John Matthews Posted 19 hours ago Share Posted 19 hours ago People might laugh at me, but I don't care. I've been doing some walk-around filming with my G7 and 9mm Leica versus my S5ii and the kit lens. I'm absolutely dumbfounded how little the differences are. Here are my settings: Panasonic Lumix G7 - 4k 25fps (EOSHD ProColor Settings, with minor tweaks), super-fast stabilization in Final Cut (InertiaCam- smoothing (.1), continuous video AF on with it's small box in the center (yes, that's right and it didn't really hunt), A Mode, Auto ISO, handheld only, AWB Panasonic Lumix S5II - 4k 25fps (Stadard profile), no stabilization in post (but had IBIS on), continuous AF (mode 2), small box in the center, A Mode, Auto ISO, handheld only, AWB I kid you not, the images were very similar, minus the color which seemed better on the G7 to my eye. After stabilization, there was little difference. Here are some stills: It would appear the 2015 G7 is still the little engine that could. It weighs a whopping 540g less than the S5II and kit lens. I could add the 14-140, the 25 f/1.4 and perhaps a recorder or mini tripod for that difference. This is where M43 needs to go in the future: small, excellent value, with great features like 4k, PDAF, IBIS, 10 bit h.265, with a proper shutter and hot shoe. Even the previous generation(s) from 2015-2018 have so much to offer. eatstoomuchjam, Andrew Reid and TrueIndigo 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Andrew Reid Posted 19 hours ago Administrators Share Posted 19 hours ago 24 minutes ago, John Matthews said: People might laugh at me, but I don't care. I've been doing some walk-around filming with my G7 and 9mm Leica versus my S5ii and the kit lens. I'm absolutely dumbfounded how little the differences are. Here are my settings: Panasonic Lumix G7 - 4k 25fps (EOSHD ProColor Settings, with minor tweaks), super-fast stabilization in Final Cut (InertiaCam- smoothing (.1), continuous video AF on with it's small box in the center (yes, that's right and it didn't really hunt), A Mode, Auto ISO, handheld only, AWB EOSHD ProColor looking great 😉 Much nicer than the Panasonic profile on the S5 II John Matthews 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Matthews Posted 18 hours ago Author Share Posted 18 hours ago 1 hour ago, Andrew Reid said: EOSHD ProColor looking great 😉 Much nicer than the Panasonic profile on the S5 II Yes. Even in mixed lighting, it looks great. It was cloudy outside and I had 3000K lights going at the same time I filmed this today. The first time I did it, I left the G7 on sunny WB- it still looked great, but then it was too far of match with the S5II. I'll try to post the actual video tomorrow. Andrew Reid 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfoundmass Posted 14 hours ago Share Posted 14 hours ago It's a reminder that we're very lucky and have also probably hit a wall when it comes to image processing when a 2015 camera still looks so good 10 years later. mtol and John Matthews 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Matthews Posted 8 hours ago Author Share Posted 8 hours ago 5 hours ago, newfoundmass said: It's a reminder that we're very lucky and have also probably hit a wall when it comes to image processing when a 2015 camera still looks so good 10 years later. The limitations are definitely there. We've seen so many overhyped minor improvements—most of which can be overcome with solid technique. Take 10-bit vs. 8-bit, for example. I’ve seen endless comparisons on the topic, but none of them really sell me on the concept. Sure, I’ll shoot in 10-bit if it's available—why not—but do I actually need it? Did I really need to upgrade just for that? Then there’s 32-bit audio. Again, I might use it—but mostly out of laziness. It’s not something I need. IBIS is trickier. It seems practical, especially since most alternatives involve adding weight. But these days, nearly every YouTube video uses a camera with IBIS, and honestly, the look is getting stale. It still beats shaky footage, sure, but it’s become the norm when it should be more of a “just in case” feature. Continuous AF in video? Cameras now focus faster than I ever could at f/1.2—but then again, why are we even shooting video at f/1.2? With all the AI, it feels like cameras are making more and more decisions for us—too many, in my opinion. You look at the screen and it’s all over the place: body, face, eye, face again, back to body, airplane, cockpit, no—face again, someone else's body, then the eye. Is this really what we want? And what about viewing limitations? The human eye maxes out around 300 dpi—when you’re young. I still don’t see the point of 8K. Plus, where are we actually watching this content? I’d guess 90% of the time it’s on a screen smaller than 20 cm. Who’s noticing the detail on that? As for audio, there has been progress—people are using earbuds more, and they sound far better than the tiny speakers we used to rely on. Maybe when you put it all together, it is an improvement. But here we are in 2025—ten years after the G7 launched—and I’ve learned how to work around most of its limitations. Sometimes, knowing the basics still takes you further than all the latest tech. I guess I shouldn't spend so much on camera gear- let the noobs and pros do that. eatstoomuchjam 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSMW Posted 7 hours ago Share Posted 7 hours ago 20 minutes ago, John Matthews said: I still don’t see the point of 8k Cropping in post. That’s what I see and like about 8k. 8k for the sake of 8k though, not interested. Same for me with stills and high megapixel cameras. Some say they don’t need 50-100mp and I don’t either, not for the sake of having more, but I do like it because it allows me more reach from smaller or less lenses. I can carry a single 28-105 and ditch the 24-70 + 70-200 combo. John Matthews and eatstoomuchjam 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Matthews Posted 7 hours ago Author Share Posted 7 hours ago 8 minutes ago, MrSMW said: Cropping in post. That’s what I see and like about 8k. 8k for the sake of 8k though, not interested. Same for me with stills and high megapixel cameras. Some say they don’t need 50-100mp and I don’t either, not for the sake of having more, but I do like it because it allows me more reach from smaller or less lenses. I can carry a single 28-105 and ditch the 24-70 + 70-200 combo. Yeah, I understand. Also, you're a pro, not me. Yes, 8k for cropping for your locked-down shot makes a lot of sense. You can unlock all kinds of creative option like simulated panning, zooming, alternate shots. I shot a couple of weddings and used a lot of crops in 4k for a HD final video. This is the only application of 8k that I personally think is useful. Of course, you could do the same with 6k. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ac6000cw Posted 4 hours ago Share Posted 4 hours ago I skipped over the G7 and went from G5 to G6 to G80, but I shot some of my favourite footage with the G6 in Standard profile at 1080p50 (28Mbps AVC) - the highest quality it could shoot. There was definitely something about the image that those older 16MP sensor cameras had, which seemed to have got lost in the G80 (despite it having nominally the same 16MP sensor). But eventually I decided I could live with the size and weight of a G9 and entered a whole better world of image quality and stabilisation performance... Comparing the G9 and my recently acquired S9 - I think 4k50p on the G9 is much less prone to aliasing/moire and the sharpening isn't overdone, but the stabilisation is better on the S9 (as is the dynamic range handling in difficult conditions). Otherwise, which one I might choose to take out would depend far more on lens choices and overall kit size/weight for what I was intending to do - either can produce excellent video (my abilities are more the limiting factor!). (Straying away from Panasonic, if I was forced to choose just one camera to keep and use out of my current collection, it might be the OM-1, but only because it has a blend of abilities that fit my preferences and needs combined with 'good enough' video quality). John Matthews 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Matthews Posted 3 hours ago Author Share Posted 3 hours ago 57 minutes ago, ac6000cw said: I skipped over the G7 and went from G5 to G6 to G80, but I shot some of my favourite footage with the G6 in Standard profile at 1080p50 (28Mbps AVC) - the highest quality it could shoot. There was definitely something about the image that those older 16MP sensor cameras had, which seemed to have got lost in the G80 (despite it having nominally the same 16MP sensor). But eventually I decided I could live with the size and weight of a G9 and entered a whole better world of image quality and stabilisation performance... 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. 1 hour ago, ac6000cw said: Comparing the G9 and my recently acquired S9 - I think 4k50p on the G9 is much less prone to aliasing/moire and the sharpening isn't overdone, but the stabilisation is better on the S9 (as is the dynamic range handling in difficult conditions). Otherwise, which one I might choose to take out would depend far more on lens choices and overall kit size/weight for what I was intending to do - either can produce excellent video (my abilities are more the limiting factor!). 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. 1 hour ago, ac6000cw said: (Straying away from Panasonic, if I was forced to choose just one camera to keep and use out of my current collection, it might be the OM-1, but only because it has a blend of abilities that fit my preferences and needs combined with 'good enough' video quality). 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Matthews Posted 3 hours ago Author Share Posted 3 hours ago 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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