Panasonic & OM System: We Need SMALL Micro Four Thirds Cameras AGAIN!

[@luiis8057]

We Need a Lumix GX85 with Phase Detect, Live Lut and Open Gate. Should be achievable!

[@TL-xw6fh]

I totally agree with you. OM Systems and Panasonic have completely lost their way. I just cannot understand why they have moved out of their most obvious segment strengths and tried to challenge the FF big boys, and not getting any traction. They should have focussed on developing the best small cameras on the market with small, sharp and great lenses, with AI and key functions that are now being introduced into mobile phones. They need to shout from the rooftops why their cameras are fun, quality cameras that their loyal fans love.

[@lazyhound1646]

Panasonic is an electronic giant. It doesn’t want to watch sony take the mainstream market without doing anything. Olympus… I don’t know whats in their mind…

[@houghwhite411]

The "Mega Four Thirds" gave me a good laugh

[@BliskoNatury1]

Thank you for speaking out about it. I am of the same opinion. I really wish Panasonic would release a successor to the gx80, because it's a nice camera, but it's already old, unfortunately. What worries me is that Panasonic only updates the GH version,and forgot the rest. I think they are losing customers because of this and most (like me) will switch to another system. I hope I will still get what I dream of.... Greetings Micro Four Thirds users!

[@vermis8344]

I still like you, Gary, but I can't get my head around the usual arguments: - Micro four thirds is paraded as ideal for wildlife, but when OM release wildlife lenses to compete with other brands' big white cannons (including one that that Sigma was _never_ going to bring to M43 on their own), it's the 'wrong move'. Which is it to be? - "The GX85 and GX9 are still _great_ cameras, but need to be updated." "Why's that?" "Because they're old." Is that it? Is it a case of needing a new camera simply because it's... new? Rejecting the GX9 because it's actually resistant to planned obsolescence? Funny you bring up the X-M5 at the start. Jimmy at Red35 got me interested with his video, but when I ventured out of the M43-based channels to watch more reviews, I saw the comments were _full_ of Fuji shooters reacting to it: saying it was the wrong move, that Fuji had lost their way, even some saying that Fuji was dead and they planned to move to another brand. It all sounded strangely familiar. 😂 It just strengthened my suspicion that people just don't like a camera (or lens) that doesn't exactly match the specification wishlist in their head; and no matter what camera brand or format you use, the grass always seems greener on the other side. Anyway, I say Panasonic is concentrating on video and OM on wildlife because mobile phones are eating the 'pocketable' camera's lunch much more than is suspected.

[@barbgannon3252]

I watched Red35 who did wax lyrical about the XM5. Interesting you say the the Fuji fan boys have poo poo'd it. At the end of the day my G100 will do the same job, minus the film choices which I can do in Lightroom anyways..... I suppose it's a matter of what is one's ROI. In my case, not much (for $1500aud) if I change/upgrade etc. as I am basically an amateur photographer who loves taking pics for my own and families enjoyment. At the end of the day it's about learning your camera, getting the most out of it and not thinking a new upgrade will ensure you take better pics.

[@freudentrauma]

GX85 and GX9 have both been discontinued. Yeah, you can still get them on the used market, but that is a limited market. Honestly their age is also starting to show as well on a technical level. Yeah, still great cameras and fine to use like almost all old comes of the last 10 years, but there is a room to innovate and improve the product, which hasn't reached it's potential yet.

[@moykumir]

We really need GX10 or GX100.

[@gordon3988]

Love then Mega Four Thirds point! Probably appropriate for many purposes though. Om5 somewhat meets the need for a smaller mft with great IBIS, PDAF and weather sealed…under rated to some degree perhaps because the menu is complex (some folks prefer this level of detail however). Great for photography and ok for most video, but DJI so convenient for that side!

[@abchappell01]

Gary, your commentary is very well timed. You are absolutely correct in observing that the newer micro 4/3 cameras are larger and heavier. I agree that the manufacturers of the micro 4/3 systems should try to innovate yet remain true to the original form factor of a small and affordable camera and lens system.

[@christofabt8958]

Look at the prices for used cameras. The GX9 is more expensive than the G9.

[@RogueSplice]

I think a new gx camera would be great if they would include the high res mode like on the new gh and g series cameras. Sure, sensor upgrade, stabilizing, all in the smallest package possible. Ditch the weather sealing for these types of cameras too since all that does is bulk the camera up a lot like we saw in the gx8. I use the same camera body setup as Gary, and the gx800 would be great with in body stabilization if it could keep the form factor, otherwise if that’s not possible don’t. Adding 10bit 4k on these cameras would be very cool too in the gx series. Oh, and the mic jack! Get it in there! There is definitely some room for improvements, but I am thankful for what we got so far.

[@christofabt8958]

Sounds like a succesor of the GX9

[@enduringtech822]

Mega Four Thirds LOL. Indeed, I miss the times of iconic m43 lenses such as the Olympus 17mm f/1.8 and the Lumix 35-100mm f/2.8, both of which I am very happy about. The body though, I don't mind some big bodies if it results in better ergonomic but we definitely want some new small ones too. I can't believe there hasn't been a replacement yet for GX9.

[@alanjones8579]

The promise of M4/3 was small lightweight cameras however this format has started to be almost undistinguishable from full frame... for this reason I chose a Leica D-Lux Type 109 for 6 years followed by a D-Lux 7 for another 6 years and now the D-Lux 8 and I'm perfectly happy with this format... thanks for the video

[@Yaarmehearty]

If micro four thirds dies the used market will be flooded and the prices will go down even more! Sounds like a good thing to me. Why move away? The lenses I have all work fine and the body still take the same pictures it did before, which was good then and still is fine now. Spending a ton of money to go to APSC or full frame won’t make my pictures any better so it seems like throwing money away for no reason.

[@Gary_W]

I have started gathering those used lenses already haha!

[@alexmaccape8411]

100% this. I used mft for 13 years, sold it all because of this. I don’t see very bright future in mft, now I’m happily in different camp (with future proof releases).

[@reeshmalms6686]

I have the gx85 and the design and size is so perfect. But the image quality lags behind i feels. It just need the new 25mp sensor, a mic jack and weather sealing to be the perfect EDC/ travel camera. And the real time lut can make it a fuji killer

[@bastian.michel]

I really like your improvements the last year. The new logo is wonderful. And the thumbnail too!

[@talgatmendibaev]

What about going for S9 ff instead of sony ff?

[@Gary_W]

S9 is very interesting and I almost pulled a trigger, but there are 2 main drawbacks: no RAW photo, and third party L mount lens is very limited here where I live.

[@talgatmendibaev]

@Gary_W I think it has raw photo. But you are right. Gx9ii or gx85ii would be fun.

[@balu130164]

Hi Gary, what do you think about the Olympus om d m5 III or the om 5 ? Not good for travelfotography?

[@Gary_W]

I think they are great cameras, they are just too similar to my G85 which can do practically the same thing with OM5.

[@mirceablanaru]

I totally agree with you about the big and very expensive new m4/3 cameras! Even the entry level cameras like Olympus E-M10 Mark IV and Panasonic G90 are here, in Romania very expensive... I totally do not understand at all from the perspective of an independent camera manufacturer the totally not competitive price policy... With the same price like an OMD E-M10 Mark IV new camera I can wait for a promotion and buy a full frame Canon RP camera... But the lack of new affordable m4/3 cameras offers in the market has a very positive turn, too: It makes photographers concentrate more on creating rather on spending and again spending on new and newer offers. From my point of view I think it will be better for you to check also the Canon cameras as I do not like at all the Sony colors. But this is only a thought!!! I wish you all the best and also very good videos as these!

[@vukhuat4251]

How much smaller do you want? I see many of you keep complaining about size of cameras but ignore their ergonomic. Do you feel comfortable when using a too small camera with fast prime lenses such as F1.2 Pro series or with supertele zoom lenses such as 40-150mm or 100-400mm?

[@Gary_W]

A few months ago I exclusively used the GX850 and the Lumix 100-300mm for a few weeks. Not gonna lie, ergonomics wasn't great, but I had a lot of fun with that setup.

[@Mraz75]

I agree with you.. the only affordable camera lumix produced was G100 and this year a litle upgrade G100D. 😅

[@winc06]

Agree 100 percent about the size problem.

[@DBomber_24]

This video makes a lot of sense. I mean, what's the point of having a smaller sensor (M43) if the body is as big as full frame cameras, and as expensive too (GH7 to S5 II/S5 IIX). And M43 lenses are becoming bigger and bigger, and expensive as well. OM System and Panasonic need some recollection, or maybe some as kicking in their financial statements.

[@mithinco9364]

I was looking to get a small compact camera but I didn't see any good M4/3 offerings. I settled on upgrading from my Sony A6000 to A6400. There are some pancake lenses that make it somewhat pocket friendly. It's unfortunate to see the direction of M4/3 since I am now more focused on trying to keep a small camera on hand at all times.

[@BigCameraGuyPA]

I personally don't mind the bigger bodies and lenses especially being a bigger person. I have the older Em1X which fits absolutely perfect in my hands.

[@andrewdove342]

the camera brands ran away from small cameras because of mobile phones, that was their reaction to the market. Now mobile phone users are realizing that they want real cameras which are still compact. Humans are their own worst enemy

[@Gary_W]

Good point! People are now also trying to get back to CCD sensors and analog filmic look as well, they started buying vintage pocket cameras from a decade ago.

[@JeevesTCW]

For many its a real shame that the small & rangefinder style M43 cameras haven't been updated (esp the PenF & GX8) which in turn has also led to the prices of those older models on the 2nd hand market going through the roof. Personally I prefer a larger M43 body like the G9 for the better EVF, joystick and larger grip and battery. Its the smaller lenses that makes this difference for me. Compare an OM system 12-40 f2.8 pro II to a full frame f2.8 std zoom lens. I hope M43 do update those smaller cameras though I agree 100%. Enjoy the Leica Gary. PS What is that lens on the GX8? It looks great

[@YannickKhong]

Has the G100 ever received coverage on this channel? it's basically a gm5 with a gh5 sensor and EVF...

[@Gary_W]

Unfortunately, the G100 here also suffer from the same fate with most OM System products. While I believe that on paper the G100 looks like a good candidate for my next camera(except the continuous AF), it is priced twice as expensive as the G95 here where I live. I don't understand why the distributors increased the price so much for a camera that's supposed to be competing in the entry-mid level mirrorless cameras. I don't think a G100 will be on my radar anytime soon, unless I can get one in a much more reasonable price point.

[@angeloplayforone]

Please check Richard Wong video why m43 has not small cameras. It is simply expensive for them to release small cameras. Besides that the high margins cameras are the bigger one target to high end entusiasta e professionals. The casual market who buys small cameras are not profitable any more due to smartphones.

[@cristibaluta]

Robin you mean? He was showing that small cameras have much better sales

[@larshansen7907]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZ7CgKOpqtZ8orc

[@angeloplayforone]

@ No, not Robin Wong from Malaysia but Richard Wong from New Zealand. Richard Wong is both photographer and videographer using the Lumix brand. He has a Masters in Electronics Engineering and explain with many arguments why we don’t have smaller cameras. Look at his video.

[@cristibaluta]

@@angeloplayforone I think i saw that video, but i don't really believe it. We don't want very tiny cameras, just a decent size. You know how much wasted space has the g9ii? I know because i open it, i actually want to make a new body for it, i can get it to 136x35x80. The thermals might be a problem but if they did it they could slow it down. Another argument is that a phone can handle all that amount of pixels, it gets hot but whatever... The cameras were supposed to have dedicated image processors, they should do better

[@christofabt8958]

I totally agree. I have recently bought a used GX9. Tremendous camera but nothing like this in the current lineup of Panasonic. My 1,7/15, 1,7/20 and 1,8/45 are still much smaller than APS-C or FF.

[@Gary_W]

That sounds like a sweet setup! I use similar lenses as well.

[@TheNaught1]

Agreed it's time for a full featured, PDAF, IBIS, EVF, compact M43 Panasonic camera. Right now in U.S. the G9II can be had for about $1k via "trade in deal" at B&H, but it's just too big and heavy!! Sure, a great camera, but not why I bought into M43. Clearly a market for a full featured compact exists (OM5, S9, X100V, ZV1, A6700, etc,) so why no such thing from Panasonic?

[@justXcallXitXtechno]

function + ergonomics should always come before niche aspects or looks. for many kinds of photography or extensive use miniature bodysizes are actually harmful. posture. wrists. hips. neck. back. just ask anyone frequently performing long shoots with fancy/tiny bodies or even just bodies that are too light. (counterweight to lens) aside from the fact that one might deteriorate or entirely impede their shooting or capturing chances. I am very grateful that panasonic shifted focus on proper body sizes with grip, room for extra buttons and leverage to improve hold of most lenses. not saying options or such options should not exist. but imho it's the proper priority. if specific releases can only work for singular models or styles, then: function + ergonomics > miniature size. it would be awfully impractical if not economically detrimental if priorities or releases were reversed. once that practical and sensible need is covered. I'm totally open to provide secondary demands in reduced size so all demands or kinds of benefits are covered. on that end iirc S9 is their Nikon Zf competitor but full-frame. That fancy/smaller body recycled for MFT would resolve that need just as the recycled bodies between S5ii, G9ii, GH7 did for larger grip.

[@video-carl]

Panasonic has now recognised that the market wants PDAF. I think we can expect a G100 model with this feature.

[@KirstenBayes]

My hope is the success Panasonic have had with the G100D this year in Japan will lead to good things. Meanwhile I love my little 2011-era GF3!

[@deryjacket]

Small , and also must have EVF !!

[@video-carl]

enjoyed our vlog, Gary. do you think you will chose a new camera mount based on the lenses you want or a specific body?

[@Gary_W]

I finally got a Sony ZV-E10, specifically for recording videos. But my next camera will definitely be M43 again, and hopefully there will be a new M43 camera that offers the perfect balance between size, weight, performance, and price.

[@EricLouisYoung]

I just bought a GM1 on ebay. Anyone that touches this camera will KNOW that m43 has lost its way.

[@EricLouisYoung]

the EP and EPL series are way smaller and lighter than the gx85. incredible series of cameras. olympus needs to make an E-P8 or Pen F II now.

[@Gary_W]

I agree, I miss the E-PL cameras, used to have an E-PL6, regretted selling it.

[@skeskali]

I agree 100% I love my Olympus cameras because they fit in my purse, and I don't throw out my back carrying them around. I don't do video; on the rare occasions that I do, I have my iPhone for that. If the OM System OM-5 had a magnesium alloy body, I'd upgrade to it in a heartbeat. As it is, my next purchase will likely be the Pen-F if I'm lucky enough to find one for a decent price, but I'd be lying if I said the Nikon Z50II hasn't caught my eye...👀

[@Gary_W]

Used Pen-F costs a lot here where I live, I regretted not buying that camera when it launched a few years ago.

[@andreasrochow5170]

Gary, you are right: The Lumix GX9 and the Olympus E-PL10 should not be the end of light small mft camera evolution! But please, don't kill the EVF and the mechanical shutter! A stacked mft sensor could be the solution! I don't believe in OMDS.

[@dogblessamerica]

I think they seem to be chasing video and wildlife shooters mainly. The small bodies are best for street and travel but there are sooooo many used bodies, would enough people be tempted to spend serious money on a new model with incremental improvements? And yes let's have some new ultra compact lenses, the 14-140 is a great example of a lens that can't exist on APSC or FF

[@BMadPhoto]

Rumor is OM has a small camera in the works - I am on the fence to keep waiting or jump to either the Sony a6700 or a7cii - Im gonna wait it out a few months. Unfortunate, I love the lens' availabile for M4/3 - but like you I want something new and innovative and small...

[@Gary_W]

Wow I didn't know about OM small camera in progress, crossing my fingers!

[@boulderdash2000]

😅 “branching out” is the first step of changing out. And yes I still own a Panasonic GM1, but sold all other m4/3 models. And there is still no new model for my old GM1. And this is why I branched out into other systems 😅

[@Gary_W]

I promise I will only "branch out" and not completely switch haha! 😆😆

[@reeshmalms6686]

MFT should embrace the computational photography more to overcome its weaknesses. An optional night mode for astro and low photography like in smartphones and AI noise reduction to name a few.

[@Gary_W]

Good point! I think computational photography would be interesting!

[@VadUlich]

I have full frame and aps-c. Full frame never leaves the house. Thinking to sell it

[@GungKrisna12]

Especially since Fujifilm made X-M5, and previously, Panasonic themselves made Lumix S9

[@Gary_W]

Hey, thank you for the kind words! I'm very glad to hear that 😊

[@jjchockey]

You should get your hands on the new Fuji XM5 with the 27MM 2.8 (40mm Eqv) It’s smaller than a GX85 and not far off the GX850. The picture imagine quality is on a different level from any M43 camera made at a any price. Better than Sony ASPC too and way more fun to use. It can also shoot 10 bit 6.2K open gate internally. Only thing it is missing is view finder and EVF which I don’t particularly care about.

[@christofabt8958]

No stabilizer. When do you really see the difference in image quality?

[@jjchockey]

@ never really needed IBIS personally. Image quality difference is quite noticable. Higher megapixel, better in low light, more dynamic range, much sharper more detailed pictures. The 28MM 2.8 WR is much cheaper than the 20MM 1.7. It’s also .1” less thick and weighs 3G less.

[@Gary_W]

I finally got a ZV-E10, and I'm using it primarily for making KZbin videos. It doesn't have IBIS which is unfortunate, but the video digital stabilizer is excellent although it crops the image a bit. What's great about it is that the price is very reasonable, and I get great continuous AF. I don't think the picture and video quality is that much better compared to M43, and the improvement of picture/video quality isn't the reason why I bought it. But it is way more convenient to use for recording video and the price is "reasonable" compared to the much more expensive G100, which I would have chose if the ZV-E10 doesn't exist. Somehow I'm both glad and sad owning the ZV-E10. I'm glad because now I can record video faster and easier, but I'm sad because this ZV-E10 should be a M43 camera instead of a Sony camera.

[@marcobowroad]

We need gx10 and more compact zoom lenses

[@EricLouisYoung]

PANASONIC, WE ALL WANT A NEW GM1 WITH EVERY FEATURE FROM THE S9. WE KNOWS IT'S POSSIBLE!!

[@klausyap]

The silver lining is in the second hard market. Now is a good time to buy used MFT cameras and lenses for small and light ILC with excellent IQ on the cheap, especially for general photography except sports. I just bought E-M10 II, 5-axis IBIS camera for USD 170 and P20mm f1.7 for USD 110, all in good condition. It doesn't have to be OR, it can be AND. MFT for EDC photography, AND FF/APS-C for professional videography or sports photography works.

[@Gary_W]

Good point! There are still plenty of brand new older Lumix cameras around in online shops here where I live. Congrats on the E-M10II, enjoy your setup!

[@martingreenberg870]

I’m 72 and long in the tooth. That being said, I long for LUMIX to return to the small body format body. What I want is the G9ii guts placed in the S9 body. As mentioned below, a microphone in jac would be nice. Less important is weather sealing but that would be a plus. As a street photographer, small size and lightweight for body and lenses are what I crave. That being said, I unintentionally purchased a large body M43 body, the G9ii. It was on sale for $899. Such a good price. I wanted the PDAF. I look forward to trying the Leica monochrome jpeg. Since I have several of the G9 batteries I am not happy the G9ii uses the S5ii batteries. Will LUMIX give us a small lightweight body? I don’t know. I can only hope. Maybe videos like this will help LUMIX decide to offer the body we crave. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

[@Gary_W]

Hey Marty! Wow $899 for a G9ii was truly a fantastic price! Good point regarding G9ii internal inside S9 body, that would be a killer camera! Cheers

[@ttbirds1082]

Spot on!

[@Raist3db]

I have been saying this now for a few years, not just last year or two- and I think it's the reason MFT is slowly edging to its own extinction like 4/3rds did back in the day. Basically the reason for m43rds to exist- and what both Olympus and Panasonic said it was when they announced it- is smalls size and light weight. Missing this, misses on the reason for the system to exist. Biggest irony is to see a G9II using the exact body of one of their latest FF cameras- the S5ii. As the body sizes have increased, and the competition has shrunk, MFT is in a situation where a new purchaser can compare both camera bodies without a clear advantage for the MFT body due to the size and in some focal length ranges- even the lenses are dangerously close in size. For the people that keep playing apologist saying you can't cram all the features of the OM1 MKII or G9ii in a smaller body - correct, you can't cram everything but you can *for sure* cram far more than the outdated tech they are putting out in the market now. Look at just all the videos in the last 3-5 months of MFT KZbin influencers and it's all nostalgia/older outdated discontinued non repairable models that they talk about (this channel being a prime source of exactly that). In the meantime Fuji is releasing an XM5 with a top of the line sensor pretty much used in the XT3/XT4/X100V/XPro 2 with latest AI AF (we'll see if they improved video AF finally soon enough), their great color reproduction, 14-bit raws at all situations, 26MP, etc. in the $700 USD MSRP tier. with far better video specs than anything in its price range.

[@Raist3db]

To give an idea here- the OM-5 should have been as much as they could pack from OM-1 in a metal, not plastic alloy, EM5 MarkII style body size. Maybe not have the stacked sensor but should have had the AI AF and AI JpEG noise reduction along with the faster hand held high res registration. The price would need to go higher but it could- because it would be unique. The smaller primes would need a re-release in weather sealed form to match, but that also hasn't happened.

[@cristibaluta]

I decided that i'm not waiting for a small camera anymore (meaning a pen f ii or gx9ii), i'm building it myself, i bought a g9ii and i'm cnc machine a new body leica look alike and size. I believe that those gx are way too small and don't bring any real benefit, curently i have an EP7 but i built a bottom plate for more comfort

[@Gary_W]

Let me know how it turns out! Very cool to hear you can build your own camera!

[@barbgannon3252]

Yes Gary - "Shout it, shout it, shout it out loud" - we need more smaller mft cameras, not Mega Four thirds. I have decided I'm still hanging with my oly em5 m3. Not parting with my hard earned dollar anymore. Not moving up from my G9 to a ii as I don't shoot wildlife and don't video much and the G9 is just not fun. I use the panny G100 as a fun camera (yeah no stabe but some darn great pics), I take my GX850 to shoot when I am out at restaurants (handbag pocketable) using the Oly 45mm and am thinking of pulling back out my original em5 - stabe and all, as it does take wonderful shots. I took my big canon R6 ii to the States (camera is light, but heavy lenses make me cry and throw my back out - seriously its no walkaround camera) and wish I had have just taken the G9 and Oly, it was just way too heavy. I refuse to buy into the S9 as it is for vlogging and means serious coin for lenses. Fuji XM-5, seriously? No frickin stabe, just a big con Please, please, please Panny give us a small functional mft, 26 megapixels, stabe, phase detect (like oly) and some good inbuilt pre-sets. Panny, maybe just give us the G100 with stabe, I'd be happy.... There ya go, I've had my rant.

[@Gary_W]

Crossing my fingers for a G100 with IBIS too! Cheers!

[@Michael-fw5ef]

Panasonic made the G9 II body the exact same as their full frame S5II body. I couldn't believe they did that. By doing so, they are destroying the size advantage that m4/3 has as a selling point.

[@cristibaluta]

g9 was not smaller either

[@bobjohnson9597]

I’m getting into Nikon Z50ii for APSC. I still have 3 Olympus from 2010-2012 and lumix gx85 MFT. And LUMIX full frame for video. I personally don’t trust Sony to last as I had electronics reliability with them in the past and a Camera repairman who will not own Sony due to reliability problems. I just watched a KZbinr who is switching to Nikon as his Sony is starting to fail.

[@couchumina]

Gm5 with a fixed lens , tilt screen and weather resistant

[@flyingchilders]

Hope Panasonic bring out a GM1 mk2 😀

[@Gary_W]

I hope so too! That would be another legendary camera!

[@YannickKhong]

I understand the benefits of a small m43 but these arguments that don't hold weight here: The EP7 still exists and provides more than enough camera performance for that form factor... and once again gets ignored by m43 channels? Also on "Why are the latest cameras big heavy and expensive?", because: - they balance with pro lenses - they need to develop the technology before shrinking it down (S1 to S9... EM1 to... em10?) Small cameras also have limited versatility and lenses that work on it. While using a 35-100 2.8 on a gm1 is entirely possible, the ergonomic compromise is significant and people would prefer going G9 with that. And also... affordable? This I don't get. If it's affordable, it will have to make compromises and those "affordable cameras" will be competing against older flagship cameras and em5s on the used market so it's already dead on arrival.

[@GLu-qc6vn]

Yes, to my knowledge, the EP7 is the most advanced M4/3 camera that's still quite compact and light. 336 grams. Sadly overlooked. Gary Wang: I deeply respect you and appreciate all I've learned from you. I hope you can acquire an EP7 and review it deeply after many weeks of frequent use. Including its unique features that are similar to the Pen F. I'm so curious what your insights and take would be. And your evaluation of its drawbacks. It's not sold in North America so that could contribute to it's being ignored here. It sells very well in Japan. And it's easy to buy directly from Japan on ebay. That's what I did. Shipping is remarkably fast to the US. There are any Japan dealers with 99% ratings, and fantastic service.

[@Gary_W]

You made some good points, I respect your arguments. Regarding E-P7, that is the camera that ticks all the boxes, and I do really want to try it but apparently the pricing is ridiculous here where I live. It costs me approx. US$3000 (yes, three thousand) brand-new, no used one in the market at all, and no way to purchase it offline at regular camera stores(only online shops have it). I avoid importing the camera from other countries due to ridiculous regulations regarding imported goods here where I live, I can only buy domestically. I hope we'll have an E-P7 with more reasonable pricing and availability in the future.

[@GLu-qc6vn]

@@Gary_W I sorry to hear that horrendous price. I just checked, and used ones in good condition are available for $540-$600 on ebay including shipping to the US, from Japan. Maybe someday you could fly to Japan, stay in a capsule hotel, buy a camera or two, and return home... all for a fraction of the terrible costs you face at home. ... Or maybe Taiwan, which also has good used camera prices online (shopee or Yahoo) and at some second hand shops?

[@YannickKhong]

Damm that's a shame Gary. 3000 is indeed way too expensive. Can you travel to Japan? How much is the em10iv in your area? It's basically an ep7 with evf, if not too expensive, there's some content you can make from it that applies to the ep7.

Yes I love it because it is small.

[@spacelord1913]

its surprising there is no G5 remake

[@DuniaKita19]

im agree

[@bosamuelsson5814]

A little too much faith in the full-frame sensor compared to the micro four. The image quality is marginal. not even if you crop the image hard. Ligtroom has , under photo, improve, enough power to fill up pixels to make up any difference. And the price of the lens is decisive for the choice!

[@Gary_W]

I hope so too!

[@cristibaluta]

Panasonic went ocrazy with the size not only on the body, but the files as well, the raws are literally double of olympus for an extra 5Mpx only. And the battery half. This company is cooked

[@matttheking1655]

Mega Four Third!...😂

[@JTC1979]

there is no point for someone new or looking for alternative to invest in m43 system , no new interesting features or improved iso performances or body , not a lot of small affordable lense with big aperture (2.8 is not big and there is not much affordable 1.7 or bigger ) that match the current trends of aps c / FF chinese brands that dont even bother with m43 Dont get me wrong I dont hate m43 (In fact I just bought a dlux 8 which imho with the LX could be the only way for m43 to stay alive and compete with rx100) but with body like fuji xm5 or pana s9 and a7c , the m43 as system is just not worth anynore as we almost reach the same body lense size ratio in some cases

[@VadUlich]

The smaller the better

[@nikoforu]

I feel absolutely betrayed. Unsubscribed. Nah, just kidding. I've been using other systems for a decade, but M43 has remained my main system. Why use other systems? Fun to play with new toys, but sometimes just for the extra capability of some system. But otherwise, m43 fulfills most of my needs, and remains the smallest, even with the bigger camera body (I own an OM1) I do share this youtuber's desire for a small camera. I still use a GM5 to this day and would love to upgrade it to something m43 just as small but more up-to-date. Obviously, weather-sealing, battery life and IBIS have to be sacrificed for a tiny camera body, but having the G9II sensor with PDAF and a better EVF would be sweet.

[@Gary_W]

Ha, you almost got me! A GM5 II with PDAF(and maybe a mic jack) would be nice!

[@tshiring7]

We don't need micro thirds again, thank you!

[@slickslabmcknabful]

Just my opinion. Micro 4/3 is "dead". There has not been anything really innovative brought to the table from this format for some time now. Stagnant sensor tech. Stagnant software features. One of the bigger things that made it appealing, body size, is lost. The software/feature advantage they used to have (IBIS, autofocus, digital ND, etc.) is finally being caught up to by other brands, specifically in the FF area. The body size advantage is being caught up to as well. Take a look at the A7Cii vs. the GX85, they're almost identical in size. Now you have the S9, which is just a hair bigger. Pairing these two FF with a solid prime or a small kit zoom lens is going to be a hard thing to pass up on. Sure, M43 lenses are smaller, but you can still find inexpensive, good quality FF options as a walkaround option. If Olympus or Panasonic managed to get a good M43 sensor between 25-30mp and slap it in a small body... maybe they can remain relevant outside of niche scenarios. I still like my EM1i and iii, and my R5 and R though.

[@Gary_W]

You do have some good points, and I agree with you. I still hope M43 will go back to its roots in the future.

[@slickslabmcknabful]

@@Gary_W I do to. It's a solid little system that can absolutely capitalize on just the physical body size and retro styling even. Go all in on adventure/travel market. If it's not much more than an entry level canon/sony/nikon kit and can outshine those in features, it can definitely stick around. I'd even welcome a compact FF Olympus.

[@binky2301]

Apart from cost, the OM5 fulfills your requirements here. Almost same weight as new Fuji, viewfinder and weather sealed! Great IBIS too.

[@Kutkis]

Terrible menu system and autofocus. No usb-c. Otherwise would be a great choice.

[@MarinaGarrison]

I would buy an updated version of the OM5.

[@GLu-qc6vn]

​@@Kutkis The menu system is indeed difficult, but learnable in several hours. And 95+% of commonly used features are quickly accessible from the Super Control Panel, user-customized My Menu, dedicated buttons, and reprogramming little-used buttons. It's indeed an up-front time investment, but yields a unique and incredibly powerful camera that's not over-large or heavy. Plus, the dials and buttons are extremely fast and effective to use unconsciously once the camera is mastered. It's my mainstay, especially for travel and outdoor adventures. The lack of usb-c is unfortunate. However, a tiny, nearly weightless usb-c to usb-2.0 adapter solves the charging problem. I can live with the slower transfer speeds, and usually just upload files to my computer from the SD card anyway. Severe negative reactions to the lack of usb-c seems more like moral outrage than an objective evaluation of its practical implications.

[@grahamniven]

MFT was born in a time before smartphone photography. Smartphones have evolved to such an advanced state that MFT is now largely irrelevant. There’s simply no point carrying a MFT camera if your smartphone meets your photograph needs. Smartphones have restricted MFT to sports/action/wildlife, which (thus far) smartphones can’t do. The larger MFT bodies with long focal length lenses are still small and lightweight compared to FF and APS-C options. I confidently predict there will be no more smaller size MFT bodies, same way as there will be no more compact digicams. Tech evolves, sadly this means that extinction exists, it’s just a fact of life.

[@christofabt8958]

A small MFT with a 1,7/20, 1,7/15 or for portraits 1,8/45 is still much better than a smartphone.

[@GLu-qc6vn]

@@christofabt8958 Exactly, not to mention small and lightweight zoom lenses. And not just better IQ, but also far faster to operate intuitively. And some lenses offer 3D pop or dimensionality, vs smartphone flat (and often unrealistic) images. But Sony's camera-centric Xperia Pro-I smartphone can at least take realistic photos, and is highly adjustable. It's a good backup to MFT, even though MFT still beats it handily.

[@grahamniven]

@@christofabt8958 makes no difference, people are using smartphones.

[@Gary_W]

You made some good points, thanks for sharing. I do heavily use my smartphone for photography and video and I could get some really nice shots that even I can't get using my MFT camera. But I still believe in the benefits of a compact MFT camera. They are simply different tools for different jobs.