Panasonic LUMIX GX7 Introduction Video
The Cosina 42,5mm f/0.95 will be on sale in Japan from August 23 (Kakaku).
Olympus VF-4 Electronic Viewfinder: Terrific Improvement over Built-In E-M5 EVF (diglloyd).
Olympus Stylus SH-50 Review (ePhotozine).
Sigma Sigma 30mm F2.8 DN test in German at Julifoto.
examples of flash photography for portraits (Olypmus OMD facebook).
Panasonic LF1 Firmware Update Version 1.1 at (Panasonic Japan).
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ9 Review (ePhotozine).
Panasonic 100-300mm first imrpessions at ThePhoBlographer.
GX7 first impression at Bestmirrorlesscamerareviews.x\
New Samyang Cinema 16mm Lens Four Thirds Lens (ePhotozine).
Panasonic 35-100mm lens test at DC.watch.
Sigma A 60 mm f/2.8 DN review at Lenstip.
37 Responses
I wrote the phoblographer to warn him about the ooympus kamikaze fanboys about to come his way for saying ois was better the holy 5 axis ibis
I’ll be honest after reading the GX7 first impression, my expectations are a little lowered. I read that the EVF was good, not great but it seems like the difference between the built-in one on the GX7 and the detachable one on the EP-5 are pretty substantial. Same goes for the effectiveness of the IBIS. One is world class and the one in the GX7 according to that page seems like its not overalls effective. I guess it just goes to show that you can have all the specs on paper but if its not executed properly it doesn’t mean anything. Also there’s no such thing as a perfect camera.
Person that wrote first impression is quite clueless. She didn’t even know panasonic IBIS doesn’t work with video and blamed pre-production model on not going above 3200 iso, while it’s simply her error in staying in silent shutter mode. Electronic shutter on gx7 doesn’t allow more than 3200iso. There are other problems with silent shutter mode, that she seems totally is not aware off. It’s certainly is great feature, but you need to know of it’s limitations before you start blaming the camera.
Seems comment didn’t go through. First impressions on GX7 are silly, she doesn’t know that panasonic ibis doesn’t work in video and blaming pre-production model that she can’t go above 3200iso. She simply stayed in silent shutter mode. Seems she is also not aware of other limitations of electronic shutter. It’s really great feature, but you need to know limitations of electronic shutter speed. Or will end up blaming the camera, like the reviewer did.
Hard to believe someone can be so clueless when any reading of the numerous GX7 product preview on the net or GX7 spec sheet of stated iso 200-25600 one could have avoided such mistakes. On the other hand what camera nowadays have iso that stops at 3200? Even a P&S does higher iso than 3200.
The model we briefly tested couldn’t go further than 3200 ISO. With silent shutter on and off. The Panasonic representative told us that it was a pre production model and therefor we couldn’t set ISO higher than 3200. We didn’t dig further because we had only 10 minutes with it and want to check other features as well. Hopefully, we will have the chance to try it again with more time and better condition in the next weeks (fingers cross!) so that we can publish more pictures and comments about it 😉
The VF-4 is something else. The view it offers is so large and detailed you can actually focus manually without electronic enhancements. I tried the NEX 7 and its viewfinder (which is similar to the one in the GX7, at least in specs). While very detailed, its view is smaller and I find that peaking is necessary to enable accurate manual focusing.
On a side note, I don’t like peaking because it’s a distraction. You tend to look at the little lines rather than at the whole scene.
All in all, it seems to me that the GX7 is designed to be a jack of all trades while the E-P5 covers all the basics (build, viewing and colour management) but somewhat lacks in advanced features.
Thanks for the info and opinion.
GX7 definitely tries to sit on too many chairs. That leads to compromises. But then, all smaller cameras have compromises, even DSLRs.
Questionable effectiveness of IBIS was expected. 1st gen Oly (and Pentax) IBIS wasn’t particularly effective either. I hope at least that Panny managed to avoid the main mistake of the early IBISes: slight blurring even when the IBIS is off.
“E-P5 covers all the basics (build, viewing and color management) but somewhat lacks in advanced features”
Which advanced features does the EP-5 lack that the GX7 has?
“Which advanced features does the EP-5 lack that the GX7 has?”
“Built-in EVF” is a pretty advanced feature which is available only in few mirrorless models, like e.g. in GX7 but absent in E-P5.
P.S. 3D level gauge of GX7 is also a nice tidbit.
“Which advanced features does the EP-5 lack that the GX7 has?”
EVF
Electronic Shutter
Better low light AF (-4 EV)
1080p 24/60 with far superior codec and higher bitrate
ETC Mode
Wifi significantly more featured
NFC Chip
Sweep Panorama
HDR with Raw stacking/stitching
In-camera curves adjustment
I’m sure there’s more but these are the ones that spring to mind. Cheers.
Built in wireless flash control
1/320 sync speed
All buttons are fn buttons
EVF – EP5 does not prevent you from using an EVF. The fact that is an add-on is a design approach. And the VF4 by all accounts so far is better.
Electronic Shutter – Since it is not ready for prime time yet,i.e. a full replacement for the mechanical shutter, it is useful but of limited value. EP5’s shutter is quite soft too.
Better low light AF (-4 EV) – This is interesting. It remains to be seen how low EP5 can go during AF.
1080p 24/60 with far superior codec and higher bitrate – This is applicable for those use video.
ETC Mode – Don’t know much about this one. What is it?
Wifi significantly more featured – Since both EP5 and GX7 support wifi I don’t see how this is a feature EP5 lacks.
NFC Chip – EP5 simply follows an alternative approach, QRC. Not something that EP5 lacks.
Sweep Panorama – This is not an advanced feature. It is meant for beginners.
HDR with Raw stacking/stitching – EP5 has the HDR bracketing mode.
In-camera curves adjustment – Olympus has provided this for years. You can do it on EP3 for instance using the Tone Control feature. GX7 seems to be catching up to a feature on EP3 now.
In other words, GX7 does not really have any “advanced features” that EP5 lacks, but has a different implementation which might be better, as good, or worse. Further detailed reviews will confirm that. But let us look at features that really matter in day to day shooting – better EVF, better IBIS including in video mode, and Camera Labs has this to say in its comparison between EP5 and GX7 – “EP5 also shoots faster and has superior flash control”.
“EVF – EP5 does not prevent you from using an EVF. The fact that is an add-on is a design approach. And the VF4 by all accounts so far is better.”
A ‘design approach’ that requires you to pay an extra $300 for a separate piece of hardware.
“Electronic Shutter – Since it is not ready for prime time yet,i.e. a full replacement for the mechanical shutter, it is useful but of limited value. EP5′s shutter is quite soft too.”
It’s fully featured enough to use for every circumstance other than those scenes with elements moving sideways at some degree of elevated velocity (or when panning). Which is the vast majority of my photographic needs. And if it’s not suited to the scene you’re shooting, you can toggle it with a function key! Voila!
Additionally, I took a 2100 shot time-lapse last week which did not require a single activation of the mechanical shutter. On a camera rated for 540 shots (GH3). A gimmick it is not.
“Better low light AF (-4 EV) – This is interesting. It remains to be seen how low EP5 can go during AF.”
Agreed.
“1080p 24/60 with far superior codec and higher bitrate – This is applicable for those use video.”
Genius!
“ETC Mode – Don’t know much about this one. What is it?”
A video feature adding a further 2.6x crop factor with almost no degradation in image quality (slight increase in noise). For example, the image recorded with the 35-100mm f/2.8 lens wide open would would be 90-260mm f/2.8.
“Wifi significantly more featured – Since both EP5 and GX7 support wifi I don’t see how this is a feature EP5 lacks.”
The E-P5 wifi functionality allows activation of the shutter, and also a time delay shot.
The GX7 allows you to use full manual control over all shooting parameters: exposure mode, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, AF mode, AE/WB bracketing, exposure comp, scene modes, video recording, image quality, etc, etc. You can even activate the zoom on one of the lenses with an electronic motor.
“NFC Chip – EP5 simply follows an alternative approach, QRC. Not something that EP5 lacks.”
One’s quick and simple (hence it’s inclusion at extra expense), the other a right royal pain the butt.
“Sweep Panorama – This is not an advanced feature. It is meant for beginners.”
Agreed somewhat, however it depends entirely on the implementation. On the Nex’s the feature is excellent and I’ve seen plenty of examples from seasoned photographers who use it to great effect.
“HDR with Raw stacking/stitching – EP5 has the HDR bracketing mode.”
As does the GX7. However the latter will also stitch the RAW and jpeg images together in-camera.
“In-camera curves adjustment – Olympus has provided this for years. You can do it on EP3 for instance using the Tone Control feature. GX7 seems to be catching up to a feature on EP3 now.”
I stand corrected.
“In other words, GX7 does not really have any “advanced features” that EP5 lacks, but has a different implementation which might be better, as good, or worse.”
Couldn’t disagree more. But then we’re both entitled to our opinions on the matter 🙂
I love the idea of an attachable viewfinder. The extra bulk on my camera really makes it feel substantial, thus I don’t have to own a DSLR. Also I love how it’s more expensive. Money was meant to be spent, people! Olympus knows this. Thanks Olympus.
When i see The E-P5 side by side with GX7,@ Mirror Less ons, .I notice that GX7 is much taller ,.and have a better handle grip,.than E-P5,.i own The E-P5 and little bit difficult for me to hold.the camera,.hope with the new Gariz leather case ,it can have a better grip to handle
The GX7 had to be taller to fit the EVF than the E-P5. Maybe there will an aftermarket grip available for the E-P5 in due course that would help. It would need a bottom plate to give the extra height for the fingers, but that’s just stating the obvious.
Voigtländer 42.5/0.95 can be preordered at CameraQuest.
http://shop.cameraquest.com/voigtlander-micro-4/3-m43-lenses/voigtlander-m43-micro-4/3-42.5mm-f/95-lens/
worth the price. Very curious for samples about modelphotography.
sigma 60mm got nice result at lenstip and looks great lens for portraits …i dont like the art design thoug
I think I will get one. I saw DPR member IlyaV posting a series of portraits and the rendering of this lens is to my taste, remarkable is the performance peaking at 2.8 already which is a bonus for me. Like the 45mm f/1.8, this Sigma offers alot for the money.
me mostlikely too …I think I will prefered metal/japan build before 1.8 better apperture of Oly 45 …75mm is totaly out of my hobby budget;-)
I wanted the 75mm too. For the past year I could live with just a 14mm and the 45mm. The 45 sat moslty on my camera but it was sometmies too tight for small studio use when full body portraits were done, while the 14mm was mosty used for video and snapshots. After this I went for a one lens compromise, the summilux 25mm which is more allround. Now I want to get a longer fl again as addition to my current lens. later maybe a 12mm…keeps me busy 🙂
Yes. Impressive results for a fair price. I bought the Olympus 60, but in retrospect this Sigma could make a good alternative (I don’t shoot much macro and don’t need sealing in such a lens).
I’m a bit disappointing on the GX7 video promotion .
It should done as the link below .
http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=mx1srGW9vrA&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dmx1srGW9vrA%26feature%3Dyoutu.be
Or more aggressive like the D800
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Fbz2RBVSWsI&feature=related
+1
-1
I more like these type of product presentations as they are more Pro. Not the cheap 3D-rendered animations with tons of Abrams’ lens flares.
okaaay, from vf-4 review “…does not auto-switch between the LCD as the built-in EVF does” Why olympus bothered then adding an eye sensor to VF-4? Could he at least mention that it doesn’t work only on old models?
there was a firmware update to let the VF4 work on the EPL5/EPM2
The proximity sensor of the VF-4 works only with the E-P5. It makes sense because at least on the E-M5 there is a noticeable lag between switching it on and the appearance of the preview.
For me the deal-breaker with the GX7 is the IBIS. I’ll stick with my E-M5 and lose the 1080p 60fps but have the liberating 5-axis stabilization.
I hope Olympus will someday have a swivel EVF as standard equipment.
+1 samething…
I liked this bit from phoblographers review of the Panasonic 100-300:
“to be truthful, we found the OIS in this lens to be more efficient than Olympus’s 5 axis system”.
Oh, wait…
Well, its getting a lot of pre-orders, so even the negative Olyfanboys propaganda isn’t working…
Keep at it fellas!!
Next Pen will have an EVF built in (unless they’re really stupid) much like the GX, and I’m just going to venture a guess that it will have no issues whatsoever.
Olympus has been pretty stupid thus far with their product lines.
“Panasonic LF1 Firmware Update Version 1.1 at (Panasonic Japan).”
Was sadden to find that LF1 lacks touch screen. Why, Panasonic? Why??