Why Does Everyone Hate The Panasonic G100?

The Panasonic G100 is the little camera that the internet seems to hate - but is it deserved? Whilst being marketed as a vlogging camera, I couldn’t help but feel that it could be a good all round content creation tool… But how does it stack up for both my video and photography requirements?
I purchased my G100 from Amazon (link below which is an affiliate link so I may receive some commission although you won’t pay a penny extra!).
amzn.to/3lcDTqX
Music (Honey Bee) was licensed from the Pleasant Pictures Music Club

[@artistjoh]

Panasonic engineers made a content creation camera and promoted as that it would have been more popular. But their marketing department effed up by jumping on the vlog bandwagon. By promoting it as a vlog camera first (instead of a creator's camera) they highlighted the cameras weaknesses and failed to communicate its strengths. Many, perhaps most, so-called vlogers are like me, primarily content creators. In my case I take a lot of photographs as resource material for paintings, shoot stop motion animations and short "arty" videos, and then a combination of talking about products with a bit of vloging thrown in. The camera is ideal for people like me. Small enough to go everywhere. Has an EVF, which is an essential for photography, especially if trying to capture the eye point of view. It is interchangeable lens so I have creative choices from the two Panasonic power zooms to the Sigma 16, 30, and 56 f1.4 trio for low light and defocus, or the 45mm f21.8 macro. It is a great camera that was really poorly marketed.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

You do make some valid points. I was extremely surprised just how good it was for stills photography… and the video was also really good apart from the AF which, to be fair, was ok but it was the micro jitters which annoyed me. Apart from that… worth every penny

[@HR-wd6cw]

I think the biggest reason people dislike the G100 is it's being marketed as a vlogging camera, but it doesn't have the typical IBIS that Panasonic and Olympus cameras generally have (even ones that are in a similar price range).

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Exactly… and the excessive 4K crop doesn’t help. Great stills camera though (actually a great video camera - just not ideal for vlogging)

[@Nobodycaresmonty]

That’s exactly what it is , I just got one!

[@laurentyarp514]

Agree. They should have marketted it as the GM5 successor and people would have accepted some limitations far more easily.

[@markielinhart]

It’s a G9 pocket camera right there! 20mp and all…✌️

[@Dia1Up]

I mean, something that small though? I think it's a good camera, just marketed wrong

[@KarySchump]

I’m glad you shared this. I don’t get the hate for it either. I found your channel for a different video, and subscribing , was pleased to find this video. I think it’s the perfect little all around camera. I don’t really do much video, but wanted that capability, and liked the sound option, not necessarily needing a separate mic, at least for my purposes. It’s good for walking around, travel, street, etc. Since I have an old em5, I bought a couple of cheaper m43 lenses on sale and feel like I have everything I need. Thanks for sharing! I’m eager to dive in to your videos.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Hi Kary. Sorry for the delayed response! Yes, it’s a lovely little camera. I suspect the main problem is that it was marketed as a vlogging camera and that’s not its strong point. But as a small walk around camera, it takes a lot of beating.

[@OttoRascon]

Beautiful stills Jason! The right tool is all an artist needs ❤

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Thanks Otto. It’s a nice little camera for stills… I was especially impressed with the look of the black and white photos

[@oscararrieta326]

I was looking for a small, pocket size camera for traveling, I found the Lumix G100, I don't regret, I shoot in RAW, and pictures turn out awesome, I printed in large size and framed, some of them, I liked this little gem so much that I purchased a Leica lens 12mm-60mm f2.8, it cost me more than the camera, thanks for the video.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

I’m intrigued by the Leica 12-60! How are you finding it?

[@JerryWilliam63]

@@JasonFriendPhotography I purchased ($350) mine exclusively for stills. The 12-60 Leicasonic is a bit too girthy on the G100; my fingers get pinched between the barrel and the grip, so that lens lives on my G9. For the G100 I use my Oly 25mm 1.8; I dont care for the 12-32, for stills I shoot at iso100 so that lens is a bit too dark.

[@AprilClayton]

Brilliant video. I love the camera despite its issues. For stills, I love having this on hand for those moments when I don’t plan on packing a larger camera, but don’t want to miss a unique moment.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

I think that’s the beauty of the G100… it’s just so portable but still has great image quality!

[@RickMentore]

The lens flare on the right gave the iphone away! Some people like lens flares. Your images were fantastic!

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Thanks 🤩

[@vgriga9682]

Thank you for the video and your thoughts on the camera. Great pictures! Just on comment: I think you mentioned using f10 and since DOF also doubles with M43, there is no need to use high f stops as diffraction kicks around f8 (f16 FF equivalent). I normally use f4.5 or 5.6 for most landscapes, getting good DOF and avoiding diffraction. This translates in better IQ, especially when using primes or pro zooms.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Good point!

[@cadmdhpro8779]

Gosh, your pictures are amazing ! Congrats !

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@cadmdhpro8779]

@@JasonFriendPhotography I am currently learning photography with a g100. I am so fond of it ! I already carried it along twice as much as my previous 10+yo d3100 that was waaaay too big for everyday random pics. My best choice ever !

[@gerrymac5865]

Good vlogg, I bought one of these great little vlogging cameras in the Black Friday sales bargain at £299 can’t lose at the price.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Cheers Gerry. That’s a crazily good price for the G100… enjoy!

[@bigdhav]

I use this with my leica 15mm as a superlight travel camera/street photography. Its wonderful.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

That does sound a great combination!

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

That does sound a great combination!

[@sdhute]

I've heard the autofocus is pretty good after the last firmware update. I have plenty mft lenses this has been a intriguing camera. Id be using for city scape street photography.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

I think the AF is surprisingly good… definitely a great street camera as it is so discreet

[@deanrobertnoble138]

I was in the exact same position; i own a GX80 and whilst i love everything else about it, i hate the EVF. The field sequential finder is less than great an almost seems like the image is swimming. Looking around I couldn’t find anything small, or at least similar sized with a better EVF. The choices in Lumix cameras were to go much bigger and retain IBIS or take a punt on the G100. I’m hopeful that using fast primes will negate the need for IBIS. Mainly for stills for me but with the odd video here and there. Great video; thankyou.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

I was going to get the GX80 but the reviews of the EVF put me off. Looks a great rangefinder style camera though (I have a soft spot for that kind of design).

[@gregpatterson134]

Great review of a really nice option. Do you still like the camera and feel it would be a good simple travel option if i already have a g85 with several lenses? Also, what pants are you wearing and do they allow kneeling on wet grass without crazy wet?

[@davemorgan8349]

I took my Lumix G85 on a cycling tour from the UK this spring - and hardly took any pictures with it. It was just too much hassle to get it out of my handlebar roll every time I thought about taking a photo. So I got my wife to pick up a TZ100 and bring it out to me in Spain. It fitted easily in a side pocket in my handlebar roll and, as a result, it came out of that pocket much more frequently than I had used the G85. And the pictures weren't (too) bad either. The EVF is pretty small which was a disadvantage. Anyway, I've been looking for something small, primarily for stills, but with better quality for a winter cycling trip to Sri Lanka. I already have owned a few Panasonic M43 bodies since the GH1 and already have a few lenses. I think it'll work well for me with the small kit lens for the majority of my shots, choosing small size over range. I can always swap to my 14-140 when I'm not riding but having camera-centric walkabout. Thanks for you video and information - I think I may have found what I'm looking for!

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

I’m pleased it helped Dave. I’m currently in Europe doing a lot of hiking and camping around the Alps… the small size of the g100 and the kit lens has meant that I actually have had a camera with me at all times. Wonderful combination

[@oscararrieta326]

Thanks for your comment, no doubt, a better expensive full frame camera, doesn't make you a professional or better photographer, if you understand composition and photography you can take great shots with this small camera, without the heavy weight carrying a $5,000 equipment. Thanks I will get my G100.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

It’s a great little camera Oscar… I really don’t know why so many people avoid it. The little kit zoom is also remarkably good. I’m sure you will love it.

[@oscararrieta326]

It has been a year since I got my G100, and I don't regret my choice, I just wanted an small second camera for traveling able to film videos and still, with its 20MP I was able to nicely print large pictures and the videos are very decent, thanks again.

[@howardchud9097]

I enjoyed your photos. Well done.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Thanks

[@user-wz2fo2jr8b]

I love the camera. It does everything I expected and more.

[@sam_9228]

Great video! I've been debating on buying the Lumix G100 OR the Lumix G1

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

I would definitely go G100

[@teresacms79]

thanks!

[@BillyBobDingledorf]

I picked one up about 18 months ago because I wanted something very light that would allow me to take stills. Overall, I'm impressed. Is it as good a still camera as my Nikon DSLR? Nope. Not as much control and the control you do have is harder to accomplish (Nikon has a lot more experience designing camera controls). However, it's good enough and light enough that it is now my 'go to' camera for just about everything. If I need to get serious, I'll haul out my Nikons. I'm not much of a video guy, so I don't really use that feature. Good to know it's decent if I want it though. Probably better than my DSLR, but they're really designed for stills. Last notes: I picked up the 45-200 lens to get some range. Still not my Nikon's, but having a 420mm effective is pretty useful in most situations. I've also attached my Nikon SB-800 flash to the Panasonic. It works amazingly well. It's not TTL and I can't remote fire it, but otherwise it's very good. If I need more advanced functionality, that's not why I bought this camera. Also, it looks silly when the flash is bigger than the camera. ;) Again, size and weight. For the Panasonic, I have one small camera bag that I barely notice on my shoulder. The camera, both lenses, close up lens, and spare batteries all in something that wouldn't hold one DSLR with a 50mm lens and half the weight. For my DSLR, I have two very large camera bags (many more accessories), each of which is heavy. If there's one thing I had to dislike about the Panasonic, it's the EVF. That's going to be the issue with any mirrorless camera. While an EVF has some advantages, nothing beats a real viewfinder.

[@artistjoh]

For Flash I highly recommend the Godox TT350 O (The "O" stands for Olympus but it works identically on Panasonic.) Gives all TTL and other control options yet costs less than 100 bucks American.

[@amermeleitor]

The Canon M50 II is near the same price. Same size, bigger sensor, very good autofocus, 3.5mm microphone jack. And you can get EF lenses dirt cheap

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Hi Don. Indeed… but it’s not such an open and closed case if shooting 4K as the M50 ii AF becomes contrast only and the 4K has a heavy crop. I’ve used both though and if we were talking stills photography I would probably choose the M50…. For video I’m not so sure. What I would say as a final note… if shooting in 1080 as opposed to 4K, the canon wins everytime - dual pixel af is awesome.

[@BarryMaskell]

M50 is crippled in 4K unfortunately

[@neilfilms]

M50 is crop 4k

[@mustardpikachu3597]

The new Nikon Z30 takes the crown 👑

[@amermeleitor]

@@mustardpikachu3597 yes. I'm thinking to go with Nikon Z line or maybe Sony E. I'll sell my Canon M50 and EF glass. Canon RF is not good for the price.

[@thatdeephouse1207]

Answering to your video title, its all marketing, it seems like Sony pay people to talk BS, this camera is just amazing i almost got the Zv10 and Man i am happy i didnt, this camera is amazing glad i made a big research and actually find some honest opinions not just bs from paid ppl

[@Fellmandave1]

Give me one and I'll promise to love it Jason.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

It’s a great little camera… I reckon you would love it. Maybe we should do a wild camp video together at some point and you could try it out.

[@Fellmandave1]

@@JasonFriendPhotography I'm up for that! I am out with a bunch of lads on the 16th weekend in Northumberland if you want to join us.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Would love to @fellmandave but I’ve got a wedding on for the next couple of weekends.

[@joearenas7307]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! No hate from me.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Well said Joe… it’s a great little camera!

[@neilfilms]

the great thing in the g100 it has a OZO audio tech

[@patrickgamble9014]

I got a second hand G85 and a G100 at the same time - if I use the same lenses on both , the G100 seems to crop the image more than the G85?? Also it performs a lot worse than the G85 in low light and it seems to not be able to handle strong yellows etc - overall I am really disappointed with it and I almost returned it after buying it as there is this goofy button that turns the monitor off and not obvious - this is my second camera if the G85 has issues but a real disappointment

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Funnily enough I am considering getting a G95 to replace the G100. Your G85 has less of a crop factor than the G100 (especially in 4K)...I suspect the improved low light performance may be due to the G85 having less pixels and also less of a crop (so more pixels being used). I still use the G100 and it is great for photography but I hardly ever use it for video.

[@krone5]

It looks like a good replacement for a epl-9, but Lumix has better bodies. I would only get this if you need just a basic body.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

It’s a good introduction to the system. I’ve just used it for a couple of weeks in Europe and the (photo) results were surprisingly good - and it was small enough to carry on hikes. But as you say, there are better lumix bodies and it is a bit basic.

[@Lepewhi]

I have this camera and love it. Perfect for travel. I don't shoot video, so don't care about 4K vid.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

It’s a great camera. I think the problem is that it’s marketed as a vlogging camera so 4K matters. However, it’s brilliant for photographs.

[@mrmoon1482]

Coupled with the 12-60 lens is much better, I have the G9 with 100-400 for wildlife and the G100 with the 12-60 kit lens from the G9 in my camera bag, for me it’s the complete combo, The lens that comes with the G100 is terrible,

[@ahmedhayat5309]

How about low light performance???

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

It was ok for M43 but I wasn’t particularly blown away

[@teamilk6641]

it is now 3000rmb which is near 550 dollar in China for a single body it gives u 4k vLogL though it has a 1.5 cutting and more when stabilizing the EIS is not that good ,at least it is there for u i sold my 6400 for g100 they r all 4k 8bit 420 6400 is not worth that much today

[@alfredkay3210]

The Right Question is Why do You Assumed Everyone hates the Panasonic Lumix G100?

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

Good comment! It seemed to get really bad reviews - mainly because it was marketed as a vlogging camera but nobody seemed please with the performance. Personally I think it’s a great camera!

[@howardchud9097]

I like mine, and I can use all five of my Lumix lenses. I have GX8, G9, and G100. Why do I care if MF3 is dead?

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

I think M43 still hits that perfect size / iq point… funnily enough I’m thinking of getting the GX9. How do you find it?

[@howardchud9097]

@@JasonFriendPhotography I did a NY B&W silent shoot with the GX8 and a 15mm. It was awesome.

[@hiephiep-khamphamoingocnga2333]

About image ,video quality between g9 and g100 , which is better?

[@sdhute]

Are you still enjoying the g100?

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

For stills the g100 is wonderful. For video however, I found that the af would pulsate is certain situations which was really off putting.., so I ended up buying a Sony Zv1 for vlogging

[@benhall8069]

It’s better just buy a Panasonic g85

[@gokhancinar]

Please... You are walking but no stabilzation. Poor autofocus. GoPro 10 became a better vlog cam than this.

[@JasonFriendPhotography]

As I said in the video, I don’t tend to walk and talk so it wasn’t an issue for me. But jittery AF was, so I ended up with a different camera. GoPro 10 may well be a better vlog camera but it will be terrible for stills. For me, I was looking at the g100 as an all rounder and not just a vlogging camera. But yes, it wasn’t perfect.