"Is this camera still worth it in 2022?" What a strange thing to say.

[Crotal Bell]

During the time I spent choosing my camera (Lumix MFT G80) I saw lots of videos pop up where vloggers make videos of cameras, usually about 5 years old, and aske the question, is it still a good choice in 2020/2021/2022 etc etc

Thankfully I paid more attention to what people said on here, because IMHO the answer to all these videos is obvious. Yes, of course they are still worth it. What I find annoying about these videos is that they mostly respect the older camera, and yet they hint that by having an older model you are missing out on the latest features. I watched a video by Mike Browne yesterday where he made a mockery of a lot of the latest features, and in fact, when questioning several pro photographers, they told him they would never use these features.

Now I do realise that for some of you, the latest cameras will include something worth upgrading to, but a lot of the vloggers seem to concentrate on the latest gimmicks, that in reality, mean little or nothing when you're out taking photos. And it's all so subjective, my used G80 and 2 used lenses has cost me under £750 in total, and I could not have afforded anything more, and I think this little lot will make me very happy. The pictures I have already taken make me very happy, and I've only scratched the surface.

Why do they make these videos? They are so misleading. Why do they praise a camera and then usually hint that you'll have something a bit old and slightly inferior?
I've just seen my old Canon 1000F SLR with lens and bag going for 20 quid on fleabay. Is it still worth it in 2022? Well of course it is !! If that's what you want !!
My point is this, all cameras are worth it if it's going to do what you want it to, and costs what you want to pay. So glad I wasn't suckered in by the vloggers.

 

[woof woof]

Some features will matter to some people, frame rate, the latest and most reliable focus systems etc... so I think the key is to keep grounded in reality and to be honest about your/our own needs and decide if features are needed for the pictures we want to take.

As to why bloggers do what they do, some will make contentious comments for click bait, some will do it because they want to appear clever and some others might just get it wrong

 

[Peter B]

I'm not really interested in video at all, or frame rates either. I could do with better AF on film and digital, plus IBIS on a camera, but otherwise a few years isn't a massive difference necessarily.

 

[Crotal Bell]

Some features will matter to some people, frame rate, the latest and most reliable focus systems etc... so I think the key is to keep grounded in reality and to be honest about your/our own needs and decide if features are needed for the pictures we want to take.

As to why bloggers do what they do, some will make contentious comments for click bait, some will do it because they want to appear clever and some others might just get it wrong

Agreed Alan. There are features that matter, usually for serious photographers. What annoys me is this trend that seems to make people feel they have to have the latest gear, and for the majority, they don't. You could walk around a car show with a 10 year old used DSLR, and provided you have put some effort in to learn photography, you will take some lovely photos.

It's just annoying the way so many people present these videos "The V1, It's still a good camera, even if hasn't got all the features of the V3+" What they don't explain is that for most people, it won't matter. They make people feel like they'll be missing out, when in reality they're not. Yes, I think a lot of them will say anything to get a view and make money. You Tube can be a great place, but you have to tread cautiously.

 

[Crotal Bell]

I'm not really interested in video at all, or frame rates either. I could do with better AF on film and digital, plus IBIS on a camera, but otherwise a few years isn't a massive difference necessarily.

Exactly my point. For some, the latest improvement matters for a good reason, but for people who want to move up from the smartphone and get into photography, a lot of the videos make you feel like you need a new camera or you'll struggle without all the gimmicks and tricks. It's almost like leading you down the easy route, buy the latest and you won't need to try so hard. What I'm learning through trial and error is you need to put the effort in. People take pictures, not cameras.

 

[Sangoma]

I look a a lot of videos, but not to get the makers opinion usually, but to discover points or features that warrant further investigation or research.

You can also detect trends, of course those trends are only amongst the people who post anything online, but that applies to anything, and any media. Magazines have the same limitation, and of course so do individuals. A dedicated Canon user is not going to have much of value to say about other brands, though of course you may pick up points worth considering.

I look at these videos as one way to find information, usually by taking their comments and doing more research.

The G80 is a very good camera, and will be for many years to come, and if you do ever decide to go up a level, all your lenses will work on the G9, but in many ways the G80 is nicer to use than the G9, and the same the other way round in different ways, the combination that you have, the G80 + the 100-300 is a very nice and easy to use pairing, and I get better results with it than I did with any Canon combination. (or Pentax for that matter) That may well be a comment bout me rather than the cameras, but it is the result that I get that counts to me

The G80 is very good for HDR as well, put the settings into one of the Custom menus, and it is only one setting to change (I don't use the built in HDR mode)

Looking at the photos you have taken, I would say you made the right choice.

 

[d00d]

We can all make 5 minutes of video, looking cool, talking about something of other, upload it to YouTube and yay! What a wheeze. We might get some likes and followers.

And for many of us camera gear in the comfort of our mancave and/or walking down the street with a GoPro on a stick, is an easy topic. Fun for me, fun for all my fans out there. It soon becomes a habit, then we must include clickbaity titles: "Why MFT Is Still Worth It In 2022" or "Why I've Just Sold All My MFT Gear".

Pinch of salt required.

 

[delb0y]

Youtubers trying to generate an income need something to say... When they're done reviewing new gear they re-review old gear and come up with "Is the XXX still worth it?" routine. I'd be far more impressed with them if they were to just release one video every few months with something worthwhile to say, but of course this won't help them generate the income they want. Pick your Youtube subscriptions wisely, I say (which is to say, subscribe to Jamie Windsor, and ignore all the others ).

 

[f/1.2]

During the time I spent choosing my camera (Lumix MFT G80) I saw lots of videos pop up where vloggers make videos of cameras, usually about 5 years old, and aske the question, is it still a good choice in 2020/2021/2022 etc etc

Thankfully I paid more attention to what people said on here, because IMHO the answer to all these videos is obvious. Yes, of course they are still worth it. What I find annoying about these videos is that they mostly respect the older camera, and yet they hint that by having an older model you are missing out on the latest features. I watched a video by Mike Browne yesterday where he made a mockery of a lot of the latest features, and in fact, when questioning several pro photographers, they told him they would never use these features.

Now I do realise that for some of you, the latest cameras will include something worth upgrading to, but a lot of the vloggers seem to concentrate on the latest gimmicks, that in reality, mean little or nothing when you're out taking photos. And it's all so subjective, my used G80 and 2 used lenses has cost me under £750 in total, and I could not have afforded anything more, and I think this little lot will make me very happy. The pictures I have already taken make me very happy, and I've only scratched the surface.

Why do they make these videos? They are so misleading. Why do they praise a camera and then usually hint that you'll have something a bit old and slightly inferior?
I've just seen my old Canon 1000F SLR with lens and bag going for 20 quid on fleabay. Is it still worth it in 2022? Well of course it is !! If that's what you want !!
My point is this, all cameras are worth it if it's going to do what you want it to, and costs what you want to pay. So glad I wasn't suckered in by the vloggers.

You watched their video and by doing so generated revenue for them. You were very much suckered in by the vloggers.

They got exactly what they wanted from you.

 

[bish789]

The 'is it worth it in .....' equipment was when released the cutting edge of technology available at that time.
I've just bought a 5D Mkii, is it cutting edge? No. Does it do it's job for me? Yes.
I did watch videos about it and there was some surprisingly good outcomes.
Do I feel inferior not having the latest AF that works with DNA strands to one micron of accuracy?
No

 

[troutfisher]

The 'is it worth it in .....' equipment was when released the cutting edge of technology available at that time.
I've just bought a 5D Mkii, is it cutting edge? No. Does it do it's job for me? Yes.
I did watch videos about it and there was some surprisingly good outcomes.
Do I feel inferior not having the latest AF that works with DNA strands to one micron of accuracy?
No

I could not agree more.
I have two Fuji's and XT-1 and an XE-2, both are old and in todays terms out of date but you know what, they still take excellent photographs and do everything I need, I don't need the latest XT-4 or whatever is in the pipeline.
It is a bit like mobile phones some people have to have the latest greatest iPhone/Samsung or whatever but I am prepared to wager it's just to get bragging rights they don't need the latest iteration and in a lot of cases won't use it.

 

[sphexx]

During the time I spent choosing my camera (Lumix MFT G80) I saw lots of videos pop up where vloggers make videos of cameras, usually about 5 years old, and aske the question, is it still a good choice in 2020/2021/2022 etc etc

Thankfully I paid more attention to what people said on here, because IMHO the answer to all these videos is obvious. Yes, of course they are still worth it. What I find annoying about these videos is that they mostly respect the older camera, and yet they hint that by having an older model you are missing out on the latest features. I watched a video by Mike Browne yesterday where he made a mockery of a lot of the latest features, and in fact, when questioning several pro photographers, they told him they would never use these features.

Now I do realise that for some of you, the latest cameras will include something worth upgrading to, but a lot of the vloggers seem to concentrate on the latest gimmicks, that in reality, mean little or nothing when you're out taking photos. And it's all so subjective, my used G80 and 2 used lenses has cost me under £750 in total, and I could not have afforded anything more, and I think this little lot will make me very happy. The pictures I have already taken make me very happy, and I've only scratched the surface.

Why do they make these videos? They are so misleading. Why do they praise a camera and then usually hint that you'll have something a bit old and slightly inferior?
I've just seen my old Canon 1000F SLR with lens and bag going for 20 quid on fleabay. Is it still worth it in 2022? Well of course it is !! If that's what you want !!
My point is this, all cameras are worth it if it's going to do what you want it to, and costs what you want to pay. So glad I wasn't suckered in by the vloggers.

“Why do they make these videos?” To make money from the ads in many cases so “new features” are probably better bait to put on the hook.

If you are interested in good YouTube reviews of M43 you could look at those of the late David Thorpe — which show how video blogs should be done.

 

[tangerine_sedge]

I'm still using a 5Dmk1 which has been, and (in truth) will continue to be perfectly suitable for my needs. I completely ignored the mkII - mkIV as the incremental upgrades just weren't worth the cost. I will be shortly upgrading to an R3 as that IS a huge improvement in all areas that matter to me, i.e. Motorsport photography. My best shots will likely not be a lot different, but the number of keepers, and the success rate at getting those perfect action shots will hopefully increase.

Anyway, those Youtubers remind me of the old Sunday Sport headlines from ~1990 :

"WW2 bomber found on the moon".
"WW2 bomber missing from the moon" - the following week

 

[d00d]

I couldn't care less if, even the most annoying, YouTuber made a couple of bob out of me clicking. You soon get to know the ones you like and trust.

When seriously checking something out before buying, a good comparison site can be revealing. It should tell you what the gear has got and what it hasn't got, when being measured against gear that has got it. If you know what I mean. It can lead to you googling for answers to questions you'd never considered.

 

[sphexx]

I'm still using a 5Dmk1 which has been, and (in truth) will continue to be perfectly suitable for my needs. I completely ignored the mkII - mkIV as the incremental upgrades just weren't worth the cost. I will be shortly upgrading to an R3 as that IS a huge improvement in all areas that matter to me, i.e. Motorsport photography. My best shots will likely not be a lot different, but the number of keepers, and the success rate at getting those perfect action shots will hopefully increase.

Anyway, those Youtubers remind me of the old Sunday Sport headlines from ~1990 :

"WW2 bomber found on the moon".
"WW2 bomber missing from the moon" - the following week

Yes, a lot of these sites depend on an idea that “pro” cameras are best and that “pros” are always using the newest cameras whereas the reverse is probably nearer the truth unless, as you cite, some ‘killer’ feature(s) come along. Horses for courses.

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

...and that “pros” are always using the newest cameras whereas the reverse is probably nearer the truth...

Indeed.

Unfortunately, truth is the first casualty of the clickbait wars.

 

[woof woof]

Agreed Alan. There are features that matter, usually for serious photographers. What annoys me is this trend that seems to make people feel they have to have the latest gear, and for the majority, they don't. You could walk around a car show with a 10 year old used DSLR, and provided you have put some effort in to learn photography, you will take some lovely photos.

It's just annoying the way so many people present these videos "The V1, It's still a good camera, even if hasn't got all the features of the V3+" What they don't explain is that for most people, it won't matter. They make people feel like they'll be missing out, when in reality they're not. Yes, I think a lot of them will say anything to get a view and make money. You Tube can be a great place, but you have to tread cautiously.

I'm sure you're right.

Some people just need to have the latest and greatest and we see that at least to a degree here with people swapping from one perfectly good system to another for some feature or improvement or because they just want to try the different kit. I've never really done that and I tend to keep kit a long time but one the other hand if people can afford to swap and change and they enjoy it then I suppose life is short so why not?

I'm not really all that interested in what others think of my kit and if anyone thinks their own kit is holding them back I think it's a good idea to see what other people are doing with the same kit and that can be a wake up call for those of us who think our kit isn't good enough.

Oh just one small example. I recently saw a review of the Sony 20mm f1.8 G and the reviewer made a point of how bad the vigetting is. Well, I have that lens so I looked at every picture I could remember taking with it and saw no notable or even noticeable vignetting even though I hadn't applies the lens profile. So what was he seeing? I have no idea

 

[woof woof]

“Why do they make these videos?” To make money from the ads in many cases so “new features” are probably better bait to put on the hook.

If you are interested in good YouTube reviews of M43 you could look at those of the late David Thorpe — which show how video blogs should be done.

Yup. I liked his reviews.

 

[tangerine_sedge]

I couldn't care less if, even the most annoying, YouTuber made a couple of bob out of me clicking. You soon get to know the ones you like and trust.

When seriously checking something out before buying, a good comparison site can be revealing. It should tell you what the gear has got and what it hasn't got, when being measured against gear that has got it. If you know what I mean. It can lead to you googling for answers to questions you'd never considered.

Yes, they can be a useful source of actual hands-on information that you can't get from spec sheets, but those youtubers have got to get their weekly content out there. If there isn't something new to talk about, then they have to turn to manufacturing reasons for videos, hence we get content talking about minor defects as if they are major flaws.

As you say, we soon work out those content creators that have something useful to say and those just saying anything to drive content or clicks.

 

[LeeRatters]

You should all know by now that once a new bit of gear comes out, the old model is rubbish, doesn't work very well anymore and is completely incapable.....

 

[sphexx]

Yes, they can be a useful source of actual hands-on information that you can't get from spec sheets,

I think they must be particularly useful, along with sites like dpreview which has consistent format and lots of detail) for the very many people who don’t have access to shops.

You just have to engage your brain when watching them.

 

[sphexx]

You should all know by now that once a new bit of gear comes out, the old model is rubbish, doesn't work very well anymore and is completely incapable.....

That’ll come, manufacturers would love* to build a kill switch into products — I sometimes suspect they have, when a product fails just after the warranty expires


*only joking!

 

[Sangoma]

That’ll come, manufacturers would love* to build a kill switch into products — I sometimes suspect they have, when a product fails just after the warranty expires


*only joking!

Well, apple effectively does that!

 

[Brazo]

It’s a very common strap line used in front of any bit of tech. Start typing is an iPhone 7 worth it in 2022 and google will autosuggest/finish your typing for you.

 

[bish789]

I've got an iPhone 7
Makes calls, sends texts, don't need the iPhone whatever number it's up to now

 

[sphexx]

Well, apple effectively does that!

Actually I think Apple are one of the ones that doesn’t. They go on supporting stuff for years and it mostly lasts well.

 

[woof woof]

Actually I think Apple are one of the ones that doesn’t. They go on supporting stuff for years and it mostly lasts well.

Wasn't there a scandal recently about Apple slowly crippling older phones in the software? Something about deliberately slowing them down?

Mrs WW likes her phones and every Xmas and birthday I offer to buy here a new one but she'll never let me. I saw some Apple refurbs on a shopping channel and thought they might appeal to her but again she said no. Maybe a refurb with new software might be a better buy than an as it is old used phone as the older software could be slowly crippling it?

 

[sphexx]

Wasn't there a scandal recently about Apple slowly crippling older phones in the software? Something about deliberately slowing them down?

Yes and it’s still continuing but mostly rubbish. Apple were attempting to make phones perform better when the battery was low and chose to slow the phone to make it last longer. People disagreed, preferring phone to go fast and die young so to speak. Storm in a teacup I think.

Mrs WW likes her phones and every Xmas and birthday I offer to buy here a new one but she'll never let me. I saw some Apple refurbs on a shopping channel and thought they might appeal to her but again she said no. Maybe a refurb with new software might be a better buy than an as it is old used phone as the older software could be slowly crippling it?

Surprised by that but maybe it’s the form factor — large or small etc. Wait until it dies and then she can get a s/h of the same model — maybe!

 

[Sangoma]

Actually I think Apple are one of the ones that doesn’t. They go on supporting stuff for years and it mostly lasts well.

Yes it lasts well, but support?
They control the hardware and what software can run on it, and for people who have many devices, they have to be renewed after about 5 years, no matter if they are still in good condition.

Advancing technology obviously affects PCs in a similar way, but you don't have one company acting as dictator in chief, so the issues can usually be worked round.

The battery issue a storm in a teacup? I guess that is what apple fans and apple themselves would like to see it as, but it is obvious that a huge number people did not see it that way.

The only good experience I have seen with apple is that my youngest could make an iphone do things when he was one, before he could even talk. (it was an insurance claim I bought for £10 from some one who had dropped it in water)

I know several people who have to deal with them in schools and colleges, and they hate them, I had my fair share of uphill with them, until I switched to Meraki for management.

Many years ago apple seemed to achieve almost a cult status, now it seems like a status symbol amongst the "latest shiny gadget" people.

I guess they are fine if you want to do with them what apple wants you to do wit them, but if you dare want anything different to what apple says you can have, you're stuck.

Please for you that you like them, but no amount of convincing would ever make me want to own one

 

[ancient_mariner]

It's better to buy the camera you need than the one you don't. A lot of wedding toggers love the eye detection AF but landscapers couldn't give a wet slap. Look at the features and make up your own mind.

 

[LeeRatters]

Yes it lasts well, but support?
They control the hardware and what software can run on it, and for people who have many devices, they have to be renewed after about 5 years, no matter if they are still in good condition.

Advancing technology obviously affects PCs in a similar way, but you don't have one company acting as dictator in chief, so the issues can usually be worked round.

The battery issue a storm in a teacup? I guess that is what apple fans and apple themselves would like to see it as, but it is obvious that a huge number people did not see it that way.

The only good experience I have seen with apple is that my youngest could make an iphone do things when he was one, before he could even talk. (it was an insurance claim I bought for £10 from some one who had dropped it in water)

I know several people who have to deal with them in schools and colleges, and they hate them, I had my fair share of uphill with them, until I switched to Meraki for management.

Many years ago apple seemed to achieve almost a cult status, now it seems like a status symbol amongst the "latest shiny gadget" people.

I guess they are fine if you want to do with them what apple wants you to do wit them, but if you dare want anything different to what apple says you can have, you're stuck.

Please for you that you like them, but no amount of convincing would ever make me want to own one

We think alike

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

I know several people who have to deal with them in schools and colleges, and they hate them,

Could you provide the names and addresses of these people who hate them, to support your claim?

I've been working with Apple equipment since 1980 and I have yet to observe any severe shortcoming in design or execution. Of course individual devices do suffer failures but my experience is that such are noticeably fewer than with other large volume producers.

 

[sphexx]

Yes it lasts well, but support?
They control the hardware and what software can run on it, and for people who have many devices, they have to be renewed after about 5 years, no matter if they are still in good condition.

Advancing technology obviously affects PCs in a similar way, but you don't have one company acting as dictator in chief, so the issues can usually be worked round.

The battery issue a storm in a teacup? I guess that is what apple fans and apple themselves would like to see it as, but it is obvious that a huge number people did not see it that way.

The only good experience I have seen with apple is that my youngest could make an iphone do things when he was one, before he could even talk.

so your youngest was an iPhone before, what … metamorphosis? Interesting family.

it was an insurance claim I bought for £10 from some one who had dropped it in water)

I know several people who have to deal with them in schools and colleges, and they hate them, I had my fair share of uphill with them, until I switched to Meraki for management.

Many years ago apple seemed to achieve almost a cult status, now it seems like a status symbol amongst the "latest shiny gadget" people.

I guess they are fine if you want to do with them what apple wants you to do wit them, but if you dare want anything different to what apple says you can have, you're stuck.

Please for you that you like them, but no amount of convincing would ever make me want to own one

I‘m not sure why you are so upset. No one is forcing you to buy any Apple product. On the software it’s the same with most camera manufacturers (except Canon if that’s still true) you can only run their software & firmware.

Where do you get 5 years from. I’m still running a late 2012 Mac mini and getting updates an I can and do run Windows, Linux, ChromeOS on it and other versions of MacOS as virtuals. What’s not to like?

 

[sphexx]

Could you provide the names and addresses of these people who hate them, to support your claim?

I've been working with Apple equipment since 1980 and I have yet to observe any severe shortcoming in design or execution. Of course individual devices do suffer failures but my experience is that such are noticeably fewer than with other large volume producers.

It’s obviously why Apple is such a failing company. I shall join those who predict they won’t last, where’s back of the queue … oh it seems to be stretching back to errr … 1976.

 

[Sangoma]

Could you provide the names and addresses of these people who hate them, to support your claim?

I wouldn't, that would not be the right thing to do, and would serve no purpose. And what is wrong with people not liking them anyway?
If you then say that you don't believe me because I won't do so, fine, no problem.

I remember the old apples with the 6502 processor, but was a Z80 user, though I did build a UK101 in 1979, then went to Video Genie and TRS80 before moving to PC in 83.

 

[Julian Elliott]

Sadly a lot of YouTubers think that having the latest and greatest makes them relevant / more professional etc.

A lot of them just aren’t doing the day job. And yes, I know I have a channel but I think of myself as a pro first and YT creative second.

I know of a YouTuber who sold his more than capable Sony kit and bought a Fuji Medium Format digital camera.

Seriously. Why? When you’re just starting out you don’t need to be doing stuff like that. It’s absurd.

 

[sphexx]

Yes it lasts well, but support?
They control the hardware and what software can run on it, and for people who have many devices, they have to be renewed after about 5 years, no matter if they are still in good condition.

Advancing technology obviously affects PCs in a similar way, but you don't have one company acting as dictator in chief, so the issues can usually be worked round.

The battery issue a storm in a teacup? I guess that is what apple fans and apple themselves would like to see it as, but it is obvious that a huge number people did not see it that way.

The only good experience I have seen with apple is that my youngest could make an iphone do things when he was one, before he could even talk. (it was an insurance claim I bought for £10 from some one who had dropped it in water)

I know several people who have to deal with them in schools and colleges, and they hate them, I had my fair share of uphill with them, until I switched to Meraki for management.

Many years ago apple seemed to achieve almost a cult status, now it seems like a status symbol amongst the "latest shiny gadget" people.

I guess they are fine if you want to do with them what apple wants you to do wit them, but if you dare want anything different to what apple says you can have, you're stuck.

Please for you that you like them, but no amount of convincing would ever make me want to own one

What you need is the iPhone 5 :

View: https://youtu.be/uIRBxRlsYR0

 

[SFTPhotography]

It’s obviously why Apple is such a failing company. I shall join those who predict they won’t last, where’s back of the queue … oh it seems to stretching back to errr … 1976.

One of the few tech stocks which hasn't performed like a dog over the last few months, I've moved on from Apple simply as I felt the PC I had built represented better value for me at the time, and the iPhones are hilariously expensive now and I'm not willing to pay 4 figures for the News, WhatsApp, various weather apps, Instragram and banking/share trading services I use. That said, buying a computer now - Mac Studio looks pretty tempting.

 

[SFTPhotography]

I know of a YouTuber who sold his more than capable Sony kit and bought a Fuji Medium Format digital camera.

They're not as expensive as you think, neither are the lenses - if you compare G master zooms to the GF zooms that most of us would use on that system. From a YT PoV does the camera bring him in more revenue from a "halo" effect of using medium format. Certainly the 100mp versions open up crazy print sizes but DR wise they're not better than the A7riv sensor from which the 100mp sensor is derived from.

The 4:3 aspect ratio is also pleasing to work with - try one - you might be surprised just how much you like it

 

[Julian Elliott]

They're not as expensive as you think, neither are the lenses. From a YT PoV does the camera bring him in more revenue from a "halo" effect of using medium format.

This particular one is a hanger on. Going through multiple YTs to try and be relevant.

I was talking about him to a friend in Italy. I never even mentioned his name and he knew exactly who I was talking about.

Earning from photography takes hard work and determination not hanging off of other peoples coat tails.