Over the weekend I got more confirmations from sources saying the GF line up is “on hold” for this year. It’s unclear if there will be ever new GF model in future. This could really be the end of the GF line which started with the great Panasonic GF1 camera (still for sale on Amazon).
I guess Panasonic wants to focus on the more “Premium” GM line instead (which I do own and like a lot!). What do you think…
[poll id=”236″]
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60 Responses
They will probably implement a slightly larger GM1 style camera (with a hotshoe) to fill the void between GM and GX. I say good riddance to the plastic fantastic GF.
I am guessing that will be the GM2 and not an entirely new line. The GM2 could afford to gain a slight increase in size, but add a hotshoe and flippy screen like the RX100 II. That update was a huge improvement in exchange for only a negligible increase in size. The GM2 should be a great camera if this extra versatility is added.
The GM1 is all about small size and simplicity. The whole point is not to have all of those superficial features. There are other cameras out there that already do all that.
Those “superficial” features cannot be found on a mirrorless camera the size of the GM1. The negligible increase in size would be more than welcome for the substantial increase in versatility. Being that this price point is aimed at enthusiasts, I would believe most people interested in the GM series would likely agree.
Maybe we can get the best of both worlds. And they can alternate these extra features.
The GM2 gains a hot shoe and a tilting screen. But then the year after the GM3 is even smaller… but lacks those. Then the GM4 gains them back, and so on and so on.
Those who don’t like the extra size, or want the extra features, can just skip one upgrade cycle (which is a fairly decent thing to do really, as upgrading every time is a bit silly. Missing a cycle or two is the best value approach).
It makes perfect sense to add a tilty screen to the GM1, especially if it lacks a hotshoe. Add a rear Control Wheel, too!!!!
Just look at the PENs: the EPL5 is about 1/4″ thicker than the EPM2. That’s not much of a size sacrifice vs. the utility and versatility of a tilty screen.
I bought a GX1 and must say, I’m really hard pressed to buy another fixed screen camera. Even though I like the GM1 and have been Jonesing for one, I dislike the fixed screen limitation. The lack of a rear Control Wheel, like every other M4/3 Panasonic, is a big negative, as well!
I’m interested in the GM series specifically because it supplements my larger, fuller featured E-M10 and GX1. Why add accessories to a camera that is specifically designed to be as small as possible?
Keep the GM design philosophy as is, add a flip screen to the GX1 and Bob’s your uncle.
Absolutely!
I have a GM1, GX7, and GH4 coming. I started with a G1 in 2008, and replaced that with a GH2, and then that with the GX7. However, the GX7 lacks some physical functionality that I miss and need a capable enthusiast hybrid camera. The GH4 fits the bill (to say nothing of the benefits of 4K to your SD card!).
The GM1 has really proved its worth as our travel camera, and really hope that Panasonic follow through with the diminutive 35-100 lens release. A GM2 that remains minimalist, but with a hot shoe and clip-on EVF, would improve this model for travel work.
As soon as Panasonic dumbed down and removed the hotshoe from the GF-series they pretty much doomed it. They removed most of the flexibility and utility of the GF line with the GF3 and the GF6 was the least compelling M4/3 camera ever released.
I could see the GF-series continue, but more in line with the GF1/GX1 with a hotshoe and an accessory port for an add-on EVF, plus a tilty screen. Those were fine and classic M4/3 cameras.
In defense of the GF6, it is a pretty capable camera. I wont go through the feature set, but you know it is impressive. I think what plagued it was price and appearance. specifically the curved hump. It just didn’t look like a pro camera.
If the GF6 looked like a small GX7 it would be wildly popular. I think panny knows this, and intentionally differentiated the GF6 from the models they knew were in the pipeline.
I agree about the feature set, but I think the big problem was that without a hotshoe, it really limited it’s appeal for cross-over users… P&S upgraders or as a 2nd camera body… who might need or want to use a flash and/or add-on EVF at some point.
The ability to expand and/or add utility is an important factor whatever the tool may be, but especially in an interchangeable lens camera, even if it’s never used.
Does anyone know, what a about G series in the future? I really hope there will be G7 this year!
I vote No .
Pana need to restructure & redefine the whole GF series . It’s wise to divert GF back to it’s basic . The GX1 alike design should be the next GF as GX7 is the best GX design ever created .
Nah, I see the original GF range as having split off into two premium options: the GX range for those who loved the first GF1, and the GM range for those who want maximum power in a minimal package.
The GF still exists as an option which is more lower powered in its performance than GX or GM, yet is smaller than the GX but not as small as the GM (as that would raise costs too high, trying to make it that miniature).
Noooo….. don’t ditch the GF line, as the GF has evolved (devolved?) into an important niche. Which offers the cheapest entry point for newcomers to Micro Four Thirds.
Which is a distinctly different offering from the GX range (for the “serious/hardcore” shooter) and the GM (which offers a powerful punch in the tiniest possible package).
The thing is, there’s steeply decreasing number of “entry level” customers as people stepping up from their smartphone don’t need another point and shoot. Also, profit margins on what people perceive as high-end or luxury models can be higher. GX line offers features, GM line is a fashion statement, GH stands out in video. They’ve still got the vaguely defined G line to maneuver in between.
The G line is not vaguely defined. It’s basically what Panasonic tries to sell to the Canon Rebel and Nikon D3xxx/D5xxx crowds. A DSLR-shaped mirrorless camera for the masses.
You can’t make money on low-end niche products, unless you sell billions of them and price the accessories high and sell billions of those, also.
Quit or “quite”?
Makes perfect sense. The GX line replaced the GF1. And when GF went curvy, it evolved into the smaller GM. The idea of GF is a bit hazy now and seems unnecessary. I think we already have too many Pana camera lines to interest people.
I saw this coming. If you want minimal features and portability then go for the GM1. If you want integrated viewfinder and a few more bells and whistles then there is the GX7. Both Panasonic and Olympus have released enough cameras now that you can find an older generation “entry camera” for cheap. There really is no need for the GF line any more. GFs had a great run and I don’t think I will ever part with my GF1.
How about info on the G line. G7? anything?/ Seems ot be awfully quiet on that line too.
Here the G6 is being sold out for half price. Normally that would be a sign a new G7 is coming soon and would be announced sometime in spring or summer this year. But maybe Panasonic decided to dump that line as well?
I don’t know, admin could may be shed some light on this. But I am sure he would if there was a new and better G7. To me it all hinges on how well DFD performs. I am tired of waiting for really good AF tracking in stills (video focussing is excellent with Panasonic G(H) series nowadays).
G6 would have been great with the Gx7 sensor in it. But as it is, it is not going to replace my GH2. GH4 most likely will in the end.
The GF line has been the entry model for Made in Japan cameras in M43 ecosystem and GX is the premium one. Everything else from G to GH and all Olympus are strictly Made in China, which while do not mean they are cheaply made, just feel a little bit lacking.
I’ve been using my GF1 for 4 years without a single issue while most of my friends who went for the EPLs have ditched their cameras due to malfunctions and various quirks.
Do you know for sure that the GH4 is made in China? I know the GH3 is, but I thought the GH2 was made in Japan.
After looking around quite a bit, I found a picture of the bottom of the final GH4 and it really is Made in China again:
http://www.ephotozine.com/equipment/item/panasonic-lumix-dmc-gh4-5445/images
Maybe Panasonic really is sizing down production in Japan :
My GH2 was China also. My G1/GF1 were Japan, but after that nada.
I AM NOT INTERESTED IN THE MARKETING BLA-BLA-WORD PREMIUM!
this si the most bullshit-consumer-asshole-diving ever.
so…
the next G7 with real full hd and the sharp quality of new gh4-sensor.
499,-$ STARTPRICE and NATURAL -FALLING in 3MONTHS to 399,-$
and then BUY.
PANASONIC sgould kil its market-classes and left only 3.
small
g7
gh4
You see the downgo of SONY, whreer they think to sell the same weake pice
123 Times in 248 Configs:?
to they smell co2 all day long?
and no i am not a fan i want quality..i do not care who builds what.
so if they los thier oldfashioenes marketing nad make NO MARKETING i get the
PRICE and THAT IS THE ONLY THING IN 2014….. for idiots make a golden dragon on it
and a littel cup holder for mini-testikels…ore so.
… an education
what is happening to the GX line? think there are a good few lines from manufacturers that they need to stop. i’m looking at you Fuji.
Someone’s scared of Fuji….
The GF1 was a great camera, Killed by the GF2/3/4/5/6/7…
I don’t see the need to bring a new camera every 6 months, that just creates confusion on the consumer.
I have a solution… Make the GF series a fixed lens camera, like the Fuji X100s.
Small, with a 43 sensor, VF and the necessary dials.
It doesn’t need a tilt screen, and I wold love if it had a improved 20mm fixed lens, the staple of the M43 system. I wouldn’t even mind if the VF was a hot shoe add on.
But it has to be small and the price has to be right.
I’d like to see a GF6 with fixed 15mm Leica Summilux, at a price one-third cheaper than if you were to buy the items separately. The differentiating factor for the fixed lens option is price. Unless you have a one-of-a-kind model like the Sony RX1 was — which has been made questionable as you can now buy an Alpha A7 with 35mm Zeiss for much less.
35mm is 1 EV darker. People pay a lot of money for 1Ev on lenses.
And then maybe they could have a second new GF body the same size as the GF6, but with a fixed collapsible 14-42mm Vario X lens. For a traveller, this and a fixed lens 15mm Summilux would be all you need.
I’m not sure if selling cheap simple bodies for low price is profitable, but I for sure have a utility for that.
I have a gf3 that came dirt cheap with 14mm 2.5 and that is a great camera for rough conditions (mountaineering etc.) sacrifying little for IQ. Its small, light yet capable and I won’t cry if I scratch it while climbing. And underwater case is cheap too.
A cheap gf3 with new sensor would be great for me. GM1 is too small and pricey and iauto button is great for snapshots as well.
Maybe this is the prelude to a larger sensor fixed lens camera. The lower end of the market would be best served with a fixed lens solution.
I imagine there is a market for an M43 DMC-LX model. If they can make one the size of the GF3, with a fixed variant of the collapsing X series zoom lens, they might not need the GF or even GM anymore.
This was to be the move-up model so they could address those moving up from compacts.
Except, of course, there never was a move-up market to speak of, and now no one is buying compacts.
The camera market segment destruction is moving from bottom up. Once people buy a low end model they keep it.
Their only salvation is the top end, high margin model. Which is only a delaying action, because those cameras will not sell in sufficient numbers to sustain the organization.
We’ve reached peak camera market segmentation, probably peak high-end consumption, and peak interest in photography as a hobby.
Now manufacturers need to skim of what they can over the next 2 or 3 years, until one by one they attain room temperature. The next sign will be more intense slashing of high-end prices in an attempt to move more units, as well as to fend off competitors who are also slashing prices.
It’s been fun, boys. But it’s a sad day all the same.
Except that the interest in photography is more or less constant throughout history. One could also argue it grows, just not with the devices manufacturers would like to sell. Digital point-and-shoots were an anomaly – they were convenient but at the same time necessary as there was simply no more convenient way of taking pictures. Now there is such a way and so we’re back to “normal”. I don’t see any doom predictions about flash or tripod manufacturers since they never experienced such bubble burst. Manufacturers just have to adjust and become leaner, that’s all.
Agreed that the “low end” has been eliminated by smart phones, but I think there are some major technology breakthroughs on the horizon that will keep photographers of all levels happily buying gear for years to come. Just today, Lytro announced what looks to be a pretty serious light field camera, and 43Rumors has already reported on a Panasonic patent around light field. This tech is incredibly disruptive — it makes fundamental changes to the way we’re going to take photos, shifting a lot of the creative decisions to post. That may or may not be a good thing, but it is coming. And several new sensor technologies seem close to fruition. We could see an exponential leap in dynamic range and resolution along with a significant miniaturization. I”m looking forward to a 50 megapixel M43 camera that has more dynamic range than today’s best Phase One or digital Hasselblad. I would imagine we’ll see that in less than 5 years. Right around the time Canon releases a decent APSC EOSM! 😉
Admin, I don’t receive 43rumors notifications of new posts anymore, by email, why?
Wise to focus on profitable segments. I’m hoping for a weather sealed GM2 with tilting screen and hot shoe with port or just a weather seal GX8
To me, the GF line was dead with the shift of concept, done with the GF2 anyway. The much more attractive successor of the GF1 (this camera never excited me) is the GX7, so we have actually nothing to worry about.
I think the answer is that Panasonic needs to make a GX2. It would essentially be a GX7 without a viewfinder. GF1 => GX1 => GX2 would then be a logical progression.
I don’t see any particular type of shooter the GF line is perfect for these days. For me, Panasonic would be better off just selling old or previous-gen GMs, GXs and Gs to those who are just looking for a low-cost camera. Cameras depreciate in price so rapidly they might as well take advantage of it.
That might be a solution, although on the other hand people, even beginners, always want the best available tech for their money, in that respect an old GM might not do the trick against low budget but full featured entry NEX or Fuji X. Maybe they should just lower the price of the GM line, afterall, as far as cost and components it should not be much different to produce than a GF (except for the shutter mechanism). The fact remains tough, m43 urgently needs proper entry level cameras along with a powerful marketing campaign on the west. No entry users = no future enthusiast = no lens sales = system stagnation = niche market = legacy 4/3 all over again.
Yes. Currently, I perceive that mirrorless sells very well to existing photographers and not so much to new photographers. Newbies still go for DSLRs thinking they need it to be serious about photography. I have had many friends asking about DSLRs; I tell them to just get a M43 or NEX camera, but they are not interested. Sometimes they politely nod but the next time I see them they have entry level DSLRs in their bags.
Understandable, and for me the GF line wasn’t helping that. Panasonic’s approach to the GF line in practice sometimes seemed to involve using outdated sensors. Given how often the size of m43’s sensors is touted as a disadvantage I think it’s critical that current m43 sensors are all competitive with APS-C ones.
For a consumer to hear ‘yes, m43 can be competitive with APS-C *depending on which m43 camera you choose*’ introduces a lot of uncertainty. Uncertainty + the existence of two ‘default brands that the professionals use ‘ is an inauspicious combo for Lumix.
Much better to have consumers read the rave reviews for the GM1 and GX7 and see the discount they’re getting from the original price than to have them read meh reviews of a GF camera that was built to hit a price point.
True. I always buy 2 generations behind to get the best value for money. The bargain bins are littered with brand new cameras with tech that are more than good enough for what I need to do.
GF6 was nice that it finally allowed manual video controls.
Make the GF7 slightly bigger than the GM1, same visual style, but with full external controls, and tilting LCD and1/16000 shutter eletronic shutter.
@admin
I think you should stop spreading personal opinions and stick to facts..
If your sources tell you it’s on hold, than it’s on hold.
You used 3 sentences there to say the line is ending:
“It’s unclear if there will be ever new GF model in future.”
“This could really be the end of the GF line…”
“Do you think it would be a wise decision to quite the entire GF line?”
When actually nobody said the line is ending…
Aren’t you emphasizing your personal bias too much?
Admin is just expressing his opinion on a rumour. Nothing wrong with that. It’s not a “fact” until the rumour is confirmed.
Just keep GM/GX/GH.
G/GF isn’t bad (especially G). But it’s just when the market is fill with very good mirrorless camera, you want each of your offer as awesome as it could, but not something just average good in all aspect…
GM is *incredible* small.
GX is features packed rangefinder look camera.
GX is *incredible* video camera.
GF is… cheap?
G is … cheap GH2 successor?
you get my point.
They still need the G form factor just as Sony needed to design the A3000 like a DSLR instead of a mirrorless. A significant percentage of the market still links serious photography with DSLRs. The GH is priced too high for newbies wanting to be serious about their photography, who in my observation still go for entry level Canons or Nikons. Many mirrorless users I know are actually photographers who already have some DSLR experience.
Keep GM/GX/G/GH
I think there is room for a G-type. It should focus on small and less weight but not on outdated and cheap hardware.
I see no reason to have a GF and a GM. I also see no reason to build a small GF with focus on the lowest possible price. M43 is a system and starts to make sense if you have more than one lens of better quality than average point and shoot cameras.
less reason less to buy into this ailing system…