shutter speed, 1/320 flash sync with the built-in, tilting flash, focus peaking, two-axis image stabilization (a first for Panasonic), and more.  This was a premium MFT camera, and it was released with a price of $1,100 with 14-42 lens.  Some people complained, though, that the EVF was too small, and the IBIS wasn't good enough.

GX8, 2015 - a bigger camera than the others, as I've said above.  It had to be bigger to include the big, beautiful EVF.  It also was the first camera with Dual image stabilization.  It had the 20MP sensor and was weather-resistant.  I think it was designed to address complaints against the GX7, and to leapfrog it in features and image quality.  But some people complained that it was too big, wanting a GX7-sized successor to the GX7, and DPR's review was harsh (overly so, many of us think) in complaining about it having a shutter shock problem.  $1,200 body only.  It apparently did not sell as well as Panasonic hoped.

GX85, 2016 - apparently deciding that there wasn't a sufficient market for high-priced RF-style cameras, Panasonic released the GX85, $800 with the 12-32 lens.  It had some improvements over the GX7 (5-axis IBIS), but some reductions in features in order to meet that lower price point.  No tilting EVF, plastic body, no mic jack, lower max shutter speed, etc.

GX9, 2018 - This is a true and unqualified upgrade to the GX7.  20MP sensor, tilting EVF returns, etc.  $1,000 release price with 12-60 lens.

The price differential now between the GX85 and GX9 reflects the fact that the former is three years old, and the latter has a lot of improvements.  The great deals available on the GX85 make it a more difficult decision whether to choose it or the GX9.  Presumably Panasonic manufactured a bunch of them, and they want to sell all of them.

Might I add:

brentbrent wrote:

SFfPhoto wrote:

GX7,9 & gx80/85 seem almost identical - not sure why Panny produced both & LARGE price difference.

You kinda have to understand the history of Panasonic's "range-finder-style" MFT cameras. In order:

GF1, 2009 - first MFT RF-style camera, 12MP, no built-in EVF (there was a poor, low-resolution add-on EVF available). This was an enthusiast's camera, with lots of controls. It was followed by GF2, GF3, etc., which were considered "let-downs" by many because more novice-oriented. The GF1 was my first MFT camera

GX1, 2011 - the true successor to the GF1, enough controls for enthusiasts, now with 16MP sensor, and a better add-on EVF. I bought one to replace my GF1.

GX7, 2013 - for its time, it was a stunning tour-de-force RF-style camera, in my opinion. In about the same size as the GX1, Panasonic added a built-in, tilting EVF (the first MFT RF-style camera with built-in EVF), a tilting LCD, a better 16MP sensor, two control dials, 1/8000 shutter speed, 1/320 flash sync with the built-in, tilting flash, focus peaking, two-axis image stabilization (a first for Panasonic), and more. This was a premium MFT camera, and it was released with a price of $1,100 with 14-42 lens. Some people complained, though, that the EVF was too small, and the IBIS wasn't good enough.

The first of all Panny MILCs to have IBIS, although very primitive... Had e-shutter that GX1 doesn't which making it was prone to shutter shock at its time... Also P/S/A/M video vs the full auto video of GX1... So GX7 was a great and excited (first to have IBIS) mid range model of Panny at that time which nursed the idea of a higher spec GX8 later.

GX8, 2015 - a bigger camera than the others, as I've said above. It had to be bigger to include the big, beautiful EVF. It also was the first camera with Dual image stabilization. It had the 20MP sensor and was weather-resistant. I think it was designed to address complaints against the GX7, and to leapfrog it in features and image quality. But some people complained that it was too big, wanting a GX7-sized successor to the GX7, and DPR's review was harsh (overly so, many of us think) in complaining about it having a shutter shock problem. $1,200 body only. It apparently did not sell as well as Panasonic hoped.

GX85, 2016 - apparently deciding that there wasn't a sufficient market for high-priced RF-style cameras, Panasonic released the GX85, $800 with the 12-32 lens. It had some improvements over the GX7 (5-axis IBIS), but some reductions in features in order to meet that lower price point. No tilting EVF, plastic body, no mic jack, lower max shutter speed, etc.

GX85 was the first, more like a test bed, to use a new hardware standard. A floating sensor to offer 5 axis IBIS for still and video (a standard used by all subsequent models from G85, GH5, G9 and now G90), a more quite electromagnetic controlled m-shutter to reduce shutter shock, adoption of DFD from GX8, no AA filter for sharper OOC output, 4K video and still etc. All are very essential upgrade to my GX7.

GX9, 2018 - This is a true and unqualified upgrade to the GX7. 20MP sensor, tilting EVF returns, etc. $1,000 release price with 12-60 lens.

IMHO, 20mp sensor, all the goodies of GX85 plus M mode + Auto ISO & EC, the more convenience My Menu etc. A great model for GX7 or earlier models owners or new RF buyers but more incremental for GX85.

The price differential now between the GX85 and GX9 reflects the fact that the former is three years old, and the latter has a lot of improvements. The great deals available on the GX85 make it a more difficult decision whether to choose it or the GX9. Presumably Panasonic manufactured a bunch of them, and they want to sell all of them.

-- hide signature --

Brent

SFfPhoto wrote:

Is it true than only the GX9 has auto ISO?

All have auto ISO in A and S modes, but the GX7 does not have the ability to shoot in Manual mode and use auto ISO at the same time (Panasonic used to think that "Manual" means "Manual" with no auto aspect allowed).  I think GM5 can shoot manual with auto ISO.

Then there is a further enhancement of being able to shoot in Manual mode, use auto ISO, AND dial in some exposure compensation, AND set minimum shutter speed (at which point ISO goes up)  Not sure where the GX85 and GX9 fall.  I think the G9 can do all of that, so perhaps the GX9 can as well.

Do any of these offer a multi aspect sensor ala LX7 and LX100?

No.

SFfPhoto wrote:

Thanks to Danielvr - I now have this chart (all comments here though are great and many thanks!):

https://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/side-by-side?products=panasonic_dmcgx7&products=panasonic_dcgx9&products=panasonic_dmcgx85&products=panasonic_dmcgm5&sortDir=ascending

GX9, 2018 - This is a true and unqualified upgrade to the GX7. 20MP sensor, tilting EVF returns, etc. $1,000 release price with 12-60 lens.

>in response Albert wrote
:>IMHO, 20mp sensor, all the goodies of GX85 plus M mode + Auto ISO & EC, the more convenience My Menu etc.

Brentbrent had the right answer.

The above chart indicates all have M mode along with P, A etc.

GX7 allows Manual ISO in M only. 100% Manual mode. GX85 allows Auto ISO in M but no Exposure Compensation, so another 100% full auto mode. GX9 allows Auto ISO in M and can do Exposure Compensation, i.e., shooter can over ride the setting of the camera, to become the 3rd semi automatic mode in addition to A and S. It is recently quite a popular shooting mode for some who need to control aperture and shutter speed but can fine tune the ISO suggested by the camera for a faster operation.

If MY Menu is like Oly's Super Control Panel then that is helpful.

Panny has a "Shooting Info Display" similar to the SCP of Olympus, allowing shooter to select and change the per fixed shooting parameters on LCD. Unlike SCP of Oly, it is controlled by the DISP key and as it is one of the displays in sequence, very often we have to navigate through various pages before arrive there. No direct key can reach the page (if you are not there last time using the SID page).

However, most Panny models (except the entry class GX850 a.k.a. GF9 or GF10) has a lot of customizable fn keys and Q.Menu (for GX7/85/9, should have 9 fn keys, 15 items in Q.Menu, and better for GX85, not sure GX9, 2 more customizable controls to the 2 dials making the SID not essential at all. Still more, each C mode (5 for GX7, 3 for GX85 etc) can have their own set of fn keys/Q.Menu, it usually can give more control than SID. On GXs, shooter has an option to disable the SID for a more simple LCD display system.

I have SID disable on my Pannys.

Is it true than only the GX9 has auto ISO?

See above.

Of concern to me is that the GX7 has 1/320 sync and the others are slower, the GM5 only 1/50.

When external flash gun be mounted, if it is fully compatible to M43, usually I can shoot with much higher shutter speed without issue. IIRC, 1/500"~1/1000" is safe using Godox TT350O on GX7 and GX85 on non HSS mode.

The syn speed is for the integrated flash only.

I have found though on non Lumix cameras I have used that if using an off camera non-TTL flash one can have a slightly higher sync speed.

See above.

Do any of these offer a multi aspect sensor ala LX7 and LX100?

No, only the older GH does.

Tom Cardwell is one of my m4/3 heroes who is never wrong - well usually not!.

Having just swapped my GX7 for a GX9 I love the mechanical LV wheel. So I can see at a glance that it is off "0" or not. However Tom, I still have and love my GM5 and am waiting a true up-date - perhaps it will have LV wheel.

Derek