Buying a used GX7

I need a small carry-anywhere MFT body, mainly for stills and occasionally as a second body for 1080p video (I already have a G80 as my main video camera). I'll mainly be using it fully manual, occasionally aperture priority. Essentials are good manual handling and a tilting screen.

A 'nearly new' used GX7 looks like the best option, is there any reason I shouldn't get it? Anything I need to look out for?

Where are you.  I'm in the UK and I have a GX7 that I will let go for a nominal fee.

tombarrance wrote:

I am in the UK - how much do you want for it?

PMd you

The Orig GX7 has TWO issues that I`ve found (had one for years)

1:- Shutter shock - its worse than the GX8 , affects the 14-140 more than anything but does with other lenses too - I used mine in E-Shutter all the time as a consequence, , yeah there you get wobbly slow scan issues but didn`t affect what I was shooting much

2:- the sensor unit is prone to dust ingress in the stack which can`t be removed, same goes for the GM1, GM5 and I believe the G7 too . this basically scraps the camera if it gets bad enough to drive you nuts removing the splodges , I had the sensor stack on mine replaced under warranty , it killed my GM5 (got loads in the end ) and one of my GM1s and the replcement sensors weren`t sealed any better

Saying that I did actually really like my GX7, I never gelled with the GX80 or GX9 which is weird , found them fiddly , prob the lack of grip and the closeness of the rear buttons to the edge, actually found the EVF optics in the GX7 better than the GX80

The GX7`s IBIS isn`t up to much but due to the decent grip , it`s no less shaky than the GX80 despite the GX80s supposedly better IBIS (I found the GX80 / GX9 IBIS pretty lame at least for stills - the G9 and EM1-II are Gimbals in comparison )

saying that I`d still recommend a cheap used GX80 - the sensor stack is sealed properly and has a better scan speed, the shutter is Shock free and the IBIS although lame for stills is 5 Axis so may benefit Video more .. The total King of the Pan RF line is the GX8 of course and these can be had for very decent money in shops used - age related shortcomings of course but its the only "semi Pro" level RF style M43 cam panasonic ever made or are likely to make  and you get that fantastic 20MP sensor and superb EVF

tombarrance wrote:

Henry Richardson wrote:

I assume you mean the original GX7, right? How much for the used one you are looking at?

I paid US$269 for a very nice used GX7II in Tokyo in January 2020. Here is my user review:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/63703723

I just checked and the same shop in Tokyo is selling used GX7II bodies for about US$335 now. Price in yen has increased and at the same time the U.S. dollar/yen exchange rate makes the dollar price a bit higher too.

I was looking at MPB, their best used GX7s are £189 ($256). The GX80 (UK version of GX7 II) is £269 (£365). I like the tilting viewfinder on the older version.

One issue with buying a GX7 II, aka GX80 and GX85, is that is that the GX7 II, is only sold in Japan and it only has Japanese menus and screens that Panasonic locked down so you cannot change the language. The GX7III may be the same, so investigate carefully unless you read Japanese.

As for the original GX7, one flaw with the camera is there is little space on the back and the command dial was too easy to accidentally turn and change a key setting without even realizing it.

tombarrance wrote:

I need a small carry-anywhere MFT body, mainly for stills and occasionally as a second body for 1080p video (I already have a G80 as my main video camera). I'll mainly be using it fully manual, occasionally aperture priority. Essentials are good manual handling and a tilting screen.

A 'nearly new' used GX7 looks like the best option, is there any reason I shouldn't get it? Anything I need to look out for?

Bought it last year ago, almost like new ($150). For the tilting EVF, not for the type of screen tilt, and for the IS. Found no fault, very pleasant to use, clearly better than my G3. The main small camera in strong light, when NX 20 and 30 are too large.

tombarrance wrote:

I need a small carry-anywhere MFT body, mainly for stills and occasionally as a second body for 1080p video (I already have a G80 as my main video camera). I'll mainly be using it fully manual, occasionally aperture priority. Essentials are good manual handling and a tilting screen.

A 'nearly new' used GX7 looks like the best option, is there any reason I shouldn't get it? Anything I need to look out for?

Great camera.  I'd look for a good one (by description and  maybe shutter count)  and buy it and be happy.  It is still a geat camera.  Yes, I have one.  Go for it!

Peace.

John

tombarrance wrote:

Thanks, that's helpful

I have not experienced any shutter shock issues with the GX7, nor any dust in the sensor stack. Nor do I think those are widely reported issues. I still have mine, great little camera.

The GX85 certainly has some improvements over the GX7, but it also has a number of downgrades to meet a lower price point. Here's a list of most of them: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/59716801 One error on the list: the flash on the GX85 can be tilted up.  One omission on the list: much better grip on the GX7.

the thumbwheel of my GX7 had to be replaced abd now it starts malfunctioning again. Same problem with a second GX7.
This however seems to be a common problem for most Panasonic m43 cameras.

So make sure you can return it.

Otherwise a great camera, with excellent grip.

Peter