GX9 or EM5III?

technotic wrote:

I've had a GX7 since it came out and 6 small lenses (4 Olympus 2 Panasonic). I was considering selling it all off and moving to a larger sensor camera. I recently visited a camera shop and tried out all the latest offerings and I realized the bigger and heavier gear is not for me.

The one thing I'd really like is IBIS so I can get some smoother video hand held and some cool long exposure shots with no tripod needed. So I'm considering the GX9 and EM5III. I know the GX9 is way cheaper at the moment but I'm looking for a camera that will last me a good number of years so just wondering if the EM5 is going to give me more options such as the live composite, phase detection AF, better IBIS(?). I've never had an Olympus body so not sure if there are things I'll miss from the GX7 (had the GF1 before that).

Anyone else faced this decision? Which way did you go and are you happy with the decision?

Disclaimer, I own a GX9 and have not seen/handled an EM5 MKIII but have had a MKI.

GX9 is better built and more compact. The EM5 has high res and other tricks lacking in the GX9 if they matter to you. The EM5 probably has a bit better VF overall. The EM5 will handle better natively but add the grip to the GX9 and it feels like a whole new camera and its only $69. With the grip it may be better suited for big lenses than the EM5 III. I'd give the EM5 the edge in control layout.

IBIS may be very slightly better in the EM5, but nothing I'd worry about. The GX9 does very well there and can do sync IS with a lot of Panny lenses vs. Oly with only 2 very expensive ones.

Of course there's RF vs DSLR styling and flip vs tilt. I'm really a tilt guy but more of a DSLR person since I'm left eye dominant. At least take a look at the EM10 III. If using moderate sized lenses it is one of my favorite m43 cameras. Old 16MP sensor but its not a huge difference. I'd at least consider it.

With the lowered pricing, the EM5 is now in a more sane price range, if still a tiny bit high priced. At the original price the GX9 was the easy win. A tougher decision now. If you really like your GX7 then it is hard to justify the extra $ on the EM5. Good luck with your decision.

photofan1986 wrote:

The Gx9 is a very nice step up from the Gx7. Better IQ, better jpegs colours, many more functions, better video, better ibis*, same Evf... I own one, and I also had the gx7 and Gx80 prior to that. The Gx9 is obviously the most refined of the three. However, camera operation has gotten slower compared to prior 16 megapixel cameras. Touch interface is laggy which can be annoying. But then again, its bigger siblings, the G9, has exactly the same issue... Sigh.

A friend of mine recently bought the em5.3 so we quickly compared them side by side. The Olympus has a nicer Evf, better grip and much better ibis ( but then again my Gx9 ibis seems faulty as it works intermittently, but I still haven't figured whether only mine is faulty or if it's a general issue as several have reported the issue...)

I'm wondering whether your GX9 has issues in general...

I don't have the GX7, but have both the GX85 and GX9. My GX9 is much snappier than my GX85, so I'm surprised that you find it slower or more laggy...

Chris Noble wrote:

technotic wrote:

I've had a GX7 since it came out and 6 small lenses (4 Olympus 2 Panasonic). I was considering selling it all off and moving to a larger sensor camera. I recently visited a camera shop and tried out all the latest offerings and I realized the bigger and heavier gear is not for me.

The one thing I'd really like is IBIS so I can get some smoother video hand held and some cool long exposure shots with no tripod needed. So I'm considering the GX9 and EM5III. I know the GX9 is way cheaper at the moment but I'm looking for a camera that will last me a good number of years so just wondering if the EM5 is going to give me more options such as the live composite, phase detection AF, better IBIS(?). I've never had an Olympus body so not sure if there are things I'll miss from the GX7 (had the GF1 before that).

Anyone else faced this decision? Which way did you go and are you happy with the decision?

Rangefinder-style and DSLR-style are very different cameras. Not better/worse, but very different. I'm surprised that you have narrowed down to 2 bodies before deciding which type you prefer.

I don't actually find the difference that great myself. I've had both styles and I'm more interested in the capabilities of the cameras.

technotic wrote:

I've had a GX7 since it came out and 6 small lenses (4 Olympus 2 Panasonic). I was considering selling it all off and moving to a larger sensor camera. I recently visited a camera shop and tried out all the latest offerings and I realized the bigger and heavier gear is not for me.

The one thing I'd really like is IBIS so I can get some smoother video hand held and some cool long exposure shots with no tripod needed. So I'm considering the GX9 and EM5III. I know the GX9 is way cheaper at the moment but I'm looking for a camera that will last me a good number of years so just wondering if the EM5 is going to give me more options such as the live composite, phase detection AF, better IBIS(?). I've never had an Olympus body so not sure if there are things I'll miss from the GX7 (had the GF1 before that).

Anyone else faced this decision? Which way did you go and are you happy with the decision?

EM5.3 will definitely give you more features so if they're useful to you, that would be the way to go because you'll also get a better EVF and weather sealing.  I was in a similar position to you a couple of years ago and opted for the G85 and if I were making the decision today, I'd might be inclined to go for the G90/95 because of its control and menu layout and the much deeper grip (and built-in flash).

I have recently used or am still using: EP5, G85, G9, GX9 and most recently EM5iii. To me the GX9 is a disappointment- slippery w/out a grip, and the IBIS is poor. The EM5 is much better to use but with  some operational niggles e.g. multiple button  presses to use magnify with mf legacy lenses, among others. Admittedly the heft and sense of vulnerability sets them apart favouring the GX9 (but only if I can keep a hold on the thing!). The varied methods of articulation of the screen are good or bad depending of the particular situation.  So my two cameras  (heavy & light, main & backup) are G9 & EM5iii going forward.

Chris Noble wrote:

Rangefinder-style and DSLR-style are very different cameras. Not better/worse, but very different. I'm surprised that you have narrowed down to 2 bodies before deciding which type you prefer.

One has a tilting LCD the other has a two-axis LCD.  Most people, I thought, are very partial to one or the other.

I've had both. Unless the tilt up viewfinder in the GX9 is mission critical, definitely without hesitation, EM5.3 . I'd also go as far to say that if for some reason you prefer some feature inherent in Panasonic camera's like the menu setup, or the focus system, then I'd pick a different Panasonic camera entirely, like the G90 or wait for the GX9 to be replaced. Although I really like the Panasonic menu and ergonomics in their other camera's, the GX9 was just too cramped for me and I didn't enjoy using it.

Max5150 wrote:

I've had both. Unless the tilt up viewfinder in the GX9 is mission critical, definitely without hesitation, EM5.3 . I'd also go as far to say that if for some reason you prefer some feature inherent in Panasonic camera's like the menu setup, or the focus system, then I'd pick a different Panasonic camera entirely, like the G90 or wait for the GX9 to be replaced. Although I really like the Panasonic menu and ergonomics in their other camera's, the GX9 was just too cramped for me and I didn't enjoy using it.

The OP says he's had the GX7 since it came out - over 6 years.  So I don't think the form is too cramped for him.  You didn't mention any other negative, nor did you mention why the EM5.3 would be advantageous, so........

I went from GF1 to GX7 and wanted to upgrade to a better GX body.  But at the recent sale prices I upgraded to G9 instead.  It's not my style, but it works very well and has the improvements I was seeking.

I've had a GX9 for some time and have recently bought an EM5 MkIII. I'm pretty happy with the GX9 overall - and it's a steal at the current prices. The EM5 is pretty expensive.

However, the PDAF focus of the Oly is way better than the GX9's CDAF. I know DFD has its adherents but it simply doesn't work very well when you try to focus on small moving objects - like birds for example. The Oly is in a different league - it snaps into focus very quickly without problems.

The other thing is the IBIS. The Oly is again way better. The GX9 isn't bad - it's better than my A7RII for example - but again the Oly is in a different league. I never really believed their claims of 5.5 stops stabilisation but I do now. It is pretty amazing what it can do.

The other feature  really like is the Pro-capture where it buffers up shots and writes them to the card when you hit the shoot button - great for capturing moving subjects.

But it all depends on what kind of photography you do. I'm pretty well sold on the EM5 despite the "plasticky" feel and high price, If you can afford it I'd go for it. The other factor is what lenses have you got. Some of the nice Oly features don't work with third party lenses. They're both good cameras.