John Matthews

In my opinion, stellar. Some will say EM5II is ever-so-slightly better, but that's 1080p.
You get 16MP. That's enough for some very large wall prints. How big do you need? A few years ago, I was using tricks like UniWB to get an accurate reading of a histogram so that I wouldn't blow out highlights- this camera doesn't need that trick. It's very much WYSIWYG from what you see on the screen. However, MFT sensors aren't really know for their DR abilities, but this one does a great job keeping highlights down and telling you the truth about when they go over. Having shot many cameras in RAW for the past 8 years, I've seen better pure performance, but they were more of a lottery when you got it on the computer. Finally, the GX80's JPEG's actually look remarkably similar in DR to the RAW's- and that's a good thing.

In my opinion, stellar. Some will say EM5II is ever-so-slightly better, but that's 1080p.
You get 16MP. That's enough for some very large wall prints. How big do you need? A few years ago, I was using tricks like UniWB to get an accurate reading of a histogram so that I wouldn't blow out highlights- this camera doesn't need that trick. It's very much WYSIWYG from what you see on the screen. However, MFT sensors aren't really know for their DR abilities, but this one does a great job keeping highlights down and telling you the truth about when they go over. Having shot many cameras in RAW for the past 8 years, I've seen better pure performance, but they were more of a lottery when you got it on the computer. Finally, the GX80's JPEG's actually look remarkably similar in DR to the RAW's- and that's a good thing.

This has already been posted on this thread and I wish they'd tested the video AF on a tripod.
 

So, about 2 months ago I was ready to sell off a lot of my lenses and my few cameras and purchase this little guy. As I was patiently waiting for it to be released, my short screenplay turned out better than I expected and I happened upon some videos from the newly released BMMCC.
Since my script requires a fair amount of slow motion, I opted for the higher DR and 10bit color than higher resolution 4K and 5axis stabilization of the GX85...
Even with the learning curve, I am happy with my choice. But I have a few smaller projects that have a more run and gun nature and the BMMCC is a lot, but it isn't a run and gun camera.
I've also seen some amazing videos from you guys, with the GX85, with fantastic color, in some ways better than previous Panasonic cameras and in a lot of ways more Canon like. 
So while I was getting acclimated with the BMMCC, I have missed out on a lot of the discussion regarding this little beast...
Needless to say, I have a few questions that may be answered quicker than me reading 28 pages of forum discussion... If someone would be so kind?
1. How is the IBIS with non ois lenses?
2. When I had my G7, I occasionally used my Sigma 19 & 30mm 2.8 lenses. The AF button worked like a charm for quick set ups. From memory, the GX85 does not have a dedicated AF button, but can one be assigned to one of the FN buttons?
3. I have recently become interested in stills photography, but now lack a camera to shoot with, so is micro 4/3rds a viable stills camera as well... Specifically the GX85's raw capabilities?
So since this would truly be a hybrid camera for me, can you guys recommend it, or would something like a Nikon D5500, with its aps-c sensor and mic input be a better hybrid option?

I have both cameras and I'm going to do a post about this at some point but basically the decision really should come down to what you will find more useful: 5 axis stabilisation or fast C-Af. There's a lot more points to make about the subject but like I said I will probably do a write-up some time. 

Ok, here is the cropping of the previous photo.

Thank you. Little corrections were made only for contrast and shadows (down) in post. After a little practice with the camera, I think, this could even be done in the camera, after tweaking the curve.

Most museums do not allow tripods, monopods or gimbals (or selfie sticks). So camera/lens stabilization is essential. A museum video captures the experience of being at a museum - you see the exhibits, the space itself, and the people. Getting the colors right, for the art, is also essential. So, a good test for a camera. One oddity here is that the space was sunlit from above (skylights), and the sun was moving in and out of clouds - so the light changes in some shots. It's not the camera. Part of the true experience.
 

I second that the mini Panny zooms are great for the price and size. Havent tested them on my GX85 yet, but here is a couple of shots with the GM1 and the 35-100mm.
 

ok ok - maybe I'll give the 12-32 a chance then ! cheers
it seems near silent with it's OIS at least - unlike my 14-140 II - so may get around the annoyance I have of very loud background noise when taking video with the 14-140 ...

The "toy" kit, with super performance:

Lumix GX80 + a vintage lens. Highly cropped photo. No sharpness in post. Press on the photo to see true colors and detail.

Just found out that this camera + 12-32 lens was on sale at Currys last week for £499 - Panasonic £50 cash back - £100 for lens on eBay = £350 for the GX80 body.  Crazy.
Prices back up to £599 - £50 cash back, but that was almost as good a deal as the G7 on sale for £250 with cash back last November.

The GX80 is one of the most popular cameras on EOSHD if the number of views on its threads is an indicator. This thread has been going strong for quite some time. I doubt the GH5 is going to be at Photokina, given that the EM1 II launch has been delayed until early 2017. The GX80 is all we got right now; so, let's give it our undivided attention.  

A test 4K video using the tiny 35-100 f4-5.6 zoom. Shot in Standard, -2 NR only, to see what the camera puts out. Also tests the audio, as there is a jazz group playing unamplified. All handheld.
 

Yes. And typical with doc footage. 

I've never used a gh4, but found that the EVF on my gx7, g7, lx00 and now gx80 have been quite weak, even compared to my original em5 and much less clear than the Olympus VF4 or viewfinder in the em5ii.
This makes it especially hard to keep things in focus during recording with the gx80 since punch in magnification doesn't work.
What I find improves things is using the monochrome EVF mode (I have it set to a function button) and use a bright peaking colour like yellow. The only risk here is if you have your white balance set wrong, you won't notice it.
If I'm shooting a live event where I know I'm going to edit pieces anyway I just use AF lenses and cheat with the AF-s to make sure I'm ok with focus.
I really do like the gx80 colour and picture quality though, and the stabilisation takes away the need for a tripod especially with the dual-is.

Hey Fuzzy - have you tried something like this? http://exercises4eyes.com/ - really helped my vision a few years ago - I don't need glasses anymore!

As far as synching goes, yes double sound is a major pain in the ass. FCPX does make it a helluva a lot simpler with it's automatic synch... Which is insanely accurate btw. Also I think Max developed a simple analog workaround that created a tapping noise, similar to a slate, minus the annoyance of a slate, when he pushed the record button on his Zoom. 
With the GX85, doesn't the focus peaking work with the evf? Shouldn't that make focusing easier on your eyes?

I'm using these little cams for a modest project, and after a few weeks run n' gunning with the gx85, thought I'd give a quick critique.
First of all.  Great cam.  Wonderful IQ for such a small price.  So, there's that and it's a really big deal.
Now for the big "but." 
Outboard audio:  I knew it was going to be a pain buying into the gx85 insomuch as the post side of outboard audio sync'ing was going to be a hassle.  Now that's it's on the NLE in front of me and being unwieldy, there's a level of regret that's certainly frustrating.  Until one is actually dealing with hours of unsync'ed  audio, (again) it might be hard to empathize, but believe me, it's not fun.  Sync'ing interviews?  Not a problem.  Trying to sync each and every b-roll clip when your 2 cameras are wandering to various distances from the subject?  Not an enjoyable experience to clean up in post while the clock is ticking on the deadline.
Big compromise there when deciding to use the gx85.
The EVF.  Just not good enough for me.  And this is important.  I'm an older guy.  My eyes suck.  Trying to focus on that crappy EVF for a few hours can literally make me queasy and leave me with eyesight issues after using the cam for awhile.  Compared to the ease of using the EVF on our Fuji/Oly cams, it's like Panasonic is foisting some cruel joke on it's consumers.  It's really quite bad.  You can just never tell if your image is in focus on the damn thing, and the eye strain that mushy image generates is very much a big issue.  I'm attempting a work around with various loupe set-ups, but those things are awkward to use AND make the camera look like some sort of filming device; both things I'm trying to avoid.
Otherwise, the camera delivers as advertised.  On gear like this, it's all a compromise, and I think we know that.  Shooting a semi-pro doc with consumer gear is do-able, it's just not as elegant as it could be...maybe at this point in consumer camera development it's fair to even say it's not as elegant as it SHOULD be.
Now...if the EM5II video was just a tiny bit better I probably would have stuck with my Olympus for this assignment.  But, IQ tends to trump all else.
Anyway, if you're a hobbyist, you're probably going to love the value of this camera.  Having that stabilizer for most people who are awful at doing handheld will be worth it alone. -- But for doing actual work?  It's can be a slog in the documentary style of production.  All that said, my wife and I completed a doc last year (https://vimeo.com/140524680) using the GM1 and GX7, so we knew what we were getting into going into the production, it's just that our newer Fuji/Oly cams have kind of spoiled us in the interim, as the Oly allows on board audio recording --and the EFV's are actually an asset rather than a liability.
 

Heya John, even my el cheapo focal reducer just seems to give some sort of s35 thing to my little gx7 - I use mostly vintage manual lenses, really should have got it ages ago! Highly recommended, and I will be moving up to a lens turbo 2 soon, eventually an active speedbooster - plus I hate maths, so now I never have to translate for s35 sensor equivalent! 

This is true. It's taking the light and condensing it onto a smaller sensor than the lens was designed for... a crazy-useful trick that results in more light on the sensor and less DOF. In my case, I'm just saving for a native, wide-angle lens for the moment. Shallow DOF and low light are not my issues- content and budget are.  

took a few pics - late at night here - took a few videos - image and video stabilisation works incredibly well I'm very very impressed
only big BUT at the moment -is currently audio is a bit unusable - I could hear fan noise when I took a video of my daughter - couldn't work out what it was (pretty loud and very obvious) - its the noise of the OIS in the 14-140 which is only a cm or so from the microphones on the GX80 .....
mmm

well size caught me out (no local shops had one to demo)
after thinking grip way too small - putting a finger underneath and all good
build quality seems better than my G6
EVF "OK" - useable - no real issues

Just remember, if you are on a speedbooster, adjust accordingly - so if the focal reduction is 0.71 it would be ie: 50mm x 0.71 = (approx) 35mm