John Matthews

Speaking of the G9 ii: It's too expensive; It's too big; It's not good enough in low-light (meaning high-ISO); It's too sharp; It doesn't have shallow depth of field; It doesn't have that "full-frame look". Do you really want to "invest" in M43? Other full-frame sensor cameras are the same price or cheaper. And on and on we go. I don't think there's any way to universally "win". In fact, I don't think any manufacturer has any real incentive to make the "perfect" camera. If they did, why would you ever buy anything else?

My Priorities for Panasonic: 1) Release a VERY SMALL M43 camera body with PDAF and full-sensor readout in 4k NOW! 2) Release a GH7 with variable ND and PDAF. 3) Release a high-end video camera with variable ND and PDAF for L mount. 4) Release a pancake (28mm or 40mm or both) lens for L mount.

The 70-300 seems especially good with dual IBIS. I've seen some really decent footage. It's the only telephoto lens I'd consider. I'd much rather have it because you get an extra 100mm and only lose a stop over the 70 200 F4. That's an easy tradeoff; also, it's a bit lighter. I've heard good things about it terms of IQ, but apparently it's rather heavy for what it is.

Yeah, who knows with the Z6iii? And you know, if it's great, we'll something decent from Panasonic. In fact, I'm fairly sure all of them sit on cameras to the last minute, trying to wait until the other guy markets their camera; this way, they can either quickly add a feature or include something to get a USP. I think Panasonic is savvy at least in terms of value, especially in France where the price is even below US prices.

As always, we all seem to chase the latest and greatest. Panasonic will most likely release something just after- round and round we go. It sounds like you "settle" for one season and then move on, always staying ahead of the curve. L-mount seems a little heavy on telephoto, except for the 70-300. M43 makes more sense for most of that stuff but only in good light as they aren't great at high ISO. Only the 75 f/1.8 on a GH5s trumps that (a little), but it's a prime and not great AF. Maybe the Sigma 135mm f/1.8- never tried it though? You probably already thought of it.

Have you considered the Panasonic 70-300? I've actually heard a lot of good things about that lens, even though it's a little slow. It probably does ok at ISO 4000 indoors.

For interior work, FF will outperform M43, but it also comes at the cost of lack of DOF. Also, you might be surprised how good the S5ii's AF is; IMO, better and more advanced than the EM1ii (which is also good on faces). The S5ii's IBIS is about the same as the G9ii. The G9ii is probably best for outdoors. It's the same size as the S5ii. Fitted with the 10-25 f/1.7 (690g), I think the g9ii would be out-performed by a S5ii with a Sigma 28-70 f/2.8 (470g). For ultrawide, use the kit 20-60 lens. I haven't used any of those lenses though.

You can hack it by installing a firmware to remove the recording limits on UHD. C4k still has some sort of limit. You'll need to look for it on Mu-43.com (I think). If you go Sony, I'd price out those lenses first. I think most people who switched to Sony now simply can't get out because they invested too much in the lenses. Personally, I heavily prefer L mount- I think it's going places. Also, it's open, not closed. Low-light is possible on M43- just buy the 1.7/1.8 primes for dirt cheap. Sony lenses often cost an arm and a leg and they're rather bulky IMO.

What's going on with YouTube? A9 iii has a global shutter and shoots 120fps! Somehow this is going to "revolutionize" and "change everything." Some people have been seriously spiking their cool-aid with whiskey.

Are start-up times and battery drain better on the S5ii after this most recent update? I think the idea is that Panasonic wants you to just leave it plugged into your computer when it's not being used (with the battery in it). If you do, it charges all the time. However, I'm not actually sure if it'll charge again when it's full and drains more.

I would like decent video too. I know; I'm asking too much. Or, am I?

Sorry I wasn't clear. I feel like there are more problems with moiré in 1080p than with the GX800. The 4K is fine, except for the crop. The EVF is bad, only due to its optics. The EVF is sharp only in the center; everything else is slightly blurry. I've have many EVFs and the G100 has the worst, including the one in the GX80. I really hope Panasonic ditches the poor EVF.

The viewfinder royally sucks- might as well not have it. I also had many moiré problems with it. IBIS is better than what people say with IS in the lens. Colors are wonderful. IMO, the cameras that are truly small for what they are: 1) GR, 2)A5100, 3)GM1/5. I just want a GR that does video, even better with a zoom and IBIS. It won't happen though. To be really small, it needs to be a POS; although the GM1 + 14mm f/2.5 comes really close.

Ok. I've decided to wait a little longer for the G9 ii. I want to see how things shake out. Also, this camera is so popular that I'm fairly sure demand will be high and I won't even get it till mid November at the earliest... when I'll be heavily into work. I'll just go a little longer with the E-M1 ii and GX800. Other than the slow motion, they fit the bill for me right now. Make no mistake, I really want this camera though. It'll be available soon enough.

I think this is more about a threshold of "pocketability". Sure, there's not much difference, but it's there. I'm thinking more along the lines of a Ricoh but with video.

The E-m1 ii also has a higher bitrate. The E-M5 ii was catastrophic for moiré. I'd take any of the Panasonic's over the Sony's and Olympus's. Interestingly, the GH2 had a better response to moiré patterns than the GX85/G95/GX850/G100 due to its OLPF, but it still had it (just not at the same frequencies). Here's a screen shot crop of the type of moiré on my GX800, shot in 50fps. I was making a jack 0'lantern with my daughter. On my jeans, you see the pattern, but all the magenta was removed.

I've never seen it on the GH5 and GH6, but it'll happen for sure. I even posted it happening on the G9ii which probably uses the same methods in 5.7K. My understanding of the GX85/G95/GX850 is that don't pixel bin 1080p; rather they average pixels together to make a 1080p image- the results are usually better than pixel binning, but they also have it. With those cameras (especially in 50fps/60fps), the camera is smart enough to recognize it and eliminate the magenta colors that are associated with moiré, making it far less noticeable but still present. Also, on the DpReview charts, the only camera that I've seen that doesn't do it (on their charts/frequencies) is the OG Sony A7s.

I'm fairly certain all these cameras will have moiré patterns at some point whether it be 1080p, 4k, or 6k. The only difference is how visible it becomes and if you can recognize it on playback. The worst of patterns can also be controlled by understanding the frequencies with each lens and the fabrics and buildings causing them. This is a huge topic and merits considerable discussion. I still believe AI should/must "correct" it automatically. Many would pay for that.

Doesn't anyone think there's a market for FF point and shoots? FF sensors are now cheaper than their M43 counterparts. It would make sense to make a 35-50mm f2 prime with a decent small and light body. I could totally see OMDS making this and it would sell if they get the marketing right... which they won't. Panasonic also could do it. The RX1 would have been a hit if it were cheaper and a little smaller.

I have a feeling I might reach as much as 28 minutes of 4k 120fps before the buffer even fills up. I reckon the G9ii has about 8gb of internal buffer (which is amazing).

I wouldn't complain either. With all the smaller cameras, it's always a give and take. The masses are no longer going to be buying them; so, make us a camera with much better ergos but small. It must be possible: For me, I don't want the flash, but keep the hot shoe. Also, I don't want the EVF, I'd prefer a better flip-up screen and making it smaller. Also, I don't like the camera strap attachments like that. I'd prefer the ones on the G9 ii/S5. In terms of IO, just give us a mic jack. For key specs, I want full-sensor readout and PDAF. Don't need 60fps or even 120fps, but I wouldn't whine if were in there. The other specs are just fine for me, especially the shutter (1/250 sync). Maybe that camera wouldn't sell very well, but I'd get it. OMDS came close with the E-P7, which was great, but mine broke and they're still too expensive used. They also cheaped out with no PDAF, and the sub-par plastics (it creaks when you hold it, but it's only 337g). The E-P7 had decent IBIS and controls (two usable dials on top). It has full-sensor readout too. It had 120fps at 1080p. No mic jack though. For many, the lack of EVF is a no-go, but I just don't like the hesitation I have over which one to use. For me, less is more in this case. Yes, we need more contrast in the Panasonic line-up. Big-bodied FF and M43 is not enough. We need core Panasonic features in a tiny body too. At this point, I think they should just forget about the existence of camera phones- they won the bad ergonomics point and shoot market. Let's just make a camera that enthusiasts will buy. IMO, the problem with phones is ergos and there's no way around it or it will no longer be a phone. Anything they do to "make it better" for photographers will make it clunky and not sell to the masses. Inherently, phones and cameras are different devices, for the same reason cinema cameras and camcorders will always have an edge on hybrid cameras for video. Hybrid cameras will always have and edge on cinema cameras and camcorders for photos.

FYI, the G9ii's manual is 832 pages long. Is that a record of some sort?

Do you think they'll have a microphone jack? Probably not and Youtubers will hate it... 20 videos on release saying it's great, but they won't buy it because of no mic jack. I'd rather see a GX800 with a mic jack, PDAF, and the G100's IBIS (all electronic which wasn't that bad). I don't like viewfinders on small cameras as they "just get in the way." Instead, give me a smaller body and bigger battery with a mic jack and PDAF. I'll be happy with that. It also provides more contrast in their lineup. S1H ii - video oriented, ultimate IQ with all the bells and whistles, high price S5 ii/iix- photo oriented, ulitimate IQ but not all the bells and whistles, bargain value GH7- video oriented, ultimate IQ with a crop with all the bells and whistles, high crop sensor price G9 ii- photo oriented, ulitimate IQ with a crop but not all the bells and whistles, decent crop sensor value G100, GX9 ii, GX850 ii- small video and photo camera with value features and excellent value. If they make anything that anywhere close to the G9 ii in terms of size, they'll turn off people who want a small camera. It needs to me sub 350g which is really hard. People will expect full-sensor readout, 60fps with PDAF. The real question is how cool can they make the G9 ii sensor as thermals will be key and probably the determining factor of the camera size. I'm ok with a fan in such a small body, but increase the size of the battery please- 250 shot CIPA minimum.

At 658g, I guess the G9 ii isn't so bad. It gives 842g of lens and accessories. Here are some of the fastest setups and weights: G9 ii + Panasonic 9mm f/1.7 = 788g G9 ii + Olympus 17mm f/1.2 = 1048g G9 ii + Olympus 25mm f/1.2 = 1068g G9 ii + Olympus 45mm f/1.2 = 1068g G9 ii + Olympus 75mm f/1.8 = 963g G9 ii + Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 = 1418g G9 ii + Olympus 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 = 1081g There are some nicer lenses at the telephoto end, but many put us over the mark as you'd expect.

This conversation begs the question: what is the acceptable weight for a handheld setup? IMO, 1.5kg is the upper limit. What do you think? BTW, I just turned 50.