John Matthews

The human eye isn't going to get any major upgrades last time I heard. It's the one constant from the early days of image creation to now. The crazy thing about the upgrades is that many cameras being sold have less than 5000 actuation.

I have so much great footage I've taken with the gx80- the one that was used in that gx85 thread started way back when (and briefly became the most popular thread on EOSHD ever). Every camera I've used since (there have been many of all shapes and sizes) was either bigger, lacking features, or didn't have add significant improvements over it. In retrospect, I probably should have stuck with it and I would have saved a bundle and paid off my house that much quicker. Just last night, I was live streaming via HDMI with my S9 (not recording) and the camera over-heated mid-session (about a hour in), something my M43 cameras NEVER did. Granted, I don't think the S9 is made for what I was doing with it in a VERY hot attic (~35C), but still I wasn't even recording and I had a dummy battery. I guess the S5ii will now need to be doing that job and I'll set up my GH2 as a backup (just in case it happens again).

Good point!

That is VERY clear! Even in terms of photography, it's not that bad even for studio work if you use continuous lighting (which I now do). For outside stuff, you'll need a good reflector. On another note, the S9 can also be fitted with the new Sigma 17-40 f/1.8, which would perform like a M43 camera with a 25-60 f/1.2.

I've had the E-M5ii and E-M5iii. I've also had the E-M1ii, E-P7 and E-PL9. All of them had decent images in 4k. The E-M5iii and E-M1ii were definitely a step up when you turned on its picture mode (I forget the exact term). Shooting in 4k in the other normal modes wasn't bad, but a little "soft" for extreme detail. The major problem I had with the E-M5ii was absolutely horrendous moiré issues. For AF, both the E-P7 and E-PL9 did way better continuous AF in video than Panasonic contrast detect. The OM5 series could be so good if they could just put a little better processing in it and 10-bit. The beige looks like puke. Maybe it would be stealthy for a safari or desert situation. Also, OM System is thinking they can way more for this camera, but they will soon realise the contrary. It costs 1299 euros and 200 cheaper in dollars. I get the feeling OM System is asking the europeans to pay those effing tariffs for the Americans rather than asking the Americans to pay. The price gap is too much, especially since the dollar has been in a rather large decline since January 2025.

Sadly the new OM5ii isn't offering any real video upgrades. The E-M5iii remains the smallest M43 camera with PDAF at a decent used price until Panasonic pulls their head out of their rear-end.

Out of curiosity, how much is that combo going for where you live? I'm always looking for it, but it often seems a bit pricy for me. In France, it can be found for about 350 euros.

This is correct. Use a variable neutral density filter to adjust the exposure. If you REALLY want auto ISO, you need to also accept shooting in 30fps because this is only achievable in 4K photo mode.

None of those lenses have apertures to control via the lens. They have focus rings, unlike the 12-32. With the 12-32, put the camera into manual focus mode and there will be a [AF] button in the bottom right corner. Tap it and the lens will focus on that spot- this is your friend. You can also just tap where you want to focus and it will also focus on the object. All of this can happen in MF mode and without any physical focus ring on the lens... if that makes sense.

I had that camera for about 1 month and then sent it back to Amazon because the GX80 came out at the same time. Still, I recorded some great moments on it. One of the videos is so precious that I have it on my desktop at all times.

Just a note for @Andrew Reid: that's Richard Wong, not Robin Wong... I know, both review M43 cameras.

Good comparison.

"The Straight Story" was one of my favorite films. I'm sure there are people with very big money bidding on this stuff.

I'm seeing deals in Germany and France for a S5D + 28-200 for 1299 euros- that's a great deal!

Oh yes. That would be great to have a 60-180mm f/4.5-6.3 with a 62mm filter thread, under 250g. Let's add on that 28mm or 40mm f/2.8 pancake about the same size as the stupid 26mm MF one. The system would then be complete!

I know it's 2025, but does anyone still consider using Loupes on the back of the LCD? Don't these seem more elegant and lighter solutions like for the S9? Or even just one of these:

I already have a few of primes you mention. I have the 24 and 50mm, but I fear they might be only for a pinch. I'll probably use the 18-40 for the moment. I'm going to give it go with my Konica lenses too, especially my 40mm f/1.8 and the 50mm f/1.4. Also, I have the 21mm f/2.8 and the 100mm f/2.8; so, plenty of options there. It should arrive tomorrow.

The S9 is now getting interesting at recent prices I've seen it for in France- under 1000 euros. I'm contemplating now. I figure the launch price should have been this. All they had to do is not give out so many of them for free to influencers. It only really has 3 or 4 modern lens options and a slew of vintage options, but it might be enough.

Quick question: Is the G7's 4k line-skipped or pixel-binned? I cannot seem to find definitive information on this. I can easily get it to moiré but usually in the blue channel.

What about focus breathing compensation? I've heard only a few high-end new lenses do that. Is it not an issue for you?

I'll credit @Andrew Reid for the look with EOSHD Pro Color. I only tweaked it a little. From what I've understood about Panasonic in that era, even their pro video division was surprised by the hacked GH2. I remember many videographers were saying the 1080p out of the GH2 was WAY too sharp and digital. Some of the hacks even offered less sharp versions. After with 4k, it didn't seem we had to worry so much about detail anymore. IBIS meant we could now actually see the detail because with no IBIS, it turned to mush.

I think your DP friend gave you good advice. Nowadays, IBIS is way overused. Don't get me wrong, it still looks better than any shot with jitters. Recently, I've been looking for ways to simplify my workflow and shooting experience. Part of that is to use more tripod shots.

Very nice. Your video exemplifies something interesting about the G7. I especially take note that you locked down every shot. I'm fairly certain that someone doing this today would have left the tripod at home and everything would be with IBIS. It looks great the way you did it. As I demonstrated earlier, you can easily use stabilization in post on a wide lens and get decent results. However, the standard should be the locked-down shot.

Here's the original video. Of course, this is for testing purposes only as I don't usually shoot like this. I just wanted to see how stable I could make the G7 and see how fast it could reacquire focus once in a settled position. What I learned is the smaller you make the AF box, the faster continuous will reacquire focus. I just went from subject to subject, placing the framing where the focus point was. I doubt the footage of my Panasonic VX980 would have been better, just WAY noisier.

I never did try the G6, only the GH2 (a camera I still have and has served me very well with countless hours of live streaming). The G9 is a whole higher tier in Panasonic world. I never did have the GH5/s or the G9, but every time I see their output, I'm usually impressed if in the right hands. Unfortunately, the S9 is off my radar due to it being immediately dismissed for not having a viewfinder, hot shoe, and shutter... or proper pancakes. I'd rather have a G100, but like the S5ii, the S9's video is very nice. Concerning the moiré, I really thought my G7 would resist moiré more than my G100 or GX80 or even my S5, S5ii right now, but sadly, even with its OLPF, it doesn't- just blurrier moiré maybe. :-) I never saw moiré on the GH6 though. I'm sure it does, but I think the pixel density is such that it handles it very well, maybe out-resolving most lenses and therefore making the lens an OLPF. I constantly go back to older cameras. The OM-1 sounds great and I've found that even the e-m1 ii is good enough for my needs at 25fps. I can pick one up for roughly 450 euros right now- crazy. What I like about the G7 is the fact it has a chunky-ish grip. I don't think I've ever had a camera so easy to hold at only 410g. I've had smaller cameras like the GM1 and GX800, but the ergonomics are rather horrendous for everyday use. The G7 feels much better than the E-M5ii in the hand too, a camera I purchased twice for its 415g of travel friendliness.