I've just about convinced myself that I want a G5 instead of my current G3 as my second body to go with my GX1, mostly for the better ergonomics and a couple added features.

G5 body only for $500 from Amazon seems perfect, as I'll spend as little as possible on the body, and I won't use the kit lens.

For $600 from B&H, I can get the G5 with 14-42 kit lens AND for $100 more [$200 rebate!] the 45-150 Panasonic lens.

I know the 45-150 is a relatively inexpensive, slow, consumer lens. However, it seems a fantastic deal for $100, really $200 out-of-pocket, and is small and light. Sure I can possibly sell the kit lens for $75-ish to defray the cost [though there seems to be lots of them for sale now]... or if I find I don't like/use the 45-150 I can likely sell it for $150-200, right?

My eyes have been focused on the 35-100 f/2.8 and I'll likely buy one relatively soon, but it seems a hell of a deal to get that 45-100 for so little cash above the kit price. Combined with the added reach of the 150mm I might be able to postpone my 35-100 purchase for a while.

Thoughts

P.S. "IF" Amazon had the 45-150 in stock they have a '$50' rebate, though the total out-of-pocket would be within $50.00 and shipping is faster/cheaper to me from Amazon. But I have a bit more confidence in buying from B&H when it comes to cameras/lenses.

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You can easily get a 45-200mm used around here for about $160 - longer reach, physical OIS button, and an established lens with a good to very good reputation. Between these two lenses, it is obvious Panasonic is following the typical electronics company think (typical of Panny and companies like Sony) where the first iteration is a great version on its own, then gets split into a pro version (35-100) and a watered down consumer zoom (45-150) that doesn't, in this case, encroach as much on either the 35-100mm or the 100-300mm.

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Drat. I bought the Lumix 45-150 as soon as it became available only a few months ago. And I've been considering either a G5 or GH2 body. Still trying to decide.

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Panasonic G5 and Panasonic GX1, Lumix 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6, Lumix 45-150mm f/4-5.6, Lumix 100-300mm f/4-5.6, Lumix 14mm f/2.5, Lumix 20mm f/1.7

Olympus E-PM2, Zuiko 9-18mm f/4.0-5.6, Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R, Zuiko 14-150mm f/4.0-5.6, Zuiko 40-150 f/4.0-5.6 R, Zuiko 15mm body-cap lens, Zuiko 17mm f/1.8, Zuiko 45mm f/1.8

Yep, I saw your post about the G5 or GH2 and zero replies

Aside from using different batteries than my GX1, I'm pretty convinced the G5 will be a nicer, better camera for me than the G3 for a body with an articulating screen and a built-in viewfinder.

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Yeah, that's a bit curious. But I suspect that if I'm not too worried about video, the G5 might be a slightly better stills camera than the GH2. A lot of the same or similar hardware but image-processing has definitely improved. Better handling for larger lenses is what I'm after. For smaller primes, I have the GX1.

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Panasonic G5 and Panasonic GX1, Lumix 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6, Lumix 45-150mm f/4-5.6, Lumix 100-300mm f/4-5.6, Lumix 14mm f/2.5, Lumix 20mm f/1.7

Olympus E-PM2, Zuiko 9-18mm f/4.0-5.6, Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R, Zuiko 14-150mm f/4.0-5.6, Zuiko 40-150 f/4.0-5.6 R, Zuiko 15mm body-cap lens, Zuiko 17mm f/1.8, Zuiko 45mm f/1.8

I don't disagree with anything you wrote, I'm sure you are correct, just not sure I want/need the 45-200 size and reach. Guess B&H/Panasonic got my attention with that $200 discount, a good tactic.

Maybe I should just buy a G5 and 35-100 that I know I want and forget the complexity of adding the 45-150. Possibly less money out-of-pocket in the long run and I'll have the complete three lens m4/3 kit I want/need [with nothing extra]. Only negative is that I will have paid full retail for the new 35-100, which looking to the past seems will drop a few hundred or more in coming months.

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That's about where I am with the G5/GX1 combo idea. Though I'd like to try some video in the future, I'm only a stills shooter, the G5 should work, any added video capability currently means nothing to me.

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No, sorry, I'd have to disagree here. The 45-150 can in no way be called a watered down consumer zoom compared to the old 45-200 (which got pretty soft past 150mm anyway). It is sharper, focuses faster, is also much smaller and half the weight. I saw one review which even went so far as to say the only reason you'd look at the 35-100 over the 45-150 was if you specifically needed the extra 2 stops light gathering capability. Now that might be pushing it a bit (35-100 is weather sealed, for example) but it shows how things have come on from an IQ perspective.

Michael

I think you're right - in many ways the G5 is a slightly better stills camera than the GH2. Slight IQ improvements as you mention, ergonomics at least as good if not better, silent shutter, touch screen to change focus point whilst using EVF, smaller body, menu improvements etc. The only downside is it doesn't make use of the oversize multi-aspect sensor that both cameras apparently share.

Michael

And isn't that strange? I know Panasonic likes to cripple its cameras to preserve the hierarchy but even cameras like my old compact LX3 have a multi-aspect sensor. I'll bet this just comes down to faulty groupthink in the marketing department.

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Panasonic G5 and Panasonic GX1, Lumix 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6, Lumix 45-150mm f/4-5.6, Lumix 100-300mm f/4-5.6, Lumix 14mm f/2.5, Lumix 20mm f/1.7

Olympus E-PM2, Zuiko 9-18mm f/4.0-5.6, Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R, Zuiko 14-150mm f/4.0-5.6, Zuiko 40-150 f/4.0-5.6 R, Zuiko 15mm body-cap lens, Zuiko 17mm f/1.8, Zuiko 45mm f/1.8