Micro Four-Thirds

Panasonic LX-10 review from Las Vegas

May 6, 2024 by OpenFilmmaker 2 Comments

Panasonic LX-10: Atrium at the Mirage — Taken on the Panasonic LX-10. This structure at the Mirage reminded me of the NCC-1701 USS Enterprise from Star Trek.

I feel the need… the need for a 1-inch camera

We recently booked a concert in Las Vegas where Interchangeable Lens Cameras (ILC) were not allowed. At first I thought maybe I could get away with my Olympus PEN E-P7, but I decided not to risk it. I ran into this issue at the Dallas Mavericks game last year where my GX85 wasn’t allowed. This concert did allow point-and-shoots which I wasn’t interested in… until a week before the concert! I figured it’s better to capture some good-quality images, rather than just use my phone. So thus began my last-minute research.

The cameras that I came across were the Sony RX100 VII, Panasonic ZS200 and the Panasonic LX-10. At the time of my research, a pre-owned Panasonic LX-10 is around $500, a new Panasonic ZS200 is $740, and a new Sony RX100 VII is nearly $1400 (prices are after tax).

Camera Model	Panasonic LX-10	Panasonic ZS200	Sony RX100 VII
Price (in May 2024)	$500 (used)	$740 (new) / $600 (used)	$1400 (new)
Zoom Range (FF equiv)	24 – 70mm	24 – 360mm	24 – 200mm
Aperture Range	f/1.4 – f/2.8	f/3.3 – f/6.4	f/2.8 – f/4.5
Date Released	September 2016	May 2018	July 2019

Table showing comparisons between LX-10, ZS200, and RX100 VII.

The RX100 was first on the list, but I couldn’t see myself paying that much for a non-primary camera. At the time of this post (May 2024) a refurbished, full-frame Canon RP is $630. So you can see my hesitation with paying $1400 for a 1-inch sensor camera. The RX100 was eliminated from the list due to its cost.

Next, I explored the idea of a ZS200 due to the focal range and price, but I had a difficult time finding it used. Due to the time and budget constraints, I decided to go with the Panasonic LX-10 from KEH.

With 2-day shipping, the camera arrived the day before our trip to Las Vegas. I took some photos around the neighborhood to get familiar with the camera.

Around the neighborhood (Panasonic LX-10 sample photos)

Now these are random shots around the neighborhood. Not my best work by any means. The goal was to gain confidence using the camera… and after a few hours with it, I felt more comfortable with it.

Panasonic LX-10 Macro Flower — Panasonic LX-10 Macro Leaf

I was pleased with the images and the colors were similar to the GX-85 and GX-9. Now let’s go to Las Vegas!

Shots from Las Vegas (Panasonic LX-10 sample photos)

As soon as we got off the plane in Vegas, I took out my LX-10. You never know when a photo opportunity awaits! Here are some selected photos from the Las Vegas trip, all taken on the Panasonic LX-10 with minimal processing.

Unfortunately, the night before the concert, we got word that it was cancelled due to bad weather. So there’s no concert photos here. That was the main reason I purchased this camera – bummer!

Panasonic LX-10 at the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas — Panasonic LX-10. At the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.

Panasonic LX-10. Tesla Cybertruck was parked outside the Mirage — Panasonic LX-10. Tesla Cybertruck parked at the Mirage. Here it was very bright and I was already at 1/2000s and had to stop down. In hindsight, I wish I had an ND filter so I didn’t have to stop down. I would’ve preferred a bit of background blur here.

Panasonic LX-10. Ferris Wheel seen from Las Vegas Boulevard. — Panasonic LX-10. Ferris wheel seen from Las Vegas Boulevard.

Panasonic LX-10. The Sphere. Taken during our Taxi ride to our hotel. — Panasonic LX-10. The Sphere. Taken during our taxi ride to our hotel. I used the camera’s zoom here to get a better shot of The Sphere. I think that speaks a lot to the cameras ability. I couldn’t have gotten the same quality from my phone.

Panasonic LX-10. The Mirage. — Panasonic LX-10. Taken from The Mirage.

Panasonic LX-10. Testing the low-light capability.

What I liked about the Panasonic LX-10

The Leica lens is great. I got many sharp photos.
The maximum aperture of f/1.4 is helpful on a 1-inch camera that can struggle in low-light situations.
The menu system and the familiar Panasonic menus made it easy to navigate through settings. Even though it was released in 2016, Panasonic has had a great menu system for years.
It’s small! I bought a small USA Gear case with a belt loop and that’s where my LX-10 resided when I walked around the Las Vegas strip. The convenience of not having to change lenses and having the camera readily available is a huge advantage.
It’s better than using my phone due to the zoom and exposure controls.
It allows RAW photos which gives more flexibility in editing.
Dedicated macro AF setting.

What I didn’t like about the Panasonic LX-10

It has two functional ring wheels: one for maximum aperture setting while the other is customizable. The size of the customizable outer ring isn’t practical and I’d accidentally rotate it when adjusting the aperture. After bumping the outer ring several times, I eventually disabled it. If you have an LX-10 or other cameras with this outer ring, please let me know how you use it!
The screen only flips up. It doesn’t flip down! Why did they design it this way?
No dedicated ISO button. Instead, you have to customize one of the existing buttons for ISO.
The aperture ring has two extended areas you can use to rotate the ring. I didn’t find this very comfortable and wished it was easier to rotate.

Summary

They say the best camera is the one you have on you and LX-10’s small-size ensures you can keep this camera with you, yielding more photo opportunities. Despite minor drawbacks like the cumbersome ring dials and lack of a dedicated ISO button, the LX-10 proves to be a reliable companion for capturing spontaneous moments with its fast aperture and RAW capability. Recommended for those seeking a portable camera with excellent image quality and a wide range of shooting options, particularly suited for street photography, close-ups, and scenic landscapes. If you prioritize portability and image quality in a compact package, the Panasonic LX-10 won’t disappoint.

If you’re wanting to use this camera on subjects far away, consider the ZS200’s 360mm or the RX100 VII’s 200mm. The LX-10 seems to be aimed at street, macro, and landscape photography.

If you’d like to see more Las Vegas photos, you can see the full gallery on my Amazon Photos page. Cameras used were the Panasonic GX9, Olympus E-P7, and the Panasonic LX-10. I didn’t spend a lot of time processing, as I edited the images quickly on the return flight back home. Cheers!

Questions and comments

Do you have a question about this camera? Do you have this camera? Let me know in the comments below.

Here’s a video discussing the pros and cons of the Panasonic LX-10

Panasonic 12-60: The Queen of Lumix Kit Lenses

September 4, 2021 by OpenFilmmaker Leave a Comment

The Panasonic Lumix 12-60 f/3.5 – 5.6 is a kit lens I got bundled with the G85. It also ships with the G95, and sometimes the G9 and GH5. When I declare that this lens has a place among the “Royals” of lenses, I’m referring to the class of Panasonic Lumix and Olympus non-pro lenses.

Price

This lens is going for $500 on Amazon and you can find it used for around $270 on sites like KEH. If you’re looking at this lens and also need a camera, I recommend picking it up with a bundle as it’s a much better bargain.

Competition

12-32mm – Check out this comparison video.

14-42mm (and 14-45mm) – The 12-60 is wider and 18mm longer.

Build Quality

Mount	The lens mount is made of metal and includes a weather-sealed rubber gasket
Zoom Ring	The zoom ring is wide and smooth, but it wouldn’t hurt if it was smoother
Focus Ring	The focus ring is smooth to turn, but ring is quite narrow. Like many M43 lenses, it’s a focus-by-wire lens which works for most consumer scenarios
Physical Buttons	There’s no physical buttons are present on the lens
Minimum Focusing Distance	Minimum focusing distance (.2m, .66 ft)
Weight	Weight: 3.52 ounces / 100G
Filter Thread	The filter thread is 58mm

Build quality descriptions

Features

Variable Aperture

Aperture is variable from 3.5 to 5.6, again, if when you zoom from wide to telephoto, the exposure will change.

Stabilization

It’s a stabilized lens which I really like and I’ll speak more on this later.

Weather-sealing

This lens is weather-sealed.

Conclusion

Reasons to skip this lens

If you’re looking for something sharp, there’s other sharp lenses available like 25mm f/1.4 or the Lecia 12-60 f/2.8-4.

If you’re looking for constant aperture, you’ll want to skip this lens as this has variable aperture.

Focus is not parfocal, so if you get focus at 12mm then zoom into 60mm, you will lose focus.

The widest aperture is f/3.5 so this isn’t great for low-light video or photography. If you need something for low-light, you’ll want to look at low aperture lenses, like 25mm f/1.7, 15mm f/1.7 or the Panasonic 10-25mm f/1.7.

Reasons to get this lens

Dual Image Stabilization. That’s the power of this lens. If you shoot video and control the camera movements, you can avoid using gimbals.

The 12mm is a perfect FOV for vlogging and if you want to capture footage at a far distance from you, the 60mm comes in handy. Remember the 12-60mm on Micro Four-Thirds is equivalent to a 24-120mm on full frame. It’s also perfect for home video, travel, and non-professional photography.

The best Panasonic (not Leica) kit lens and it’s worth upgrading from 12-32 or 14-42 for the higher focal range. Many Lumix MFT cameras have a crop in 4k so having that extra reach with 12mm, comes in handy. This is the only Lumix kit lens with weather-sealing.

Why queen? If you’ve played chess, you know the queen is the most versatile players on the board. The Panasonic Lumix 12-60 f/3.5-5.6 also has that same versatility among the Micro Four-Thirds lenses. The wide 12mm, zoom range, and dual stabilization. The G85 with the 12-60mm lens, is one of the best budget camera bundles. It makes an even more compelling case to pair this lens with the Panasonic Lumix G7 – as this camera body doesn’t have in-body image stabilization. Pair that with a rode video mic and an ND filter, and you’re set for YouTube, social media and home videos!

The Queen of Panasonic Kit Lenses: Panasonic Lumix 12-60 f/3.5-5.6

Panasonic Lumix G85 vs. GX85 (with a twist)

August 2, 2021 by OpenFilmmaker Leave a Comment

Can you believe I’m writing about cameras released in 2016? That’s because of the great functionality of these cameras including a plethora of features like 4K @ 100Mbps, Focus Stacking, Post Focus, Wifi connectivity, Time Lapses (intervalometer), and many more! I’m talking about the Panasonic Lumix G85 (G80) and the Panasonic Lumix GX85 (GX80). I’ve previously covered both of these cameras individually (G85, GX85) and also did a comparison along with the Panasonic Lumix G7.

In this article, I’ll cover 15 reasons why the G85 is a better buy than the the GX85. However, sometimes things are not always what they seem… while the G85 is better on paper… is it the right camera for you? Be sure to read my closing thoughts!
-Openfilmmaker

I’ve broken down these reasons into four categories: functional upgrades, physical upgrades, customizations, and advanced features. Functional upgrades are additions to increase functionality. Physical upgrades are buttons or other physical attributes. Customizations refer to additional configurations. Lastly, advanced features are functional upgrades applying in advanced scenarios.

Stating the (somewhat) obvious

The G85 and GX85 are really meant for different types of consumers. The GX85 has the rangefinder body style that most photographers are traditionally accustomed to, while the G85 has the DSLR-like body favoring hybrid (photo and video) shooters. So this article isn’t about which camera is “better”, but which one is “better suited” for you and your usage. I discuss this in more detail in the article.

Currently, both the G85 and GX85 are available for $700 each.
The G85 pairs with the 12-60mm kit lens and the GX85 with the 12-32mm and 45-150mm.
Panasonic Lumix g85 and Gx85

Panasonic Lumix G85 Functional upgrades

01. Microphone input

G85 Microphone Input and Remote Shutter Port

If you’re new to video, not having to worry about an external audio solution is going to save a lot of time. The GX85 doesn’t have a microphone port while the G85 does. The in-camera audio on the GX85 is not terrible, but it’s not as good as the G85 in-camera audio. If you have a GX85 and need quality audio, you’ll have to use an external device. The microphone input is one of the main reasons most consumers choose the G85 over the GX85. If you’re looking for a microphone, the Vitopal VM-i2 is a great option.

02. Articulating touch screen

The G85 has an articulating touchscreen, whereas the GX85 has the flip-up and flip-down style touchscreen. The G85’s style is more popular among videographers.

03. Remote shutter port

Both cameras have connectivity with a mobile phone to activate the shutter remotely, but only the G85 has a physical shutter port. While having the app connect to the camera is a great option, it’s also something that takes time to setup. Having an external physical button that just plugs into the camera saves that time. The advantage of remote shutter ports can really be seen in fireworks, landscapes and other photography where the camera needs to be absolutely still.

04. External focus type button

Panasonic Lumix G85 External Focus Type Button

When shooting nature videos, I shoot in Manual Focus, but that doesn’t mean I never use Auto Focus. Sometimes I quickly change into Auto Focus for a few seconds to bring the subject into focus or even use Auto Focus lock, then toggle back into Manual. It’s an immensely helpful feature available on the G85. However, on the GX85, this button doesn’t exist on camera. It exists in the quick menu, but unfortunately you have to stop recording in order to change it.

Panasonic Lumix G85 Physical upgrades

05. Weather-sealing

Both the G85 and its kit lens, the Lumix 12-60, are weather-sealed. This means you can take this combination out in more extreme conditions than the non-weather-sealed, GX85. Have you ever tried taking your camera to the beach? With the GX85, you have to be more careful you don’t get sand, dust, and other particles into the camera body.

06. Separate battery and SD card compartments

The G85 has separate battery and SD card slots. On the GX85, both the SD card and battery reside under the same cover. The more professional cameras tend to have the SD card slot on the side, which makes it easier to remove when mounted on a camera rig. I find the V30 SD cards work well for my needs.

07. Bigger EVF

Panasonic Lumix G85 Electronic View Finder (EVF)

The GX85 not only has a smaller EVF than compared to the G85, but also the aspect ratio needs to be 16:9 in order for the image to fill the display. Otherwise you’ll see black vertical bars on the sides. This makes an already small EVF even smaller. The G85’s image fills the display.

08. Ergonomics

The GX85 is smaller in size than the G85, but this comes at a cost of ergonomics. The GX85 virtually has no grip where your fingers rest. This is a common issue with rangefinder bodies like the GX85. The G85 doesn’t have this problem and has a solid grip. However, a grip accessory can be bought for the GX85 to improve its ergonomics slightly. There’s still the issue of smaller buttons, so the accessory doesn’t solve all the misses here.

Panasonic Lumix G85 Customizations

09. Extra mode dial

On the left side of the Panasonic Lumix G85, a Drive Mode is available where you can choose single image, burst image, 4K photo, Post Focus, Timer and Time Lapse. On the GX85 you have to go into the menu system to make the same changes. The G85 just makes it easier to change these modes.

10. Custom mode

Custom modes can save your shutter speed, ISO, aperture, and many of the various internal camera settings. The G85 has one additional custom mode when compared to the GX85. While this isn’t a huge deal, it still allows more flexibility than the GX85.

11. Cinelike color profiles

Panasonic Lumix G85 has the famous Cinelike-D and Cinelike-V color profiles. Many filmmakers and videographers use these profiles so they don’t have to spend additional time in post-processing to color correct and color grade the images. By now, you should’ve figured out that the G85 basically has additional functionality to save you time… that’s been the trend so far 🙂

12. Function buttons

On the G85, you have a total of six function buttons. The GX85 isn’t far behind with four. However, like the additional custom mode, having two additional function buttons can make a huge difference in professional scenarios. Think of these function buttons as shortcuts to internal camera features. The more you bind these features to the function buttons, the faster you can produce results.

Panasonic Lumix G85 Advanced features

13. Wireless flash capability

The G85 also has some built-in support for certain flashes. On the GX85, you’ll have to purchase a wireless trigger. You’ll have to visit the Panasonic website to see their flash support, but again, here’s another feature that can not only save you time, but also money. The Godox V1 is my current favorite off-camera flash.

14. Battery grip option

The G85 is obviously the more professional camera out of these two. It even allows a battery grip. Battery grips not only give you additional battery power, but let you hold the camera easily in portrait mode (vertically). The GX85 doesn’t have any battery grips available. However, both of these cameras have AC adapters available (G85, GX85).

15. Buffer capacity

The G85 buffer can hold 45 RAW images or 300 JPGs while the GX85 can hold 15 RAW or 100 JPGs. The G85 buffer offers 3x more capacity than the G85. This is great news for sports and wildlife photographers.

But wait, then why is the GX85 my most used camera?

As you can clearly see, the G85 beats the GX85 in so many areas… but is it the better camera?

Well that depends on you… do you need the mic input? The weather sealing? The articulating screen? Or custom modes or better ergonomics? If you absolutely need one of those features, then you have no choice but to get the G85.

But for my situation… which is everyday use for photography and light video… I find myself reaching for the GX85 more often.

And that’s because of its pocketable size, with stabilization, 4k and plethora of features… The GX85 makes a great camera for everyday use. And it’s the camera I take when I travel.

So really at the end of the day… it really comes down to you and your needs.

Luckily, I don’t have to choose between the two as I own both of these cameras, but if I had to choose only one, you know it’s gonna be the GX85… but that’s me.

Support me

If you like the content on this channel or my YouTube channel, you can support me by simply using my Amazon Affiliate Links at no additional cost to you.

Use this link to purchase the Panasonic Lumix G85.

Use this link to purchase the Panasonic Lumix GX85.

One day in Sugarland, Texas featuring Cullinan Park Conservancy

March 9, 2021 by OpenFilmmaker Leave a Comment

My family and I visited Sugarland over a weekend in March 2021. Here’s some nature footage taken while there. I was considering selling the GX85, but this trip made me realize (again) that this small, portable camera with great 4K footage is going to stay. Hope you like! It’s hosted on my nature channel: Manny’s Animal Kingdom. Subscribe if you like nature footage.

Footage taken on the Panasonic GX-85 with Leica 12-60. Bird photography taken on Canon 7D Mark II with Sigma 150-600.

5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Buy a GH5 in 2021

July 19, 2020 by OpenFilmmaker 1 Comment

Three years after starting my photography and videography journey, I bought a Panasonic Lumix GH5. I got a phenomenal bargain in near-perfect condition from a friend. He added extras that made the deal even sweeter.

These days, there’s many people that want to get into cinematic videos and GH5 happens to be one of those ideal cameras people lust over. It has internal 10-bit 4:2:2, V-LOG, 4K @ 60FPS, a headphone jack, dual SD-card slots, and much more.

The GH5 blows away the competition, and at a low price of $1297 – it’s the best value professional camera.

My journey started with much simpler, yet capable, cameras to earn my rite-of-passage with the GH5.

After shooting with the GH5, I think most people that want this camera don’t actually need it.

They’ve just fallen into the hype and likely feel GH5 will improve their content.

In this article, I cover five reasons why you shouldn’t buy a GH5. If these reasons apply to you, consider the alternatives I’ve listed.

1. You’re a beginner

Whenever I tackle a new subject, I start with the fundamentals and gradually increase my knowledge to gain confidence in the subject. One step at a time, right? If you’re a beginner, the first concept you should master is exposure.

Exposure is controlled through shutter speed, aperture, and iso.

It was my first major lesson in photography and it can be learned on any camera offering manual controls.

There’s many cameras tailored for beginners. Panasonic G7, GX85, G85, and G95 all have manual exposure controls at less than half the price. These cameras are great for beginners and don’t overwhelm you with superfluous features.

Make no mistake, the GH5 is a professional camera with professional features, but if you’re a beginner, consider alternatives to gradually improve your skills.

2. You want to vlog

If your primary goal is to Vlog like Casey Neistat, consider the platform and how your viewers consume your content.

YouTube and social media is largely accessed through 5″ mobile phones. So shooting 10-bit 4:2:2 4K in v-log then color-grading in post for a YouTube vlog about your life is likely not going to take you further than shooting 8-bit 4:2:0 in 1080p (or even 4K). And you could’ve put that time towards something else.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve recorded many videos in 4K 8-bit at 4:2:0 sampling to be screened on my big-screen Samsung 70″ TV.

However, for YouTube, the majority of your audience won’t notice the difference between image quality. And if they do, perhaps there’s other areas that need improvement.

Does your story-telling need work? Your lighting? Your sound?

Which brings me to the next point about leaving room for gear.

3. You could use the money

Aloe Blacc Mens T Shirt | Magik City - Cool T Shirts ... — Aloe Blacc: I need a dollar

The GH5 is expensive. In some cases, as much as by 3x as compared to beginner cameras like the Panasonic G85. Cha-ching!

The GH5 features dual SD cards with a minimum V60-rated UHS II card for 400 Mbps. And guess what, this requires more money.

The GH5 has a v-log upgrade for $100. Again, this is more money… you get the point.

If you’re starting out, consider getting a cheaper camera to put the remaining amounts into lenses, lights, audio and other equipment to further your photography or videography.

4. It’s complicated

This heading could totally be the relationship status with the GH5.

Are you aware of synchro-scan, all-I, v-log, and shutter angle?

Well, did you know the GH5 has 139 settings? That’s right, 139! Many of them are advanced terms and can be overwhelming to learn for the newcomer.

The GH5 also has v-log capability which requires addition color-grading in your video editors, not to mention additional time. So not only is v-log an additional cost, but requires more effort to get the colors right.

Make no mistake, this is a pro-level camera with pro-level features. If you don’t understand the fundamentals, you won’t understand the advanced, complex topics.

5. You’ll need to upgrade… everything

With 400Mbps and v-log, this is not exactly something that can run on your grandpa’s 386 with a turbo-button. For these higher image resolutions, you’ll need quick computing power.

In fact, DaVinci Resolve (free version) doesn’t suport 4:2:2 video files. You’ll need to upgrade to the studio version for $299. You can convert the files to ProRes (or other readable formats), but that’s an additional step.

For higher-end image quality, you’ll want a computer with at least 32GB RAM, 3 GHz processor, a video card with 8 GB RAM, fast SSDs and much more.

In short, you’ll need to upgrade everything. Otherwise what’s the point in getting a $1300 camera and shooting in a mode available at a lower priced camera?

Alternatives

Panasonic Lumix G7 – 2020 Review

The Panasonic Lumix G7 is the camera that I started with and it is packed with features. I’ve seen sales as low as $500 for this camera and two lenses. It features 100Mbps at 4K (30p/24p). It also doesn’t overwhelm you with advanced features like shutter angle and synchro scan. On these cameras, you simply double the frame rate (30fps = shutter speed of 1/60s).

If you can afford more, I’d recommend the Panasonic Lumix G85. It has HDMI pass-through which allows output to an external device while recording. The G7 lacks this pass-through feature. In addition, the G85 has in-body image stabilization (IBIS).

25 Reasons to buy a Panasonic Lumix G85 in 2020

Obviously this isn’t a comprehensive list, but I believe these cameras are the absolute best-value Panasonic Lumix cameras in 2020. The advantage of owning a camera from the Lumix line is that the features and menu settings build on each other as you upgrade cameras.

Conclusion

The GH5 is a professional camera with professional features and definitely has it’s place. Unless you’ve accumulated some experience under your belt, consider one of the alternatives at a lower price. In the end, you’ll learn a lot more without feeling overwhelmed and can eventually upgrade to the GH5 when you’ve improved your overall knowledge and skills.

Shout-out

YouTuber Guy With Camera helped me convert 4:2:2 MP4s into ProRes. He made a video that uses ffmpeg to convert the files. He provides a script and walks you through creating proxies.

Shout-out to GuyWithCamera

Check out his channel for more helpful videos. Thank you, GWC!