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Now reading: A comfortable fit: Panasonic Lumix GX850 overview 49 comments

A comfortable fit: Panasonic Lumix GX850 overview

Published Jan 4, 2017 | dpreview staff

Hands-on with the Panasonic Lumix GX850

Panasonic combines its 'beauty'-oriented GF line of interchangeable lens cameras and the ultra-compact-oriented GM line with the introduction of the Lumix GX850 (GX800/GF9 in some markets). The GX850 has a lot in common with its most direct predecessor, the GF8, but one major improvement is the inclusion of 4K video capture (at 24/25/30p). It also gains all of Panasonic's 4K-related stills modes as well as post focus.

On the surface the GX850 looks more like it belongs in the super-small GM series, sporting a rangefinder-style design, than the GF series, which leans toward an SLR-style design. And despite looking pretty similar to the GM5, the GX850 has no electronic viewfinder, bringing it more in-line with the GF7/GF8 and GM1. It effectively replaces both the GF8 and the GM5.

Get a closer look at Panasonic's newest, littlest ILC by clicking through the slides above.

Tags: ces-2017, hands-on, panasonic

Comments

All (49)

Most popular (1)

Editors' picks (0)

DPR staff (2)

Oldest first

GodSpeaks

Ok Panasonic, enough is enough. No more G, X, 8, 5, 0 letter/number combinations for naming cameras. This has gone beyond stupid.

1 hour agopermalink

Impulses

DFD, 4K, and the flip screen alone are big incentives to move up from my GM1... Might wait until it's a bit cheaper, as Panasonic bodies are prone to in short order, but I'm definitely glad Panasonic hasn't given up on smaller bodies AND isn't trying to price them up into the one grand range right off the bat. I'm sure many will bemoan the lack of an EVF, but personally I use my GM1 just as much as my E-M5 II.

4 hours agopermalink

timo

No EVF, no thanks.

4 hours agopermalink

deep7

Exactly!

25 min agopermalink

mcshan

Slightly bigger than the GM5 but you get less? I too wish it kept the small EVF. Okay...advantages: tilting screen and small built in flash may please some. Cheaper BUT the GM5 had really come down in price.

Tough to please everyone I suppose.

5 hours ago*permalink

GodSpeaks

Wait for the GX851, or maybe it will be the GX855. LOL.

1 hour agopermalink

pkcpga

Panasonic offer it as a body only for $100 less or with a pancake 28 or 35mm f1.8. The disposable collapsible lens is a detourant since I don't like throwing it out, but won't use it and I don't like paying for unwanted lenses.

6 hours agopermalink

KInfinity

Just about. For 4/3 sensor, a 14 or 18mm prime would be nice. It would have to be pretty quick, to forego having IBIS. Remember the 4/3 crop factor is 2x, So, a 35mm prime ends up cropping out to apx 70mm equiv. That's a long zoom for general purpose.

Rant: Size is attractive. Needs IBIS. I like my RX100 as a small camera with a 1" sensor and IBIS. I wouldn't mind a large camera if it had a larger sensor.

6 hours agopermalink

GodSpeaks

One presumes there will be a body only version offered.

1 hour agopermalink

dansclic

@kinfinity
Olympus has better offers.....
The Sony rx100 has only one asset : it is small. Reason why it is a slippery camera with poor battery life, poor autofocus.
The omd em 10 with the small zoom offers much more than both Sony and Panasonic.

1 hour agopermalink

KInfinity

Never used the Panasonic 4/3, but the AF in the RX100 is the best I've ever used in a camera. That is to say, if the LUMIX is better, then I'd be impressed. Does it seem to depend on the lens? Is the AF good with a prime? Agree on it being a form-over-function case design design. For me, it's the sharp edges on the RX100. Unnecessary. But, so Sony.

My main gripes with the RX100:

1. The flash kind of bites. I don't trust it. Always blows out the image. Could just be me.

2. At 28mm, fully zoomed-out, there is barrel (am I using the right term?) distortion on the outside edges of the photos. I take a photo of a group of people, the people on the outside look oddly pulled out to the corners. Not in the normal way I got from my old Canon S100. It's like, extreme in the corners. Could be in-camera processing. I just know it's not to my taste.

-KI

45 min agopermalink

Och Elo

Had the GM1, then the GF7 previously. I like Panasonic's products, but I think overall a 1-inch sensor compact with a fast lens is the better choice. I have the LX10 which so far is a lovely camera, I enjoy using it more than I enjoyed the GM1 or GF7.

This camera does have the ability to change lenses, but if you are going to carry around an extra lens or two, you are probably looking at a bag (thankfully small, since it is M43!). In that case I think the GX85 offers a bit more for the money (I have one, and carry around 3 small lenses - 12-32, 35-100 f/4-5.6, 20mm 1.7 - in a very small bag).

7 hours agopermalink

Kaso

Nice hands.

7 hours agopermalink

noflashplease

The GM5 at least had an EVF in a tiny form factor. What's the purpose of this thing? The GX850 is a confusingly named, awkward product. At least Panasonic is consolidating a couple of overlapping product lines, but the result is another me-too selfie machine.

Here's another M43 camera that's destined for obscurity and minuscule sales, much like the Olympus PL-8. Enough already.

8 hours agopermalink

justmeMN

Back when there was a web site that publicly reported retail camera sales in Japan, the Olympus PEN Lite was consistently a best seller.

7 hours agopermalink

Quest21

Anyone knows what the flash sync is? Dpreview doesn't always list the speed...

8 hours agopermalink

Mister Joseph

No IBIS so this is an old NEX-5 with a smaller sensor?

8 hours agopermalink

sunilkumar

what no control dial? why? so it can be just point and shoot and use for selfie. Instead i will choose 1 inch size camera which has flash and better control with packet-able size.

8 hours agopermalink

mhw

Image quality wise, will this be better than the LX100?

9 hours agopermalink

CaPi

If the sensor perfoms like the G85/G80 I would think you will see 'better'.. due to updates.
But I'd guess only if you buy the premium lenses and ignore the fac t that you wont be able to pocket it then. I wouldnt know if such a small body makes sense with those lenses.
The lens on the LX100 on the other hand is very fast and compact wenn 'off'.

8 hours ago*permalink

princecody

Bigger sensor for half the price of the Sony RX100M5 😍

9 hours agopermalink

Rob Sims

No EVF and a 24-62mm equiv 3.5-5.6 lens (equiv 7-11.2). Jacket pocket size.
vs,
EVF and a 24-70mm equiv 1.8-2.8 lens (equiv 4.8-7.8). Pocket size.

Apples and oranges.

9 hours agopermalink

thx1138

Yeah, no comparison at all to the Sony and now add in the AF system of the Sony compared to the Panasonic and the gap just grows

7 hours agopermalink

BlueBomberTurbo

Half the price, half the ability. Sounds about right.

5 hours agopermalink

aliasfox

Personally, I'd pick the GX850, and use the extra cash to get a 20/1.7 and 14-140. Sure, it's no longer pocket size with the 14-140, but you get the added flexibility of a better low light lens or true telephoto ability. It's the kit my fiancee has (with the GM5 body), and if you want to be able to shoot both long and in low light, it's just about the smallest option you can get.

Not denigrating the RX100 class of cameras - they seem like great tools, with nearly the light gathering power of a Ricoh GR, in a more flexible package. But some people want more flexibility while still retaining the option to carry something small, and that's where something like a GX850 comes into play.

2 hours agopermalink

sunilkumar

for me it is a step down, i liked GM5 but i think i will not buy these cameras anymore and rather choose LX100/LX200.

9 hours agopermalink

aliasfox

I just got the GM5 for the fiancee, and it's a great camera from my perspective. Too bad it won't seem to have a proper upgrade, as this seems more like a GF7/8 with a different body shell and updated AF system.

I can see how something like this might be appreciated by less involved folks - the fiancee rarely uses the viewfinder, and she might find the flip screen handy. But the thumb dial is handier than the rotating dial on the 4-way controller, and the metal build is definitely nice. Maybe I'll show her the GX850 - if she takes a shine to it, maybe I'll get to keep the GM5...

My curiosity comes from the body shape, actually. Aside from DFD (which probably doesn't take up additional space/heat), the only other major difference between this and the GF7/GF8 is 4k. Do we know if the extra body volume in the GX850 (vs the GF7/8) is specifically to handle a 4k capable heatsink?

9 hours agopermalink

Jefftan

using micro sd is stupid
with 4k, high capacity , high speed card very expensive compare with SD

9 hours agopermalink

DaPonti

The maximum 4K output of this camera doesn't need a very expensive card.
Micro SDs are pretty close to SD cards in price, if not already lower, simply because of volume. And because so many more devices use micro SDs (particularly hundred millions of smartphones), the trend will continue. The last two SD cards I bought were micro SDs with an adapter, because the offering was better than similarly specced SDs. I'd rather my camera have a micro SD slot and save some space.

8 hours ago*permalink

thx1138

micro SD is stupid because it's too small in physical size in the field, need tweezers to pick the things up. Imagine that on a cold day and if you don't have slim ladies fingers.

7 hours agopermalink

Robjwilli

Shame, got excited when I saw the pic..

9 hours agopermalink

bluevellet

Those smallish Panny cameras peaked with the GM1/GM5.

9 hours agopermalink

justmeMN

The lens makes it thicker, but with its small size, it might be an interesting alternative to 1"-type sensor compact cameras.

10 hours agopermalink

sunilkumar

you are right but since i own both i can tell gm5 was not packetable.

9 hours agopermalink

GodSpeaks

But was it POCKETable?

1 hour agopermalink

SteveY80

Micro SD? Yuck.

Not the end of the world, but they fitted a full size SD card in the smaller GM1 so I don't understand this decision...

Anyone know if it has auto-ISO in manual + exposure compensation like its much bigger brother the GH5?

That can be really handy for street photography (to maintain a deep depth of field and motion freezing shutter speed in changeable lighting), which is what I'd mainly want to use this for.

10 hours agopermalink

beatboxa

Agree with all of these points. Hate the micro SD & hope it does Auto-ISO + exposure compensation. Also, any info on the shutter constraints?

Love my GM1, but no Auto-ISO in manual. Also, for non-CPU lenses, I have to force mechanical shutter by popping up the flash--limiting me to 1/50.

The GM5 has Auto ISO (w/o exp. comp. though), but I'm not aware of any ways to force mechanical shutter.

I hope they get it right here or offer another GM-series with more 'enthusiast' friendly features...but seeing the lack of a control dial, I fear they may not have...

10 hours ago*permalink

Tonkotsu Ramen

What is the point of not allowing the flash to be tilted, or not having an accessory EVF, other than to frustrate potential buyers?

10 hours agopermalink

Kharan

Despite being in the flash-user camp, it's hardly necessary for such a model. Most other large-sensor compacts forego the hot shoe already, and if people are already pleased with their phone selfies in dark venues, a camera like this will blow them away.

7 hours agopermalink

Charles2

Panasonic GX850 107 x 65 x 33 mm (4.21 x 2.56 x 1.3 in)
Fuji X-70 113 x 64 x 44 mm (4.45 x 2.52 x 1.73 in)

11 hours agopermalink

agentlossing

Alright, this is far more of a GF9 than it is anything else. I can't say I'm too surprised, but I am a little disappointed.

I shouldn't have expected IBIS, in a body so small. Even Olympus had to hamstring their IBIS a little bit when they put it into their super-small cameras. But the limited, 1/500 sec shutter, hasn't it seen its day? Does the GX85 electromagnetic shutter really bulk up the camera so much that they had to leave it out?

My wish list just got a lot more defined for the small cameras of this category: hot shoe, electromagnetic shutter, rear of camera that looks a lot more like the GM5's and not that ugly GF7 spinny dial (looks just like the GF3. It's antiquated), and a clicky single rear dial like the GM5's. I'd give up the EVF for a flip screen. Just make this camera, Panny.

Except that they won't, because bringing this model into the GX line tells me they aren't going to differentiate with a higher-end "small" camera.

11 hours agopermalink

Narretz

I don't understand why this doesn't even have a control dial.

11 hours agopermalink

Jorginho

No EVF. To me just a GF9. I think it has DFD. Which is good btw. But no EVF = 0,0 interest. Sadly and I think many many enthusiast users will agree.

11 hours agopermalink

justmeMN

"in the US in early February for a body-only price of $549" -DPR

In my experience, taking photos without a lens produces poor results.

11 hours agopermalink

Jeff Keller

We've received conflicting info about whether or not it comes with a lens. Stay tuned.

11 hours agopermalink

Jeff Keller

It does indeed come with the 12-32 for the $549 price.

11 hours agopermalink

situman1

Dump the lens on ebay if you dont need it. a $400 camera body with a big sensor isnt bad at all now is it?

8 hours agopermalink

Marty4650

Anyone who ever owned that lens will tell you to "get the lens." At $49 over the body only version, it cannot be beat.

4 hours agopermalink

situman1

Yea its a good starter lens, but if you already have a bag full of lenses, it becomes unnecessary. Might as well earn a few bucks off of it.

1 hour agopermalink


Close-up: Hands-on with the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 Jan 4, 2017	Bringing tiny back: Panasonic announces ultra-small mirrorless Lumix DMC-GX850/GX800/GF9 Jan 4, 2017	Movie Maven: Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 First Impressions Review Jan 4, 2017	Fujifilm unveils 'Graphite' X-Pro2 and X-T2 Jan 5, 2017

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150	I expect a lot of Panasonic complaints
75	Low light dilemma
59	Are we UNreasonable enough?
55	In body image stabilization
53	GM5 vs GX85 vs LX100
50	PanLeica 12-60/2.8-4.0 checking the right boxes for me
49	PART 3 This Week Through your m4/3 2016.12.31
47	My perspective on review bias
46	Sharpest portrait lens for Olympus Pen F
43	GX850/GF9 worthless, nice job again Panny
43	Quiz. Tele lenses and stability on m4/3. Not IBIS or OIS.
41	Yosemite
37	Decline of dedicated cameras?
35	Bored with Hi-Tec
33	Electronic shutter - what do you use it for?
33	Why Fuji
32	RX100 Mk III vs Mk IV vs MK V is there really a big difference for stills?
32	In camera processing - bigger screen?
32	Entry-level dslr's to be replaced by mirrorless?
31	What? Pana 100-300mm II coming soon?


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