Super stable: Panasonic GX85 pre-production sample gallery

What "a faster f1.2 Olympus lens"? Can't take pics w rumor.

Apr 23, 2016permalink

ozturert

BostonC, all cameras that are sold now had been rumors before.

Apr 24, 2016permalink

@ozturert To that I might add, many rumors in the end are just rumors.

Apr 24, 2016permalink

ozturert

Well Olympus confirmed f1.2 lenses are coming, and Panasonic has one coming (90% 12mm). So those are not only rumors.

Apr 24, 2016permalink

@ozturert, Don't mean to be argumentative about this topic, but what's the source of "Olympus confirmed f1.2.."?
I recall several predictions fell through, list a couple recent ones from 43rumors:
--"I am now 100% sure Olympus will launch a new f/1.2 prime lens line at the CP+ show in late February! I"
--" I got more feedback from different sources that Olympus will indeed announce a new roadmap of f/1.2 prime lenses in early Spring."
You'll find more there by googling.

Apr 24, 2016*permalink

mosc

A smallish cheapish 12mm f1.2 m43 lens would make me re-consider the entire system.

May 6, 2016permalink

Jefftan

No matter what, I will not buy another 16MP MFT sensor
I have already buy 4 cameras with this sensor
Yes this time without AA filter, so what
even if u believe Panasonic , it increase resolution by 10%
so increase 1.6 MP?

Panasonic should put the 20 MP sensor in. It fear it would hurt the sales of GX8 and annoy current GX8 owner

But that's there problem, this is a new camera model in 2016 and it should be 20 MP and called GX8 II
I don't know how many would buy. Not me. It is not cheap and a new camera model in 2016 should not be 16MP

Apr 23, 2016*permalink

DarnGoodPhotos

It's nothing like the GX8 so it should be called the GX7 mk2.

Apr 23, 2016permalink

For stills it's not much an improvement. But for video, it's huge---the 1st camera under $3000 that has IBIS+4k. And the only one out there w IBIS+4k+touchscreen.

Apr 23, 2016permalink

soundknight21

I think you're right about the sensor and the conflict with the GX8. But the GX8 hasn't been around long enough to capitalise on returns of sale. I am waiting for the GX8 GX85 hybrid (GX10??)

Apr 28, 2016permalink

photofan1986

Yes, those samples do looks a bit sharper than other m43 cameras, except the EM1, which also lacks an AA filter.

Apr 23, 2016*permalink

PeaceKeeper

Out of curiosity, how is that 25mm f/1.7? Should the old 20mm f/1.7 II be worried?

Obvious differences of FoV and physical size aside...

I only ask because they are both f/1.7 normal primes, and I'm super thrilled with my 20mm. Curious if the 25mm takes any steps forward, or if it's just a "purely for variety" sort of thing.

Apr 22, 2016permalink

My experience: the 20mm is sharper in the center from wife open, but by f4 they are both very, very sharp. The 25 renders very nicely though, and has noticeably shallower DoF. The 25mm is also slightly longer than 25mm and the 20mm is slightly shorter than 20mm - you need to crop away 50% of the pixels in the latter to match the FOV of the former, so they're surprisingly far apart even though the FL doesn't sound like it.

Apr 23, 2016permalink

abortabort

Also the 25mm while bigger is internal focussing, it is near silent and faster. Build is not as nice as the P20 II, but the focussing sure is. Also comes with a hood, my 20's never did. Cheaper too.

Apr 23, 2016permalink

graybalanced

Imagining the DPReview Field Test Checklist:
Beer
Wineries
Ferry ride
Beach
Baseball game
Beer
Beer

Just kidding, great gallery! Appreciate the high contrast, into the sun, and night scenes.

Apr 22, 2016permalink

RobertG_Berlin

Thanks for the images. What have these pictures been taken with? Mechanical or electronic shutter? As a shuttershock victim and especially since this camera has something new on board to deal with SS issues, I'm really curious to know. Thank you! o)

Apr 22, 2016permalink

Sorry if this question is obvious, but I wondered how the GX85 stacks up against something like the A7ii? Are we talking different leagues here in terms of image quality or are they comparable?

Apr 22, 2016permalink

At base ISO, you can get about 2EV better dynamic range with the Sony.

At high ISOs, you're looking at about 1.3-1.5 EV better noise performance for the A7 II, and maybe 1 EV better dynamic range.

The relative affordability of fast glass on M4/3 compared to the A7 series makes up more for the low-light performance gap compared to Sony FF than it does for the base-ISO performance, in my experience. 2 EV of dynamic range really helps in contrasty situations, though your mileage may vary.

Put another way, if you're comparing the A7 II with the f3.5-5.6 kit lens to a GX85 + 15mm/1.7 + 42.5/1.7 that you bought for the same price, you'll get better pictures out of the GX85 in low light. So you need to get good lenses to get the performance improvement out of the Sony.

Apr 22, 2016*permalink

Does this also apply for video?

Apr 22, 2016permalink

In video it is a different story. The GX85's ability to shoot 4K with IBIS means you will get substantially higher quality shooting video with the GX85 than the A7 II in all but the lowest-light situations where the A7 II's video won't look any good either.

You'd need to fork up an extra $2200 to get the A7r II or A7s II before you saw an advantage.

Apr 22, 2016*permalink

Will the GX85 have vlog or similar do you know?

Apr 22, 2016permalink

No VLog or even Cinelike on the pre-production units, anyway. May come with a firmware update, but probably not. Unless you're doing a ton of post-processing I'd probably just stick it in the Natural picture mode and not worry about it.

Log gamma profiles aren't always easy to work with and get good results from, either...

Apr 23, 2016permalink

ekaton

Why not comparing it to a similar sized and priced a6300 with a superior 24MP aps-c sensor? File quality wise the Sony punches in a different class.

Apr 24, 2016permalink

Edgar_in_Indy

The a6300 is great, but great cameras need great lenses. That's where m43 shines.

Apr 24, 2016permalink

ekaton

I use plenty of good to excellent lenses on the a6300: Sony 10-18mm f4, Zeiss 16-70mm f4, Sony 28mm f2, Sonnar 35FE f2.8, Sonnar 55FE f1.8, Batis 85mm f1.8. The genius thing, they all work on e-mount FF bodies as well, the two compact zooms in crop mode.

Apr 24, 2016permalink

Edgar_in_Indy

I continuously weigh all the options available, but I still prefer the m43 universe of lenses for its combination of small size, high quality, and price, as do many others.

It's nice you're happy with your camera, but I think it's kind of funny how a6000 (and now a6300) owners are so desperate to crash virtually every camera article on DPR to testify how their a6x00 camera is superior to whichever camera happens to be the subject of the article.

Apr 24, 2016permalink

ekaton

I own mft as well, so theres i no crashing. But mft needs to get their "sensor act" together. From one incher to aps-c, FF, MF, substantial progress has been made over the last 2-3 years but mft is held back by its sensors. Bodies and lenses are fine, but......

Apr 24, 2016permalink

Edgar_in_Indy

I don't disagree on that point. I primarily use my m43 kit now simply because I love the small size/weight, but I still long for the low-noise properties of my APS-C camera.

Even so, the m43 sensor actually has come a long way. My first DSLR was an Olympus e-520, and that sensor started to struggle at ISO 800. With my GX7, I frequently use it at ISO 1600 without worrying too much, and even higher sometimes. But yeah, there's still room for improvement.

Apr 24, 2016permalink

I've been put off the a6300 mainly because the HD video quality is a step back over the previous model and the 4k overheating/RS issues means its not reliable enough. I appreciate the quality of the sensor but not the lack of attention to detail regarding some of its functionality.

Apr 25, 2016permalink

SmilerGrogan

And don't forget to test it with flash!!! Get the Panasonic speedlight and do some bouncing off of walls and such. It will make your photos much better because it can add dimensional cues in situations where there are none.

Apr 22, 2016permalink

LackingCommonSensor

I've considered this camera because I liked my GX7 for daylight shooting, other than its grip. This model has a better grip and imaging potential looks to be improved.

This gallery is a pretty nice set of samples but I was looking for the jpeg black and white mode too.

Apr 22, 2016permalink

pannumon

Am I seeing the lack of AA filter on image 9 (Seattle Mariners), especially top right, where the building meets the sky? That 12-32mm lens looks impressive!

Great samples gallery, plenty of different subjects!

Apr 22, 2016permalink

Dr_Jon

Has it been sorted out if it has 5-axis IBIS in the camera or do you only get 5-axis correction when IBIS is combined with OIS (so it's less good than 5-axis IBIS with non-OIS lenses)?

Apr 22, 2016permalink

AmateurMike

I'm considering buying this camera, but the pictures look very soft. Even above f5 and low ISO, i don't see a lot of detail. Is it just me?

Apr 22, 2016permalink

SmilerGrogan

Beautiful pix, but I notice that a lot of the shots have negative EVs of up to 1 full stop. Does that mean the exposure meter in the camera needs calibrating? Or is it just not very good at setting a correct exposure under moderately difficult conditions?

Apr 22, 2016*permalink

0MitchAG

Panasonic cameras tend to underexpose.

Apr 22, 2016permalink

If they have negative EV compensation it would mean the camera is overexposing, not underexposing.

I typically underexpose (add negative EV comp) to my Panasonic cameras, but that's because I exclusively shoot raw and highlights are a lot harder to save than shadows.

Apr 22, 2016permalink

Free Jazz

I agree, there are much more details in shadows than highlights.

Apr 22, 2016permalink

SmilerGrogan

Thanks for the insight. I've been thinking about putting a toe into the Panasonic waters. But highlights are a problem despite what everyone says about how recoverable they are. It's not like film where they rolled off beautifully. Nowadays they just hit a wall and that's that.

Apr 22, 2016permalink

Hi SmilerGrogan - with the EVF, I find it extremely easy to correct for these issues. Metering correctly becomes an intuitive visual solution to the dynamic range problem, not a mechanical thing you need to remember (i.e. rules of thumb, chasing the exposure bar, chimping on the LCD).

Here's one example of a highly contrasty scene shot directly into the sun with a GX7, and how I metered and processed in LR.

http://i.imgur.com/nCKr8JN.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/cLRTHfk.jpg (100% crop)

Compression from imgur means you can't get a great sense of the pixel level quality, but you can get a sense of the recovery that's possible.

Long story short, with M4/3, shoot RAW, meter to protect the highlights and you'll be happy with your results!

Apr 22, 2016*permalink

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1454/24649563031_48a566918b_h.jpg

And here's another "single-exposure HDR" again with the GX7. There's clearly clipping directly where the sun is in the sky, but that's to be expected from any camera, digital or film. Sometimes it looks better and more natural if you don't pull the highlights all the way back, because that harsh clipping you're talking about isn't revealed.

Apr 22, 2016permalink

utomo99

Please try Low light and People face.
Candle light dinner, Music concert or other difficult situation

Apr 22, 2016permalink

PeaceKeeper

I feel like this would be a very desirable camera at a sub-$600 body-only price.

We'll see what street prices look like...

Apr 22, 2016permalink

Sam Santana

and not one image in L. Monochrome? disappointing.

Apr 22, 2016permalink

grasscatcher

Any monochrome pics? Would also like to see some 400mm (800eq) handheld pics when you get a hold of that lens...

Apr 21, 2016permalink

medon78

Color rendition on most pictures is not very exciting... is it just me?
Nice gallery, anyway! Hope to see DPR switch back to "OOC JPEG" galleries like this one in the future when evaluation new bodies.

Apr 21, 2016*permalink

Personally I wouldn't care if my cameras couldn't even shot JPEG, so I like to see their RAW converted samples. Clearly having a mix of both is important for their audience.

Apr 22, 2016permalink

0MitchAG

In my experience, Panasonic cameras produce very neutral colours with some of their lenses producing sufficient contrast and saturation to counter that, but otherwise earth-tones are very dull. This can generally be fixed with a quick custom-whitebalance adjustment in camera for JPEGS.

Apr 22, 2016*permalink

(unknown member)

RAW pictures do not really test the camera but just the sensor plus the abilities of the user's particular PC/Apple program and the user's personal taste. You know the usual super saturated turquoise oceans and purple skies etc. (or are those colours the other way around?) Also you can post process the JPEGs afterwards anyway for colour. I only use RAW when White Balance is a problem.

Apr 22, 2016*permalink

deluk

I found pretty much everything here rather dull and dark. Not much pop considering the light is mostly good. Comment is from an LX3 and LX7 owner.

Apr 22, 2016permalink

OlegKon

I agree with Deluk - pics are not as lively as Sony A6300 or A6000 (I don't own them, but seriously consider)

Apr 22, 2016permalink

@Greynerd - We'll have to agree to disagree. In terms of producing pictures and really testing a camera, my list of criteria might go something like this:

1) User interface / experience
2) Ergonomics / direct controls
3) Size / weight
4) RAW sensor performance
5) Autofocus performance
6) Touchscreen
7) Screen articulation
8) IBIS
9) Viewfinder quality
10) Manual focus aids
11) Electronic shutter performance
12) Customization options
...
...
143) JPEG engine performance

So my criteria for "testing the camera" are obviously a bit different than yours.

Apr 22, 2016*permalink

KodaChrome25

Very nice looking gallery. Props to Mr. Rose.

Apr 21, 2016permalink

Looking good, w nice fine details. The removal of AA filter does seem to have made a difference.

Apr 21, 2016permalink

rened

While looking through the gallery, one of the most attractive recently posted, I got the impression Carey was inspired by the GX80/85. I am looking forward to get a feel for myself. I am also impressed by the 12-32 it ups the ante for kit lenses.

Apr 21, 2016permalink

Kurt_K

I didn't look at all the images, but image 26 with the river and landscape is complete mush. There doesn't appear to be anything in focus at all. What gives?

Apr 21, 2016permalink

Could also be some spots of not-so-effective noise reduction at work. We're looking forward to Raw support to dig in a little deeper.

Apr 21, 2016permalink

TonyPM

Every time I read something new or see any new images from this camera I like it even more.

I don't like the battery life that is typical in these cameras though.

Apr 21, 2016permalink

Andersonm

As an MFT user, this is a great camera by the looks of it at a great price

Apr 21, 2016permalink

TheDarmok74

I realize that dpr now always uses catchy titles for news items but how did you come to chose super stable here? I'd love to know more about how well the IS system works but no word. And there are virtually no samples where IS was critical.

Apr 21, 2016permalink

I'd actually argue that images 6, 14, 17, 18, 31, 36 and 39 show that the IS system works pretty well. Probably not 100% crucial in each, but even the 1/60th sec shots will benefit from stabilization depending on the focal length.

I do see your point about calling attention to it though, without much verbiage on it. I'll see if I can add something more about the IS to make it clearer.

Apr 21, 2016permalink

TheDarmok74

Given that this could be the first Pana with a serious IS system it would be much appreciated.

Apr 21, 2016permalink

AmateurMike

I only saw 1 pic with a slow shutter speed (1/8).

Apr 22, 2016permalink

Les Freed

Please tell me it uses the same batteries as the GX8 or GX7. I can't deal with yet another set of batteries to keep after!

Apr 21, 2016permalink

It doesn't! It does use the same batteries as the ZS100 and ZS60, though.

Apr 21, 2016permalink

dlinney

It does use the same battery as the GX7 according to Panasonic's own website

Apr 21, 2016*permalink