For those frustrated about their nose selecting AF points: Menu -> Custom -> Touch Settings -> Touch Pad AF -> OFF. This will stop your nose ruining your shots.
You got the stabilization system wrong though. Its Dual IS system works like this: 2-axis in lens stabilization combines with the 5-axis internal magnetic stabilization to expand the compensation. Its not 2 in-lens and 3-in body... If you're using lenses that are not Panasonic OIS, then its a straight up 5-axis in body stabilization. + its active during video
I've just bought this camera based on the reviews from the Camera Store guys and yourself. Good honest review. I just wanted a travel camera, I don't want to drag the 7D around with me, so something small and compact and is not going to break the bank. I'm not really interested in video, just the stills and this video pretty much nailed it for me. Thanks, Ted.
If you already own a Canon 7d, why not get a 100d or 200d as a small body with the excellent dual pixel AF, and there's no need to buy new lenses .... Or go for the M series !!!
Hello Ted, Thank you for the post. I have owned this camera for the past three weeks. I love it and has worked beautifully so far as I have paired it with Olympus 17mm, 25mm, and 12-40 Pro. This camera, for m4/3, does a great job in higher ISO. I also love the image quality with no issues with purple fringing. The dynamic range is acceptable to me specially considering the form factor. I love the RAW that comes our of this camera. I have also bought two extra batteries and finding the the battery life is surprisingly great (I keep my camera on all the time). I bought the kit, with the lens, from B&H used for $650 that make it a great/fantastic deal. Is there an EVF viewfinder magnifier our there? I would live to have a base plate a bit more length as there is none out there. I find this camera extremely useful in all situations and very enjoyable to use. On the side note, rent the Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 and shoot RAW, ISO 100 at f/1.2 and see the beauty you can create with the combination. I LOVED it.
This GX85 camera RULES. shouldn't be using audio off the camera anyway. by the way, those looking at this camera, the audio is really nice and full. you will be fine for vlogs or interviews if you don't want outboard audio. the non flip out screen is fine. i prefer the tilt...so much better. i'm a pro photographer, cinematographer and audio engineer of 25 years and i highly recommend this cam.
Rotter Studios does the gx85 allow for manual focus on the kit lens? I have seen so many other mirrorless or point and shoots that don't have manual. I need it! haha
Hey Brittannie, how are you? It does not offer it directly on the lens itself but you can manual focus with an up and down arrow on the camera. I have not tried that and I don't plan on it. I LOVE the kit lens but will be buying the Panasonic 25mm because I need the faster glass for things... F1.8. That does have a manual focus ring.
Rotter Studios Thanks for getting back, that's good to know. I'm a sucker for manual focus, I guess I'm a control freak and I love getting the perfect artsy shot by messing with the manual. That's the biggest downside from trying to switch away from a DSLR. I'm taking a trip and want to pack as little as possible so a second lense also a down side. but I've heard excellent things about this camera so maybe I will have to just give it a shot. 😉
You won't need a 2nd lense with the kit lense, but that depends on where you are shooting i guess. i've been a photographer for about 25 years, since i was a kid. I got rid of my canon 5D original to afford this, along with a canon L series lense. It was kind of a big step for me. I didn't need it but I'm so glad I got it. I absolutely love it. I was torn moving from DSLR to this. I still have my Canon 5D MKII DSLR. I use this GX85 mainly for video and it's fantastic. Looks great in low light.
@@alvarobenitez1952 it's a very good camera. That 4k video cropping mode is amazing. You can make a product shot or broll shot and it looks like you used a slider. I've not seen another company with this feature
Thanks for the review Ted. I have heard a lot about the GX85 and enjoyed your thoughts on the camera. Look forward to the review of the 4k Video performance and your feelings on its performance as compared to others and the heat problem.
I love the review and your name. I was interested in getting this camera recently for black Friday and when I travel. I usually never take my pro gear. But I always seem to want to get a nice photo or some short video in a small form factor. This is on sale now with two lenses. Thank you for taking the time to make this
Everything you said is what I my self have deduced with this camera. I wont this camera in an auction and I do not regret anything. I shoot along aside an A7iii
One year or so later, I still like this camera but it frustrates me at times when shooting very dark scenes. The LCD and viewfinder both come to a crawl in situations were extra low shutter speeds are needed - they become choppy and the frame rate drops way too low. Other than that, I do appreciate the tilting screen that is more practical for me than the fully articulated ones.
Good review as always - yes for price who does better - on EVF and nose :) - very easy to assign a FN to turn on or off the Touch LCD - but nose only in the way if one uses Left eye - for those with Center EVF - then nose gets in the way for both :) but so easy to just asking Touch To Fn - In 4k burst mode - one sees 30 frames per second at 8Mb - and with decent SD there is no issue with buffer - I have the NEX7/A6000/A6300 and A7 and A7rm2 - and of course the Lumix GX8 - GM5 - GX7 - GX85 - LX100 - and yes one gets a bit better image with kit lenses with the Sony's due to larger sensor - but I just find using the Sony's so frustrating at times - I just love Touch LCD - Yes Lumix has no Phase - hopefully they will soon - they use DFD Depth from Defocus - and in some ways it works quite well - based on scene - but of course no match for a full Phase sensor for tracking fast moving objects - My biggest gripe with the A6300 is that it sometimes locks on the wrong subject - it does well on fast moving large objects - but say I have a group of 10 people and I want to track one - but I am aways so it cannot rely on eye/face detect - so then it is tricky - with the Lumix once it looses track I can just touch the LCD where I want it to track again and it will - but on the Sony's you are stuck - so neither system perfect :) You mentioned dynamic range - of course the kit lens is just a kit lens and very inexpensive - but when puts the many many nice m43 lenses on it - things are much different - The A6000/6300 have a very limited lens selection - with the 35mm F1.8 and 50mm F1.8 being the best bargains - but then there are the very expensive Zeiss - which most all do not include no IS and the bodies have no IBIS - So yes the A6300 for body only at $1000 is not bad - great IQ - and super in Fast tracking in most cases - but lacks the nice menu system and many Fn buttons of Lumix etc - few Sony branded lenses - and few very expensive Zeiss - I honestly use my Lumix GX8 / GX85 / GM5 lots more then my Sony's - due to just enjoying using the Lumix more and the so many great lenses - like the 25mm F1.4 - 42.5mm F1.7 with IS - the Olympus 75mm F1.8 the 12-35mm F2.8 and 35-100mm F2.8 - just so small and light - Yes the GX85 is not perfect - but costs less then the RX100m4 - and records more then for 3-5min in 4k :) in California on a warm day I only get 3min in 4k on my RX100m4 :) while I get 15min clips and no overheating on my Lumix ZS100 in 4k - and 1inch sensor - Yes it is easy to find flaws in both systems - Sony and Lumix :) if they merged then both together would make really nice stuff :) for me fun to use and easy to use - weight and size and cost are important and of course IQ - yes Sony in APS-C has a small edge - given similar lenses are used - in IQ - but Lumix does better in Focus speed in low light - but Lumix can make up some with the many super nice M43 lenses - now one can get the Lumix 42.5mm F1.2 for around $1000 - just an awesome lens - so sharp in all the frame - when I look at some images from my GX8 with it and say an image from my A6000 or A6300 with the 16-50 for 18-200 the lumix G8 has the edge in sharpness and low light - so it is all somewhat relative - The focus sweet on the GX8 is super fast for stills - it is only in fast moving objects that the A6300 has the advantage - Sony is the king of sensors - I think Lumix is the king of the menu/interface :) of course Olympus and Fuji have their advantages and pros and cons as well - I mostly use my 12-35mm F2.8 So you are in Texas now - I thought you where in the Bay area - did you move keep the great videos coming
Hello Ted I really love the show. I wanted to ask, though. You'd review a lot of very cool cameras on your show BUT do you ever go out and shoot with them? It be a cool bit to see your photos on the show of off the cameras you review. Just a thought... thank you :)
I like these reviews but I prefer the analogue ones because they make art photography so much more accessible and I feel that its the strength of this channel.
Ted you're saying that 12-32 isn't a particualrly versatile focal range? Surely that equates to a 24-64 focal lwgth with a micro four thirds sensor? Surely that's pretty standard and almost as versatile as it gets no? :)
Correction: There are 5-axis IBIS, not 3. And 2 additional are from some Panasonic lenses, which gives you 7-axis image stabilization. With any other lens you will always have 5-axis image stabilization.
I'm looking for a camera like this in 2023. It seems like the perfect option. I have a Canon 90D which is a fantastic camera but is big, heavy, bulky. I want something smaller for travel. At this point in time, is this still a good option? Looks like a fantastic option. I want it to be small like this, with a viewfinder, interchangeable lenses. Would appreciate any tips.
Just saw this with 2 lenses for $460! While Sony has a great competitor I can’t deal with the over heating. Looking for information before I pull the trigger. Thank you for this video!
This is a good camera. The sensor is smaller and you get what comes with that. Personally I would go with a prime and a good zoom. I like the Pany 25mm f/1.4 and 14-140 f/3.5-5.6. The later zoom is quite incredible for IQ and IS. I can easily shoot 1/4" off-hand without trying and 2" with some effort without motion blur.
Thank you for this review Ted! I was reading about this camera these days. In the next video, can you also shortly compare this camera with GH4, GX8 and G7 in terms of video and still functionality?
GX8 seems to be the king, GH4 has great image quality, but lacks other features since its getting old. I guess we'll see what happens with the GH5 if or when it comes out.
I have GX8 and for me its great because feel solid in my hand, weather sealed, not so bulky, great balance with tele lenses, so fast and reliable AF (that is most important thing for camera system), have good IS with panasonic lenses, so many custom buttons, wonderful EVF (best i have ever seen until now) etc etc. When i come to video, it depends what you expect. Basically GH4 have cinema 4K and 200 Mbps and GX8 UHD 4K and 100 Mbps. So it is a desicion ofcourse...
Great review like always. I went with an excellent condition X-T20 for $520. I live Fuji lenses and the X-T20 has its share of advantages. Weight and size is smaller and lighter (only slightly taller). I was considering the GX85 though especially with these black Friday sales.
I own G7 and E-M1 and E-M1 has slightly better dynamic range shadow-wise, making it notably more usable in low light additionally thanks to Olympus' IS, however in other situations I do prefer to use G7.
Thanks for this informative review. I have given you a 'thumb up'. You asked for feedback: Why start every second sentence with 'now' and why not describe camera features with definite terms, rather then 'kind of'? The English language can be so descriptive and accurate and we as a society have reduced our vocabulary in recent times (e.g. 'kind of', 'sort of', 'like') rather than then trying to increase it. Just my own thoughts.
This camera with the 12-32 kit can now be purchased for $497 on Amazon. You thought it was a value at $800, would you consider it an equal or better value now considering the changing landscape of equipment in the past year?
Thanks mate. Looking forward to the video video.. All shots I've seen with it show very poor dynamic range. It sort of burns out in a strangely delightful whiteness? I hope there's a relatively flat mode, or something.. Eyes peeled :)
I use the EVF very often and have no issue at all with it. It's small but it is a small camera. No issue with nose hitting the touchscreen because I use my right eye. I can use either eye, depending on the camera used at the time but actually prefer using the right one.
H,iDo you think you could do a video tutorial of this camera of the different settings etc, there are a lot of reviews but I can't find any tutorials, thanks
Dear sir, Now that you are at it, could you please confirm whether controlling shutter release from the panel is an option. Thank you so much for the lovely presentation. Gabriel
If the EVF was not included, this would be the best compact camera that nails almost all the basic videography features that we want from compact cameras. The sceeen can tilt 180° entirely, good 4K video recording duration, no overheating and interchangeable lens.
If your nose is accidentally moving the AF point on the touchscreen, you can simply turn touch AF off. As a right-eye shooter, this is not an issue for me, but left-eye shooters are more likely to make nose contact. As for DR, it's exactly the same on my GX7 as it was on my Canon 1Ds MkII. Anyone who learned to work with slide film or DSLRs from 5+ years ago will know how to work with this camera's DR. With static subjects, a simple workaround that gives you more DR than ANY single capture is to shoot an exposure bracket - can be done handheld and takes only 1-2 seconds - and merge to HDR in Lightroom, which takes maybe 30 seconds on my 2012 laptop. Also, the DR example image presented in the video looks a bit underexposed to me. I'd have given it 1/2 stop more exposure, knowing I could recover the blue sky in post, and gotten less shadow noise.
I couldn't get one at the super low price, but I just got the 2 lens kit for $599. It's not nearly as comfortable as the LX100. It's a heavy chunky little body, that oddly enough, feels better with much larger lenses!
@@andreatilli6227 Depending on the lens, with the 12-32mm kit lens it's just about the same. Apparently, there will be no more Compact cameras designed, so if you find a deal on one, I would grab it! LX100 or the LX100 II (touch screen).
I love the video! Very informative for my soon-to-be camera purchase. What software are you using to process the image shown in the video? Is that simply Adobe Photoshop?
Spot on review - thanks for sharing Ted! Feel the same way about trying to hold onto highlights without letting them blow out... doing a lot of experimenting in the profiles. It is indeed a great bang for the buck though, and I'm already finding myself carrying it around far more than 5D3 which is a good sign :)
The Touch-Functionality can be switched off automatically, while looking through the evf. At least at may Panasonic G6. There should be a corresponding Menu item at the gx 80
Canon M6 (first generation), Panasonic G7, or GX85 for stills (urban, landscape, animals) and occasional short videos? Your videos are always super well made and informative. Please help!
Bought this camera 4 hours ago! For the price is an amazing camera. Im amazed with it allready! Im waiting for the M42 adapter to get some test shots with some vintage lenses, but apparentlly the use of full frame lenses on micro 4/3 sensors will get you much less sharp photos than you would expect from full frame lenses. A matter of perceptual pixels i would guess. Great review! Can't wait for that 4K video review! Cheers!
"much less sharp"? No, there are some full frame lenses that might be a little less sharp on smaller sensors than they'd be on a full frame camera but this is not a rule. It's not anything the average photographer should ever worry about. It's a very minor issue with very few camera/lens combos that has somehow become something a lot of people worry about for no real world reason. Just get out and shoot!
I use a vintage lens on my micro 4/3 Olympus OM-D EM-10. As you might well know auto-focus will not work but on my camera but I still get all the camera functions like ‘Live Histogram’ and more (on my viewfinder and LCD screen). There are some adapters that are capable of doing auto-focusing with motored vintage lens but they are quite expensive and not worth the expense. For my part I use old vintage manual lens which are much cheaper. So you will have to manually focus and it can be problematic to get a real clean image unless you have and use functions like Focus-Peaking or Focus-Zoom. Just a note on these two functions: In my camera (OM-D EM-10), if I set these functions to ON under the LCD (in-camera menu) that doesn’t work. Luckily I found out that if I attributed those two functions to camera buttons, they work great. It seems that the in-camera settings searches for a regular motorized lens to apply it but when you apply these functions to the camera buttons they are like hardware-coded (bypassing whatever lens you have on). If you get a well rated vintage lens, you will get extra-sharp images on a micro 4/3. But you must beware and check for possible flaws before buying old lens. Here’s a link that might help you for what to check for: www.lightstalking.com/buying-a-used-lens/ My suggestion would be that you check if the GX85-80 has the focus-peaking and/or focus-zoom option(s). If they don’t, I would probably not venture in vintage lens (but there are others who still do). And if they are present, I would ask if programming the in-camera functions will work or if you have (and can) program these functions to camera buttons. Hope that helps. Oh ALMOST FORGOT: Remember that you about double the focal length of a lens when using a vintage lens made for DSLR or SLR on a mirrorless camera. The normal lens for DSLR is around 50mm while for a mirrorless camera is around 25mm. Which means that a 135mm lens will make it a 270mm in a micro 4/3, meaning that on a normal DSLR 135mm/50mm will provide you a 2,7x magnification ratio while on your micro 4/3 it will give you 270mm/25mm a 10,8x magnification ratio. Maybe a fellow subscriber can tell us if these focusing options are available and can be use jointly with a vintage lens.
perceptual megapixels is dxo mark clap trap peddled by tony Northrup. its completely wrong. BTW I'd consider a focal reducer. the 2x crop can be difficult to accommodate.
perceptual megapixels is dxo mark clap trap peddled by tony Northrup. its completely wrong. BTW I'd consider a focal reducer. the 2x crop can be difficult to accommodate.
Nice job, I enjoy the reviews. I know you liked the price point on this model, but you may want to also consider the more expensive GX8 for video and stills. It's a bit better IMHO. ✌🏻️
Thank you for this review. I really like this camera. I want to buy it but I still don't know if older A6000 isn't better choice. I am a Sony guy but sometimes I miss some functions like in body stabilisation. I have some Sigma primes and they are not stabilised. I am still shorter, no interests in video.
White balance is a huge thing. I mean that kind of thing matters to me all features aside. For a long time I never thought about WB, until I started to incorporate flash :) Then it became a huge deal.
Thanks for the review. Is that the right camera for mountaineering, including sunrises amd sunsets? Especially now, with Panasonic giving 200£ cashback.
Is the post focus function good enough to correct the continuous AF issue? Thank you for the great review. For causal still shooters like myself, that and 4K photo mode would become quite handy - great value for a $800 camera!
I've been a pro tog for over forty years, and the GX80s are now my main cameras, so I'd class them as being a little above mid-range - in some areas they outperform the so called top of the range!
as someone coming from a film background ( both you and I ) I would enjoy seeing you review a Fuji X series camera....( I don't own one but am looking - I loved my Nikon Fe2 which I shot thousands of Vevia slides and Pan-X photos on...) ...would like to see your take on them.....
LX100 or the GX80 with the 12-32 f3.5-5.6 kit lens? GX80 is 80 Euro more expensive. I'm just getting into photography and wondering which would be the best to learn with and for going forward. Thanks, Steve
Is your histogram in Lightroom out of shot or do you not use it? I can't live without it. Perhaps a topic for a video? Always good to know when you're clipping.
At about 6 minutes in, he says that with silent mode you don't get "the speed or the burst rate". This contradicts my experience with a GX7, which actually gives me a FASTER frame rate in silent (e-shutter) mode than with the mechanical shutter. There are other settings that can reduce the frame rate (I think vignette correction?), so I wonder whether the reviewer might be getting a reduced frame rate for some reason having nothing to do with silent mode.
I have a question about the image stabilization in this camera. Panasonic has the feature listed as: "New 5-axis in-body sensor stabilizer works with LUMIX 2-axis optically stabilized lenses in video and still capture modes using class-leading Dual Image Stabilization." So.. is it 5 axis total, when combined with a compatible Panasonic lens? I'm just curious as I have some Olympus M43 non-stabilized lens and want to know if the 5 axis would work with them....thanks!
What is your opinion, if you have one, comparing this with Olympus OM-D EM5 mk II? I also have the Lumix G7 & the EM5 mkII, so I am interested. Thank you Ted, Neil.
If only my a7rii had a touch screen to quickly select the autofocus point like that Panasonic camera has. Or even a joystick. Going into a menu to do so is way too slow.
yeah I totally agree. the economics of something like this gx85 is phenomenal compared to Sony. It's what made me sell my Sony gear and take the hit and image quality with Panasonic.
learn to use your camera first instead of complaining. there is ze r o need to go into the menu. I push the center button and I'm already able to use the arrows to control the focus point mate
+shaolin95 I know how to use the camera since I've been using the tool for years now on three different Sony E mount models. It's still a menu, even though it's not accessed by pressing a button with "menu" written on it. Then there's the tedious adjusting of the spot's possition with the tiny wheels. Meanwhile I'm missing shots. There's a reason why some cameras have a dedicated joystick for this purpose. A touchscreen is even quicker. At live events we need to be quick.
So let me ask would you suggest this or the lx100 I'm torn between the two what I do like about this one I heard it's no time limit it will record as long as you need it
hello Ted.. nice detailed review, it's help me much. i have a question, hope you can help. is there any speedlite that can do ttl & hss for this lumix GX85 ?
Now that you didn’t misnamed the Panasonic camera you have at hand, Panasonic is confusing the consumers by distributing the same camera under two distinct attributes. It’s probably their way to say no hard feelings ;-)
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when I use the viewfinder with my gx85, I just simply use my nose to select Focus points hahaha.
loudpanzer best photography tip ever offered on the interwebs right here folks!
I thought I was so strange when I found this out (by accident). Works wonders!
LMAO!
ahahahah i like you
Pro
For those frustrated about their nose selecting AF points:
Menu -> Custom -> Touch Settings -> Touch Pad AF -> OFF.
This will stop your nose ruining your shots.
Thank you! That was happening to me all the time!
Kind of a shame to have to lose touch ability, but worth it to stop that issue.
For future readers: you DO NOT lose touch functionality with the setting in the OP.
Assign Touch Function to Fn1.
We are crazy about the Lumix lineup, and the GX85 has become one our main go-to cameras for just about anything.
Mine too.
You got the stabilization system wrong though. Its Dual IS system works like this: 2-axis in lens stabilization combines with the 5-axis internal magnetic stabilization to expand the compensation. Its not 2 in-lens and 3-in body... If you're using lenses that are not Panasonic OIS, then its a straight up 5-axis in body stabilization. + its active during video
I've just bought this camera based on the reviews from the Camera Store guys and yourself. Good honest review. I just wanted a travel camera, I don't want to drag the 7D around with me, so something small and compact and is not going to break the bank. I'm not really interested in video, just the stills and this video pretty much nailed it for me. Thanks, Ted.
If you already own a Canon 7d, why not get a 100d or 200d as a small body with the excellent dual pixel AF, and there's no need to buy new lenses .... Or go for the M series !!!
Having watched quite a number of You Tube camera reviews, yours is certainly one of the very best!
Thanks for the detailed review! Absolutely helpful making the decision on my first non-professional camera!
Hello Ted,
Thank you for the post. I have owned this camera for the past three weeks. I love it and has worked beautifully so far as I have paired it with Olympus 17mm, 25mm, and 12-40 Pro. This camera, for m4/3, does a great job in higher ISO. I also love the image quality with no issues with purple fringing. The dynamic range is acceptable to me specially considering the form factor. I love the RAW that comes our of this camera. I have also bought two extra batteries and finding the the battery life is surprisingly great (I keep my camera on all the time).
I bought the kit, with the lens, from B&H used for $650 that make it a great/fantastic deal.
Is there an EVF viewfinder magnifier our there? I would live to have a base plate a bit more length as there is none out there.
I find this camera extremely useful in all situations and very enjoyable to use.
On the side note, rent the Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 and shoot RAW, ISO 100 at f/1.2 and see the beauty you can create with the combination. I LOVED it.
This GX85 camera RULES. shouldn't be using audio off the camera anyway. by the way, those looking at this camera, the audio is really nice and full. you will be fine for vlogs or interviews if you don't want outboard audio. the non flip out screen is fine. i prefer the tilt...so much better. i'm a pro photographer, cinematographer and audio engineer of 25 years and i highly recommend this cam.
Rotter Studios does the gx85 allow for manual focus on the kit lens? I have seen so many other mirrorless or point and shoots that don't have manual. I need it! haha
Hey Brittannie, how are you? It does not offer it directly on the lens itself but you can manual focus with an up and down arrow on the camera. I have not tried that and I don't plan on it. I LOVE the kit lens but will be buying the Panasonic 25mm because I need the faster glass for things... F1.8. That does have a manual focus ring.
Rotter Studios Thanks for getting back, that's good to know. I'm a sucker for manual focus, I guess I'm a control freak and I love getting the perfect artsy shot by messing with the manual. That's the biggest downside from trying to switch away from a DSLR. I'm taking a trip and want to pack as little as possible so a second lense also a down side. but I've heard excellent things about this camera so maybe I will have to just give it a shot. 😉
You won't need a 2nd lense with the kit lense, but that depends on where you are shooting i guess. i've been a photographer for about 25 years, since i was a kid. I got rid of my canon 5D original to afford this, along with a canon L series lense. It was kind of a big step for me. I didn't need it but I'm so glad I got it. I absolutely love it. I was torn moving from DSLR to this. I still have my Canon 5D MKII DSLR. I use this GX85 mainly for video and it's fantastic. Looks great in low light.
Rotter Tube Reef wonderful! I watched some video comparison with this and I'm pretty sold on it. Yay!
In June 2019 its $500 with TWO kit lenses brand new. Now is the time to buy it ;)
Momchil Yordanov that’s how much I paid lmao
Woo woo!!!
Gx85 497 with two lens kit. Very good for price
One year later... and I really want it...
@@alvarobenitez1952 it's a very good camera. That 4k video cropping mode is amazing. You can make a product shot or broll shot and it looks like you used a slider. I've not seen another company with this feature
Thanks for the review Ted. I have heard a lot about the GX85 and enjoyed your thoughts on the camera. Look forward to the review of the 4k Video performance and your feelings on its performance as compared to others and the heat problem.
I have this camera now and i find it just excellent. It worth a reflex (photo quality) but it is wayyyys better with the 4k-mode. Recomand it!
I love the review and your name. I was interested in getting this camera recently for black Friday and when I travel. I usually never take my pro gear. But I always seem to want to get a nice photo or some short video in a small form factor. This is on sale now with two lenses. Thank you for taking the time to make this
Ted keep these camera reviews coming. I love you other content too, but your camera reviews are cool. You have a different perspective. Cheers
I taught myself to use my right eye (I'm left-eye dominant) so that my nose wouldn't hit the LCD screen. Problem solved.
Everything you said is what I my self have deduced with this camera. I wont this camera in an auction and I do not regret anything. I shoot along aside an A7iii
One year or so later, I still like this camera but it frustrates me at times when shooting very dark scenes. The LCD and viewfinder both come to a crawl in situations were extra low shutter speeds are needed - they become choppy and the frame rate drops way too low. Other than that, I do appreciate the tilting screen that is more practical for me than the fully articulated ones.
Custom -> Constant Preview -> Off
Had one for several years and love it. Have G80 as well for the mike port but mostly travel with the GX80.
Really cool video Ted. :) just checking, isnt 12-35 equivalent of 24-70 with m4/3 crop factor of 2x?
Great review Ted. Keep the reviews coming. You really get to the crux of the camera. Bring on the video review!
Good review as always - yes for price who does better - on EVF and nose :) - very easy to assign a FN to turn on or off the Touch LCD - but nose only in the way if one uses Left eye - for those with Center EVF - then nose gets in the way for both :)
but so easy to just asking Touch To Fn -
In 4k burst mode - one sees 30 frames per second at 8Mb - and with decent SD there is no issue with buffer -
I have the NEX7/A6000/A6300 and A7 and A7rm2 - and of course the Lumix GX8 - GM5 - GX7 - GX85 - LX100 - and yes one gets a bit better image with kit lenses with the Sony's due to larger sensor - but I just find using the Sony's so frustrating at times - I just love Touch LCD -
Yes Lumix has no Phase - hopefully they will soon - they use DFD Depth from Defocus - and in some ways it works quite well - based on scene - but of course no match for a full Phase sensor for tracking fast moving objects -
My biggest gripe with the A6300 is that it sometimes locks on the wrong subject - it does well on fast moving large objects - but say I have a group of 10 people and I want to track one - but I am aways so it cannot rely on eye/face detect - so then it is tricky - with the Lumix once it looses track I can just touch the LCD where I want it to track again and it will - but on the Sony's you are stuck - so neither system perfect :)
You mentioned dynamic range - of course the kit lens is just a kit lens and very inexpensive - but when puts the many many nice m43 lenses on it - things are much different -
The A6000/6300 have a very limited lens selection - with the 35mm F1.8 and 50mm F1.8 being the best bargains - but then there are the very expensive Zeiss - which most all do not include no IS and the bodies have no IBIS -
So yes the A6300 for body only at $1000 is not bad - great IQ - and super in Fast tracking in most cases - but lacks the nice menu system and many Fn buttons of Lumix etc - few Sony branded lenses - and few very expensive Zeiss -
I honestly use my Lumix GX8 / GX85 / GM5 lots more then my Sony's - due to just enjoying using the Lumix more and the so many great lenses - like the 25mm F1.4 - 42.5mm F1.7 with IS - the Olympus 75mm F1.8 the 12-35mm F2.8 and 35-100mm F2.8 - just so small and light -
Yes the GX85 is not perfect - but costs less then the RX100m4 - and records more then for 3-5min in 4k :) in California on a warm day I only get 3min in 4k on my RX100m4 :) while I get 15min clips and no overheating on my Lumix ZS100 in 4k - and 1inch sensor -
Yes it is easy to find flaws in both systems - Sony and Lumix :) if they merged then both together would make really nice stuff :)
for me fun to use and easy to use - weight and size and cost are important and of course IQ - yes Sony in APS-C has a small edge - given similar lenses are used - in IQ - but Lumix does better in Focus speed in low light - but Lumix can make up some with the many super nice M43 lenses - now one can get the Lumix 42.5mm F1.2 for around $1000 - just an awesome lens - so sharp in all the frame - when I look at some images from my GX8 with it and say an image from my A6000 or A6300 with the 16-50 for 18-200 the lumix G8 has the edge in sharpness and low light - so it is all somewhat relative -
The focus sweet on the GX8 is super fast for stills - it is only in fast moving objects that the A6300 has the advantage -
Sony is the king of sensors - I think Lumix is the king of the menu/interface :) of course Olympus and Fuji have their advantages and pros and cons as well -
I mostly use my 12-35mm F2.8
So you are in Texas now - I thought you where in the Bay area - did you move
keep the great videos coming
I still love the GX80!
Would you upgrade from a g7 to the gx80? Mainly photography use.
Hello Ted
I really love the show. I wanted to ask, though. You'd review a lot of very cool cameras on your show BUT do you ever go out and shoot with them? It be a cool bit to see your photos on the show of off the cameras you review. Just a thought...
thank you :)
I like these reviews but I prefer the analogue ones because they make art photography so much more accessible and I feel that its the strength of this channel.
What a great review. On point, fast and concise. Lots of good information. Outstanding. Thumbs up!
Thanks for the insight. I just purchased another camera, but I gave this one serious consideration. Have a great evening.
Nice, honest and comprehensive review. I like your down to earth approach Ted!
Ok, I don't want to stress you up, but it's 00.45 am Friday here in Finland and I'd really like to watch your GX85 4K video before I fall asleep...
What a superb review! Thank you!
Would you recommend this over the Olympus om-d e-m10 mark ii?
Ted you're saying that 12-32 isn't a particualrly versatile focal range? Surely that equates to a 24-64 focal lwgth with a micro four thirds sensor? Surely that's pretty standard and almost as versatile as it gets no? :)
A 12-50 would be better but you can never have everything at once. :D
I guess he means it's "limited" to only "24-64" but it's actually a most used focal length for many people.
Correction: There are 5-axis IBIS, not 3. And 2 additional are from some Panasonic lenses, which gives you 7-axis image stabilization. With any other lens you will always have 5-axis image stabilization.
Why don't you use your right eye to avoid your nose hit the LCD screen?
I'm looking for a camera like this in 2023. It seems like the perfect option. I have a Canon 90D which is a fantastic camera but is big, heavy, bulky. I want something smaller for travel. At this point in time, is this still a good option? Looks like a fantastic option. I want it to be small like this, with a viewfinder, interchangeable lenses. Would appreciate any tips.
Just saw this with 2 lenses for $460! While Sony has a great competitor I can’t deal with the over heating. Looking for information before I pull the trigger. Thank you for this video!
This is a good camera. The sensor is smaller and you get what comes with that. Personally I would go with a prime and a good zoom. I like the Pany 25mm f/1.4 and 14-140 f/3.5-5.6. The later zoom is quite incredible for IQ and IS. I can easily shoot 1/4" off-hand without trying and 2" with some effort without motion blur.
5 axis is not combined with the lens, but the Body itself. Looked like that on a picture, at least.
Great review. Have to say that I can’t see the EVF being a problem if you’re ‘right eyed’✌️
Thank you for this review Ted! I was reading about this camera these days. In the next video, can you also shortly compare this camera with GH4, GX8 and G7 in terms of video and still functionality?
GX8 seems to be the king, GH4 has great image quality, but lacks other features since its getting old. I guess we'll see what happens with the GH5 if or when it comes out.
+The Art of Photography Tho I am often hearing GX8 is not as good as GH4 for video.
I have GX8 and for me its great because feel solid in my hand, weather sealed, not so bulky, great balance with tele lenses, so fast and reliable AF (that is most important thing for camera system), have good IS with panasonic lenses, so many custom buttons, wonderful EVF (best i have ever seen until now) etc etc.
When i come to video, it depends what you expect. Basically GH4 have cinema 4K and 200 Mbps and GX8 UHD 4K and 100 Mbps. So it is a desicion ofcourse...
Great review like always. I went with an excellent condition X-T20 for $520. I live Fuji lenses and the X-T20 has its share of advantages. Weight and size is smaller and lighter (only slightly taller). I was considering the GX85 though especially with these black Friday sales.
I own G7 and E-M1 and E-M1 has slightly better dynamic range shadow-wise, making it notably more usable in low light additionally thanks to Olympus' IS, however in other situations I do prefer to use G7.
Thanks for this informative review. I have given you a 'thumb up'. You asked for feedback: Why start every second sentence with 'now' and why not describe camera features with definite terms, rather then 'kind of'? The English language can be so descriptive and accurate and we as a society have reduced our vocabulary in recent times (e.g. 'kind of', 'sort of', 'like') rather than then trying to increase it. Just my own thoughts.
This camera with the 12-32 kit can now be purchased for $497 on Amazon. You thought it was a value at $800, would you consider it an equal or better value now considering the changing landscape of equipment in the past year?
Tom Ditmar I was wondering the same thing and saw that deal this morning. Trying to decide between this and the Olympus Em10 markii.
Thanks mate. Looking forward to the video video.. All shots I've seen with it show very poor dynamic range. It sort of burns out in a strangely delightful whiteness? I hope there's a relatively flat mode, or something.. Eyes peeled :)
they price point is the key to this camera... good review...you nailed it
Turn also just with the LX100 videos. The Panas are really good for filming!
I just picked one up for 499 in 2019 with 2 lenses! Great value!
The 12-32 and the 45-150. Plus it came with a camera bag, Cleaning kit, 64gb SD card... And a bunch of other stuff
Great deal! Amazon is having a similar deal for Black Friday so I'm totally getting it!
@@OMEGAZTECK
It's an amazing little camera
I use the EVF very often and have no issue at all with it. It's small but it is a small camera. No issue with nose hitting the touchscreen because I use my right eye. I can use either eye, depending on the camera used at the time but actually prefer using the right one.
just bought this. only use canon, but i'm really excited to get this! coming next week!
Steve Rotter which do you like better
H,iDo you think you could do a video tutorial of this camera of the different settings etc, there are a lot of reviews but I can't find any tutorials, thanks
Strange that you didn't mention the kit lens doesn't have a manual focus circle on it, that seems like a major issue to me.
Dear sir,
Now that you are at it, could you please confirm whether controlling shutter release from the panel is an option. Thank you so much for the lovely presentation.
Gabriel
If the EVF was not included, this would be the best compact camera that nails almost all the basic videography features that we want from compact cameras. The sceeen can tilt 180° entirely, good 4K video recording duration, no overheating and interchangeable lens.
Thank you so much!!!
If your nose is accidentally moving the AF point on the touchscreen, you can simply turn touch AF off. As a right-eye shooter, this is not an issue for me, but left-eye shooters are more likely to make nose contact. As for DR, it's exactly the same on my GX7 as it was on my Canon 1Ds MkII. Anyone who learned to work with slide film or DSLRs from 5+ years ago will know how to work with this camera's DR. With static subjects, a simple workaround that gives you more DR than ANY single capture is to shoot an exposure bracket - can be done handheld and takes only 1-2 seconds - and merge to HDR in Lightroom, which takes maybe 30 seconds on my 2012 laptop. Also, the DR example image presented in the video looks a bit underexposed to me. I'd have given it 1/2 stop more exposure, knowing I could recover the blue sky in post, and gotten less shadow noise.
Amazing video...one of the best review I have ever seen...
Despite m43 having a wide and varied lens selection, and touchscreen, I still prefer the a6000 due to those flexible raws.
I couldn't get one at the super low price, but I just got the 2 lens kit for $599. It's not nearly as comfortable as the LX100. It's a heavy chunky little body, that oddly enough, feels better with much larger lenses!
Is it that much heavier to walk around ?
@@andreatilli6227 Depending on the lens, with the 12-32mm kit lens it's just about the same. Apparently, there will be no more Compact cameras designed, so if you find a deal on one, I would grab it! LX100 or the LX100 II (touch screen).
I feel out of breath just listening to you talk. Anyway, great review! Thinking of getting this camera.
I love the video! Very informative for my soon-to-be camera purchase. What software are you using to process the image shown in the video? Is that simply Adobe Photoshop?
drphil1984 it is adobe photoshop lightroom
Spot on review - thanks for sharing Ted! Feel the same way about trying to hold onto highlights without letting them blow out... doing a lot of experimenting in the profiles. It is indeed a great bang for the buck though, and I'm already finding myself carrying it around far more than 5D3 which is a good sign :)
+Chris Prouse thanks Chris - very much agreed. 5D3 is getting a little long in the tooth.
Chris Prouse Do you still find this camera as a good value? It can be found for $599 with an additional lense.
Do you still use this camera?
12-32mm is versatile, 24mm to 62mm, nice 24mm wide angle to standard 50mm
The Touch-Functionality can be switched off automatically, while looking through the evf. At least at may Panasonic G6. There should be a corresponding Menu item at the gx 80
Canon M6 (first generation), Panasonic G7, or GX85 for stills (urban, landscape, animals) and occasional short videos? Your videos are always super well made and informative. Please help!
Lumix should do the Nikon route which lets the other half be the touch pad focus selector.
Bought this camera 4 hours ago! For the price is an amazing camera. Im amazed with it allready!
Im waiting for the M42 adapter to get some test shots with some vintage lenses, but apparentlly the use of full frame lenses on micro 4/3 sensors will get you much less sharp photos than you would expect from full frame lenses. A matter of perceptual pixels i would guess.
Great review! Can't wait for that 4K video review!
Cheers!
"much less sharp"? No, there are some full frame lenses that might be a little less sharp on smaller sensors than they'd be on a full frame camera but this is not a rule. It's not anything the average photographer should ever worry about. It's a very minor issue with very few camera/lens combos that has somehow become something a lot of people worry about for no real world reason. Just get out and shoot!
+mavfan1 thanks!! You got me hyped up already!
I use a vintage lens on my micro 4/3 Olympus OM-D EM-10.
As you might well know auto-focus will not work but on my camera but I still get all the camera functions like ‘Live Histogram’ and more (on my viewfinder and LCD screen). There are some adapters that are capable of doing auto-focusing with motored vintage lens but they are quite expensive and not worth the expense. For my part I use old vintage manual lens which are much cheaper.
So you will have to manually focus and it can be problematic to get a real clean image unless you have and use functions like Focus-Peaking or Focus-Zoom.
Just a note on these two functions: In my camera (OM-D EM-10), if I set these functions to ON under the LCD (in-camera menu) that doesn’t work. Luckily I found out that if I attributed those two functions to camera buttons, they work great. It seems that the in-camera settings searches for a regular motorized lens to apply it but when you apply these functions to the camera buttons they are like hardware-coded (bypassing whatever lens you have on).
If you get a well rated vintage lens, you will get extra-sharp images on a micro 4/3.
But you must beware and check for possible flaws before buying old lens. Here’s a link that might help you for what to check for: www.lightstalking.com/buying-a-used-lens/
My suggestion would be that you check if the GX85-80 has the focus-peaking and/or focus-zoom option(s). If they don’t, I would probably not venture in vintage lens (but there are others who still do). And if they are present, I would ask if programming the in-camera functions will work or if you have (and can) program these functions to camera buttons.
Hope that helps.
Oh ALMOST FORGOT: Remember that you about double the focal length of a lens when using a vintage lens made for DSLR or SLR on a mirrorless camera. The normal lens for DSLR is around 50mm while for a mirrorless camera is around 25mm. Which means that a 135mm lens will make it a 270mm in a micro 4/3, meaning that on a normal DSLR 135mm/50mm will provide you a 2,7x magnification ratio while on your micro 4/3 it will give you 270mm/25mm a 10,8x magnification ratio.
Maybe a fellow subscriber can tell us if these focusing options are available and can be use jointly with a vintage lens.
perceptual megapixels is dxo mark clap trap peddled by tony Northrup. its completely wrong. BTW I'd consider a focal reducer. the 2x crop can be difficult to accommodate.
perceptual megapixels is dxo mark clap trap peddled by tony Northrup. its completely wrong. BTW I'd consider a focal reducer. the 2x crop can be difficult to accommodate.
Great review-apart from using the expression "price point",so popular with camera reviewers.Can anyone tell me why "price"is no longer O-K ?
Nice job, I enjoy the reviews. I know you liked the price point on this model, but you may want to also consider the more expensive GX8 for video and stills. It's a bit better IMHO. ✌🏻️
Thank you for this review.
I really like this camera. I want to buy it but I still don't know if older A6000 isn't better choice. I am a Sony guy but sometimes I miss some functions like in body stabilisation. I have some Sigma primes and they are not stabilised. I am still shorter, no interests in video.
Is it possible shoot in winter and snowing? Cold and snowing is ok even not weathere sealed?
I love this camera cuz the design is so beautiful. Thats the reason why its my main camera 😀 sounds crazy, I know.
I hear you there I have a g95 and I'm using the gx85 more
Thanks for a great review!
Love this review - thanks!
White balance is a huge thing. I mean that kind of thing matters to me all features aside. For a long time I never thought about WB, until I started to incorporate flash :) Then it became a huge deal.
Thanks for the review. Is that the right camera for mountaineering, including sunrises amd sunsets? Especially now, with Panasonic giving 200£ cashback.
I found this camera today, for 450$ including the kit lens + 35-100mm lens + case + battery. Is it worth it? I am considering it.
Bronze Podcast yes!!! Those are great lenses!
Is the post focus function good enough to correct the continuous AF issue? Thank you for the great review. For causal still shooters like myself, that and 4K photo mode would become quite handy - great value for a $800 camera!
The question is, this or OLYMPUS OM-D E-M10 MARKII. i dont care about 4K really
Thanks for the great video, would you recommend the A6000 or the GX85 to a beginner just getting into shooting? :)
I've been a pro tog for over forty years, and the GX80s are now my main cameras, so I'd class them as being a little above mid-range - in some areas they outperform the so called top of the range!
@@keithspillett well said.
as someone coming from a film background ( both you and I ) I would enjoy seeing you review a Fuji X series camera....( I don't own one but am looking - I loved my Nikon Fe2 which I shot thousands of Vevia slides and Pan-X photos on...) ...would like to see your take on them.....
Great review..
PERFECT review - thank you so much :)
LX100 or the GX80 with the 12-32 f3.5-5.6 kit lens? GX80 is 80 Euro more expensive. I'm just getting into photography and wondering which would be the best to learn with and for going forward. Thanks, Steve
Is your histogram in Lightroom out of shot or do you not use it? I can't live without it. Perhaps a topic for a video? Always good to know when you're clipping.
4K burst mode kills it.
I still have a hard time using the monitor rather than a viewfinder to compose my shots. I guess I'm just use to the viewfinder in my D610, its HUGE.
Nicholas Erwin And the GX8?
By the way im super excited for the assignments! When are you going to post the first one?
Not too shabby
Sir, which would you recommend? Olympus om-d em 10 ii with zuiko 45mm f/1.8 or Panasonic gx85 with kit lens? Thank you
At about 6 minutes in, he says that with silent mode you don't get "the speed or the burst rate". This contradicts my experience with a GX7, which actually gives me a FASTER frame rate in silent (e-shutter) mode than with the mechanical shutter. There are other settings that can reduce the frame rate (I think vignette correction?), so I wonder whether the reviewer might be getting a reduced frame rate for some reason having nothing to do with silent mode.
it would be cool if you designed your own super camera with all the best features. you know so much.
I have a question about the image stabilization in this camera. Panasonic has the feature listed as: "New 5-axis in-body sensor stabilizer works with LUMIX 2-axis optically stabilized lenses in video and still capture modes using class-leading Dual Image Stabilization."
So.. is it 5 axis total, when combined with a compatible Panasonic lens? I'm just curious as I have some Olympus M43 non-stabilized lens and want to know if the 5 axis would work with them....thanks!
Hi, what do you recommend between GX85 and Canon G7x Mark ii for vloging and some pictures of beautiful landscape ?
Thanks
What is your opinion, if you have one, comparing this with Olympus OM-D EM5 mk II? I also have the Lumix G7 & the EM5 mkII, so I am interested. Thank you Ted, Neil.
If only my a7rii had a touch screen to quickly select the autofocus point like that Panasonic camera has. Or even a joystick. Going into a menu to do so is way too slow.
yeah I totally agree. the economics of something like this gx85 is phenomenal compared to Sony. It's what made me sell my Sony gear and take the hit and image quality with Panasonic.
learn to use your camera first instead of complaining. there is ze r o need to go into the menu. I push the center button and I'm already able to use the arrows to control the focus point mate
+shaolin95
I know how to use the camera since I've been using the tool for years now on three different Sony E mount models. It's still a menu, even though it's not accessed by pressing a button with "menu" written on it. Then there's the tedious adjusting of the spot's possition with the tiny wheels. Meanwhile I'm missing shots. There's a reason why some cameras have a dedicated joystick for this purpose. A touchscreen is even quicker. At live events we need to be quick.
Thanks Sony fan boy.
Jared M Johnson
I'm not a "fan" of any brand. None make the camera I want.
would you recommend this camera over the olympus omd e-m10 mark ii, considering the body's cost exactly the same were i live?
I want this to be one off my first mirroless camera
So let me ask would you suggest this or the lx100 I'm torn between the two what I do like about this one I heard it's no time limit it will record as long as you need it
Finally upgrading from my GH1. Should I get this or a GH4?
hello Ted.. nice detailed review, it's help me much. i have a question, hope you can help. is there any speedlite that can do ttl & hss for this lumix GX85 ?
Now that you didn’t misnamed the Panasonic camera you have at hand, Panasonic is confusing the consumers by distributing the same camera under two distinct attributes.
It’s probably their way to say no hard feelings ;-)
it has to do with commerce and avoiding regulations(i.e fines and taxes)
Actually they name all their cameras three times for three different global markets.