GX7 or ???

given your intended usage and existing lens collection, I am surprised that an OMD is not on your radar. E-M5 is going for good prices at the moment, and offers inbody image stabilisation with your pentax lenses

K

 

What about a reconditioned or used EM1? PDAF might help a lot with the moving birds and the AF performance is no slouch what paired with appropriate lenses.

 

In another thread, you mentioned macro photography. I've found focus peaking to be a huge benefit for taking macro/closeup pictures of wildflowers and insects in uncontrolled conditions. (useful for manual focus for wildlife photos too.) The Panasonic G6 has an excellent implementation of focus peaking. The Oly EM5 does not have focus peaking. The OM1 and OM10 do. I have no experience with either.

The G6 sensor is older than that in the GX7 but it works fine at ISO 400 and 800.

In addition to focus peaking, an EVF can offer other benefits over any optical viewfinder: image magnification for manual focusing, blinkies / zebra stripes to show you a blown highlights/shadows condition as you show or immediately after and display of all sorts of info including histograms.

A key point for me was the size of the right-hand grip and the shutter button.. A small grip like the GX7, the em5 or the em10 was not comfortable for me. Be sure the ergonomics work for you before you buy.

 

I agree with all this - I tried a GX-7 based on wanting the focus peaking as well as the 1/8000sec shutter, the manual exposure preview, the 1/320 flash sync speed the wi-fi capability, and the manual video control (over my G5). As great as all those things were I couldn't get on with the smaller form factor. Today I found a used G6 for a good price and determined the few concessions in features were worth making for the better ergonomics. My G5 will be making its way to my father as a gift.

 

Interesting. I have just got a GX7 to complement a G5. I find that if I try to hold a GX7 in the same way as the G5 or my dslr it doesn't feel right at all. What I do is to rotate my hand slightly so that I have two fingers round the grip, middle finger just above the grip, that way my forefinger falls naturally on the shutter button/front dial. Early days, but it seems fine. I do have fairly small, or at least stubby, hands.

Dave

 

Im 6'3" so I suppose I have larger hands, however, I have no trouble with my E-PL1 or X100S ( though the latter had a half case on it). What I missed most from the G5 was the fully articulated screen and the zoom toggle (for exposure comp)

 

I have just never thought of the GX-7 as a bird camera. It is a fine instrument but I have found the EM-1 or if cost is a consideration,the EM-5 to be better for birds. The key is the better in body image stabilization and the better EVF, Especially if you are a left eyed person like me. I the sun the Panny View finder glares. I was on the beach lying near some shore birds but I shaded the viewfinder with my hand. I still got good results with the GH-7. With the EM-1 you don't need to use your other hand. Can you photograph flying birds with the EM-1. Yes! I don't know about the GX-7. It is not the best for flying birds. Canons DSRL ,with no delay in shutter,are better. (Pardon heretical thoughts) See examples of EM-1 and EM-5 Bird action.

E-M1    OLYMPUS M.12-40mm F2.8    40mm    f/4.5    1/5000s    ISO 200

E-M5    OLYMPUS M.45mm F1.8    45mm    f/4.5    1/640s    ISO 200

 

Don't really know yet. Handling seems fine, though I think setting up the function buttons is important, which I borrowed from my G5.

Focus speed and iq will be very dependent on lens, but looks good on my Pany 14-14 mm

Dave

 

I've surprised myself by quite enjoying my GX7. I had an EM1 and a G6 previously, and the GX7 is my favourite for my purposes. I've grown into the ergonomics and the image IQ in stills and video is excellent. I won't go into too much detail, but two standout features:

- fits in my coat pocket with either the 20mm f1.7ii or the Oly 9-18mm attached. Both of those lenses fit easily into a coat pocket, so no camera bag needed for an outing.

- bounce flash with the built-in flash is easy and works great. Can't do this with the G6 or the EM1, and don't need to buy an expensive, oversized flash unit.

 

I recently got a GX7 and really like it, especially the 'silent mode' but for some reason Panasonic decided that when the silent mode or the electronic shutter (they are different settings) are used then the flash can't be used - what's up with that?! Other than that it is a great camera and I have been very pleased with it. Makes a great companion for my G5 but I find myself using the GX7 the most.

 

The GX7 and the 20 is a great body / lens combo in the hand. The IQ is what you expect from high end mu43 so ergs are the real distinguishng feature. Some complain about the AF speed of the 20 but it seems to work fine on the GX7.