GX80 (aka. GX85 / GX7 Mk II) vs Fuji X-T10

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jono1
  • Start date Start date
J

Jono1

Guest
Does anyone own a Panasonic GX80 yet? Or have had a chance to play with one?.. I've recently switched over to Fujifilm with an X-T10 &16-50mm, an 18mm f2 and the small Nissin i40 flash. However, I used to own a GX7. I sold it to cope with financially difficult times and while trying to get back into casual photography, I decided to go for a different system. I'm wondering if this was a mistake... I've had some excellent photos with my new system. I just think I preferred the Panasonic. The lenses are generally speaking cheaper and and quicker to respond than what I'm getting with my current set up. I know there are faster performing lenses out there for Fuji, but I don't know if the cost is justifiable. With the GX7 on the way off the shelves, I'm thinking the GX80 might be the way forward. I would probably have opted for the Panasonic GX8, if it wasn't for the reported shutter shock issues, which to me seems like a big deal. Particularly, since Panasonic themselves have tried to resolve the issue with an electronic shutter firmware update and also used a new type of shutter on the GX80.

Does anyone have any input on this? I know there will probably be plenty of people out there who will say go for the Fujifilm because of the 'larger sensor = better image quality' debate. However, I'm still tempted by the better image stabilisation (the new dual IS on the GX80), speed and choice of lenses that micro four thirds offer. Also, I was quite happy with what I was getting from Panasonic. Perhaps Panasonic will get it right when they introduce the Panasonic GX9 (what I'm hoping will be a better viewfinder and weather sealed version of the GX80/ a GX8 that has the new shutter mechanism of the GX80). I've just not got my hands yet on a GX80 to see if it will be right for me and I probably don't want to hang around for the GX9 to hit the market.
 
Jono1

I'm a Fuji X shooter, but had a play with a GX80 at a recent Panasonic Seminar, some of the functions on the GX-80 are quite funky especially the touch focus/shoot on the rear screen and the 4K photo option (though this could be perceived as machine gun photography, rather than an art!!), but there was nothing that leapt out and said buy one of these over a Fuji X series.

Remember that the perceived depth of field is also multiplied by the sensor size, (http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/digital-camera-sensor-size.htm) so you would need an f1.5 on a M4/3 18mm lens to be the equivalent of the XF18mm f2.0 on the Fuji

I didn't have long enough to assess the lens quality, but remember that Fujhi don't make a bad lens, yesd some are slow to focus, and some have plastic bodies but all have execllent IQ, and one or two are outstanding.

That said, if you prefer the handling of the Panasonics, then I would say go with one of them, becasue the camera that you prefer to use, will get used more often and that's the whole point of photography!
 
Mr Perceptive said:
Remember that the perceived depth of field is also multiplied by the sensor size, (http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/digital-camera-sensor-size.htm) so you would need an f1.5 on a M4/3 18mm lens to be the equivalent of the XF18mm f2.0 on the Fuji
Click to expand...

Much of my photographic life has been spent aiming for more dof not less and it does phase me a little when people look at the differences between mft and aps-c dof, the differences are imo negligible. Of course we all have to make our own minds up but personally I wouldn't factor in the tiny dof differences between aps-c and mft when deciding what camera to buy.
 
Last edited:
woof woof said:
Much of my photographic life has been spent aiming for more dof not less and it does phase me a little when people look at the differences between mft and aps-c dof, the differences are imo negligible. Of course we all have to make our own minds up but personally I wouldn't factor in the tiny dof differences between aps-c and mft when deciding what camera to buy.
Click to expand...

Does that mean the difference between APSC and FF dof is negligible?
 
I absolutely agree with what you have said.. maybe I need more time with my Fuji, before leaping back to Panasonic. I'm also aware of the DOF issues with smaller sensors, although there are plenty of excellent fast primes for M4/3 and I rarely shoot wide open anyway. Maybe its just my copy of the XF 18mm, but I feel that the Panasonic 20mm was resolving far better detail on a smaller sensor and it's cheaper (although I'm fully aware it is a very different focal length on the smaller sensor - 40mm equiv. rather than an approx 28mm equiv.). Perhaps, I'll have to own both at the same time to truly make my decision and see which gets used more. But, I do feel as though I spent more time doing photography with my GX7 than I have so far with X-T10... What can I say, I'm still torn...

Thanks for your input :)
 
Hmmm... The more I'm thinking about it, the more I want to consider and see if someone is willing to do a trade in - my fuji stuff for some decent M4/3 equipment. I wonder if I would have any takers.. I'll take my camera out today. Sleep on it. And then, maybe consider putting something up in the classifieds.
 
woof woof said:
Much of my photographic life has been spent aiming for more dof not less and it does phase me a little when people look at the differences between mft and aps-c dof, the differences are imo negligible. Of course we all have to make our own minds up but personally I wouldn't factor in the tiny dof differences between aps-c and mft when deciding what camera to buy.
Click to expand...

No-one said the differences were large or that it should be an over-riding factor but there is a difference.

When a Panasonic ambassador holds two lens, in his left hand the Panasonic 12-35 f2.8 and in the other the Nikon FF 24-70 f2.8 and says these lenses are the same... you don't need a good nose to smell the bulls***

When questioned later after the presentation, he said, but no-one shoots the large Nikon at ff2.8 anyway so they are equivalent, it's amazing how free cameras and lenses alter the brains perception.......
 
I'm not comparing FF lenses to M4/3. This is off topic. I'm merely questioning whether a Panasonic GX80 might be a better choice (for me) than my current X-T10. With other factors, such as speed of focus and lens price, for an amateur/enthusiast such as myself I think it might be. If I was a pro and had the budget, I'm sure I would go full frame.
 
Well for starters list the focal lengths that you would like to use and we can see which system is cheaper on a like for like basis, Fuji or Panasonic, forget FF.

Personally unless you are doing tracking AF then autofocus speed is much of a muchness really (and if you are doing tracking then a DSLR beats both) and I didn't like the GX7 EVF position and type, but that's entirely personal.
 
In terms of FF equivalent lenses, I would go for 24mm, 50mm, a decent ultra wide, and maybe a fish eye and a decent telephoto for occasional use.

The Panasonic 20mm was a good lens that I would use again, although not one of the stated focal lengths, or I guess an alternative lens would be either the Olympus 25mm, or new Panasonic 25mm versus the Fuji 35mm f2. The Olympus 12mm f2 versus probably the Fuji 14mm (rather than the 16mm for size comparison - even though the 16mm matches the Olympus 12mm in terms of FF equivalent and has a wider aperture). Fuji 10 - 24mm versus Olympus 9 -18mm, or 7 - 14mm (I'd probably be happy with relatively cheap 9 -18mm). M4/3 does win in terms of a decent telephoto lens IMO (both can reach FF equivalent of 600mm, but for my purposes, I'm not prepared to shell out for the cost of the Fuji 100-400mm). And as for fish eye, I would probably look at the offerings from Samyang or Lens Baby, so neither Panasonic or Fuji win there.

Looking at those lenses and their prices, M4/3 seems to be the winner for me. Perhaps it's the cost that will be the deciding factor.
 
If you end up going for MFT the G7 and GX7 often crop up discounted and there have been some good deals on both recently. I have both :D but I'm not too keen on the GX7's EVF but the G7's is excellent.
 
I have used both and do like them, but this new GX80 has caught my eye, particularly for its IS capabilities. It seems to be capable of finally rivaling, or maybe matching the Olympus IS. Which for me is a winner. I love the Olympus IS, but have always struggled getting to grips with their menus etc.. I feel far more at home with Panasonic menus, but have often envied Olympus for IS. So, the GX80 has got my attention ☺
 
We'll certainly the Fuji 16mm and 100-400 are expensive so maybe the GX80 makes more sense for you! Just get it done!
 
It all depends what you shoot - coming from Nikon, I was convinced that less is more and started with a 14-42, 45 and 75-300ii. The o60 macro came. Then the 14-42 went and a p20 came. Then the o25. Then the o12-40. Then the p20 and o45 went. Then the macro went. A samyang 7.5FE came. A p35-100 2.8 came. Now a sigma 30 1.4 has arrived so the o25 is going..

So I have a 7.5 then 12-300 covered with a few quicker lenses for when I need...but I rarely use the 75-300 so maybe that's next for the chop as I could let the p35-100 go and replace both with the o40-150+tc..

As you say, m43 lenses are cheap with a busy used market. There's not really a "bad" lens ( apart from the cheap Olympus pancake fisheye thingy ) some are just better than others. I find pretty much all lenses are quick to focus and accurate - there's certainly enough detail to keep most pixel peepers happy.
 
I'm a GX8 user, and the lenses I have and the way I use the camera, I have yet to experience any sort of shutter shock issue over thousands of pictures. I pretty much use the electronic shutter for all my casual shooting, but it's never been an issue when shooting stopped down landscapes off a tripod or other situations where the electronic shutter wouldn't be suitable. I'm not saying it isn't an issue, only that after thousands and thousands of photographs across a wide range of conditions it's never been an issue for me..

For me, the beauty of the m4/3 system is the range of small, high quality prime lenses that are available that are in the most part super sharp right from wide open. I've also found focus speed and accuracy to be absolutely spot on. I'm currently shooting with the PL 15mm f1.7, PL 25mm f1.4, Panny 42.5 mm f1.7, Sigma 60mm f2.8, Panny 14-42mm mk II and Panny 45-150mm for the rare occasion when I need some extra reach.

There is just something about the shooting experience with the Panasonic G series that has always just gelled with me. It's hard for me to explain why, but I find the camera system just gets out of the way completely and lets me concentrate on making photos rather than having to think about things in relation to operating the camera or its functionality. Of course YMMV :-).

Cheers,

Simon.
 
Thanks for all the comments. I think I have come to the conclusion that for me M4/3 is the way forward. I'm not 100% certain which camera to invest in next, but my Fuji is definitely going up soon in the classifieds. Hopefully if can come to a suitable agreement with a potential buyer, then it will cover me, without too much extra expense. My reason for my decision is simply that the XF18mm is a lovely focal length on the X-T10, but it is heart-achingly slow and unfortunately, I feed it inferior to even the Panasonic 20mm f1.7, which I thought at first was pretty slow. For fleeting street photography, I think I'd be better served with a fast M4/3 prime. Also, the cost of some lenses on the Fuji is out of my price range, whereas M4/3 lenses are kinder to the bank balance and the image quality is still superb.

I did get to play with a GX80 today and I'm giving that serious consideration :)
 
I've got an XT-10 with 16-50 OIS ii and a 35mm f2.0 and they are plenty fast enough to focus for me.

I tried m43 but always hankared after a fuji and I don't regret it - the lenses on the m43 just felt to little and light - didn't feel like a proper camera if that makes sense.

Why not try the 18-55?
 
I've tried the 18-55mm on my previous x-t1 camera (yup I sold that already - won it in a competition, but didn't need it at the time as I was happy with what I had and I wanted spending money for my hols) , but I've always been a prime shooter. I'm sorry, but for me the Fuji is just not working. I might feel differently had I purchased the 35mm f2.0 as I understand it is pretty fast and weather sealed, but my ideal combo for that camera would have been the 18mm as well as the 35mm.. I can't justify the price of the 14mm, and so my mind is made up... plus the size and weight thing for me is a bonus when it comes to travel. If they had a faster performing 18mm at a similar price point, then I would probably hold onto it for a little longer. Anyhow, I might not do the switch over just yet. I need someone to agree on a reasonable price. About to post my add now
 
I've arranged to sell my X-T10 and will be purchasing a GX80. And I'm looking forward to it :)
 
Mr Perceptive said:
No-one said the differences were large or that it should be an over-riding factor but there is a difference.

When a Panasonic ambassador holds two lens, in his left hand the Panasonic 12-35 f2.8 and in the other the Nikon FF 24-70 f2.8 and says these lenses are the same... you don't need a good nose to smell the bulls***

When questioned later after the presentation, he said, but no-one shoots the large Nikon at ff2.8 anyway so they are equivalent, it's amazing how free cameras and lenses alter the brains perception.......
Click to expand...

I may be in a minority... and glad to be. I think dof equivalence and chasing shallow dof is done to death.
 
woof woof said:
I may be in a minority... and glad to be. I think dof equivalence and chasing shallow dof is done to death.
Click to expand...
Just looking at previous threads of mine and how I came to the decision of sticking with mft. After reading this post of yours, I realised I rarely look for shallow dof too, unless doing portraits (usually of dogs), or macro. For portraits the oly 45mm f1.8 works well for me. I don't do much in the way of macro, but I have got a Panasonic 30mm macro which is usually enough. Although tempted by the Oly 60mm, I just don't do enough to shell out for it. The 30mm was purchased on a whim.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top