John Matthews

Google "Lumix closing pro services on November 30, 2025." and click "I'm feeling lucky". Otherwise, https://www.lumixpro.panasonic.com/uk/ Also, everyone with a Lumix pro account received an email... and it wasn't the first. Actually, more than a month old news. I was just wondering what it could mean for Lumix and Panasonic.

I've never had a Panasonic really break on me. It did happen to me with an Olympus E-P7. It had faulty IBIS. I sent it in and they eventually replaced it with an E-M5iii (an upgrade). I was super happy. Not it's the same service today.

I did find a post that said it will still exist, but under the “My Panasonic” name. Maybe because no one was actually using it, they just decided to move the service under the Panasonic brand. Personally, I think they should just get rid of the Lumix name altogether and fully embrace Panasonic. That way, people would immediately know what it’s about and wouldn’t have to think about—or explain—that Lumix means Panasonic too.

I have a bad feeling about this, but does anyone actually use these services? What does this mean for Lumix?

For small M43 cameras like the GM5, prices have skyrocketed to the point where you’d actually make money if you bought one new when it came out, used it, and then sold it in 2025. This trend can’t last—I think it’s a bubble. For anything larger, prices have been tanking for the most part. Cameras like the GH5 and GH5S were roughly double their current prices just two years ago. I suspect that’s because affordable full-frame bodies are now tempting many M43 users to finally make the switch, especially since OM System and Panasonic still haven’t released the camera that truly blows everyone away. Both companies seem to have missed the memo about the kind of very small, capable cameras people actually want in the M43 format. Instead, they keep trying to compete with full-frame—packing similar capabilities into ever-smaller bodies with ever-smaller lenses. Eventually, M43 might only remain relevant for niche situations (like birding). Personally, I still love the format and keep my G7 with two AF lenses. I’m holding out hope. I just wish I could get the capability of the G9 II in an E-M5-sized body. You’d think that would be possible by now. Basically, I use M43 for fun outside and travel. FF is for anything inside.

I took it from the same site that @Andrew Reid mentioned: https://www.slashcam.de/artikel/Test/ARRI-ALEXA-35-Sensor-Bildqualitaet--Rolling-Shutter--Dynamik---Die-neue-Referenz---alles-.html I looked for the Nikon ZR, but I couldn't find similar IQ tests regarding 120fps. It's important to note these are super crops. Andrew thinks it was a bad performance for the Alexa. I don't think so. I don't see the same amount of aliasing as I do on the A1 and S1R ii (which line-skipped) shots.

I'm not sure of the practicality of sensor processing/detail tests at 120fps. Who watches much more than just a short clip? The only exceptions I can think of are in Clockwork Orange and Billy Elliot- both shot on film. I had a look at the GH7 test at 100fps and 120fps. It looks better than both the Sony A1 and Lumix S1r ii. For reference, here's the Alexa 35 at 120fps:

That would make more sense than starting a whole new lens system IMO. Just make a body in the $2500 range and loads of people will come in. Add to it a fast f2 prime that isn't gigantic (I'm ok with in-camera software corrections) and I think it would be way cheaper than making and marketing a new system. There's already so much confusion for the limited number of consumers left buying cameras. I would say a FF point and shoot would make more sense for them. It would also sell really well IMO.

I intend on doing this, but Sean's response rubbed me the wrong way. It's too bad Panasonic doesn't have the same spirit as it had with the GM1 (the camera referenced in the release of the S9). I wanted a 28mm and 40mm pancake. The TTArtisan isn't quite pancake status, but it's the best we've got. It seems like a decent price.

That’s definitely a shift in their marketing strategy—not one that really appeals to me. Owning the S9 (though not the painted gold version), I can’t help but feel Panasonic has done the camera-world equivalent of polishing a turd. That said, I actually like the S9 for what it is—though not at the original price. At the discounted sub-1000 euro mark, it makes sense. My main issue is that it didn’t deserve the attention of a redesign because it’s a fiddly little camera that lacks proper lenses. I’m still waiting for a Panasonic-branded, real pancake lens with autofocus—the kind that should have been released alongside the S9. I even mentioned this to Sean on his weekly livestream. I asked why Panasonic wouldn’t create a lens like the 40mm f/2 that TTArtisan just released, even if it cost twice as much. His response was that they wouldn’t, because everyone would hate on it—much like the 26mm joke of a lens. I disagree. I believe they’d sell plenty of copies of a 40mm f/2 with AF (even if plastic) at around 350 euros. Sometimes, Panasonic just can’t see the obvious, IMO.

I cannot fathom why Panasonic is spending its resources on 200 copies of a camera and giving half of the copies away to YouTube scrubs. Rather, shouldn't they be looking more concerned with releasing a SH1ii- THE camera that 99% of us want to see be released? Perhaps, the pulled another S9 smokescreen on us as it was planned, but regrettably still not ready- only 3 years behind schedule! Then again, maybe it was never planned from the get-go.

Maybe it's me, but the ZR seems more like a S9 with a bigger LCD, internal RAW, and a slightly more functional hotshoe in a heavier body, worse IBIS, not as many tools, and roughly for $1200 more. Am I missing something? The ZR also has 4k 120 in S35, which could be a big deal for some.

Inspired by this post, I tried to make some flares with the Makinon. Some were shot at f/16 and others f/3.5 with an ND filter. I shot in v-log and corrected for exposure and add the official Panasonic LUT.

I have the AR mount version. It's a decent lens by my eye. My copy has a trashed front thread and the rubber missing from the zoom ring- neither are a problem for me. I've seen them in K-mount too, but I'm not sure if there any differences. The fact that it has been used to oblivion is a good sign to me- somebody loved this lens to use it that much. Judging from this video and the video he shot entirely on it, I'd say there aren't any differences. I also have a Pentax 35-105 f/3.5 constant that belonged to my father, but it's almost impossible to use. There's just so much gear noise and you have to go into a full-macro mode to get somewhat close. Here's a video describing it:

Good luck. Manufacturers changed coatings every time they went to the bathroom. They were always getting tweaked. Granted, they often had similar looks. You can find some very unique f/3.5 constant zooms that will do the job. Some of them are sharp and cheap with magnificent and crazy flares. Here are some that I found interesting. I have the Makinon zoom lens.