scuff

I mostly lurk here, but could use someone to bounce this off of. When I first was looking for a camera, almost a year ago, I really liked the Sony A7II in stores. So, I could just be pinning for the camera that was out of reach. But, now that it's on sale so much, I kinda want to sell everything and switch over.

I have the Panasonic G85. I love the size and weight of it. It's been great to just strap it to me and have it on hand at family events without it weighing me down at all. I also like to go hiking in the summer and take nature shots. Being a M4/3 system, both the body and lenses are lightweight and easy to hike with. But, I haven't been super pleased with the pictures I'm taking in low light. (And the sun is gone this time of the year. So, just about everything is low-light.) This camera goes pretty high with the ISO, but only about half of those settings are worth using. The grain just gets so bad after that. I have children. I need to be able to use high shutter speeds with them as they are constant movement.

That's my biggest reason for wanting to switch: I want to be able to take photos indoors and have them look somewhat decent. And the full frame sensor is tempting, if I'm completely honest. I like that it's not a touch screen. Since my cheek always seems to touch the screen and move my focus point at the most inoportune moments. And I looked at it again in store recently and the menu and buttons seem very intuitive to me. So, that shouldn't be a problem. I really have no desire to do video. So, the Pany seems to have all these features I don't use. But, then not the features i do want in being able to handle the low light. It seems to make more sense to get into a system that specializes in what I want to do, instead of giving me a bunch of things don't need. And Panasonic seems to like being all about videal. My biggest hesitation to switching is the size of those lenses- and the price of them, too! I've been able to get some pretty decent m43 lenses. It will take much longer to save up and get decent lenses wth the Sony. My frugal side isn't sure that's even a wise thing to do anyway at this point for our family. But, if I'm going to switch, now seems like a great time, with the sale, and before I get too deep into one system.

So, any thoughts or advice? Anything I haven't considered? Is this gear envy or have I found the limits of my camera? (I'm new enough that you could just tell me I'm doing it wrong!)

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

If you like the travel size of 4/3rds, try going with new or used GH4, GH5, E-M5, or E-M1. Or wait for the new (and expensive) E-M1X. I am fairly certain that the GH5 and the E-M1 mrII will meet your low light needs. The new E-M1X will be able to do even better than those two. It's just going to be costly to get that new technology. A used GH5 or the E-M1 mrII will be easier to afford.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Also, you might want to send a PM to UHH member Burkphoto. Bill uses Panasonic and can even better advise you what would be better than the G85 technology. I suspect he will also tell you both the GH4 and GH5 will have better low light characteristics than the G85.

And if you should decide to dump your 4/3rds system, so what! You have at least one need that it doesn't meet with your present equipment. You need equipment that meets your needs, whether it be Sony or 4/3rds. It is just that I like the way it travels better than Sony too.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

According to Digtital Photography Review:
Quote
"Raw files also look similar to those from the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II, which also uses a 16MP Four Thirds chip with no AA filter, with nearly identical high ISO noise levels. However the G85 appears to out resolve the EM-5 II. In fact, detail from the G85 is only a bit behind the APS-C Sony a6300."
End quote

Are you shooting raw?
If so are you using noise reduction (possibly selectivity)?
Are you using fast lenses?

Nowdays I shoot with a Olympus OM-D E-M5 II and happy with with it (I also use fast zooms and shoot raw with noise reduction if needed when post processing).
Noise perfomance is about 1 stop worse by ~ same generation Canon 1.6 crop body (Canon 70D).

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I have a Sony a7II. The body is smaller than say my full frame Canon. But weight-wise, it's very much the same. Take the suggestions above about shooting and processing RAW and looking at other Panasonic models as the possible next logical move to your needs.

Naptown Gaijin

I have a Pany GX-9 and have no problems with low light night-time surveillance photography. The camera is challenging to learn; the 345 page manual helps you understand the myriad capabilities of this fabulous system.

scuff

I did look at some of those briefly. I'll look again. The cost may be better, once you factor in all those Sony lenses that cost my firstborn child. The thing that turned me off at first was that they seem to specialize in video. I just want to take nice pictures.

scuff

Good point, thanks. And, I'm pretty sure Burk helped me pick this out last Feb! :)

scuff

I am shooting RAW and processing in LR. Though I did just switch to LR Classic about a month ago. I have used noise reduction some. I don't love the way it softens things, so use it sparingly. But, admitedly I am new to all this, so I'll take any pointers! I have the 42.5mm 1.7 that I've mostly been using. I just replaced my kit lens with an Oly 12-40mm f2.8, but have only had it about a month. (And may return it, since I'm now pretty used to using the prime. And the thing is super noisy, which makes me a little uneasy about the quality) Thanks. I do need to get better at editing.

scuff

Ugh! My sister has a FF Canon. And when we go hiking, she has it in her backpack while mine is strapped to my side! That thing is a rock! But, it does take beautiful pictures. I'm teaching her how to do stuff, because I've learned much more than her at this point. Then, she takes pictures that look much better than mine lol

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Look for a faster lens. A 25mm 1.8or 1.4 (more expensive)

HardwareGuy

Have a look at the Lumix G9. It's sort of like the G85's 'big brother', and has very good low light capabilities.
Your current lenses will work seamlessly. It is a bit larger, but handles well, and the transition from your G85 will be smooth.
As a new-ish owner of the G9, I continue to sing its praises.

le boecere

How much larger and heavier is the full-frame Sony A7II vs. the M4/3 Panasonic G85?

scuff

They don't seem that different. The Sony is just a tad heavier. Those lenses make me nervous, though. With the crop factor on the M4/3, the equivalent FF Sony seems like it's much larger. Haven't seen them in person, though.

le boecere

I'm sure you've probably seen this site: https://camerasize.com/compact/#689,579,ha,f

If you hover the computer mouse over the picture of the camera, the basic size and weight specs appear.

From what many say; focusing on the relative size of each lens, is key to creating an M4/3 system that is lighter than Sony's full frame.