One thing I did really dislike (actually hated) on the G3 was the positioning of the red video record button which was placed very awkwardly to the right of the viewfinder and above the articulated screen
You could only really use your right thumb to trigger it and it just felt so unnatural in this position
More often than not I would have to fumble about trying to find it whilst looking through the viewfinder or would have to take the camera away from my face to locate the button. This was especially awkward for a left eye user like me
On the G5 the red video button is placed superbly behind the rocker switch.
Your index finger falls naturally onto it or you can quickly and very easily locate and navigate your finger to it from the position of the rocker switch moving your index finger backwards from there
It is also recessed so that you don't accidentally trigger it - something that the GH1 is terrible for (I've retained a GH1 in case I have to do some 'serious videoing' when my 3 year old gets a bit oder as I can use the external stereo microphone on it - shame the mic does not fit on the G5)
The shutter trigger being at an angle on the top of the grip is also a much more comfortable position and more in line with DSLR design which I have always felt have been more comfortable
Together these simple things have indeed transformed the ergonomics and although I was happy with the G3 picking it up in comparison to the G5 now it feels very much less comfortable and it immediately has that last generation feel to it now
I would maintain though that Panasonic got the G3 right according to the remit at the time of its introduction as it was hailed in several reviews as being only marginally bigger than the GF2 and still 'pocketable' whilst managing to include a built in viewfinder
At the time ultimate compactness seemed to be the overriding consideration and what buyers seemed to want. If pocketability is a consideration then the G3 is still the best choice and I may keep mine as a second body with a pancake attached to quickly throw in my pocket which I wouldn't want to do so readily with the G5
Having gone down that road as far as possible it now seems that comfortable ergonomics and compactness have to be weighed and balanced against each other to produce a product that most are happy with
I'd say that Panasonic have got the balance just right as the G5 still feels very compact but is very much more comfortable
I'd say it is the most comfortable M4/3 camera to date and unrivalled thus far for overall ergonomics straight from the box
You could only really use your right thumb to trigger it and it just felt so unnatural in this position
More often than not I would have to fumble about trying to find it whilst looking through the viewfinder or would have to take the camera away from my face to locate the button. This was especially awkward for a left eye user like me
On the G5 the red video button is placed superbly behind the rocker switch.
Your index finger falls naturally onto it or you can quickly and very easily locate and navigate your finger to it from the position of the rocker switch moving your index finger backwards from there
It is also recessed so that you don't accidentally trigger it - something that the GH1 is terrible for (I've retained a GH1 in case I have to do some 'serious videoing' when my 3 year old gets a bit oder as I can use the external stereo microphone on it - shame the mic does not fit on the G5)
The shutter trigger being at an angle on the top of the grip is also a much more comfortable position and more in line with DSLR design which I have always felt have been more comfortable
Together these simple things have indeed transformed the ergonomics and although I was happy with the G3 picking it up in comparison to the G5 now it feels very much less comfortable and it immediately has that last generation feel to it now
I would maintain though that Panasonic got the G3 right according to the remit at the time of its introduction as it was hailed in several reviews as being only marginally bigger than the GF2 and still 'pocketable' whilst managing to include a built in viewfinder
At the time ultimate compactness seemed to be the overriding consideration and what buyers seemed to want. If pocketability is a consideration then the G3 is still the best choice and I may keep mine as a second body with a pancake attached to quickly throw in my pocket which I wouldn't want to do so readily with the G5
Having gone down that road as far as possible it now seems that comfortable ergonomics and compactness have to be weighed and balanced against each other to produce a product that most are happy with
I'd say that Panasonic have got the balance just right as the G5 still feels very compact but is very much more comfortable
I'd say it is the most comfortable M4/3 camera to date and unrivalled thus far for overall ergonomics straight from the box
It's going to take me a bit to get used to the shift in location for the shutter, and I've barely scratched the surface of the manual/new stuff. I'm intrigued with the focusing, and need to play a lot more.
