The Panasonic S1 II pricing is wrong, and so is the entire product strategy since 2018

[eatstoomuchjam]

Speaking of disconnected, I recently got curious how much the GH7 had come down in price.  I guess it's still $2,200 new (usually) but on sale for about $1,800 now which is a close match for the going price used?  But... are there people out there still spending $2,200 on a GH7?

I'm not saying it's a bad camera, but I'd really have expected the new prices to be <1500 by now, especially given that just about anybody who was willing to buy a GH7 at anywhere near $2,000 probably already did.

(That and I've sort of always wanted one and really want the used price to be closer to 800 than 1800)

59 minutes ago, fuzzynormal said:

Just bought another GH5 for $350

That's a fantastic deal!  Going rate is a lot more.  

[fuzzynormal]

18 hours ago, eatstoomuchjam said:

fantastic deal!  Going rate is a lot more.  

Yeah, lucky.  Local seller.  Pick up only.  I was looking to buy any old LUMIX and this one popped up.  Dang thing is pristine too.

[Andrew Reid]

GH5 for $350 is pretty good but I've seen GH6 for under $750, that's possibly an even better deal.

GH7 is too new to see a big fall on the used market unless you get lucky, but you can get the similar spec G9 II for a pretty nice $1400-ish.

Keep an eye out for GH5S too, it's an underrated bargain now

[ArashM]

1 hour ago, Andrew Reid said:

Keep an eye out for GH5S too, it's an underrated bargain now

IMHO the image out of the GH5S still looks amazing when exposed properly 

[John Matthews]

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.

 

[Andrew Reid]

2 hours ago, ArashM said:

IMHO the image out of the GH5S still looks amazing when exposed properly 

Same sensor as Blackmagic Pocket 4K

But it's a much more feature packed and better built camera, with an excellent stills photography pedigree as well.

[Andrew Reid]

On 10/30/2025 at 6:58 PM, fuzzynormal said:

Regarding Andrew's original post, unfortunately for many of the camera companies, not just Panasonic, I'm a consumer that feels pretty comfortable being behind the curve in exchange for bargains.  Meaning, I only buy older used cameras.  Just bought another GH5 for $350, for instance, to help my wife do YT content creation. Not only is that cheap, but it's still better than anything else I could buy brand new for under $400.  Are there enough people like me?  Combine like-minded-folks and typically obtuse Japanese attitudes about the global market and the magic 8-ball sez "Outlook Not So Good"

Same with me, I haven't felt the need to buy a new camera for years and years now. And by new I mean paying more money for no reason. I still class a used Z6 III as a new camera, it's just a smarter way to go about buying one (for example an open box mint condition with warranty just cheaper).

But the urge is lacking... What is it that any of the new cameras are doing to justify such high pricing?

Fair enough if you're working as a professional and haven't upgraded your autofocus for 7 years... Splash out.

[fuzzynormal]

48 minutes ago, Andrew Reid said:

working as a professional and haven't upgraded your autofocus for 7 years

There's so many different levels and needs in motion picture production, no doubt.

Now, it's a debate whether I'd be considered a professional or not, but I am scrapping by making a living at it.  Somehow.  Still, I'm stubborn about shooting my films with manual focus. The inherent flaws and mistakes the practice of manual focusing creates?  I value the humanity in it.  I actually like the look of a real camera person focus hunting.

It's a love-hate relationship for sure, but, yeah, I just refuse to stop using it.