The GH5S, Only 10MP, and Why That's a Good Thing

First, this is designed for video, the S in GH5S stands for sensitive in low light. The GH5S looks almost identical to the GH5 on the outside, just a red shutter button, red ring on the mode dial and the S in the model name. It is on the inside that we see camera completely designed for video with low light demands. Primarily targeted at an event, wedding, and other videographers shooting in low light.GH5 provides a 21MP sensor, the GH5S is just 10!  What kind of upgrade is that? When shooting video we're not using the full resolution of the sensor, all those extra pixels are wasted, dropping the megapixels of the sensor to 10, similar to Sony's approach with the a7S series at 12MP, allows for larger pixels. Larger pixels do better in low light.Key Benefits of the GH5S:

  • 10MP low light sensor

  • 14-bit raw stills

Key Differences Compared to the GH5

  • 10MP vs 20MP - Better in low light, less room for cropping

  • No IBIS (In Body Image Stabilization)

I love my GH5 - it is a fantastically easy camera to shoot video with and takes beautiful still images too. I talk more about my favorite features of the GH5 in this video.  The IBIS stabilization paired with a stabilized lens gives you very smooth handheld footage. With the removal of IBIS in the GH5S (They assume you will use a gimbal) I can really only recommend this GH5S as an upgrade for those primarily shooting in lower light. For general videographers and travel photographers/videographers the GH5 is still my pick.And don't forget about the little G85 - for less than $1,000 this is one of the best travel photo/video systems out there. My Full Review of the G85What does this mean for the GH6? Where will Panasonic go with the GH6 and will there be a GH6S? I don't know, but it's something I'd like to find out now that they've split these two models.Final Thoughts. I Love the GH5 as a video-based camera that can take very good still images. I have no desire to pick up the GH5S as overall, for me, the IBIS is too big of a loss and I'm shooting in all sorts of light. If I was doing more weddings though, this would be perfect for the low light situations you'd be running into shooting.

Available for Preorder

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Sample Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoyFxuFh3AEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clbE9fRHo-8

Specifications

GH5S

GH5

Lens Mount

Micro Four Thirds (2x Crop Factor)

Micro Four Thirds (2x Crop Factor)

Pixels

Actual: 11.93 MegapixelEffective: 10.28 Megapixel

Actual: 21.77 MegapixelEffective: 20.3 Megapixel

Max Resolution

10 MP: 3680 x 2760

20 MP: 5184 x 3888

Aspect Ratio

1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9

1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9

Sensor Type / Size

MOS, 17.3 x 13 mm

MOS, 17.3 x 13 mm

File Formats

Still Images: JPEG, RAWMovies: AVCHD Ver. 2.0, H.264, MOV, MP4, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264Audio: AAC, Dolby Digital 2ch, Linear PCM (Stereo)

Still Images: JPEG, RAWMovies: AVCHD Ver. 2.0, H.264, MOV, MP4Audio: AAC, Dolby Digital 2ch

Bit Depth

14-Bit

10-Bit

Dust Reduction System

Yes

Yes

Memory Card Type

SDSDHCSDXC

SDSDHCSDXC

Image Stabilization

None

Sensor-Shift, 5-Way

Video Recording

Yes, NTSC/PAL

Yes, NTSC/PAL

Video Format

4096 x 2160p at 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94 fps3840 x 2160p at 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94 fps3328 x 2496p at 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94 fps1920 x 1080p at 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94, 120, 240 fps

4096 x 2160p at 23.98, 24, 25 fps3840 x 2160p at 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94 fps3328 x 2496p at 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94 fps1920 x 1080p at 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94 fps

Aspect Ratio

16:9

4:3, 16:9

Audio Recording

Built-In Mic: With Video (Stereo)Optional External Mic: With Video (Stereo + Mono)

Built-In Mic: With Video (Stereo)Optional External Mic: With Video (Stereo + Mono)

Focus Type

Auto & Manual

Auto & Manual

Focus Mode

Continuous-Servo AF (C), Flexible (AFF), Manual Focus (M), Single-servo AF (S)

Continuous-Servo AF (C), Flexible (AFF), Manual Focus (M), Single-servo AF (S)

Autofocus Points

Contrast Detection: 225

Contrast Detection: 225

Viewfinder Type

Electronic

Electronic

Viewfinder Pixel Count

3,686,000

3,686,000

Viewfinder Eye Point

21.00 mm

21.00 mm

Viewfinder Coverage

100%

100%

Viewfinder Magnification

Approx. 0.76x

Approx. 0.76x

Diopter Adjustment

-4 to +3 m

-4 to +3 m

Display Screen

3.2" Rear Touchscreen Swivel Touchscreen LCD (1,620,000)

3.2" Rear Touchscreen Swivel Touchscreen LCD (1,620,000)

Screen Coverage

100%

100%

ISO Sensitivity

Auto, 160-51200 (Extended Mode: 80-204800)

Auto, 200-25600 (Extended Mode: 100-25600)

Shutter

Type: Electronic & MechanicalSpeed: 60 - 1/8000 SecondType: Electronic & MechanicalSpeed: 30 - 1 Minute in Bulb Mode1/24 - 1/16000 Second in Movie ModeType: ElectronicSpeed: 1 - 1/16000 Second

Type: Electronic & MechanicalSpeed: 60 - 1/8000 SecondType: Electronic & MechanicalSpeed: 30 - 1 Minute in Bulb Mode1/24 - 1/16000 Second in Movie ModeType: ElectronicSpeed: 1 - 1/16000 Second

Remote Control

DMW-RSL1 (Optional)

DMW-RSL1 (Optional)

Metering Method

Center-Weighted Average Metering, Multiple, Spot Metering

Center-Weighted Average Metering, Multiple, Spot Metering

Exposure Modes

Modes: Aperture Priority, Manual, Programmed Auto, Shutter PriorityMetering Range: EV 0.0 - EV 18.0Compensation: -5 EV to +5 EV (in 1/3 EV Steps)

Modes: Aperture Priority, Manual, Programmed Auto, Shutter PriorityMetering Range: EV 0.0 - EV 18.0Compensation: -5 EV to +5 EV (in 1/3 EV Steps)

White Balance Modes

Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Daylight, Flash, Incandescent, Shade, White Set 1, White Set 2, White Set 3, White Set 4

Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Daylight, Flash, Incandescent, Shade, White Set 1, White Set 2, White Set 3, White Set 4

Buffer/Continuous Shooting

Up to 12 fps at 10.3 MP for up to 80 Frames in Raw FormatUp to 11 fps at 10.3 MP for up to 80 Frames in Raw FormatUp to 12 fps at 10.3 MP for up to 600 Frames in JPEG FormatUp to 11 fps at 10.3 MP for up to 600 Frames in JPEG FormatUp to 8 fps at 10.3 MPUp to 7 fps at 10.3 MPUp to 6 fps at 10.3 MPUp to 5 fps at 10.3 MPUp to 2 fps at 10.3 MPUp to 60 fps at 8 MP

Up to 12 fps at 20.3 MPUp to 30 fps at 18 MPUp to 60 fps at 8 MP

Flash Modes

AutoAuto/Red-Eye ReductionForced OnForced On/Red-Eye ReductionOffSlow SyncSlow Sync/Red-Eye Reduction

AutoAuto/Red-Eye ReductionForced OnForced On/Red-Eye ReductionOffSlow SyncSlow Sync/Red-Eye Reduction

Built-in Flash

No

No

Max Sync Speed

1 / 250 Second

1 / 250 Second

Flash Compensation

-3 EV to +3 EV (in 1/3 EV steps)

-3 EV to +3 EV (in 1/3 EV steps)

Dedicated Flash System

TTL

TTL

External Flash Connection

Hot Shoe, PC Terminal

Hot Shoe, PC Terminal

Self Timer

10 Seconds, 2 Seconds

10 Seconds, 2 Seconds

Interval Recording

Yes

Yes

Connectivity

1/8" Headphone, 1/8" Microphone, 2.5mm Sub-mini (2-Ring), HDMI A (Full Size), USB 3.0, USB Type-C, Viera Link, X-Sync Socket

1/8" Headphone, 1/8" Microphone, 2.5mm Sub-mini (2-Ring), HDMI A (Full Size), USB 3.0, Viera Link

Wi-Fi Capable

Yes

Yes

Battery

1 x DMW-BLF19 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, 7.2 VDC, 1860 mAh

1 x DMW-BLF19 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, 7.2 VDC, 1860 mAh

Operating/Storage Temperature

Operating14 to 104°F (-10 to 40°C)Humidity: 10 - 80%

Operating14 to 104°F (-10 to 40°C)Humidity: 10 - 80%

Dimensions (W x H x D)

5.5 x 3.9 x 3.4" / 138.5 x 98.1 x 87.4 mm

 5.5 x 3.9 x 3.4" / 138.5 x 98.1 x 87.4 mm

Weight

1.452 lb / 660 g with battery and memory card

 1.595 lb / 725 g with battery and memory card

YI Camera - Cheap Mirrorless- Don't Buy!

The Young Innovators (YI) Camera is a micro 4/3rds camera using a Sony sensor- The quality of the images is quite good but the performance of the camera, especially the autofocus is poor. I do not recommend you buy this camera.https://youtu.be/m-LcAE_Pk8w

Don't buy the YI Camera - Amazon Link Just for funWhat Should You Buy?Buy Links:Used EPL 6 for $219 at B&H Photo $219Used Sony a6000 at B&H PhotoRaw Files for Download (Personal Use Only)

Sigma Announces the 16mm f/1.4 DN - Better Lenses for Sony a6300/a6500

Mixing a comfortable wide-angle design with an ultra-fast maximum aperture, this 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens from Sigma is a 24mm-equivalent prime for APS-C-format Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras like the a6300 and a6500. With a bright f/1.4 maximum aperture, this lens is well suited for low-light conditions and also affords increased control over depth of field. With a 9-bladed aperture design for smooth background blur. This lens also sports a stepping AF motor for quick, quiet, and smooth focusing performance that suits both still photography as well as video applications. Additionally, a weather-sealed, durable construction enables this 16mm f/1.4 to excel in inclement weather conditions.Suitable for the stars or landscape work as well as an excellent focal length for general walk around photography. Available in Sony and Micro 4/3 mounts.[gallery td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="16358,16359,16310"]

  • E-Mount Lens/APS-C Format
  • 24mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
  • 3 FLD, 2 SLD, and 2 Aspherical Elements
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Stepping AF Motor
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Weather-Sealed TSC Construction

Preorder Links at B&H Photo

GH5 - 6 Month Review & GH5 Firmware 2.0 & GH5 Tips and Tricks

GH5 - 6 Month Review -

No other camera produces beautiful and stabilized footage at this price point and this easily. The perfect camera for capturing your video needs from vlog style travel to serious documentaries and indie films.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRZI1WugGqw[gallery ids="16107,16108,16109,16110,16111,16112,16113,16114,16115,16116,16117,16118,16119,16120,16121,16122"]

Travel Videos Captured with the GH5

Gear Used & Recommended

GH5 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera Lens Options

Affordable Zoom Lumix G Vario 45-200mm f/4-5.6 II POWER O.I.S. Lens Rode VideoMicroAvoid 3rd party Batteries and buy PanasonicFor stable walking footage, Zhiyun-Tech Crane v2 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer

Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 Best lens for APS-C Cameras

The Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 remains my pick for BEST crop (APS-C) sensor. Pairs well with Canon and Nikon. It is also possible to use the Sigma 18-35 on Micro 4/3 cameras, like the Panasonic GH4 and GH5 with Metabones Speed Booster Ultra (Canon EF-mount). Using the speed booster gives you an extra stop of aperture!Buy the Sigma 18-35 from B&H Photo Canon | NikonWant more zoom? The Sigma 50-100 is heavy but also fantastichttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWo3y7_8vcA

GH5 Sample Photos

I have been impressed with the image quality improvements in the GH5 - Enough so that I am considering it as my only camera to bring along on my Croatia trip in early May.    Would you like to join me on an upcoming trip - find out future destinations, workshops and classes on the Travel Page Follow me on Instagram for more from my GH5

GH5 Hands-on

UPDATE: NEW VIDEO - 6 MONTHS WITH THE GH5I have had the GH4 for three years, the GH5 for three days - Here are my early thoughts on the GH5https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLTkpT6hBVQSummary Review: 

  • The GH5 offers 4k at 60fps and it looks gorgeous or shoot 4:2:2 10bit 4k for better color grading
  • The sensor is stabilized providing extremely smooth handheld footage with IS enabled lenses
  • Slow mo options are better and higher quality
  • Low light performance has improved - noticeably better but not OMG amazing difference
  • Autofocus seems to be similar, no real improvements over GH4
  • Additional Pro level tools- Focus Transition, Waveform and Vector Scopes

SAMPLE GH5 Photos

The GH4 pushed the envelope with a full featured video camera and became an extremely popular camera for videographers of all levels. I personally enjoy how beautiful the footage looks and how user friendly the camera is, well suited to casual vlogging or more serious work.   The GH5 continues to be a class leader with frame rates and/or bit rate recording offerings not seen in any other cameras at this price range.  The stabilized sensor now makes it possible to shoot gorgeously smooth handheld video and the sensor upgrade does better in low light(noticeably better but not dramatically better). Autofocus does still seem to be the achilles heel. Not sure I see any noticeable improvement in AF abilities over the GH4 but I plan to test more and make use of several new AF settings in the menu system.    Follow me on Instagram or twitter for updatesBuy the GH4 from B&H PhotoBuy the GH5 from B&H PhotoBuy the Rode Video Mic Full Review:The Gh5 form and button placement is very similar to the GH4 - though we do have a little joystick nub - useful for menu navigation, focus point selection, the record button has moved up top and the whole camera is slightly bigger and about a 1/2 lb heavier. I am a little bummed that they went bigger heavier, I really like the size of the GH4 but it did allow them to upgrade the viewfinder -which is noticeably bigger and add dual card slots - in the years of hard use and abuse the Gh4 has seen - including shooting days worth of footage in hot Tanzania - I have never had a card or camera write error but having two slots gives you backup, or split video and stills OR just have a massive amount of storage. We also have a full HDMI port and a USB C connection, I am so glad, I hate those fiddly usb3 connections. The USB-C allows for fast image download but does NOT support charging over USB. if you want to charge on the go you need to pick up one of these - And while the Gh5 uses the same battery it does seem like battery life is marginally shorter -likely do to the slightly higher resolution LCD AND the stabilized sensor.A stabilized sensor! And like the G85 I just reviewed and the Olympus OMD em1 Mark II - when paired with certain lenses you get dual stabilization - useful for longer exposures , though so far I can’t can’t seem to hand hold reliably past a 1/2 second -with the olympus I could get 4 seconds and that was without the dual IS lens. But for video you now have silky smooth footage and can throw on small primes and still get decently smooth footage.Let’s take a look at the rest of the features4K at 60fps, nothing else close to this price offers 4k at 60FPS and full sensor use for 4k, no additional crop at 4k like you had with the GH4 - wide lenses stay wide and this provides slight low light improvements. You also have 10 bit recording internally- this means the files respond better to grading and improved slowmo with 180fps at 1080 vs just 120 fps in the Gh4. And with 60 fps at 4k you can do the kind of cinematic slow mo at 30fps and stay at 4KYou now have AUTO ISO available when shooting in Manual Video mode - something I personally appreciate.And while this isn’t a difference from the Gh4 - it's important to mention as I get asked often - there is NO recording limit on the GH4 - as long as you have space on the cards and power, the camera will continue to record. It will NOT stop at 29:59 seconds!And also important for me to mention that you can continue to record 4k even when using the very capable wifi remote - something that sets this camera apart from Olympus and fuji.It’s not just on the video side, this is a more capable stills camera - with a 20MP sensor ,improved low light handlingDOWNLOAD FULL RESOLUTION FILES FROM BOTH CAMERAS
And you have the 6K photo feature - this is where the camera will take 18MP at 30fps and you can pull out individual still images - they are jpegs so it isn’t terribly exciting BUT certainly lets you nail important moments with basically 30fps!You also have the post focus feature and in camera 4k timelapse that I mentioned in the G85 reviewGH4/GH5 AutofocusThe Gh4 AF I have found to be adequate for my uses - I mostly get focus before starting my videos and it always is fast and responsive when you force focus, half press shutter or back button. When I leave AF on during my videos and record my face - it usually does good job, if you watch some of my videos you can see it hunt some when it really shouldn’t in my opinion and those times I want to have a slightly more dynamic video - walking toward or away from the camera - it’s just OK- I’d give it a 6/10 for reliability with tracking, maybe 6.5. The canon 80D or a sony a6500 gets an 8/10 in my opinion. The GH5 seems very similar to the GH4 in regards to focusing. This is something I don’t want to talk in depth about yet because I haven’t tested enough, I will be back with more as soon as I feel I can definitely say if it is the same or better - but for now it seems very similar so if you were really hoping to get a noticeably better AF system with the GH5 - hold off.They have added a sweet focus transition tool - basically let’s you rack focus - setting 3 positions and jumping between them during recording. A great way to use AF during video but with the reassurance it is going to land exactly where you want.   They have also added waveform and vector scopes, pro level features no one else offers.Summary Review: The GH4 pushed the envelope with a full featured video camera and became an extremely popular camera for videographers of all levels. I personally enjoy how beautiful the footage looks and how user friendly the camera is, well suited to casual vlogging or more serious work.   The GH5 continues to be a class leader with frame rates and/or bit rate recording offerings not seen in any other cameras at this price range.  The stabilized sensor now makes it possible to shoot gorgeously smooth handheld video and the sensor upgrade does better in low light(noticeably better but not dramatically better). Autofocus does still seem to be the achilles heel. Not sure I see any noticeable improvement in AF abilities over the GH4 but I plan to test more and make use of several new AF settings in the menu system.    Follow me on Instagram or twitter for updatesBuy the GH4 from B&H PhotoBuy the GH5 from B&H PhotoBuy the Rode Video MicConsider becoming a photorec.tv member - where you get access to my support group along with awesome additional perks and we can have those conversations where you get the answers you are looking for.

Panasonic G85 Review vs Canon 80D Sony a6300/a6500

A feature packed micro 4/3 camera capable of shooting 4K video with in body stabilization, costing less than $1000 WITH lens - when I reviewed the Olympus omD EM1 Mark II many of you suggested this G85 as a more affordable option - I have now spent a month with the G85 and I am ready to share my thoughtshttps://youtu.be/grBCmCSR-foSummary Review: The G85 is a fantastic camera for stills and video, especially video.  In this price range nothing else provides a stabilized sensor and beautiful 4k output like the G85 does.  It is user-friendly and packed full of useful features.  I am disappointed in the automatic focus tracking - it is slow and easily gets confused- all other focus modes work well. 

G85 Pro
  • Beautiful 4K video
  • Small and lightweight camera
  • Stabilized sensor
  • Micro 4/3 - huge lens selection and many lenses are also small and lightweight
  • Feature packed - 4K photo mode, 4k timelapse in camera
G85 Con
  • Micro 4/3 suffers some in low light
  • Face tracking AF in video mode is slow and easily gets confused

g85Buy the Panasonic G85 ($997)Best Vlog Setup  - G85 with Video Micro Pro($59)

G85 compared to Sony a6500/a6300

The Sony a6500/a6300 cameras beat the G85 in nearly all respects - better image quality, better video quality(in low light) and a faster and more capable stills camera BUT the G85 wins on usability with a fully articulated and actually useful touchscreen  - the G85 is a joy to shoot video, especially vlog or selfie style video and costs significantly less than the a6500 and slightly less than the a6300 which does not offer a touchscreen or stabilized sensor.

G85 Compared to Canon 80D

The Canon 80D provides an excellent hybrid camera- excellent for photography and video unless you need 4k.  The 80D also does not offer a stabilized sensor and is a larger and more expensive camera BUT if you wanted to rely on AF tracking and face tracking the 80D does a much better job.80dBuy the Canon 80D($1249)

Full G85 Review

The Panasonic G85 has a 16mp micro 4/3rds sensor with in body image stabilization and when paired with many Panasonic lenses offers dual IS providing very smooth video and decent handheld stills at slower shutter speeds but not at the amazing level of the Olympus OMD EM1 Mark II that I could handhold for at least a few seconds.Two control dials provide easy manual control, a fully articulating touchscreen and as I said shoots beautiful 4K video along with a bunch of additional features packed in like 4K photo, 4K time-lapse in camera, 4k live cropping, post focus - remember the Lytro? Panasonic now includes the ability to take shots at different focus points and later choose the desired focus point OR merge them all to create a larger depth of field - focus stacking in the camera. This isn’t going to work for all types of photography but this camera is feature rich and there are more options, some of which feel a bit gimmicky or like something you might use once. BUT You also have Panasonic’s excellent wifi control and the ability to continue to shoot at 4K even when using wifi - YES! I complained about Fuji and Olympus and I so happy Panasonic continues to provide one of the best wifi apps.

Panasonic G85 vs the Canon 80D

Canon 80D vs Panasonic G85I want to at least briefly match this up against the canon 80D priced similarly. I think the 80D is for many people a default choice when they want a video capable camera especially a high quality vlogging setup - the flip out touch screen, the lovely dual pixel AF that makes focus smooth and capable of accurate tracking. The 80D is also a very solid still camera. Let’s look at how these two compareSensor - The 80D offers a larger aps-c sensor with 24mp vs the micro 4/3rds 16MP on the G85 and this of course translates to a fairly noticeable resolution difference but not as much of a low light noise difference as you might expect. And the G85 is helped by the absence of an AA filter - providing nicely detailed images. I will give the win to the 80D but it is very close. For stills I found AF to be very similar between both - the G85 in Af-s is fast though I would rather the 80D in my hands for any more serious wildlife photos, especially tracking action or birds in flight.

In terms of video -

The G85 offers 4k at 24 or 30p and in my opinion it is beautiful detailed and the Cine V profile looks great right out of camera. I love having the flexibility of shooting 4K on cameras like the g85 - either for producing 4K content or just having options when editing. I have 4K footage from africa that blows me away! And I can either publish out at 4k or crop in for even more detail! (brief africa footage)The 80D tops out at 1080 60fps and generally doesn’t look as sharp to me - but that dual pixel Af in the 80D is smoother and more capable at tracking though in multiple tests there were a few times it failed while the G85 continued to accurately track. But generally once the 80D locks onto a subject it rarely lets go - accurately keeping focus and with the G85 and I have seen this in my GH4 too - can get confused and hunt when it really shouldn’t. My solution is to turn AF off when I don’t need it and again the app let’s you easily force AF anytime, even when the camera is set to manual focus.I also appreciate The additional features like 4K time lapse and 4k live cropping as neat options for upping the usefulness of this camera as a tool to create cool content easily and in camera. And the fact that you have a stabilized sensor gives you the option to shoot with a little prime lens keeping your carry around small and lightweight or add a stabilized lens and the dual IS system kicks in providing very smooth video - I can leave the gimbal home for some situations!The 80D is and remains a safe choice for easy all around video and stills camera but the G85, smaller, lighter and cheaper offers some serious advantages for those interested in video, especially 4k or those wanting to keep their gear load smaller.g85Buy the Panasonic G85 ($997)Best Vlog Setup  - G85 with Video Micro Pro($59)

Olympus OM-D EM-1 Mark II Review

After two months of using the EM-1 Mark II including a weeklong trip in subzero temps in Alaska - I share my thoughts on this top of the line Micro 4/3rds camera - How well does it do at high ISOs, how good is the stabilization and more...https://youtu.be/SdKpor-nvDs Reviews like this are made possible by Photorec.tv members - want to have a detailed conversation with me about the pros and cons of the EM1 Mark II or another camera, want to figure out what is the best camera for you? Become a member todayBuy the Olympus EM1 Mark II from B&H Photo and support Photorec.tvLenses Used in Alaska/During Em1 Mark II Review

The Olympus 12-100 f/4 Provides 6.5 stops of IS when used with the EM1 Mark II

Full Resolution Images on DropBox

[gallery columns="4" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="13425,13426,13427,13428,13429,13430,13431,13432"]The Olympus e-m1 Mark II camera some reviewers have chosen it as the camera of 2016 and a few weeks ago I wondered if it was going to be my perfect do-it-all camera! For the last month, almost 2 months now,  I have used the Olympus as a do-it-all camera for photos and videos including a week long trip to Alaska in sub-freezing temperatures. In this review I will share what I love about this camera, what I don’t love, how it compares to a few competitors and whether or not it can work for me and replace two cameras I typically take on my travels - my Sony A7RII mostly for photos and the Panasonic GH4 - mostly used for video, vlogging and timelapses.Strengths of the Em1 Mark IIStabilization - I can get 2 to 3 second exposures HANDHELD with this camera and in 4K video that sensor stabilization plus electronic stabilization translates to extremely smooth footage. This camera is a  joy to shoot handheld video with and in all the Alaska footage I shot I saw no signs of the  annoying wobble you often get from electronic stabilization. Note that THE really serious stabilization, 6.5 stops, SYNC IS as Olympus calls it is achieved with their 12-100 f/4 lens which I have not tried.Swiss Army Tool 

"best tool I can compare the EM1 Mark II to is one of those ridiculous Swiss army knifes, the really thick ones"

I have mentioned In the past that these cameras are tools to me and the best tool I can compare the EM1 Mark II to is one of those ridiculous Swiss army knifes, the really thick ones, the amount of features beyond the stabilization they have packed into this camera include ridiculously fast AF,  60 frames per second RAW when you half press the shutter button, 18 frames per second with autofocus tracking and silent shooting, hi res shooting, live bulb, live timer, live composite, 4k video, and built in time lapse! All of these features makes the EM1 Mark II an extremely flexible and versatile tool. And on top of the full feature set you have the freedom to FULLY customize this camera - you can even switch the on/off button to other functions! You will find yourself spending a good bit of time in the menu if you haven’t shot with Olympus more and I did experience several camera freeze ups after customizing until I reset the camera and went a little lighter on the customization.About that AF - I struggled to really get the C-AF and tracking to nail fast moving subjects - overall focus is VERY fast but this wouldn't be my first choice if I was primarily shooting wildlife or sports.  In video C-AF was very good with face recognition/focus working reliably enough to use in most situations.  Certainly a step up from the GH4 which cannot always be relied on to stay focused.Rugged BodyAll of this performance and features are contained in a portable and rugged body that I didn’t worry about using in the rain or  in subzero temps  - in fact I left this outside for several hours in 20 below zero fahrenheit - minus the battery and it continued to perform just fine.    Battery life in normal temperatures is decent - if you have two batteries you should be able to get through a day of mixed photo and video just fine and the charger is quick charge which is really helpful.   The dual card slots are nice and you have an excellent amount of flexibility in how you use those two cards - backup redundancy or photos to one and video to the other though only one is high speed and that might be the cause of some buffer issues I saw that I will address in a moment.Solid Image and Video Quality Below ISO 1600I was for the most part happy with the image and video quality - Excellent quality and great detail under ISO 1600 - above that things can get rough in some situations but a little noise reduction and I am still for the most part happy.   If I look at some of my favorite images of 2016 - the vast majority were under ISO 1600 - which I mostly mention as a way for you to look back over your images to decide how important clean higher ISO is to your photography.  One of the goals of the Alaska trip was capturing the  northern lights photography and they are best shot at shorter exposures and higher ISOs and the Olympus didn’t handle that as well as the Sony with loads more shadow noise.  I got useable shots but really appreciate the flexibility of the Sony when I need clean higher ISOs. Video quality is certainly good though the panasonic GH4 4k and 1080 video looks a little better to me in most situations but of course the Gh4 is not sensor stabilized for that we are waiting for the GH5 or as many of you mentioned in the comments of the Ditching Sony video - the G85 which at 1/2 the price looks as good if not slightly better for video. For photos the G85 doesn’t offer all the bells and whistles - certainly not as good at capturing fast action but generally on par and actually offers more lenses than Olympus with the DUAL IS!  So a quick summary of the strengths of the olympus. This is a great all around camera that is fun to use, provides nicely stabilized video AND gives you a ton of bells and whistles along with good image and video quality but it does have a few issues- Low light performance.  Over the last year I have mostly shot with the Sony a7R2 this is a full frame sensor and one of the best in its class in both resolution and detail so it is hard for ME to NOT compare what I have been used to seeing with what I get out of the Olympus but that isn’t a fair comparison so I looked at matching it up against APS-C sized sensor like the Sony a6300, a6500 the Nikon D500 and the Fuji XT2 - all of those cameras are definitely better in low light performance but the Olympus isn’t too far behind and it even beats the Canon 80D! Now again, the EM1 Mark II offers stabilization that gives you some flexibility with shooting slower shutter speed but vs everything above you are going to generaly find your photos noisier.  The most fair comparison- pitting the EM1 Mark II against other Micro 4/3rd sensors on the market -  it is the current king in low light performance.  However figuring out the true value here is tricky - at two thousand dollars this is not a cheap camera and is more expensive than everything I just compared it too - So you then have to start deciding exactly how much it is worth to you to go smaller and lighter. And  - About being lighter - as I start to price out lenses what I mentioned is already an expensive camera well it doesn’t get any cheaper with these nice lenses AND the weight savings start to vanish- though your bag can be smaller or you could choose to go with cheaper and smaller primes which is fun - but if you want the best lenses you will still be carrying a fair amount of weight and paying top dollar.Remember I am not only reviewing this camera but trying to figure out if it can work for my needs so I can carry less and I had major concerns about the Wifi control turns out you have enough control even if you have to be round about how you setup AF for video BUT there is still one issue for me- While using the remote you cannot shoot 4K video, only 1080P - I shoot in 4K, I plan to shoot in 4k in the future so why Olympus do you give me a 4k capable camera that suddenly becomes a 1080P camera if I want to use the remote?   In researching this and complaining about it online someone pointed out that the Fuji XT-2 limits you to 720P when using wifi. SO Just a thank you to Panasonic for giving a 4K camera, the GH4, that always remains a 4K camera AND you don’t have to be round about to do auto focus with the app.  Another small disappointment when you shoot a crazy burst you don’t get to review any of those images until they all finish writing to the sensor which can take some time with the larger bursts. SO in final summary  - I really enjoyed using this camera, if you are looking for a top of the line Micro 4/3 camera well suited for wildlife photography, general travel photography including vlogging style video - this is the best you can BUY... BUT at its current cost there are some competitors that while they might not offer all the bells and whistles or all of the portability they do either outclass it in low light performance or resolution or both.  And while I would love to simplify to one camera, one lens system I am just not willing to make this big a change in resolution or low light performance, especially when my GH4 still looks better for video even if it isn’t as stabilized.  I will be looking at the Panasonic G85 and while I hope to review the Fuji XT-2 soon it isn’t in the running as a replacement despite many of you recommending it - the 720p during wifi remote use, the 10 minutes limit to 4k without the power grip AND the lack of fully articulating screen means it cannot be a do it all camera for me.  Buy the Olympus EM1 Mark II from B&H Photo and support Photorec.tvLenses Used in Alaska/During Em1 Mark II Review

Reviews like this are made possible by Photorec.tv members - want to have a detailed conversation with me about the pros and cons of the EM1 Mark II or another camera, want to figure out what is the best camera for you? Become a member today

Panasonic GH5 fully Announced

What you need to know: The Panasonic GH4 is a mirrorless camera that looks like a small DSLR. Capable of shooting photos and video the GH4 was one of the first truly affordable 4K capable cameras that provides a host of features professional videographers love. The GH5 shipping in late March 2017 offers some noteable improvements that look to continue to place it at the top of 4K capable cameras BUT the now more expensive $1999 price certainly provides room for competitors.

My Current Recommended cameras for primarily videoSerious video work - Panasonic GH4 / Sony a6300 or a6500Best vlogging camera - Panasonic G85Smallest 4k video capable I can recommend - Sony RX100 Mark IV

I own and use the Panasonic GH4 daily - it is the camera I use to shoot all of my videos including my travel vlogs (except the recent Alaska trip where I tried the Olympus EM1 Mark II)  The GH4 shoots beautiful 4K video, has a battery that lasts for hours and hours of shooting and it's nicely portable with a fully articulating screen- I could go on but you are here because the successor to the GH4 has just been completely announced- I say completely because we had an official announcement from panasonic about the GH5 last September.  That announcement wasn't complete with some information missing. We now have the complete picture.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPxKZ2MWgdI

Panasonic GH5 Specs

  • 20.3MP Four Thirds sensor with no low pass filter.
  • 4K Video: Internal recording at 4K60/50p (4:2:0 8bit) & 4K30/25p/24p (4:2:2 10bit).
  • Variable Video Frame Rates 4K: Max. 60fps & FHD: Max. 180fps.
  • No additional crop factor when shooting 4K
  • 5-Axis Photo/Video Dual I.S. 2.0 up to 5 stops with compatible LUMIX MFT lenses, plus in-body stabilization support for classic non-O.I.S lenses.
  • Fast and accurate focusing utilizing LUMIX 480 fps DFD focusing system and Venus Engine 10
  • Full size (Type A) HDMI terminal with cable lock included & twin SD Card slots (UHS-II U3 Compatible).
  • 3.5mm mic & headphone terminals - optional DMW-XLR1 microphone adaptor.
  • Eye viewfinder 3680k-dot OLED, 21mm, 0.76x.
  • V-LogL recording with (Optional) DMW-SFU1 paid upgrade

Body style looks very similar to the GH4 with a few differences

  • Dual SD Card Slots
  • Full-sized HDMI port
  • USB-C for data transfer
  • Joystick button for focus point selection & menu navigation (You can also use the touch screen)

Additional firmware updates planned in April and later in 2017 will provide additional bit rates.Price $1,999 an increase over the GH4 and $600 more over the Sony a6500Pre Order the GH5 from B&H Photo

GH5 vs the a6500/a6300

Benefits of the GH5

  • Better Battery Life
  • 4k at 60FPS
  • Better slow mo
  • Higher bitrate files
  • Fully articulated touchscreen
  • Touchscreen works well for ALL camera options
  • Large photo burst rate
  • no overheating. We don't know for sure yet but the a6500 can in some warmer/hotter conditions shut down do to high internal temps.
  • Better lens selection
  • Stabilized sensor vs the a6300.

Benefits of Sony a6500

  • Better low light performance
  • Faster AF
  • Better photos (greater resolution and cleaner high ISO)
  • Cheaper and the a6300 is almost 1/2 the price.

The list certainly looks good for the GH5 but if you need better low light performance or want a more capable photo camera the a6500 or a6300 would probably be my pick. The GH5 wins in usability and offers that fully articulating screen if you need to vlog.Buy the a6500 from B&H Photo  $1,398.00Buy the a6300 from B&H Photo $998.00Pre Order the GH5 from B&H Photo $1,999.00  

Northern Lights Video - Explored

I recently traveled to Alaska with McKay Photography Academy  - If you don't follow me on Instagram you missed out on some fun stories! Insta Stories is where I am doing much of my vlogging and behind the scenes content these days.   My Youtube vlog is coming soon - in the meantime here is a look at the stunning Aurora Borealis display we got to see - shot over two nights - Gear list and info below the video.  We are making plans to return to this awesome viewing location in March -Drop your name and email if you want to be on the pre notice list?Be sure to watch full screen - 4K resolution possible.https://youtu.be/stZKwVzlw94Captured over two nights outside Fairbanks Alaska- KP index was a 1 and 2.- Temperatures were -30°F to -10°F

A breakdown of the shots seen in the video

screenshot-2016-12-07-17-33-31 screenshot-2016-12-07-16-52-30 screenshot-2016-12-07-16-53-23 screenshot-2016-12-07-16-58-11 screenshot-2016-12-07-17-03-28 Captured with the Sony A7RII and Batis 18mm - 4 second exposure ISO 3200 Captured with the Sony A7RII and 12mm Laowa - 30 second exposures ISO 1250.All the individual shots were placed in Final Cut Pro - :04 seconds in a 30fps video.   Notice the shorter exposure shots capture a bit more of the detail but the difference isn't huge between a 4 and 30 second exposure!

Aurora Borealis Camera Gear

Sony A7RII- B&H Photo LinkLenses - Batis 18mm f/2.8 & Laowa Optics 12mm f/2.8Olympus E-M1 Mark II- B&H Photo LinkLenses - 7-14mm f/2.8 and Lumix 12mm f/1.4Mefoto Travel Tripod CFTriggerTrap Kit for SonyJackery Thunder 10050mAh (used to power the Sony)Some additional information: I wanted to shoot more with the Olympus, but in the freezing dark, I found the familiarity of my Sony easier to work with AND I could power the Sony with the external USB for longer time lapses. I was provided only one battery with the Olympus and wanted to save it for some video work. Both cameras performed well in the extreme cold, with one exception. On our first night of shooting, I didn't have the sony plugged into the USB battery and left it running a series of shots. It died in about 40 minutes! I expected that, but it got so cold that the internal battery must have died and I had to reset the date and time.

Pre Notice List Sign up

Going Lighter, Faster, Further

Can the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II replace my Sony a7Rii and the panasonic GH4? I talk about the potential and possibilities of leaving behind my GH4 and A7RII - It might be grass is greener on the other side or the sheep are lighter or something but it is very appealing to me to go lighter and simpler with my gear.Watch - Ditching Sony Full Frame for Micro 4/3rdshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgOT5C99v48

Gear List  -

Current Gear:Sony a7Rii - https://bhpho.to/2fyeCr6Canon 24-70 f/2.8 - https://bhpho.to/2fybxqUCanon 70-200 f/2.8 - https://bhpho.to/2gCcC0PSigma 50mm f/1.4 - https://bhpho.to/2gt0DzqPanasonic GH4 -https://bhpho.to/2gS742HPanasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 -https://bhpho.to/2fMXfBtTripod MeFoto Roadtrip Carbon Fiber - https://bhpho.to/2g1VCxeNew Gear ? Micro 4/3rds GearOlympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II - https://bhpho.to/2gS26TtOlympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 - https://bhpho.to/2gFqiFGOlympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/2.8 - https://bhpho.to/2g1NbC7Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 25mm f/1.8 Lens - https://bhpho.to/2gS6d26Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital ED 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO Lens - https://bhpho.to/2gfDtiEVenus Optics Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D - https://bhpho.to/2gtCyc2Zeiss Batis 18mm f/2.8 Lens - https://bhpho.to/2gSsJYF Follow me on Instagram

Yi M1 Mirrorless Camera Just Announced

group1-1 group8 

 An entry level camera from China is making the rounds at Photokina this week. The Yi M1 has the design of a Leica camera with a 20.16MP Micro Four Thirds sensor from Sony for only $330. Young Innovators, or YI Technologies in the US, was in the news recently for their move into the action camera market. The YI 4k Action Camera 2 had decent review while undercutting the GoPro by $200. Considering this mirrorless is using tech from Sony it has a good chance of doing okay as an entry level option. Aimed at the entry level crowd the camera itself only has two buttons and no viewfinder, opting for the three inch touchscreen to handle the workload.89a7c8a0-7e40-11e6-be40-cd4343874df8-png-hm As for options it’s a Micro Four Thirds with a Sony Sensor allowing for plenty of non YI MFT lenses available. Coming with the camera is a 12-40mm F/2.5-5.6 zoom lens or a combo with a 42.5mm F/1.8 macro prime. As a kit it’s $330, the dual lens set will sell for $450. fenxThe Yi M1 uses the 20.16MP Sony IMX269, actually the same sensor in the Olympus Pen-F giving it 4K (30fps), fast continuous shooting, and RAW image capability. This allows it a speed of five frames per second and a 81 point focus system which is good for a entry level camera. As for RAW it saves in Adobe DNG making it work perfectly with Lightroom. Bluetooth and Wifi are included for fast mobile sharing and remote control of the camera. Other accessories such as a backpack (costs $60), filters, and etc. have been announced by name but no details as of yet. The Y1 M1 will be out Sept. 23rd in China and later for the US. As their first real go at the mirrorless market it’s hard not to say it’s a decent try at a entry level option.Specifications:

Mount Micro Four Thirds
Sensor Sony IMX269 CMOS
Crop Factor 2.0x
Resolution 20MP (5184px*3888px)
Format Raw, Jpeg
Aspect Ratio 4: 3, 3: 2, 16: 9, 1: 1
Focus Contrast Detection
AF Multi-area, Center, Face Detection, Single AF, Continuous AF, Touch AF, Face Detection, & Touch Shooting
Manual Focus Focus Peaking & Zoom Manual Focus
Focus Points 81 Points
Screen 3 inch 720 x 480 RGB + Touchscreen
Shutter Speed 1 / 4000s ~ 60s
Exposure Modes Exposure Modes: Automatic, Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual Exposure, B Door, T Door
Metering Mode Spot Metering, Evaluative Metering, Center-weighted Metering
ISO Auto, 100 - 25,600
Bracketing Yes, Up to 3 Shots
HDR Yes
Time-Lapse Yes
Panorama Yes
Flash Supports External (Not Available as of Announcement)
Video 4K 3840 × 2160 30fps, 2K 2048 × 1536 30fps FULL HD 1920 × 1080 60fps, 30fps, 24fpsHD 1280 × 720 60fps, 30fps, 24fpsVGA 640 × 480 240fps
Video Format MPEG-4 / H.264
Audio Format AAC
Microphone Stereo
Speaker Mono
USB 2.0
HDMI Micro HDMI Connection
WiFi Yes
Bluetooth 4.1
Remote Shooting Yes, via Smartphone
Storage Media SD / SDHC / SDXC (max 512G)
Battery Life ~450 Photos
Color Silver, Black
Dimensions 113.5mm (W) x 64.3mm (H) x 33.6mm (D) excluding protrusions
Weight 280g
Cost $330 for Camera + Kit Lens. $450 for Dual Lens Kit.

Samples12-40mm F/3.5-5.6 Lensp9050225-copy-3 p9050225-copy-4 p9050225-copy p9050225

42.5mm F/1.8 lens45654 group40 group50 group52

 

New Panasonic Cameras -

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera

GX85

  • 16MP Live MOS Sensor Micro Four Thirds System
  • 2.36m-Dot Electronic Viewfinder
  • 3.0" 1.04m-Dot Swivel LCD Touchscreen
  • UHD 4K Video Recording at 30/24 fps
  • Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity
  • DFD AF System, 4K PHOTO Modes
  • 5-Axis Image Stabilization, Dual I.S.
  • ISO 25600 and 10 fps Shooting with AF-S

Those looking for a robust, affordable 4K capable system - this looks VERY appealing.Available end of October - Preorder from B&H Photo $897.99 With Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens for $997.99 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10 Digital Camera

Lumix LX10

  • 20.1MP 1" High Sensitivity MOS Sensor
  • Leica DC Vario-Summilux f/1.4-2.8 Lens
  • 24-72mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • 3.0" 180° Tilting Touchscreen LCD
  • UHD 4K Video at 30/24 fps in MP4
  • 5-Axis HYBRID O.I.S.+, 49-Area AF System
  • Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity
  • Extended ISO 25600 and 10 fps Shooting
  • Lens Control Ring; USB Mobile Charging
  • 4K PHOTO; Post Focus & Focus Stacking

An extremely strong competitor to Sony's popular RX100 series but the LX10 provides a faster lens and the Post focus and focus stacking features.Available in Mid November for $697.99 - Preorder from B&H Photo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500 Digital Camera

A true hybrid photo/video machine - equally capable of shooting either while providing some pro level video features.screenshot-2016-09-19-11-36-46

  • 20.1MP 1" High Sensitivity MOS Sensor
  • Leica DC Vario-Elmarit f/2.8-4.5 Lens
  • 24-480mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • 0.74x 2.36m-Dot OLED Live View EVF
  • 3" 1.04m-Dot Free-Angle Touchscreen LCD
  • DCI 4K Recording at 24.00 fps & 100 Mbps
  • CINELIKE Profiles; 4:2:2 10-bit HDMI Out
  • Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity; 4K PHOTO
  • ISO 25600 and 12 fps Continuous Shooting
  • Manual Control Ring & Built-In ND Filter

With that 1" sensor this isn't going to be amazing in low light BUT the fact that you can get a 20x zoom, 4K cine profile (it will look great straight out of camera) AND pro level quality via HDMI out all for less than $1200 WITH A BUILT IN ND FILTER - this looks like a sweet rig for someone that wants to produce some serious travel videos - everything you need in one package.Available Mid December for $1,197.99 Preorder from B&H Photo Which of these three cameras are you most interested in?  

Panasonic GX80/85 Review

Dynamic MonochromeThe GX80 now includes a dynamic monochrome picture profile. I normally don't shoot monochrome but I decided to test it out.  Here was the result straight out of camera along with the raw image that I edited in Silver Efex Pro 4. I personally prefer editing my own B&W rather than leaving it up to the camera.P1010393P1010393-Bearbeitet AF SystemThe AF system now sports 49 AF areas – up from the GX7´s 23 area AF. Panasonic has also added Depth from Defocus technology to help it lock onto things with more speed and accuracy. It only works with specific Panasonic lenses however. Nevertheless I have still had it lock onto the background instead of the foreground subject several times. It utilises Contrast Detect Autofocus and is lightning fast in AF-Single.The GX80 now also comes with eye detect AF, which seems to be a very hit and miss affair and even when it works it never quite seems to hit the centre of the eye.  Pinpoint AF is probably going to be the more useful AF mode for portrait shooters.The AF system can focus down to -4 EV which is pretty impressive and the camera also comes with an AF assist lamp on the front.Post FocusPost focus allows you to take a photograph and then select the focus point after the fact. It is limited to 4K resolutions and works by taking a video of the subject and focussing quickly through the range whilst doing so. You can pick the photo you want to save via the camera on screen interface or by editing the 4k video file that is created on your SD card.4K Photo ModesThere are three 4K photo modes: 4K Burst, 4K Burst (S/S) and 4K Pre-Burst. 4K Burst shoots as long as your finger is held down on the shutter button. 4K Burst (S/S) starts and stops the recording when the shutter is pressed. 4K Pre-Burst records all the time and stores a seconds worth of video up until the shutter is pressed. The pre-burst mode comes with a warning that when the camera exceeds the temperature rating it will default to 4K burst!Roll over the image to see 4K Post Focus in action[himage]4k Post Focus 14k Post Focus 2[/himage]BracketingThe GX80 comes with several bracketing options. For focus bracketing (focus stacking) for example you can configure how many images you wish to have and the step size for the focus. This feature seems to work very well when importing into Adobe PhotoShop and using the stacking functionality. The GX80 also offers aperture bracketing and WB bracketing.Viewfinder/Touchscreen DisplayThe electronic viewfinder (EVF) is taken straight from the GX7, however on the GX80 it no longer tilts upwards. It has a diopter setting on the right hand side and is a 2764K high resolution unit with 16:9 aspect ratio and 0.7x magnification. Some people report seeing rainbow patterns due to the field-sequential LCD used in this viewfinder.The rear 3″ display is tiltable as per the GX7 – 90° looking down onto it and about 45° looking upwards. It is not fully articulated, which I personally prefer. It seems better than the one on the GX7, especially in sunlight. The GX80 has a 60 FPS refresh rate which makes LiveView look very smooth, but may come with the cost of reduced battery life.Wi-FiWi-Fi is pretty much unchanged from the GX7 implementation however, the GX80 lacks NFC capability. With Wi-Fi you can connect to your mobile phone, using the Panasonic Image App, or your computer. When using the app you can copy photographs locally to your phone or use it as a remote control for your camera. Performance is pretty good when I tested it with the iPhone 6s Plus. It is also possible to setup a share on your computer and send your photos to it. Using LightRoom it is then possible to monitor this share and emulate tethering functionality – however I found this to be incredibly slow, probably due to the USB 2.0 port on the camera.Battery/ChargingThe GX80 does not come with a charger. You have to charge the battery in camera via the supplied USB cable. If you were thinking of having an external battery pack plugged in then you will be disappointed as you cannot use the camera whilst it is being charged this way. I purchased a couple of extra third party batteries and a charging cradle for about 20€. Whilst I was shooting at this years Comic-Con in Germany I noticed that the camera body had gotten quite warm and the third party battery only lasted for about 50 shots. With the official Lumix battery it was considerably better, however after my previous experience I was being extremely careful and ensuring that I turned off the camera if I wasn´t shooting for any length of time. I also turned down the display brightness and changed its refresh rate to 30 instead of 60.ConclusionThis is a fun little camera with a micro four thirds sensor that has a few niggles, but nothing onerous. It offers really nice image quality for photos and 4K video as well as a whole host of interesting little extras for a very good price. The dual IS system is amazing, easily on par with Olympus´s system and probably a taste of things to come with the GH5. The GX8 has a few advantages over the GX80 – namely the 20MP sensor, weather sealing and a mic input. However in Europe the GX8 is still a fairly expensive camera coming in at over 1000€ body only. The GX80 is currently priced at 699€ with the 12-32mm kit lens and is far better value for money. For me the GX80 features easily make it a better choice over the GX8.Buy from B&H Photo Thanks Heidi for this thorough write up.  You can see more of Heidi's work atInstagram: heidi.harding.photos500px: 500px.com/adelheid_deWeb: http://adelheid.photography And Heidi has some real world samples from a recent Comic-Con

New Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. Lens

Screenshot 2016-02-24 09.05.10Panasonic announced the Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. Lens yesterday.  On Feb 17th Mish Mash show we shared our love for the Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 Asph lens. It is a fantastic range and lens- but a bit pricey at $997.00.  The new lens extends the range to 60, on a micro 4/3 camera this is a 24-120 lens, 5x zoom.  Only downside is the variable aperture f/3.5-5.6. I would love to see them make a f/4 constant lens.  The new 12-60 is weather sealed, offers stabilization (OIS) and is priced significantly cheaper at $497.Preorder from B&H Photo - Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. Lens $497Watch our Vlogs from New Zealand - all shot with the GH4 and 12-35 f/2.8Buy the GH4 from B&H Photo  Buy the 12-35 f/2.8Screenshot 2016-02-24 09.18.01Full Press ReleasePanasonic is introducing a new zoom interchangeable lens, the LUMIX G VARIO 12-60mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. (35 mm camera equivalent: 24-120 mm) for the LUMIX G line of Micro Four Thirds System cameras. Featuring a splash/dust-proof design, the new lens offers a versatile 5x zoom range of 24-120mm (35mm camera equivalent) that covers a variety of daily shooting situations from dynamic landscapes to portraits.For everyone interested in a modern alternative to bulky DSLR interchangeable lenses, Panasonic LUMIX Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds lenses deliver impressive, no-compromise optical performance. The durable, all-weather LUMIX 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 Lens features the highest standards of detail and sharpness. Built for travel and great photo and video capture, it comes complete with a splash and dustproof sealed body.** And with Dual I.S. (Image Stabilization) compatibility, you'll shoot with unprecedented hand-held stability anywhere you go.**When mounted on a compatible LUMIX G Mirrorless cameraIncorporating an inner focus drive system and a stepping motor, the new LUMIX G VARIO 12-60mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. is capable of smooth, silent operation to work with the camera's high-speed, high-precision contrast AF system for both photo and video recording. It is also compatible with the sensor drive at max. 240 fps to take maximum advantage of cameras with high-speed AF. This stunning AF performance is able to record 4K video, where precise focusing is required. Seven blades give the aperture a rounded shape that produces an attractively smooth effect in out-of-focus areas when shooting at larger aperture settings. A highly reliable metal mount assures durability for active use, and uses multi-coated lens elements that minimize ghosts and flare to further enhance its shooting performance.It also features 0.54x (35mm camera equiv.) magnification capability for impressive macro close-up shots.  Comprised of 11 elements in 9 groups, the lens system features three aspherical lenses and an ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lens which effectively suppresses spherical distortion or chromatic aberration to achieve stunning picture quality.The LUMIX G VARIO 12-60mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. will be available in May at www.shop.panasonic.com and valued channel partners in metallic black for $499.99. 

Metal Print Savings, Franken Camera Mark II & Working

AdoramaPix has a 30% deal on Metal Prints- Get your work printed directly on metal- it looks beautiful, unique and is so easy to care for.   Shop this link and support the site Use Promo Code: PXAFN30SUNDAY-FUNDAYWe currently have the Olympus Air in for testing - this is that little camera module that communicates wirelessly with your smartphone or tablet and provides a standard micro 4/3 mount.  This means if you have any micro 4/3 lenses from Olympus or Panasonic or say a MetaBones speedbooster laying around (like I do) you can also throw Canon lenses on there. Sometimes I don't have a good reason for doing something other than I just want to see if it will work- It does, and works quite well, even the Image Stabilization in the 70-200 works!  So this is the LGV10 coupled wirelessly to the Olympus Air with the Metabones speedbooster and then the Canon 70-200 f/2.8.   It all provides a 140-400 f/2 Lens :)

Taken with the Olympus Air and Canon 70-200 f/2.8 Lens.Taken with the Olympus Air and Canon 70-200 f/2.8 Lens. SUNDAY-WORKDAYChristina and I spent some time shooting for a local apparel and gear company.  I spent most of my time capturing behind the scenes and we will be sharing more soon.  I shot with the Sony a7SII and did see the temperature icon/over-heat warning once toward the end of the shoot- I will be testing more and sharing my thoughts on the Sony a7SII soon. 2015-11-08 15.01.27 2015-11-08 15.02.31  

New Cameras - Panasonic GX8 and FZ300K

Panasonic has announced two new cameras- The GX8 and the FZ300Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital CameraPanasonic GX8Basically this is a little brother to the GH4 in size/shape that offers some significant advances in features and I believe tips the hand off what Panasonic will offer in the GH5.

  • 20.3 MP Digital Live MOS Sensor (the first 20MP sensor in 4/3, previous sensors were 16MP)
  • Tilting 2.36m-Dot 0.77x OLED EVF (The viewfinder is capable of tilting 90 degrees)
  • 3.0" 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen (full articulated and touch to focus)
  • 4K UHD Video Recording at 30/24 fps (4K video and 4k photo modes)
  • Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity with NFC
  • 10 fps Shooting with AF-S and ISO 25600
  • DFD AF System (Significantly Improved autofocus system)
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization, Dual I.S. (In body image stabilization also works in conjunction with IS enabled lenses for additional stabilization)
  • Splash proof magnesium alloy construction

Preorder from B&H Photo for $1197.99 Body Only - Shipping August 15thPanasonic GX8 Panasonic GX8Preorder from B&H Photo for $1197.99 Body Only - Shipping August 15th 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Digital Camera

These superzoom cameras continue to improve and while not at the level of a DSLR with massive zoom lens they do offer excellent image quality, crazy amount of zoom in a reasonable size, weight and priced package.Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Digital Camera

  • 12.1 MP 1/2.3" MOS Sensor
  • Venus Engine Image Processor
  • Leica DC Vario-Elmarit f/2.8 Lens 25mm-600mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • 1.44m-Dot 0.7x OLED EVF
  • 3.0" 1.04m-Dot Free Angle Touchscreen
  • 4K UHD Video Recording at 30 fps
  • Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity
  • ISO 6400, 12 fps Shooting, 4K Photo Mode
  • 5-Axis HYBRID O.I.S.+, DFD AF System

Depth-From-Defocus AF TechnologyFor accelerated autofocus performance, DFD (Depth-From-Defocus) technology is employed to quickly calculate the distance to subjects and adjust the focusing position to benefit continuous shooting and movie recording modes. This contrast-detection type focus method also benefits subject tracking performance for maintaining sharp focus on moving subjects. Additionally, supporting working in low-light conditions, a Starlight AF feature enables accurate AF performance in dim environments.Assisting manual focus operation, focus peaking is available that highlights bright edges of contrast with a colored outline for quickly recognizing your focus point, as well as Touch MF Assist for touch-to-focus operation.Preorder from B&H Photo for $597.99 Body Only - Shipping August 15thScreenshot 2015-07-16 09.18.48 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Digital CameraPreorder from B&H Photo for $597.99 Body Only - Shipping August 15th