I Bought My Dream $300 Street Photography Camera

[@GeorgeHolden]

Check out MPB here and grab a used camera deal! MPB UK: prf.hn/l/QLBLRLl MPB US: prf.hn/l/y8b8X8w MPB EU: prf.hn/l/BJ1JqJo

[@lichtloper]

reg. 4:11 One important reason why I use mFT is exactly the 4-by-3 image ratio in the VF (and the final image): it yields not the 'flat' 2-by-3 ratio, with its missing vertical dimension, but a much more balanced perspective. It's a matter of preference, I think.

[@lumixographer2185]

STYLE!! I recently bought a mint (1502 shutter activations) GX7 with its original 14-42mm lens. Unlike the many other Lumix and Olympus cameras I've owned, the GX7 design is beauty to hold. It definitely is not a BBB (Big Black Brick) like most "modern" cameras. The feel and even the shutter sound hearken back to the film era with the panache of a Leica! Lumix new cameras have sacrificed style of the GX7 for the "professional" BBB look. After using the GX7, it's a really capable camera that will serve me well for travel and street photography. If Lumix engineers would pay attention to style as an important part of marketing, a new GX7 using the original case design and modern innards could capture the eye of new generation users who don't need a BBB. My "dream" GX7 would update using the G100 viewfinder, articulated screen, 20mp sensor, 4K photo/video. The "dream" GX7 would have full stabilization and dare to dream, in camera LUT and PDAF like the G9ii. Add some colorful skin options to allow owners to express their style without resorting to spray paint. Keep the cost under $1000 and Lumix could have a camera that people would love to hold, shoot and be seen with!

[@MicroFourNerds]

I must not buy a gx7 I must not buy a gx7 i must not buy-

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

"I must buy a gx7 I must buy a gx7 i must buy" - fixed it for you...

[@GeorgeHolden]

I'll trade you... your 8 for my 7 😅

[@martingreenberg870]

Come on now. Have you ever not given in to the allure of a small camera? Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

[@martingreenberg870]

@@GeorgeHolden Good luck with that! By specs, the 8 is superior to the 7. Some say the 8 is superior to both the 80(85 in the US) and 9. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

[@lumixographer2185]

What goes around, comes around @microfournerds !😄 We've all been tantalized (and bought) M43 cameras and lenses that you've teased us with, Emily. Now, you're the one salivating over our GX7s. 😉👍

[@rust405]

I was deciding between the GX7 and Olympus EM10 mark ii earlier this year. I went with the EM10 mark ii for the ability to shoot completely silently with electronic shutter, not sure if the GX7 can do the same but the EM10 mark ii's "higher" shutter speed allowed me to use F1.7 lenses in bright daylight witthout an ND filter. As a street photographer, I actually prefer rangefinder style cameras but the GX7 didn't really vibe with me, the EM10 mark ii just looked so much more classic. Personally I think the tilting viewfinder is a gimmick, if you're going for that waist-level finder type of photography then the tilting LCD already suffices. That said, I have some info to share having used m4/3 cameras for street photography: 1. The smaller sensor is actually better for street, F5.6 is around the same depth of field as F11 on full frame, you get more in focus without sacrificing exposure, when it comes to street bokeh is pretty overrated! 2. Get the Lumix 14mm f2.5, 20mm f1.7, and Olympus 45mm F1.8, they're dirt cheap on the used market. The 14mm and 20mm are pancakes so they're light and discrete, they equate to 28mm and 40mm on full frame respectively, honestly just pick one depending on you're preference. The 45mm is more for portrait but its a great short-tele for street, personally its harder to find used for me so the alternative is a new YongNuo 42.5mm F1.7 which is pretty good bang for the buck. (if you're on the lookout for the GX7 generally its kit lens is already the 20mm f1.7 so keep your eyes peeled!)

[@uToobviewer2]

Overall the em10 is better in my opinion. I have the gx7, gx85 and the em10 1 and 2 and the auto focus is way better on olympus for stills and video and in my opinion the raw files are more flexible and better at higher ISOs. Where the gx7 is better is just by build and ergonomics. For its size it's one of the best cameras to hold. It does have electronic shutter too and I carry it more than my olympus pen cameras because it feels better and more solid. The olympus cameras are pretty and a bit delicate and easily scratched but you're not missing out on much if you have any of them. You really get a lot of features with any of them.

[@georgemahlum6542]

I used a GX7 for several years ...loved it...Nowdays a pair of GX9 bodies does it all...I am not a fan of dangling side flip rear screens...being an old medium format film shooter... I prefer looking down at the screen...Cheers M43 rocks!!!

[@jeffslade1892]

I have offered to upgrade my wife's GX7 several times but she refuses. She has my Lumix 14-140 glued to it. Yes it has 2-axis body stabilisation good for 2 stops. This is good with unstabilised short lenses e.g. primes. If you use a Lumix OIS lens, it will use Lens-IS, not both. It cannot do Dual-IS, and we are not given the option to choose. A Mega-OIS might go 3 stops and Power-OIS a stop more and significantly better at sensing movement. The lens you have there is the 14-42 f/3.5-5.6 Mega-OIS kit lens, a decent lens but can be slow on the uptake to AF. These lenses are practically all designed to be soft wide open, faster than optimum; never use them wide-open but put 1/3 to two stops into them. This also gets rid of the problem of them changing f-stop as you zoom. Personally I'd pop the PZ14-42 pancake onto it as I do with my E-PL7 which is sibling to the E-M10ii, only smaller.

[@RaiderRed2012]

George, seriously adore your content. Please keep going! Just bought an Olympus EM-10 IV because of you.

[@juliette-mansour]

Nice, George! I have the GX9 -- the younger brother. The GX7 though is so great at a knock around, every day, street camera. I do prefer the Panasonic over the Olympus menu system. Also, the images SOOC on the Lumix is fantastic! I am in love, actually with Panasonic digital rangefinders! Have fun with it!

[@Mr89siR]

The evf swivel is a really interesting feature.

[@jupiterman7]

I have a gx85 and em5iii but preferred the em5 for EDC and street I can handhold up to 5 seconds. I shoot allot of night shots/ low light , I always shoot 4x3 and crop in post... Both are great but I do prefer the menus on the Panasonic. I finally decided to have the gx85 converted to IR so we shall see how I like it when I get it back..

[@deydododontdedoh.5672]

I like how you show RAW from the camera and then the edited ones as so many 'look at this under appreciated street camera' from you tubers often just show wurh their 'presets' that seem to make any old camera look good. I just want to see what the camera does, so yay here! Also I like it was just you talking about the camera as you present really well, on some previous posts I've watched, I've found the comedy whisper background moments distracting and ended up not completing the review. I know we all like a bit of humour and maybe many love it and I normally do too but for whatever reason it has been a distraction so glad you dropped it. Just a personal preference I know. Just subbed......so long as comedy whisper guy stays away. 😁

[@TomCalton]

The shot of the dude with the glasses is a banger! Nice one George 🙌🏻

[@christofabt8958]

A GX7 with a 1,7 20mm, a 1,7/15 and a 45-150 is always in my backpack. It still is a capable camera and the stabilizer allows shutter speeds of about 1/8 or 1/4 of a second. This is enough to be able to shoot at dusk or dawn with a fast 1,7 prime and ISOs of not more than 800.

[@matrixdzab7416]

I had the GX7 years ago and I am thinking about buying it again.

[@Mr89siR]

Great looking images! I got the a6400 recently and noticed the evf felt lacking. Wild that this old camera has better res.

[@gavinderbyshire5535]

I just bought this camera based on your review, so far I'm loving it and have a London trip planned in a few weeks. Great content and shots...

[@skfineshriber]

My GX7 has a special place in my heart. It was a marvel when new, and it has the most comfortable grip of any rangefinder style camera I’ve used. I shot 4000 photos in Japan in 2015 with it. It wasn’t quite as rugged as I would have liked (LCD bezel broke), but mine is still functional and I treasure some of the photos taken with it. BTW, a few LUMIX MFT cameras are still highly valued and sell for near-new prices: GM1, GM5, LX100 II. For those who have never shot MFT give one a try. You’ll be impressed.

[@Daymien01]

I got this when it first got released and I have loved it till today as a travel camera.

[@jonbuscall8901]

Great video George. It's nice to see folks encouraging people to check out M43 for street. I use Canon for work but I picked up a GX9 a couple of years ago as a walkaround. Basically because I was at a street photography "conference" and 95% of the audience were middle-aged guys with Fujis. I didn't want to be a sheep. The GX9 was my gateway into Lumix and I have to say I love it. Nice form factor, great files and colours. Great menus. I dont' like the EVF but I'd loved to see Lumix come out with an updated GX camera. With both the GX7 and 9 you need an extra grip if you've got big hands.

[@GrahamAtDesk]

Nice review George! As a keen GF-1 owner I waited eagerly for the release of the GX-7 for years, deciding to skip the GX-1 and wait to see if its successor had an EVF. And it did! I was all over it. At the time of its release it was Panasonic's top of the line stills camera, which I think is pretty interesting given how the G and GX lines developed moving forwards. And it went up head to head against the Olympus EM-5, which most people felt had slightly better IBIS, but given it's earlier launch otherwise gave a few things up to the GX7. Tyson Robichaud tested IBIS in them both pretty heavily, and was a big M43 shooter at the time. He found that his GX7 delivered crisper shots handheld, which is interesting. Anyway, you've got some nice shots of Manchester there. It's always nice to see good street photos of your local area.

[@AndySnap]

The GX7 is a great camera to use, so small yet capable. The GX8 is also wonderful, just a little larger. The GX9 I have now tries to combine the best from each predecessor, but ends up being just okay (though adding a grip transforms the handling). A little pedant point, as with any digital camera, changing the aspect ratio doesn't change the resolution, but just the file size recorded.

[@bwc1976]

GX7 is what I have! It's been a fantastic little workhorse and it's still going strong and does practically everything I need. The only reason I'd ever want full frame is to use vintage film lenses at their full field of view. Also interesting how you in the UK have the American version (black and silver) while I in the States ended up with the European version (all black).

[@framedman]

As a fan of a viewfinder, I can't tell you how many times I used the flip up evf on my old gx8. I'm gutted I sold it. It was superb.

[@DesoloZantas]

I used to have this camera. Ahhhh nostalgia.

[@thedarkslide]

Yeah, the GX line is amazing. I found a used GX85 with the two kit zoom lenses at B&H for USD400 - when it arrived it came in the box like brand new. Eventually, I will find a GX9 for myself at some point in the future. A shame Panasonic is not continuing the GX line anymore, let's hope that changes!

[@martingreenberg870]

Great pick up! I have both the GX85 & 9. Not a lot of difference. Not a lot of difference between 16 & 20mp. The 9 is a little more refined. Worth the money for the upgrade. Meh. Two things I really appreciate on the 9. I LOVE the L monochrome D B&W. My favorite B&W simulation, also found on the G9. I also appreciate the compensation on the top plate. I use this feature a lot. I’ve never used the GX7. I am looking for a well priced GX8. All things come to those who can wait. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

[@thedarkslide]

@@martingreenberg870 Yes, exactly! The L monochrome D B&W in the G9 is what I want to experience, apparently Panasonic worked out an algorithm in that profile that generates pseudo-random grain that looks great.

[@sh8736]

I’ve got 2 Nikon 1 in my archive camera collection. I used to call them my handbag cameras to the local Nikon rep as I tried to carry one at all times. Didn’t really need them when phone cameras got better and the top iso was pretty limiting..

[@darrellbutler6179]

great camera, i chose it over the gx8 for the dinky flash as i like to take it out for party's and such and just leave it for anyone to use and see what you get the next day, very entertaining seeing pictures of your own self doing silly drunken antics. have lost so many lens caps doing this tho.

[@nursejawa7]

I bought my first GX7 in 2014 for my first transatlantic trip. It didn’t let me down and I got some incredible images with it. When it eventually broke (command wheel knackered) & wasn’t £worth repairing I got a Fujifilm XT-4 with the insurance money. I hated that damn camera. Worst I’ve ever had. I never got a shot as sharp as I did with the GX7 + 20mm F1.7 pancake. I got rid of that and got an XT-5 and I’m still not that happy with image quality or sharpness. In the end I got a second hand GX7 in mint condition to prove the Fuji image quality problems weren’t user error. They aren’t. I’ve now just splashed out on a 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 G X ASPH. O.I.S and am looking forward to working with this wonderful camera again. Whether I’ll keep the XT5 is up for debate. Being an old fart I prefer the top dials on the XT5. In fact, the only thing I don’t like about the GX7 is the lack of top dials!

[@MarcioK]

Had a GX7 for years, got one right of the launch. Very good one, but the GX85 is much better - and expensive. The EVF: is a very neat feature for unusual shots. One is what you showed - pointing the lens upwards. Very good for composing a building with the sky above. Another useful trick is to hold the camera like an old TLR camera, both hands below the body and close to your chest, looking downwards through the EVF - a VERY stable position for longer shutter speeds. Last one, when the camera is on a tripod - you tilt the EVF up and is very useful to compose. Shutter sound - yeah, is unique. Kinda loud and sound like a guillotine. The grip is VERY good, but my hand pressed the DISP button constantly. And it looks amazing - probably the most stylish GX camera. Even today, people will think that is a film camera.

[@martingreenberg870]

Never had the GX7. Last week purchased a GX8. Nice body. Have had the GX85 (GX80 in much of the nonUS) and it is very good. Can be purchased for $350+. The GX9 has incremental improvements but the GX85 is still a good buy now. GX85/9 lack weather sealing and an audio in jack. Nobody is perfect. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

[@GrahamAtDesk]

Another long term GX7 owner here. I rather agree with you Marcio, except for the GX80/5 being better. It's got some good new features, I think whether it's better depends on what you do with your camera. I got a GX80 as a second body, expecting it to become my main camera once I'd learned my way around it. As it turned out, I didn't need any of its new features, and decided the minor extra bit of sharpness that came from the removal of the AA filter wasn't as important to me as how pleasant the cameras were to shoot with. The GX7's is very easy to carry one-handed, but while carrying the GX80 in my right hand (with a small prime attached) for any length of time the tip of my middle finger started to hurt. I also missed the tiltable EVF. I often just tilt it up a few degrees to make it easier to see the screen, and I missed that a lot when using the GX80. So I still have the 7, but sold the 80 after just 3 months. But if I ever shot any video, it would have been a totally different story!

[@jimmysuarezIG]

Great video! It’s true what you say about needing much more than this for street - I think it’s more than ideal and the only weakness it has is low ISO performance, but there’s great AI workarounds for this.

[@petavesta]

Just try the Lumix GX9 - a really worthy upgrade in all respects and with the most lovely shutter sound ever, you'll love it!

[@GeorgeHolden]

Thanks for the tip!

[@cityproofdad]

just like wildlife and portrait should be shot with full frame i feel street should go along with smaller older sensors to keep nostalgic cleashe tradition

[@RobertLeather]

1:25 Astrophotography, where using the rear screen might affect the image and using a viewfinder is often more accurate.

[@BeingWolfy]

I had a GX7 for a short time when it first came out. I've been getting the itch to get another one because of the sensor (same as the GM5). Thinking back, I remember the thumb dials feeling plasticky and not feeling very confident in them. Maybe my memory is failing me though. Can you confirm? It seems the frame of the rear LCD screen is very delicate too. I see a lot of them that are cracked on eBay. I guess these are things one can "put up with" when paying so little for them on the used market today.

[@skfineshriber]

Yes, the bezel on my GX7 LCD broke. Still, a great camera.

[@jeffha]

Great video George, I have the M10 MK1 and the GX7 and use both for street photography - the GX7 beats the Oly for its silent shutter. But I love the M10 for its ergonomics. Both great budget cameras though.

[@mross77]

love my gx9, but waiting for gx10 maybe😉

[@jandromare]

Still love my GX7 I started photographing more frequently with. Paired with a Lumix 20mm f1.7 it´s really a lovely kit. Speaking of shutter sound, you did so in a truely polite manner- I think it´s horrible, more of a „cutter“ sound, actually.

[@Markchristiankc]

Lumix ALL THE WAYYYYYY🎉🎉🎉

[@wearetrackclub]

Great shots, George! Really nice explanations and comparison too 🙌

[@gustavo.visuals]

The photos look great on it. For that price, you cannot go wrong. Sick video bro 👊

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

Great camera, use one paired with my E-M1 Mk2 for gig photography.

[@lichtloper]

The nicest Shutter sound of m all: OLy E-P5

[@jeffslade1892]

When you say straight out of camera, you then say they are raw converted to jpeg, which the camera can often do better than the usual suspect raw converters. By all means use the raw to apply a different process or profile. The camera itself can be set to "shoot for the jpeg" and produce better images; often a case of using your mark 1 eyeball at the time; change the settings.

[@trevorfentiman5283]

Got the gx80 for walk about and so happy with it

[@independencecreations]

Seems I got another camera in my own list!) Great video bro! Thanks!

[@xpucmogrozdanov6391]

Great and robust camera! One of my favourites. Shame it doesn't have stabilisation in video and no weather sealing. The back dial is the same nonsense as in the gm5 but at least here it's not needed

[@cheeseblog]

Thanks! Really enjoy your videos.

[@ernestonasution8693]

slightly off topic, but love the jazz bg music; on topic, that's also my dream camera! thank you for making this video🫶

[@vsdln]

Coming from APS-C DSLR and 35mm, after years of using GX7, I'm still not used to 4:3 ratio. But overall it's a great little camera. Only two downsides for me are that it's not that great with high ISO (Sony is so much better) and that it's not that great for shooting night sky (extremely long exposures).

[@darrellbutler6179]

you ain't getting my mom george 😂😂

[@MusabTahaTarik]

I'm happy with my Olympus E-M10m3 (w/kit lens) & Canon R10 (w/kit lens + rf 50/1.8)

[@LOLA6ifyable]

Awesome camera , awesome video! Already have: Z9 S5 II (I am thinking of selling it , I don't like as much as I thought I would) X-T2 Ur mom. Wish list: Pen F X100 (maybe the upcoming) D700 foveon sensor or CCD camera IR converted BW converted or even K3-mono.

[@williamgoss4691]

Interesting & informative vid, thks

[@wojciechczupta]

I dug GX7 out of a drawer yesterday. I can't setup up auto ISO in Manual mode (still) - isn't it possible on GX7? I think I remember it was somehow possible...

[@awksedgreep]

Great camera. Not sure why the D200 is on your list. I had one back in the day and could not stand it. Bayer is sooo bad. I think it's really a 5mp camera. I did manage to take some great photos with it, but it was def in spite of itself. Autofocus was ahead of its time, however. I remember tracking birds back then like no camera I've owned since. If you find you like the GX7 I'd strongly recommend the GX85. It's an upgrade in every way and I think it's around the same size.

[@awksedgreep]

Oh, and you mentioned shutter sounds in your video. Check out the EP-5. It's silky smooth and I just love it. Great solid camera in the hand too.

[@codyallen3729]

Let's see the 5D next!

[@PucaPokeLeague]

My mom is on the list too?? You cheeky sob you 😂😂😂

[@earlfenwick]

If you get one keeper, all is right with the world.

[@quite1enough]

Looking on spectral highlights It's seems like you've used glimmer glass filter or something similar. Why didn't you disclosed that in the video?

[@GeorgeHolden]

I didn't use anything

[@quite1enough]

@@GeorgeHolden so the shot at 4:37 was without any filters and it was solely lens characteristics?

[@GeorgeHolden]

@@quite1enough correct, I wouldn't say you're seeing any diffusion effects in any of the shots from this lens and camera set up. Perhaps the light glow was enhanced by the preset using a slight drop of clarity, that can sometimes create a small bloom effect. Hope that's helpful!

[@quite1enough]

@@GeorgeHolden thanks!

[@recreationalplutonium]

I like the panasonic menus/ergos way better. But Olympus has nicer colors. I wish OM would release a new Pen-F so the old Pen-F prices would finally drop :D

[@-homecook6861]

Which camera do you think is better for street photography just for photos, the sony zv-e 10 or this panasonic gx7?

[@GeorgeHolden]

They are very very VERY different cameras, I would only buy the zv-e10 for video. The GX7 is much more affordable, very good for photography, much less equipped for video

[@-homecook6861]

@@GeorgeHolden That's why I'm asking, because I just bought a ZV-E 10 and I plan to use it only for video, and I want to take photos as well, so I was hesitating whether to drive only with the Zv E 10 for both video and photos, or to get one for photos only Lumix GX 7, because I see that you razbirate a lot ot Photography, that's why I wanted to ask you about photography its better to use Lumix GX 7 in your opinion ,or, thank you.

[@-homecook6861]

Hi, I'm not very good at photography, that's why I don't understand the term you used King St Preset, is this term a function of the camera, or is it a kind of photo processing with some program, could you explain to me. And lastly, what is your opinion about this camera after months of use, thanks.

[@GeorgeHolden]

Hi! The preset I mentioned is for Adobe Lightroom, Lightroom is a raw photo editing software. The King St Preset is a custom setting I have made to quickly edit images inside Adobe Lightroom. Hope that makes sense! And I can recommend the camera, especially for beginners it will satisfy all of your needs

[@-homecook6861]

@@GeorgeHolden Yes, your answer was useful to me, thank you very much for the quick and clear answer, I like your videos!

[@endah08]

Just get a Gx80 you can get it for less than 300 and I truly believe it's the best value camera out there.

[@martingreenberg870]

Right you are! Love this camera. Great for street photography.

[@Troy_Sent_A_Message]

Why not just go Olympus e-m5 mk ii? Better ibis and has mic jack. Found mine cheap and blowing me away with features

[@josewhatever5001]

Can't count how many times I've been in that corner 👌

[@intraw831]

They got a CCD like look

[@numbersix8919]

Finally! Why can't all cameras be GX7s?

[@GeorgeHolden]

Literally!

[@benfromatlantis]

So George, GX7 or M10??😊

[@GeorgeHolden]

My heart is with the M10

[@benfromatlantis]

@@GeorgeHolden Good decision. A bit too tiny maybe, but there's a M1 for that. I have the old GH1 - not sure how appropriate a retro Olympus works for me (aesthetically) in the wild... 🤔

[@angiusperonx9179]

4:53 excuse me WHAT? 😱🤯

[@ekkanofiqandriyana7325]

But 5:02 if you can accept AI then the camera is not problem anymore you can shoot 10 megapixel smartphone in pitch dark then let AI do everything else. No need gx7 or penf or x100vi or ricoh gr iiix or xpro3 xtc..

[@markdodsworth5439]

Do they use dollars in Leeds then ? 🤔

[@GeorgeHolden]

They use Euros, but yes in Manchester we use dollars

[@maracaibostar]

Please please tell me where do you find these prices…….

[@GeorgeHolden]

MPB my friend

[@maracaibostar]

@@GeorgeHolden It's not even available......

[@GeorgeHolden]

@@maracaibostar I'm on MPB right now and there are 4? And eBay they're selling for this price even yesterday

[@vikdaddy]

Has a photography channel; doesn't understand the purpose of a tilting EVF :S

[@nikitadembovski7200]

Thankfully you cant get my mom

[@AndrewLazarevBlog]

GX8 would be better

[@GeorgeHolden]

True

[@martingreenberg870]

@@GeorgeHolden Sometimes good enough is good enough. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

[@evernam993m8]

I don't consider this as good choice, just a little bit more to get gx85, which is the sweet spot, better IBIS and no shutter shock.

[@dukeolu]

Ur mom ? 😂😂

[@video-carl]

Panasonic did pitch the tiltable evf in its ads kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5Kxd6GjgqqYbqssi=DLTjQrL7fnWC5Ofh but rarely did a reviewer see it positively and some don't even mention it