Bad reputation for good camera

[Lepewhi]

I bought this camera for my Christmas present. I bought it because it was on sale bundelled with two lenses and two batteries. I don't shoot video, nor do I take selfies. But, I was pleasantly surprised by how nice it is. It has a sturdy feel and do like the flip and touch screen. It has a 20mp sensor, which is enough for me. It has a small form factor, which makes it a perfect travel companion. I don't understand why it is widely disparaged. Maybe I got a good copy?

Beauty in things exists merely in the mind which contemplates them. David Hume

 

[bluevellet]

I bought this camera for my Christmas present. I bought it because it was on sale bundelled with two lenses and two batteries. I don't shoot video, nor do I take selfies. But, I was pleasantly surprised by how nice it is. It has a sturdy feel and do like the flip and touch screen. It has a 20mp sensor, which is enough for me. It has a small form factor, which makes it a perfect travel companion. I don't understand why it is widely disparaged. Maybe I got a good copy?

Beauty in things exists merely in the mind which contemplates them. David Hume

You answered your own question.



It is supposed to be a vlogging camera, but has many shortcomings in this respect. However, the still side is better, even it was not specifically marketed as a still camera.



Some in this forum see it as a worthy successor to the likes of the GX80/GX85.

 

[Felice62]

Slooooow flash synchro

 

[Tom Caldwell]

I avoided it because of all the marketing hoopla as a V-Log camera. I personally don't do video. But when a sale price met my curiosity level I bought one to see if it was a reasonably good camera for shooting stills.

It was a much better camera than my expectations and certainly a great bargain at the price. It tunes up well as a dedicated stills camera. Although much larger than a GM5 it is still light and compact. 20mp sensor and a good evf says that it can keep up with the camera Joneses. Don't expect a G9 or OM-1 but the price is right and bang for buck is good.

Only criticism is that the grip is not perfect. But I can easily live with this.

 

[Lepewhi]

That's the reason I bought one. I had two cameras stolen with a breakin. I found this a sale but had to order online on the stores website. If you bought at the store, you had to pay more. Didn't make sense to me, but oh well. You ordered/paid and I was sent an email when the camera arrived at the store. I got mine for less than 500€ with a 12-32 3.5-5.6, 35-100 4-5.6 and two batteries BRAND NEW two year warranty. I should have bought two.

 

[Adam-T]

The G100 was basically a Mismarketed failure .. marketed as a "Vlogging" camera but without IBIS and having apparently unsuitable AF (according to the review here) it was destined to failure in that market .

Sadly they didn`t spend all that money wasted on the fancy microphone system & Vlog-Grip on a proper shutter and IBIS (both could have been Lifted from the GX9 with zero R&D) and just marketed it as a small G series camera where its shining nicely today .

Good part is that it`s available at decent prices used and a lovely little alternative to the GX9 albeit with shutter limitations and lack of IBIS .

--
** Please ignore the Typos, I'm the world's worst Typist **

 

[Lepewhi]

Granted, it isn't a G9 or GH series. But for what it is, it's a good camera, not perfect, but good.

 

[Felice62]

It's the alter ego of the x-t200 in fujifilm's territory. that little guy has been heavily underestimated but a truly capable cam

 

[Adam-T]

It's the alter ego of the x-t200 in fujifilm's territory. that little guy has been heavily underestimated but a truly capable cam

I felt the same way about the XT100 .. the build quality was as good as the other XTs and it swapped all those blingy dedicated dials for 3 useful command dials - best bit for me was that it was bayer in a Fuji body and although the AF was far from state of the art, it focussed the troublesome 18-55 F2.8-4 more accurately than any other fuji I`d owned .

The XT200 seems to have replaced the lovely metal body with plastic but in turn gave the camera a very very much needed speed increase in every respect - the XT100 was SLOW

--
** Please ignore the Typos, I'm the world's worst Typist **

 

[Felice62]

It Did Adam. The x-t200 is simply a gem of a cam . I got it new in the vlog kit with Rhode mic and the fabulous 15-45 for 565€!

 

[Tom Caldwell]

The G100 was basically a Mismarketed failure .. marketed as a "Vlogging" camera but without IBIS

Yes!

and having apparently unsuitable AF (according to the review here) it was destined to failure in that market .

I would contest that there was any worse AF issues than any other Panasonic M4/3 camera body. In fact at a badly lit small band gig where I also was using a G9 I could see not real AF issues between either of those camera bodies. They were very similar.

Sadly they didn`t spend all that money wasted on the fancy microphone system & Vlog-Grip on a proper shutter and IBIS (both could have been Lifted from the GX9 with zero R&D) and just marketed it as a small G series camera where its shining nicely today .

I suggest that the GX9 unit would be more costly and the G100 price would be higher. There was no R&D for the G100 unit as it is obviously the same unit as was designed for the GM series.

If you like to read the GX85 or GX9 service manual you will find that every IBIS shutter installed in those bodies need to be set up correctly using a special piece of electronic equipment. Presumably the same for all IBIS units. The G100 unit would be simply screw into place. But such IBIS set up costs would simply be an additional build cost and virtually help escalate the RRP of the cameras that used them - and make amateur repairs to the IBIS unit that much closer to impossible.

Good part is that it`s available at decent prices used and a lovely little alternative to the GX9 albeit with shutter limitations and lack of IBIS .

I agree with all that but as I own one I suggest that it is just a very compact G9 rather than a GX9 RF-Style body substitute.

Mayhap that the design clues that get the first impression are a camera body slightly smaller than the GX9.

But the design clues that I see in my hand is a very light, much smaller faux-dslr body with significant evf on top plate and the obligatory faux-dslr style side hinged FAS.

Surely it is not in the same league as the G9 but neither is it in the same original RRP bracket that the G9 was sold at. Recently the G9 has become very affordable but the G100 is more affordable still.

The rants about lack of IBIS make sure that no future camera can be made without it even if many can actually manage to take quite a lot of excellent images without it.

PS: more like the G100 was mooted as a replacement for the G95, GX850 and GX9? I think that these are all discontinued presently and we all know that Panasonic is ultra sure that 'better video' is the future for all digital camera bodies .... ... perhaps their best friends should be giving them some advice?

--
Tom Caldwell

 

[alcelc]

Over last 18+ years on shooting with Panny, nothing from it is really bad.

The problem of G100 IMHO, is it's feature remained similar to the entry class GX850/880. Could an evf and 4 extra Mp resolution justify the price Panny asked? I guess Panny knows not. So add extra integrated mircophones, uses Nokia's sound system and creates a selfie pod to tap on the growing popular vlogging market... In reality, without IBIS and limited length on video recording time won't work for video market.

Today, for still, I suppose IBIS and a reasonable fast flash sync speed should be the basic starting spec for still shooting. G100 is lacking of them.

If we want small, there are the GX850/880. We know their price in the market. If Panny wants to release a model for higher price just for an evf, it might not work. Don't forget, the twin lenses kit set of GX85 is still avaliable from time to time at around US$600, which offer a higher spec for both still and video.

It is the issue of G100 to become a popular model.

 

[Adam-T]

I would contest that there was any worse AF issues than any other Panasonic M4/3 camera body.

no, but they`re not marketed as "Vlogging" cams are they - Pan`s AF is superb especially accurate in Single AF mode ,even tracks pretty well but there`s a reason Jordan Drake uses them in Manual focus for Video

I suggest that the GX9 unit would be more costly and the G100 price would be higher. There was no R&D for the G100 unit as it is obviously the same unit as was designed for the GM series.

it`s the microphone system is where the R&D was spent , and the grip if course - I doubt the GX80/GX9 shutter unit costs much more to manufacture - IBIS , yeah but the G100 wasn`t peanuts was it .

But the design clues that I see in my hand is a very light, much smaller faux-dslr body with significant evf on top plate and the obligatory faux-dslr style side hinged FAS.

and that`s great - it`ll handle with a flashgun on top and larger lenses better than a GX9 I`d bet - sadly 60th sec is pretty awful for flash sync more reasons for the proper shutter unit ..

Pan ought to have done more research into what is needed for "Vlogging" , an EVF isn`t one of them , PDAF pretty much is a requirement as is IBIS - as Pan didn`t do PDAF then, I think they`d have been best served on forgetting that market and made the G100 the camera it looks, a miniature G9 made from GX9 bits and the GX8 EVF - I`m sure most here would agree .

The rants about lack of IBIS make sure that no future camera can be made without it even if many can actually manage to take quite a lot of excellent images without it.

pretty irrelevant to the maker though, its a box which just has to be ticked thesedays like 4K video and tracking AF - I never ever shoot video or need tracking AF but they don`t make cameras especially for me either - LOL ..

BTW my M43 cam doesn`t have IBIS and is of course far tougher as a consequence (the sensor wobbles about all over the place in a G9 when powered down due to the IBIS, I`d hate to drop one - I`ve killed an Oly with a drop like that , a failure icon on the screen on powerup) but its sure fire good to have if its done really well like in the G9 and the EM1-II / III

--
** Please ignore the Typos, I'm the world's worst Typist **

 

[Cafe Racer]

I bought this camera for my Christmas present. I bought it because it was on sale bundelled with two lenses and two batteries. I don't shoot video, nor do I take selfies. But, I was pleasantly surprised by how nice it is. It has a sturdy feel and do like the flip and touch screen. It has a 20mp sensor, which is enough for me. It has a small form factor, which makes it a perfect travel companion. I don't understand why it is widely disparaged.

Does the G100 have one of m4/3rds most revered features; mechanical IBIS?

Maybe I got a good copy?

Beauty in things exists merely in the mind which contemplates them. David Hume

 

[Ronald]

The actual issue is that in the beginning of micro four thirds. There were two camps. The Olympus camp which had body stabilization and the Panasonic camp which had Lens stabilization. Olympus lenses were always cheaper and Panasonic lenses always cost more because the IBIS was in the lens. There is nothing wrong with the G100 if you put a Panasonic OIS lens on it. If you don’t have any OIS lenses then learn to hold a camera or use a tripod.
For the people who are always trashing the G100. May I suggest you READ the manual.

I have a G100 and a G3. They are almost the same size.

I got the G100 because of the size. The G95 was larger than I wanted. The G7 would have been perfect but they are hard to find.
There was a time when all Micro 4/3 bodies were small.

The lack of IBIS does not make a camera a bad camera. That is just an excuse for poor photography skills.

 

[AshleyMC]

It's the alter ego of the x-t200 in fujifilm's territory. that little guy has been heavily underestimated but a truly capable cam

I felt the same way about the XT100 .. the build quality was as good as the other XTs and it swapped all those blingy dedicated dials for 3 useful command dials - best bit for me was that it was bayer in a Fuji body and although the AF was far from state of the art, it focussed the troublesome 18-55 F2.8-4 more accurately than any other fuji I`d owned .

The XT200 seems to have replaced the lovely metal body with plastic but in turn gave the camera a very very much needed speed increase in every respect - the XT100 was SLOW

There are two X-T100’s and one X-T200 in my family. They are inexpensive, capable and fun.

I enjoy the (slow) X-T100 for what I subject it to.

I find the G100 rather underwhelmed in both video and stills camps — underlying the questionable marketing. The reason it seems attractive is the price reduction.

Sure, the G100 takes 20MP images. And it is small — very similar to the Canon M50 that came before it.

 

[AshleyMC]

Over last 18+ years on shooting with Panny, nothing from it is really bad.

The problem of G100 IMHO, is it's feature remained similar to the entry class GX850/880. Could an evf and 4 extra Mp resolution justify the price Panny asked? I guess Panny knows not. So add extra integrated mircophones, uses Nokia's sound system and creates a selfie pod to tap on the growing popular vlogging market... In reality, without IBIS and limited length on video recording time won't work for video market.

Today, for still, I suppose IBIS and a reasonable fast flash sync speed should be the basic starting spec for still shooting. G100 is lacking of them.

If we want small, there are the GX850/880. We know their price in the market. If Panny wants to release a model for higher price just for an evf, it might not work. Don't forget, the twin lenses kit set of GX85 is still avaliable from time to time at around US$600, which offer a higher spec for both still and video.

This ^^^

It is the issue of G100 to become a popular model.

Excellent post. Thank you.

 

[crabsandwich]

G100 is perfect for me, the best option out of all the M4/3 bodies available right now.

I never use flash so no worries about flash synchronization or whatever.

I only do stills, the microphone technology is wasted on me.

I have steady hands, stabilization is of little concern either (except with my PL100-400 and that has its own (and very impressive!) stabilization.

I value small size and small weight, combined with quality that is a real step above a phone. Which is what M4/3 is all about, surely?

G100 is a gem.

 

[AshleyMC]

G100 is perfect for me, the best option out of all the M4/3 bodies available right now.

Serious questions for my understanding: Can you please elaborate on “best option”? Do you consider, say, GX9 — or even the older GX85 — “less good” than G100? If so, why?

TIA.

I never use flash so no worries about flash synchronization or whatever.

I only do stills, the microphone technology is wasted on me.

I have steady hands, stabilization is of little concern either (except with my PL100-400 and that has its own (and very impressive!) stabilization.

I value small size and small weight, combined with quality that is a real step above a phone. Which is what M4/3 is all about, surely?
G100 is a gem.

 

[jalywol]

G100 is perfect for me, the best option out of all the M4/3 bodies available right now.

Serious questions for my understanding: Can you please elaborate on “best option”? Do you consider, say, GX9 — or even the older GX85 — “less good” than G100? If so, why?

The GX85 has the older 16MP sensor, which has significantly less DR as well as more limited tonal and color gradation sensitivity. The GX100 bests that in a big way, due to the more modern sensor (and updated color engine). The GX9 has IBIS, which the G100 does not, but the color rendition and sensor behavior is, as far as I can tell using both of them (I have both), identical.

In terms of convenience features, the GX9 is better, as it does have the IBIS, and more buttons you can custom program on the body. On the other hand, the grip design on the G100 is more comfortable, even though equally small. And the G100 has a far nicer EVF than the GX9.

So, if the IBIS does not matter to you, then, yes, the G100 is a great option which will give you the same IQ as the GX9 in a smaller package that's just a bit easier to hold.

Oh, and PS, I only shoot stills, no video, so I don't use any of the video features on the G100. The only thing I wish they did, as a result, is give the option to program the dedicated video button for something else, as they have on some of their other cameras.

They really did miss the mark by not actively courting stills shooters as well as video shooters for this camera.

-J