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I got word the new Panasonic GF camera will be launched in late Spring. There is no bog surprise to expect on these cameras. It will be an evolution of the current Panasonic GF6. Patent images of the new GF have been found and posted here a couple of months ago (See images on top).
Question: GF, GM, G, GH, GX…a bit confusing. Why not merge GF and GM into one system?
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44 Responses
Someone will have to explain me why the heck they carry on the GF serie after the success of the GM1, and while Olympus is rationalizing its product line !
Because the GF6 (and GF5) is a *much* cheaper alternative to the GM1!
Plus some people might prefer the little extra size of a GF vs GM, a GF is still very small but not “too small” like maybe the GM is for some people.
True, but size-wise: there are several grips available for the GM1 making it more or less GF size. AND next year(?) when the GM2 is released and the price of the GM1 drops, what will become of the GF7?
You mean “several grips” which make GM1 even more expensive than it is?
GF kit started with 550€ MSRP. GM1 kit – 700€.
Sure, but the GMx is never going to get to be as cheap as last year’s model of GFx is!
We (the m4/3 users) *need* an ultra low budget entry level model to lure new buyers in!
> “Question: GF, GM, G, GH, GX…a bit confusing. Why not merge GF and GM into one system?”
I don’t see as confusing at all!
Makes perfect sense to me:
GM = ultra mini and fairly premium camera.
GF = super low budget entry level camera for upgraders from a point and shoot
GX = enthusiast rangefinder style camera, with more controls and a bit heftier price too and not just a heftier body compared with a GM series
G = entry level DSLR styled camera
GH = premium DSLR styled camera, with extra cutting edge video features.
These are all quite unique market niches, so I hope Panasonic keeps all of them. After all, is still far less models than Canon or Nikon have!
We could still do with having a model above the GH to come out, perhaps a AF200 to come along too. And perhaps a model underneath the GH & G series.
The Panasonic M4/3 line-up is pretty complete and fairly logical.
The only thing I’d really like to see is for them to include the GH/GX7/GM1 Constant Preview (in M mode) feature in ALL models. It was a real game changer for me when I got my GH2!
Looks like someone stepped on a piece of gum that was spit out on the street?
The GM is too high end compared too GF series. the gf has been the budget option for panasonic. small ,light, simple.
Ive upgraded form the GF3 to a GX7, and find the gx7 to be top heavy.
Simplify the line Panasonic. Nix the GF and G series. Get rid of the wasted costs and resources and keep it to only the GM, GX, and GH… and reduce your prices to a more competitive price point.
> “…and reduce your prices to a more competitive price point. ”
Maybe they have already reduced the prices as much as they can, and this is why they have the cheaper GF and G series. Which you wanted to get rid…. sorry, the GF and G series are very much needed for the price points they’re hitting!!
I need the G line to replace my GH2.
I don’t want a GH3/4 sized camera and I don’t need nor want to pay for weather sealing.
I tried a GX7 (which was my dream camera) and it was an ergonomic nightmare. I found out a lot of people feel the same about the grip.
When I first got my GX7 I had serious reservations as it was just so different — especially as it felt when holding.. But after working with it for a week — I really love this camera and actually like the grip. Some things take a bit of time to get used to until you appreciate it.
+1000!
I had the same bit of adjustment when I got my GX7, especially coming from the GH2. But, now I really like it. The compactness, grip and external controls are excellent. Very Good ergonomics all around!
The only thing I do miss at times is the fully articulated screen, but the tilt only keeps it more compact when shooting from waist level with the screen.
The G6 is the replacement to the GH2! 🙂
http://www.eoshd.com/content/10824/panasonic-g6-review-the-gh2-redux
Not for me while it lacks IBIS and the GX7/GM1 sensor…
gx7 ergonomic is not nightmare. It’s like GF1 with more Fn button, it’s so great. And grip perfect match with my hand.
I really thought they would discontinue the GF line after the GM was introduced.
@admin : Nothing on the G7???
It should be about time they replace the G6…
+10000
I’m waiting for the G7, I want to know if it has ibis? If not, then the next camera will be a Olympus.
plus another
Seeing as I recently purchased the 75mm Olympus prime, I too want IBIS in my next camera. Love their Lenses but I’m not a fan of Olympus design – I want my swivel screen. Man I hope it’s in the G7!
Totally agree. I’m upgrading from my G2 soon, but seeing the sensor in the G6 is the same as the GH2 (i.e. a bit old) it’s a no-no for me with regards to the G6, new Venus engine or not. Just today I saw comparisons of the G6 to the tiny GM1 on DPreview.com, and the G6 is just nowhere near as sharp and crisp. The sensor is too dated. I want to upgrade a BIG step up but I’m not a video enthusiast so GH is not for me.
GU, GG, GL, GY? That camera has a lack of alibi.
Looks awful to me! Why do japanese Designers always take these ugly 90ies Design cues?
The GM1 was a sound Design, the GF1 and GX1 were all but beatiful. Why introduce these old ugly curvy Designs again that make PCB Design, molds etc. unneccesarily complicated?
This Camera looks like something that will only sell in Japan.
Unlike the awful Korean Samsung-cameras? i’d choose Japanese designers any day over Korean or American.
I wonder if these cameras would sit flat on the table while sporting the 20mm f1.7?
they should mix GF and GM in one serie. With tiltable screen, and hotshoe (like RX100). An lvf3 also with more pixels (lvf2 was so great, big and wide). It will be a winner.
G series need new sensor GX7/GH4/GM1 with some video restrictions then it does not compete GH4.
But the most important for me are lens. After 42.5/1.2 (too much expensive for me but it’s a great lens). I like 15/1.7 (i’m 28mm 24*34 fan). i’m wondering what Panasonic plan to release in future after 15/1.7 and 35-100 which was designed for GM1.
I’m not so sure about the tiltable screen when the marketing feature is the diminutive size. Lack of hotshoe, I have a harder time figuring that one out..
RX100 is small like GM1 and have an hotshoe + tiltable screen.
A hotshoe and port for the LVF2 would have been great.
And really, the GF-series should regain those as well!
I wasn’t thinking about a flash gun either.
It just baffles me. I mean, whats the point of having an interchangeable lens camera if its going to be painted into a corner as a glorified point and shoot?
Tiltable screen? Thats cool…
This looks like two different cameras. Which one is the GF? And what is the patent drawing from October? fT3 indeed.
Wow, those are some incredibly ugly models. I can only think they are there to give salesmen the opportunity to sell up to the much more beautiful and refined GM series and to offload old technology to those who can’t or won’t pay for the latest tech.
“Question: GF, GM, G, GH, GX…a bit confusing. Why not merge GF and GM into one system?”
But Olympus was supposed to have the monopoly on confusing! E-PL, E-PM, E-P, E-M, doesn’t sound so confusing after all, huh?
Oh yeah, and G-F for Gee, it’s Fugly.
It is not easy for Panasonic, to up with new little camera by GM1.
> Question: GF, GM, G, GH, GX…a bit confusing. Why not merge GF and GM into one system?
They should have used a different letter for the GX7 and GM1. It wouldn’t have mattered much as not that many know that the system is called “Lumix G” and that’s where from the letter “G” comes. And gave an opportunity to refresh the marketing materials.
Otherwise, confusing are only the names. GF is clearly a throw back to P&S. G/GH are mainstream cameras with conventional DSLR ergonomics. GX and GM are the new lines of more exclusive cameras, geared toward enthusiasts, with distinct design and different (higher) price point.
The problem is that there are too many of them. Oly did it right to split the OMD vs the PEN. Panasonic should have also used the GX7 and GM1 to make a new distinct line of cameras.
W H Y ? really, W H Y >?
Inertia??
I would say GF is equivalent of E-PL ….so why not
E-P5 = or EM5 = GX7
GH3/4 = EM1
EPM5 = GM1
G6 is like EM10 …here the difference is biggest …but overall thats the m43 rivals
what I miss is fix lens m43 format …I see oportunity for both fix zoom or prime 35mm eqv. ….once they are on market then EPM or EPL can be discountinied
For entry level like gf series, it’s better to make it with fixed compact zoom lense, within 24-85mm.
More uberpricey gimmick… Where are the manual control? Where is the viewfinder?
Maybe it also functions as a cell phone?
Where is the demand for such a camera?
“Why not merge GF and GM into one system?”
Simple: GM is *way* too expensive for users that have previously used compacts. Panasonic needs one model that is both cheap *and* small/light, so they can’t get rid of the GF series. That said, the very latest incarnations of the GF series were always kinda pricey as well…
I think the models they have make perfect sense, just the naming definitely *is* confusing for somebody new.