Oh bugger... :wtf: Maybe that explains why there are so many cameras here then :ROTFL:
You are right of course, and my fascination for these devices, plus the never ending hunt for an ideal solution, never stops. However, there's some system to the madness. I tend to like cameras that satisfy one or more key criteria, such as:
- Simplicity (hard to find nowadays)
- Solid build quality
- Good ergonomics
- Reasonable price
- Compact size
- Access to great lenses
Notice what is missing? Great image quality. It's missing because most or all camera bodies these days are capable of delivering great image quality... and so is Tri-X. The stumbling stones are lenses, ergonomics (including the viewfinder) and the photographer.
The hunt for "the bee's knees" is still on. The E-M1X would be nice of course, but it's expensive. I did buy the G85 a couple of years ago, and was very happy with the performance compared to the GX8 of which I have two (better shutter, better IS, better grip, somewhat better video), but sold it for different reasons. A few of my friends now use G85 bodies very successfully due to my advice, not because I'm a good advisor, but because it's a very good camera, and very simple to use.
With this new model, Panasonic seems to have improved the camera in some of the areas that were lacking. It will be interesting to see the specs, but what I hope for is a kind of "Mini GH5/G9" all in one and at a much lower price point.
The design and ergonomics of the G90 dates all the way back to the G1/GH1, and it works very well. It's the "whatyouseeiswhatyouget" camera. More or less all vital functions are available by switches and dials. No menu diving. Like my old OM-1, it's a camera that can be used on a relatively advanced level without ever opening the user manual. That's simplicity. For an old man who struggles sorting out the buttons on the remote key for the car, that's pretty great. Build quality is much better than the GH1, and since my nearly 10 year old GH1 still works flawlessly, I would expect this camera to work for a while too.
I've imposed a ban on camera acquisitions until the end of this year (I need a new car, one that works every day and one that uses less energy than the old Toyota), but I might go for one of these in addition to my GX8 bodies, not now, but then.
Full frame, like the Canon RP? I like it a lot, but when I ask myself the vital questions "Why do you need full frame and what would it cost you?", the choice is simple. The lenses that would be my reasons to "upgrade" are so expensive and so large/heavy that the plan kills itself again and again. I'm not getting younger, and there is wine to be enjoyed and kites to be flown.
Edit:
There's one vital difference between the dials and switches on this camera compared to the "retro" bodies from Fuji and a couple of other camera manufacturers. While the retro design of Fuji dictates dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation etc., Panasonic has (mostly) relegated those functions to the command wheels, like they are on most modern cameras. The switches on the G90 are for AF mode, burst mode and shooting mode. To me, that makes a lot of sense, and particularly the AF mode switch on Panasonic bodies has a position and simplicity that is perfect for my style of shooting. Others will prefer other solutions, but I'm very happy with the solutions that Panasonic has chosen.
As for the articulated LCD, that's not even up for discussion in my case. It's a permanent love affair