G7 vs G85

plantdoc wrote:

The G85 is a feature loaded camera that can purchased with the 2 very good kit lenses for about $700. A bargain if you need the lenses. Also, 3 year warranty extension. The vivitar battery grip is decent and cheap.

Greg

After my little walkabout today with just the 12-60 I see the need for the grip. It will be especially important with the 100-400 on.

I’m happy to hear the Vivtar grip is a decent one. I would normally buy the OEM if I could find one second hand.

I take a lot of pictures of flowers. I will add some to my gallery later so you can see what the minimum focus distance us like. I think it is around 7 inches but for me it's easier to see some photos to vusualize it.

Chuck_G wrote:

I take a lot of pictures of flowers. I will add some to my gallery later so you can see what the minimum focus distance us like. I think it is around 7 inches but for me it's easier to see some photos to vusualize it.

Here’s a sampling of what I used to do. I guess you could say I hope to accomplish the same now with my new gear however a different perspective is always welcome.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/64271220@N08/albums/72157645402390212
~Stan~

Ken Yull wrote:

I'm late to the post as usual. Many will not agree with me, but I say that my experience is from having a G9 for six months, yes it is a great camera but one should always handle a camera if possible before buying. After 6 months I was getting rather tired of the G9 too large and heavier than any mft camera I have used previously, so long story short looking at results from other forum members I choose to change to a G80/85 and glad to say have not regretted it for one moment. Fits my hands like a glove performance is as good as I need. So my advice is if the G9 does attract you then do try to handle one first. But if you view some results by forum members using the G80/85 then you can judge whether they would suit your requirements. A good selection to view check out Windmillgolfers sites.

I have been a photographer for over 70 years, and my aim is to produce photos that please when viewed not for faults but mostly familiarity and memories.

I agree 100% with this. We are all different and have different tolerances. I don't like using my G85 for very long without the battery grip due to it being just a little too small. Ergonomics is one of those very personal things that you need to experience for yourself. The size is actually one of the reasons I'm looking forward to adding a GH5 or G9 one day.

Headsup7up wrote:

Ken Yull wrote:

I'm late to the post as usual. Many will not agree with me, but I say that my experience is from having a G9 for six months, yes it is a great camera but one should always handle a camera if possible before buying. After 6 months I was getting rather tired of the G9 too large and heavier than any mft camera I have used previously, so long story short looking at results from other forum members I choose to change to a G80/85 and glad to say have not regretted it for one moment. Fits my hands like a glove performance is as good as I need. So my advice is if the G9 does attract you then do try to handle one first. But if you view some results by forum members using the G80/85 then you can judge whether they would suit your requirements. A good selection to view check out Windmillgolfers sites.

I have been a photographer for over 70 years, and my aim is to produce photos that please when viewed not for faults but mostly familiarity and memories.

I agree 100% with this. We are all different and have different tolerances. I don't like using my G85 for very long without the battery grip due to it being just a little too small. Ergonomics is one of those very personal things that you need to experience for yourself. The size is actually one of the reasons I'm looking forward to adding a GH5 or G9 one day.

I would love to be able to see in person as well as handle. This is so important to me. I just don't like a plasticy feel. However that is impossible where I live.

I'm going to have to look at the size differnece between the G85 and G9. But first I will see how the grip works for me. I feel it will be just fine.

Headsup when you get your G9 I can assure you that you will be very happy with the results. I look at some taken with mine and wish I could have managed the size and weight better. But my wrists are plagued with the dreaded arthritics, so the G85 is the next best option imo. The 7mm - 14mm WA lens really shows its capabilities on a G9.

coaltrain wrote:

A macro lens was on my wish list right away as I used a Pentax 100mm 2.8 macro lens a lot in my APSC days.

But thinking more about it, I really don’t need 1:1 ratio. I mostly take closeup pics of flower blossoms and greenery. So before I jump on that I am going to see what I can do with the 12-60. Not sure how the minimum focus distance will be when zoomed at different focal lengths but it will sure be fun to see!

And thanks for the info on the flash - I do need some supplemental light quite a bit.

I recently got Olympus 30mm f/3.5 macro directly from Olympus as they had a very good deal on it. I did not even consider that built-in flash is an option for macro, but then I noticed that they have changed the design. I took some test shots few minutes ago, and wow, it's really useful! Of course it is not usable with 1:1, but with this lens it's possible to use the flash with working distance of about 3cm (1" = 2.54cm). With G7 the working the distance is roughly 4.7cm (very quick test). To put this in perspective, the lens provides 1.25:1 (effectively 2.5:1) magnification at 0.95cm working distance.

Built-in flash seems to be powerful enough for macro at f/11, ISO 200, 1/60s or so. This is actually very nice. I tested this with automatic flash settings.

Ken Yull wrote:

I'm late to the post as usual. Many will not agree with me, but I say that my experience is from having a G9 for six months, yes it is a great camera but one should always handle a camera if possible before buying. After 6 months I was getting rather tired of the G9 too large and heavier than any mft camera I have used previously, so long story short looking at results from other forum members I choose to change to a G80/85 and glad to say have not regretted it for one moment. Fits my hands like a glove performance is as good as I need. So my advice is if the G9 does attract you then do try to handle one first. But if you view some results by forum members using the G80/85 then you can judge whether they would suit your requirements. A good selection to view check out Windmillgolfers sites.

I have been a photographer for over 70 years, and my aim is to produce photos that please when viewed not for faults but mostly familiarity and memories.

Similar experience for me. I have used the Oly E-M5(i) for a few years, but never got totally comfortable with it. The lack of grip did not bother me, but the cramped control layout did. Just got a G85, my first Panasonic, and really like its physical controls better than the Oly. The G85 shooting menus I'm not so sure about, still getting use to those. But size-wise, the G85 is just about my ideal. I can finally say "Ah, a proper little camera".

I have never used a G7, cannot make that comparison. However, something that does not seem to get much attention is that not all RAW developers play nice with the G85 RW2 files. Maybe this is due to dropping the AA filter, dunno really, just speculation. But this issue does remind me of the Fuji issue with X-Trans RAF files. The good news is that two of my preferred programs, Darktable and Luminar, are fine with the G85 files.

Kelly Cook

KCook wrote:

Ken Yull wrote:

I'm late to the post as usual. Many will not agree with me, but I say that my experience is from having a G9 for six months, yes it is a great camera but one should always handle a camera if possible before buying. After 6 months I was getting rather tired of the G9 too large and heavier than any mft camera I have used previously, so long story short looking at results from other forum members I choose to change to a G80/85 and glad to say have not regretted it for one moment. Fits my hands like a glove performance is as good as I need. So my advice is if the G9 does attract you then do try to handle one first. But if you view some results by forum members using the G80/85 then you can judge whether they would suit your requirements. A good selection to view check out Windmillgolfers sites.

I have been a photographer for over 70 years, and my aim is to produce photos that please when viewed not for faults but mostly familiarity and memories.

Similar experience for me. I have used the Oly E-M5(i) for a few years, but never got totally comfortable with it. The lack of grip did not bother me, but the cramped control layout did. Just got a G85, my first Panasonic, and really like its physical controls better than the Oly. The G85 shooting menus I'm not so sure about, still getting use to those. But size-wise, the G85 is just about my ideal. I can finally say "Ah, a proper little camera".

I have never used a G7, cannot make that comparison. However, something that does not seem to get much attention is that not all RAW developers play nice with the G85 RW2 files. Maybe this is due to dropping the AA filter, dunno really, just speculation. But this issue does remind me of the Fuji issue with X-Trans RAF files. The good news is that two of my preferred programs, Darktable and Luminar, are fine with the G85 files.

Kelly Cook

Which programs and in what way? so far they work fine with Capture One and Light Room...

Cyvan wrote:

KCook wrote:

Ken Yull wrote:

I'm late to the post as usual. Many will not agree with me, but I say that my experience is from having a G9 for six months, yes it is a great camera but one should always handle a camera if possible before buying. After 6 months I was getting rather tired of the G9 too large and heavier than any mft camera I have used previously, so long story short looking at results from other forum members I choose to change to a G80/85 and glad to say have not regretted it for one moment. Fits my hands like a glove performance is as good as I need. So my advice is if the G9 does attract you then do try to handle one first. But if you view some results by forum members using the G80/85 then you can judge whether they would suit your requirements. A good selection to view check out Windmillgolfers sites.

I have been a photographer for over 70 years, and my aim is to produce photos that please when viewed not for faults but mostly familiarity and memories.

Similar experience for me. I have used the Oly E-M5(i) for a few years, but never got totally comfortable with it. The lack of grip did not bother me, but the cramped control layout did. Just got a G85, my first Panasonic, and really like its physical controls better than the Oly. The G85 shooting menus I'm not so sure about, still getting use to those. But size-wise, the G85 is just about my ideal. I can finally say "Ah, a proper little camera".

I have never used a G7, cannot make that comparison. However, something that does not seem to get much attention is that not all RAW developers play nice with the G85 RW2 files. Maybe this is due to dropping the AA filter, dunno really, just speculation. But this issue does remind me of the Fuji issue with X-Trans RAF files. The good news is that two of my preferred programs, Darktable and Luminar, are fine with the G85 files.

Kelly Cook

Which programs and in what way? so far they work fine with Capture One and Light Room...

I agree, no problems with the files from my G80 on Lightroom, same for the GX9 and G90. Started using Silkypix Studio 9 Pro, all good on there and trial version of Affinity is ok too

Think it maybe just a personal thing we are all different in our choices. If you are happy with your editing software that is good as it gives confidence.

I use DXO, Luminar, and RawFileViewer mainly with sometimes a little help from ACDSee or SNS-HDR, and they all are compatible with G80/85 output.

I had disappointments with the G85 files with both ACDSee and Affinity.  I have not used LR in years, no longer have access to it.

Kelly

coaltrain wrote:

Chuck_G wrote:

I take a lot of pictures of flowers. I will add some to my gallery later so you can see what the minimum focus distance us like. I think it is around 7 inches but for me it's easier to see some photos to vusualize it.

Here’s a sampling of what I used to do. I guess you could say I hope to accomplish the same now with my new gear however a different perspective is always welcome.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/64271220@N08/albums/72157645402390212
~Stan~

It’s certainly possible capture flowers like that. Minimum focus is 20cm or 7.8”

lots of 12-60mm images here https://www.flickr.com/photos/dieselgolfer/albums/72157676548292814/page1

if you are a serious photographer you will want the the g85 over the g7

They both work, but there is not much you can say is better with g7

There are good reasons to prefer the G85, but for someone interested in the 100-400mm lens I have a feeling that the built in flash may not concern him.