I agree, good choices. I have Panasonic G85 and have been more than pleased with the results, especially with video. I purchased one extra lens, and when traveling take compact lens, totally fine for a variety of travel shots. For me, a lot comes down to controls and how you are used to adjusting the camera. I have used Fuji, Nikon, Canon and now Panasonic. My only thought is each one takes getting use to, so I tend to take all my assignments with the Panasonic and leave the others in storage.

Yes, it might be a bit slow, however, after 10 years of various Photoshop programs, this works for me 98% of the time very easily compared to Photoshop. Sure, more tools in Photoshop, yet the presets with the ability to tweak are really good.

I got SKylum for Mac, have never looked back, no more photoshop.

I shoot travel photos for articles. I have the G85 and after four trips, it does everything I want it to do. I went from DSLR to this and have not looked back. Great software, controls. I don't enlarge any photos to 30 inches, so this is just fine. It does take a bit to learn the settings, but true with all cameras. Totally changed how I look at micro 4/3. So, no, I wouldn't jump up.

totally agree with Barry, I got Skylum for my mac, have never looked back. lots of controls, and 90% of the time, the pre-sets do the job. exporting back the first time takes a little work so it saves it in the format you want to use, not their format. one you get over that, away you go. PS is fine, this is just faster and a one time price.

I agree with Burk, can't go wrong with Panasonic when you need that hybrid function. It is just about which one fits your level of need. I have now taken about 4,000 photos with a micro 4/3. And, my feeling is I am probably not going back to a DSLR. I get close to same photo for all practical purposes, and probably better due to the better software and engineering/.

Well, three assignments and 2347 photos and videos later, and the crop was only a minor issue. I can live with this for now as I learn the system. What I got the G85 for was one camera that did everything well, and I have not been disappointed in the least. The GH5 maybe down the line, but for now this is a real step up from my DSLR in features and output versus weight. That is at least 40% of the consideration in what I do, as I have to be mobile with minimal accompanyments! It is obvious to me as being a medium level photographer, these companies are getting very clever in how they apply software to their systems to squeeze results out of smaller sensors and systems.

Burk, yes I agree that if I was going to do pro video, I would consider the GH5. When traveling on assignment, it is generally one camera and one attached lens. And, I have to take photos of just about everything imaginable. I have taken some video with the G85 and converted to stills, pretty amazing results. I actually just wrote a story about this for one of the travel publications. The videos were very good as well. On any assignment/trip it is 90% still, at max 10% video.

Another factor rarely mentioned in the forums is the controls and options are quite different from brand to brand. So, moving to Panasonic was a real learning experience compared to familiarity I have to my Canon and Nikon. In other words, there are options I have not even got to explore yet, so will come up for air in about 6 months and see how I feel then as I tweak the settings and options further. But given my extremely positive experience with Panasonic, the GH5 would be a logical step in a year or two.

I purchased this as I upgraded the mac, and was searching for a light room/photo shop alternative that would be intuitive and be a one-time price. I have now taken photos from three different events/trips and used this software for a little tweaking. Not quite all the options of photo shop, but I never used all of them anyways. What I really like is the quick menu you can apply to the photo, then dial up or down. That seems to accomplish all the tweaks I did in photo shop but in a more automatic way. So, at this point I am going to keep using this until an alternative comes out. A few quirks as the larger the photo, the slower it loads. However, that has been true with all the other photo programs I have used as well. So, Luminar gets A- in my book.

I shoot travel photos for stories, and just did the big ski show in Denver. The G85 was amazing in that awful tradeshow light. A few videos, but mostly stills. And most of them were using one of the pre-sets. I did take some in manual, and that light is so trickly I didn't have time to try the photo 26 different ways, so took a few, then picked two auto settings. With that performance compared to my DSLR, I do not feel the need to upgrade although the GH5 will take better photos. But the question is what level of performance do I need? Price per pixel, I am going to stick with the G85.

Well, I am a middle level photographer, and wanted one camera for travel. The G85 has been much better than anticipated, the video features are much more than advertised. What I did like so far is the pre-sets are much better than average. For example, the one for food shots is actually quite good and rivals what I can tinker with in manual. So, I am very happy with the purchase, nothing to complain about except there are lots of features I have not had time to master. And, editing and controlling with the touch screen is really exception. PS, I have a Nikon, Canon and Fuji, so a lot to compare with!

I have now had an SX60 for quite a while, almost a year. Remember, you are getting an all in one, so the edges of excellence stretch a bit on boundaries of any setting. I don't use or carry my Nikon DSLR because this is just everything, but it took tinkering.

So, here is my experience. Yes, per others, pick specific point for focus. With the incredible zoom, camera shake is an issue even with an anti-shake feature. I have solved this by setting Manual, and the other programmable settings first. And yes, I do use auto on the same photo just in case. Then I stay in the same spot, whip through a photo or two with each, then go back and pick the best one. Then it's Photo Shop to the tweaking rescue. Not always the best with any one setting. The F stop is a bit of an issue as noted, but can work around it if you take something like this approach. The higher the zoom, the more you need to brace or tripod the camera in some way.

My only disappointment with the SX60 is low light performance, you do get better photos with a DSLR. However, as my next level of experimentation, those are getting considerably better. Went to a festival where I compared my photos with that of a professional with the total Nikon Zilla package, and believe it or not, most of the time they were comparible. Low light is just difficult for quasi-photographers as myself.

That said, I will stay with this type of camera, but might go to a higher MP with a mirrorless when I can find a reasonable, one zoom lens option for travel. Canon is releasing a SX70 in about 60 days, and will be curious to see how that compares. Right now, the big zoom plus reasonable performance is a great package. Enclosed photo was taken from 350 yards distance.

Puako Lava Tube

Those are great shots, actually much better than what many of the restaurants have on file! Thanks for the tips, I had tried exploring those a little on my last trip, but with your post have a firmer direction. Thanks again.

Gene, I can definitely ask for a specific table at a specific time of day. That would probably help. I am attaching one I took in Hawaii. I give it a B-, not bad, but had no light except natural. I post in online magazines, so it doesn't have to be the best resolution. Just reasonable for the situation.

Thanks Gene, I am sure I can adapt some of the techniques from those, thanks again.