Panasonic Lumix G80/85 Review Part 1 Overview

G85 with Lumix 12-60mm f3.5-5.6 lens 

Ten years ago I considered myself to be a more-or-less rusted on Canon buyer. I had a series of SLRs then DSLRs and digital compacts.

But I grew increasingly disenchanted with inaccurate autofocus of the SLRs and DSLRs.

I also hoped that some day someone would make a type of camera which did not make loud clattering noises every time I pressed the shutter.

When Panasonic released the G1 in 2008 I could see straight away that this would be the first model of a new type of camera with potential benefits over the DSLR.

So I bought a G1.

Panasonic managed to get autofocus accuracy bang on right from the start. I never had serious focus accuracy problems with the G1 or any subsequent Panasonic camera.

I followed up with a G3 (there was no G4 presumably for superstitious reasons but there was a GH4, go figure) then G5, G6, G7 and now we come to the G8 which in the strange other-world universe of Panasonic naming, has become the G80 or G85 in some markets.

In May 2014 I posted an opinion piece “Why Panasonic needs the G7”.

They did produce the G7 but unfortunately this camera came with numerous problems so in June 2016 I posted another piece “Why Panasonic needs the G8”.

My analysis of the Panasonic G series of micro Four Thirds cameras is this:

* The concept is good. The hump top mini DSLR shape works very well with the potential for very good functionality and ergonomics. Some photographers say they prefer the flat top, faux rangefinder style of the GX series but there are clear functional and ergonomic advantages to the hump-top-with-anatomical handle style.

Panasonic got the concept right with the G1. They just needed to remedy all the deficiencies of the models up to and including the G7.

The list of problems with the G7 which I posted in 2016 is:

* Wrong shutter. The G7 uses the old spring loaded focal plane shutter which causes image degradation due to shutter shock with some lenses.  They should have used the electro-magnetic one from the GX80 which has not been reported to cause any problems with shutter shock.

* The “fix” for shutter shock on the G7 is to use E-Shutter which drops the bit rate from 12 to 10. This can cause blotchy green artefacts in shadows lifted up in an image editor. There are numerous other limitations with the E-Shutter.

* The Cursor Button module and Disp button are flat and recessed. For the user who prefers to change AF area with [Direct Focus Area] this is a real pain.

* A perception of poor build quality. The front of the camera would creak if twisted in one’s hands. Whether this actually caused any problem I do not know but it mattered little, the perception was negative.

* Wrong sensor. They should have used the one from the GX80/85 without the AA filter.

* No weather sealing. This is not actually a problem, more a statement of “want” from several reviewers and users.

It would seem Panasonic took most of this on board because the G80/85 has indeed fixed every one of those problems but one, the flat Cursor/Disp buttons, and added into the bargain In-Body-Image-Stabilisation (IBIS)

AND

Dual stabiliser function in which OIS in the lens and IBIS in the body work together in miraculous fashion to produce pin sharp images at slow shutter speeds.

I have tested Dual IS and to my amazement, it actually works.

Together these upgrades make the G80/85 one of the most highly specified, capable and appealing  mid range interchangeable lens cameras (ILC) ever produced by Panasonic or any other manufacturer.

I have no doubt that Panasonic desperately needed the G80/85.  I think it likely that if Panasonic had not  delivered the G80/85 the G line would have foundered completely and with that Panasonic’s future as a camera maker would have been in serious doubt.

I think it still is in doubt but if Panasonic can market the G80/85 effectively I think the camera division might have a chance of survival.

In my view Panasonic has been making too many different model lines in recent years, presumably trying to find the magic formula for sales success.

But I think they had the right concept there from the start with the G1. They just needed get the thing working properly.

They have dropped the GM line which I reviewed and found to make little sense as an alternative to the high level compacts available these days.

The GF series remains but I wonder about the ongoing viability of that line. I know Canon sells plenty of  EOS M cameras without an EVF so maybe the idea of an interchangeable lens camera without an EVF makes sense from a marketing viewpoint.

Which fits I guess considering that Canon appears to have transformed itself from being a camera maker into a marketing organisation.

It is certainly not something that would appeal to me.

But Panasonic also needs to decide what to do about the GX line. If it were up to me I would drop the G8. This is a large flat top which makes no sense to me ergonomically or functionally.

Enough rambling, back to the G80/85.

I evaluate cameras under the following headings

* Specifications, features and capabilities

* Image quality

* Performance

* Ergonomics

You can read all about the specs and features elsewhere. Suffice to say here they are extremely comprehensive with just about every imaginable item for making high quality still and video pictures.

Image quality is excellent in all conditions. 

Some obsessive pixel peepers on user forums complain that the sensor has “only” 16 Mpx but this is just pointless measurbation. The amount of subject information which can be revealed by this camera is  very high indeed, enough for very large poster prints.

Performance is excellent for still and moving subjects, still and video output.

Ergonomics are excellent. The camera is a pleasure to use with an efficient set of well designed controls.

It’s a winner.

Even better it comes onto the market at a very attractive price point. Current price for a G85 with 12-60mm f3.5-5.6 lens is AUD1349. I have tested the lens and found it to be very good optically and a versatile companion to the G85 body.

In fact I cannot recall ever before seeing such a well featured and capable camera in this price range.

With the G80/85 Panasonic has redeemed itself in fine style from a litany of past mistakes and problems.