Worth upgrading gx7?

Hello Everyone,

Long time lurker.  I love my Panasonic gx7 but I am contemplating looking for an upgrade,

I do not have heavy investment in lenses but I do have the stock lense it came with, the H-H020A and an olympus 40-150 f4.0-5.6.  I mainly use it for travelling but I do have a newborn so I am thinking I will start doing more portaits.  Mainly for photos with the occasional video.  Size /weight is not a huge issue although I would prefer something smaller

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you

What are you missing now that makes you want to upgrade?

I think in terms of baby photos, you would probably benefit more from a longer, fastish prime, like an Oly 45/1.8 or Pana 42.5/1.7.

edit: Probably the Pana, because the Oly has pretty long minimum focus distance (50cm)

I waited a while before upgrading my GX7 to both G9 and GX9 (separate events).

I was very happy.  The short answer is that colors and exposure are simply better.  I was never thrilled about any of my Pannys until the GX9, and I'm still thrilled with it and the G9.  I use the GX9 for hiking and air travel, the G9 for everything else.

TO clarify, I was never thrilled about the color of my GX7 and older.  I usually had to fiddle in post processing.  When my daughter got a GX85, I saw the color improvement which carried over to the GX9.

Much better video, too.

h00pla better to buy a new lens than a new body regarding pictures of your new born. I waited several months before buying the Panasonic 42.5mm 1.7 prime and really wish I HAD NOT waited. Alternatively, you could also go for the 25mm 1.7 but you can't beat 85mm focal (35mm equivalent) when it comes to portrait.

When I decided to return to MFT last December, My first purchase was a GM5, shortly followed by a GX7. You could say I was on a nostalgia trip because the GX7 was my first digital camera and I also bought a GM5 when they first came out. Both of these cameras share the same 16mp sensor, same processor, and mostly the same image related software. All that is different is the size and controls related to the bells and whistles.

A few month later I came across a great deal on a mint condition GX9 and grabbed it. New 20mp sensor, new faster processor, and a bunch of new features like dual IS. Side by side, the body is almost identical with the GX7; almost the same sized weight, same 16x9 formatted tilting EVF, slightly improved tilting LCD, a newly located power switch and some small button changes.

In the end I sold the GM5 and GX7 and kept the GX9, mostly because it was the newest. But I really don't see a massive difference between the images taken with any of them. Only you can answer if the upgrade is worth it. You need to compare what you have to want, what you would get from the new camera, whichever model you choose and decide if there is enough reason to upgrade.

h00pla wrote:

Hello Everyone,

Long time lurker. I love my Panasonic gx7 but I am contemplating looking for an upgrade,

I do not have heavy investment in lenses but I do have the stock lense it came with, the H-H020A and an olympus 40-150 f4.0-5.6. I mainly use it for travelling but I do have a newborn so I am thinking I will start doing more portaits. Mainly for photos with the occasional video. Size /weight is not a huge issue although I would prefer something smaller

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you

The gx7 had been my favorite m43 body because of its looks (!!). For children I use a lot the 50mm focal length so I would also look at 25/1.4 lens (one of the best in m43). For me the lens is more important than the body here.

tehdehzeh wrote:

What are you missing now that makes you want to upgrade?

I think in terms of baby photos, you would probably benefit more from a longer, fastish prime, like an Oly 45/1.8 or Pana 42.5/1.7.

edit: Probably the Pana, because the Oly has pretty long minimum focus distance (50cm)

Not sure if I feel I am necessarily missing anything. I would prefer something with better autofocus, low light and fps

I think my main issue is I do not have much invested in the MFT ecosystem. So I am not sure if I would be better off looking into upgrading lenses since I do not have any major gripes with the gx7 or if I should be looking into the APSC ecosystem before investing in a better lense kit or look into a GX9 or G9.

Not sure I would get into a FF at this point.  Most of my travelling I prefer to pack light and its mainly hiking/camping in remote areas, although a mirrorless FF isn't much more compared to a G9 from my understanding

Tom Caldwell wrote:

I have the GX7, GX85 and GX9. The GX85 was hardly worth the “upgrade” - it is better but does not necessarily outshine the GX7 if it is regarded as good enough. The GX9 is noticeably something better than the GX7 but at the coalface here is not enough wrong with continuing with the GX7 if happy with it.

I use the three cameras in tandem and use different lenses on them. I do not consciously favour any of them. If the GX7 has the lens I want fitted on it then it is the one that I use.

The GX7 was an outstanding camera when first released and it is no less outstanding just because it is getting older. Look upon the GX85 and GX9 as refinements and not as serious game changers that obsolete the GX7.

The G9 is quite a different style of camera - physically larger, faux-dslr with side hinged lcd. Arguably designed for a different style of use and user experience. Unless you just want a camera that is presently leading edge where the G9 has a little more edge than the GX9.

But I prefer the more compact build of the GX7/GX9 over the bulk of the G9.

Thank you for the response.

Are there any lenses you would highly recommend?

h00pla wrote:

Hello Everyone,

Long time lurker. I love my Panasonic gx7 but I am contemplating looking for an upgrade,

GX7 was my main camera from 2015 to 2019.

During the period I bought GX85 but my wife loves it and it becomes her main camera and left GX7 to me .

Finally moved up to G85 (originally looking for a GX9 but the crazy low price of G85, cheaper than the GX85 I bought few years before it, won me over) last year.

I do not have heavy investment in lenses but I do have the stock lense it came with, the H-H020A and an olympus 40-150 f4.0-5.6.

GX7 is basically a lens OIS dependent body having <1 stop of effective stabilization primitive IBIS. Forget the more powerful DUAL IS which Panny relies on to compete with Olympus. If you shall not expand you lens profile to IS lens, any upgrade would make you happier.

My experience on GX85:

• around >2 stops of effective IBIS (says the 14 f/2.5 or adapted vintage MF lenses, slightly better on 15 f/1.7),
• solid 3~3.5 stops effective lens IS, e.g. 14-45,
• 4~5 stops effective DUAL IS (says 12-32, 12-35 f/2.8 mk-I, 14-140 f/3.5-5.6 or 45-150 f/4-5.6 etc)...

GX9 could be similar to GX85 on this, whereas G85 (same for G95) might be another 0.5 stops better because of better ergonomically. Whenever the poorer the lighting condition that slower shutter speed is usable, you will feel the difference.

On IQ, removal of AA filter can expect more than 10% (easily visible) sharper SOOC JPG. I heard that the later JPG engine of those 20Mp models like GX9 etc could expect more please SOOC output.

A new, more quite m-shutter that can reduce shutter shock (not completely). E-shutter is still suggested for certain shutter shock magnet lenses. However, GX7 (so the GX9, G85 & G95 etc) has a 12 bits e-shutter, GX85 has a 10 bits e-shutter only   that we might find the weakness on heavy post processing.

On features, 4K is a game changer. Don't take it just a video feature, its associated 4K Photo mode and Post Focus has opened a new door of shooting features. Great for ultra fast shooting (@30fps, without limitation on using any specific class of lenses, but is restricted to 8Mp JPG), for focus stacking, or for group portrait shot etc...

To be Zebra highlight warning is a great tool for fast exposure setting that GX7 is hard to compare.

I don't use this but some shooter might find in-camera RAW conversion of GX85 useful.

I mainly use it for travelling but I do have a newborn so I am thinking I will start doing more portaits.

IMHO better to get a fast speed portrait lens, e.g. the 42.5 f/1.7 might give you immediate improvement...

Mainly for photos with the occasional video. Size /weight is not a huge issue although I would prefer something smaller

Currently the 8th generation of 16Mp models (GX85 and G85) are the most cost efficient option.

The 9th generation 20Mp models (GX9, G95) can give you a little bit more but on a higher cost. No doubt the flagship G9, GH5 or GH5-II are far better models on another league on every aspect if you can take their size and weight.

My 2 cents.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you

Loved my gx7, but best thing I ever did was to upgrade to the GX8. And the small gx9 is said to be better than gx8!.

If that's true you will benefit from a faster and more responsive camera that produces sharper and more detailed images.

I still occasionally - but rarely - take out my gx7 when wanting a very light and compact setup. But when looking at the images I always regret not taking my better 20mp models.

And apparently besides having the better 20mp sensor, the gx9 is small like the gx7.

Congratulations! One thing I wish I’d done as a new parent is to take more 4K video. Photos are terrific and easier for capturing the essence of a moment, but to relive what actually happened, I haven’t found anything better than a very high-resolution video clip. For this I keep my E-M1 Mk II with a large-aperture lens mounted and ready by our kitchen table. I have the video mode set to Cinema 4K 24fps and 1/48 shutter speed at 200 ISO. With the large aperture range I can just vary the f-stop to match ambient light. I take very casual, everyday clips – talking about kid stuff, eating, singing songs. I wish I had done this when my child was very small. We have many iPhone videos but the low resolution and look (small aperture, over-exposure-compensated) conveys the opposite of “being right there” somehow.

More related to your original question, may I suggest some other used models that provide incredible value. The Olympus E-M1 Mk II can be had for $500 in good condition, and represents a high mark in MFT features and capability, especially in-body image stabilization. The Panasonic GX85 is even cheaper at around $300 used. Both of these also shoot beautiful, image-stabilized 4K.

h00pla wrote:

tehdehzeh wrote:

What are you missing now that makes you want to upgrade?

I think in terms of baby photos, you would probably benefit more from a longer, fastish prime, like an Oly 45/1.8 or Pana 42.5/1.7.

edit: Probably the Pana, because the Oly has pretty long minimum focus distance (50cm)

Not sure if I feel I am necessarily missing anything. I would prefer something with better autofocus, low light and fps

If you are not acutely missing anything, and the GX7 still works fine, then logic says you do not need a new camera right now

Better spend your budget on a lens. For baby pics, consider the Panasonic 42.5mm f/1.7 recommended above. It has OIS, which is a big plus over the Olympus 45/1.8 because your GX7 does not have in-camera stabilization. Also it has a much shorter minimum focus distance of only 31cm (the Olympus is 50cm).

Gave my GX7 to my son when I got my GX8. A very satisfying  camera.

F.

Tom Caldwell wrote:

I have the GX7, GX85 and GX9. The GX85 was hardly worth the “upgrade” - it is better but does not necessarily outshine the GX7 if it is regarded as good enough. The GX9 is noticeably something better than the GX7 but at the coalface here is not enough wrong with continuing with the GX7 if happy with it.

I use the three cameras in tandem and use different lenses on them. I do not consciously favour any of them. If the GX7 has the lens I want fitted on it then it is the one that I use.

The GX7 was an outstanding camera when first released and it is no less outstanding just because it is getting older. Look upon the GX85 and GX9 as refinements and not as serious game changers that obsolete the GX7.

The G9 is quite a different style of camera - physically larger, faux-dslr with side hinged lcd. Arguably designed for a different style of use and user experience. Unless you just want a camera that is presently leading edge where the G9 has a little more edge than the GX9.

But I prefer the more compact build of the GX7/GX9 over the bulk of the G9.

Alternatively, a G80/85 or G90/95 isn't as bulky as the G9, yet provides a significant upgrade over the GX7.

Those two cameras are frequently overlooked.

h00pla wrote:

I love my Panasonic gx7 but I am contemplating looking for an upgrade,

Size /weight is not a huge issue although I would prefer something smaller

If you want to replace your GX7 with a better Panasonic body of roughly comparable size, the GX9 is probably your best bet.

Another option is to keep the GX7 (I still have mine and still use it) for when you want to use a smaller body (how much could you get for it if you sell it, $200? $250?), and buy a more capable camera with better handling and a better EVF.  Options that come to mind are the G85, G95, or G9.

The G9 is clearly the best of those three.  It is the biggest and heaviest, but the weight doesn't bother me, and the size and ergonomics are great for me, the best camera I've ever owned.  For what you get, it's also the best value, IMO.  I mostly use my G9, but sometimes I use my GX8, GX7, or my GM5 if I want to go really small.

Or perhaps you might want a portrait lens, like the 42.5mm f/1.7 instead.

UrbanHobbit wrote:

Congratulations! One thing I wish I’d done as a new parent is to take more 4K video. Photos are terrific and easier for capturing the essence of a moment, but to relive what actually happened, I haven’t found anything better than a very high-resolution video clip. For this I keep my E-M1 Mk II with a large-aperture lens mounted and ready by our kitchen table. I have the video mode set to Cinema 4K 24fps and 1/48 shutter speed at 200 ISO. With the large aperture range I can just vary the f-stop to match ambient light. I take very casual, everyday clips – talking about kid stuff, eating, singing songs. I wish I had done this when my child was very small. We have many iPhone videos but the low resolution and look (small aperture, over-exposure-compensated) conveys the opposite of “being right there” somehow.

More related to your original question, may I suggest some other used models that provide incredible value. The Olympus E-M1 Mk II can be had for $500 in good condition, and represents a high mark in MFT features and capability, especially in-body image stabilization. The Panasonic GX85 is even cheaper at around $300 used. Both of these also shoot beautiful, image-stabilized 4K.

Thank you.

It's funny I was just taking a bunch of video and thinking the same thing.  Baby was giggling up a storm so it would be great to have something better for video and stability when I need to start chasing them around.

I think I will look into getting the portrait lense many have suggested as I think it will suit my needs and keep an eye out for a possible camera upgrade.

I recall seeing some newer olympus cameras on clearance and both the g95 and gx9 are both about the same price and not very expensive.  I'll probably go for the larger form factor and keep the gx7 for when I really need to cut down on room.

Don't overlook the EM 10 MKIII or MKIV.