Full GX80 review at ePhotozine and Cameras.reviewed

Bildschirmfoto 2016-04-05 um 12.28.07

ePhotozine is the first site publishing a full review of the just announced new Panasonic GX80. Their verdict is:

The Panasonic Lumix GX80 offers a compelling set of features and shows that Panasonic are continuing to innovate in the digital camera market, with a new shutter unit designed to reduce shutter vibration as well as reduce shutter sound. They’ve removed the optical low-pass filter to improve image quality from the 16-megapixel sensor, and combined with the latest image processing from Panasonic, the results are very good. Panasonic has also introduced 5-axis sensor based image stabilisation, which is designed to work in combination with lenses with optical image stabilisation. Image stabilisation also works with 4K video recording, which means you can record high-quality 4K (UHD) video even when using the camera handheld.

The GX80 delivers images with very good colour and is capable of producing images with excellent detail, although does benefit from the use of high-quality lenses to get the best out of the camera. However, saying that, the 12-32mm kit lens produces good images, and is particularly convenient thanks to the extremely compact size, turning the GX80 into a camera you can easily take with your where-ever you go. For those that want some of the best features available in a mirrorless compact system camera, the Panasonic Lumix GX80 certainly ticks a lot of boxes, and with a wide range of Micro Four Thirds lenses available, it’s difficult to resist this camera!  

The camera earned the five star edit’s choice award (maximum possible).

Cameras Reviewed also tested the camera and writes:

I’m not gonna mince words: It’s been a long time since I’ve had this much fun with an entry-level camera. I say that as someone who has handled just about every high-end system camera out there—the GX85 is a special camera, and it shows in the lab and out.

Not only does the GX85 offer a huge step up compared to a point-and-shoot camera, but it’s quite compact and has all the creature comforts you could want. Better yet, while you’d normally expect some measure of compromise at this price point, there’s very little of that here. In fact, the features that do make the cut (like dual image stabilization and 4K photo) are really going to help shooters of all levels get the shot they want—especially with fast-moving subjects or in low light.

 

Store links:
Black GX80/85 at BHphoto. Amazon. Adorama. WexUK. ParkUK.
Silver GX80/85 at BHphoto. Amazon. Adorama. ParkUK.

First review of the new GF8 (a camera most of us cannot buy!)

GF8

As you know Panasonic recently announced the new GF8. But the camera is going on sale in Asia and Australia only. And the Australian site Photoreview posted the world’s first review of that camera:

Not surprisingly, both subjective evaluation of test shots and our Imatest testing revealed close similarities with shots from the GF7, GM5, GM1 and GX7, all of which share the same sensor and image processor. We found plenty of detail recorded in images, which were usually sharp and colour accurate, albeit with a slight tendency to emphasise reds and purplish blues.Imatest showed JPEG files showed higher resolution than the GF7 files we reported on.

Panasonic 25mm f/1.7 review by IR: “Sharpness is exceptional”

25mm

First: A reader noticed the Panasonic 25mm f/1.7 got back listed at BHphoto (Click here) after the store marked the lens as discontinued (back in February).

Imaging Resource posted their full Panasonic 25mm f/1.7 review:

Panasonic has done very well with this lens: for the price point, you get a very sharp, very capable lens that’s easy to use. If the kit lens isn’t fast for your needs, the Panasonic 25mm ƒ/1.7 would be an excellent companion.

Panasonic lens store links: [shopcountry 58839].

Micro Four Thirds vs. medium format film

Sensor sizes

Ok, this is going to create some discussions here. We often see MFT vs APS-C camera comparisons but nobody every tried this until today: TheOnlinePhotographer (Click here) compared Micro Four Thirds vs. medium format film and the conclusion is:

“Image quality is a multidimensional thing, some of which can be quantified and some not. Still, by no measure of image quality does a good Micro 4/3 camera and lens perform more poorly than a good medium format film rig, and by some measures it performs considerably better. My overall subjective evaluation is that the aggregate image quality of Micro 4/3 today, in film terms, falls midway between 6×7 medium format and 4×5-inch large format.
Almost everyone you can find who is still arguing that Micro 4/3 can’t match up to professional film has not done substantial amounts of serious work in both media. I believe the technical term is ‘talking through one’s hat.’“

Surprised to read that? Me yes!

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