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GX7 or E-M1, suddenly, it's a dilemma

Godfrey

Well-known member
The HLD-7 battery grip for the E-M1 arrived at the store, I went there to pick it up before driving to the office. While there, I noticed they had the Panasonic GX7 back in stock and I had a chance to play with it.

- The body is very nice just as it is ... good to hold, doesn't need a grip extension, etc.
- It seems fast and easy to get around in the menus.

The let-down is likely relative to what I've "become used to" ... Compared with the E-M1 EVF, the GX7 is definitely a significant step down. The clarity is there, but it seems small and dim by comparison to what I get out of the E-M1. The illusion of being an optical viewfinder is lacking.

I do like the built-in viewfinder articulation and the overall feel of the body, but the GX7 is definitely "prosumer" where the E-M1 is definitely "pro grade". With the HLD-7 fitted, the E-M1 is the next step beyond the E-1, E-3, and E-5 DSLRs with overall better performance and operation.

I'd put the GX7 as being a good follow-on to the L1 ... a prosumer grade camera, but not quite up to the level of a pro grade camera.

G
 

deckitout

New member
I would agree. I ordered my EM1 today, The EM5 didn't suit me ergonomically.

I have purchased a GX7 today to compliment the EM1, The GX7 is very a nice handling Camera indeed, lots of direct access options which suit me well.
 

Godfrey

Well-known member
I did some stress-testing of the E-M1 AF system with 35mm Macro and 11-22 lenses last evening. I dropped the light levels in my living room to enable ISO 6400 @ wide open apertures around 1/20-1/30 second, just let the S-AF do it's thing (with the assist light off). On several occasions, I had to coax it and force it to re-focus a couple of times, and it was sometimes a bit slow to find a target and lock on. Switched to MF, the E-M1 focus was easy to do, quick and accurate.

Note that this is exactly what I used to see with the E-5 AND see now with the E-1 as well. But they're a lot harder to focus manually at those light levels...



Olympus E-M1 + ZD 35mm f/3.5 Macro
ISO 6400 @ f/5 @ 1/5 second
S-AF+M, OOC JPEG, no adjustments, resized

I'm completely satisfied with the E-M1's performance.

G
 

Jorgen Udvang

Subscriber Member
Jorgen Udvang lovely bokeh in that shot, what lens was used here?
The Zuiko 75mm f/1.8 wide open. It's a must have on m4/3 :lecture:
Oh, and it's taken with a GH3, the camera I bought instead of the E-M1 or GX7, so it's rather off topic :OT: :ROTFL:
 
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