GH3 GH3 or GX7

T

True North

Well-known member
Well I am off to Italy for about 8 days at the end of the month. My hope was that I was going to be able to have the GH4 with before I left. From what I understand, even though Panny are going to fly in a small shipment directly from Japan to Toronto, it won't be here in time for my trip. Not a huge deal but I was looking forward to breaking it in while I was away....

Plan B

I am now considering getting another M4/3 camera to hold me over until I can get my GH4. I am looking for something that does the hybrid thing well (Video and Stills). I could eventually sell this camera or keep it as a C camera.

I am looking at either a used GH3 or a new GX7.

The pluses, as I see them, with the GX7 are
- It's new and Warrantied
- higher ISO
- newer sensor
- better low-light performance
- smaller and lighter (better for travel)

Negatives
- poor audio connectivity
- slightly weaker video performance
- no mic connection

The pluses on the GH3 are
- Better overall video performance
- gets me used to the GH format (better prepared for GH4)

Negative
- weaker stills performance but still competent
- bigger and heavier (still small)
- slightly poorer stills performance

If I am missing anything else I would love to hear your opinions and thoughts
 
I plan on eventually replacing my GH3 with a second GH4 once they are out, so for me I would end up buying a GX7 as small travel camera that can also shoot video.

If you don't already own one, you might want to get one of these... Dot Line P&C Handgrip

I could not find this grip in Toronto, so I ordered one from B&H and had it in 3 days. Fantastic addition for both stills and video work, and super compact to pack with a travel kit.
 
No Live HDMI output on the GX7 (I don't believe)

If its just to tide you over, I would get the GX7 - at least its a 'different' camera to the GH4 (and slighty better image quality than the GH3) - so when you do get one, you have a clear choice depending on what you are going to shoot. Otherwise you will have a GH3 which won't get much use once you get the GH4.

And if its just for holiday vid/snaps - the GX7 would travel better, no?
 
If you do definitely plan on getting a GH4, I'd actually recommend the GM1. If higher framerates, flash sync and the 2 axis image stabilisation is not important, the GM1 is the go to.

I have a GX7 but I still transport it in a carry bag like the GH2/GH3, 550D and via the neck strap. I thought I could put it in my jacket pocket, but I did once and I didn't feel confident as its a tight squeeze.

The GM1 is smaller and more pocketable.
 
Even though the GX7 is my favourite camera I've used, I actually never use the EVF. Tried calibrating it to look more like the final output, reducing the contrast but for some reason always looks more crushed than the LCD. I turn off the eye sensor next to it too because the way I use it always catches on my finger and neck strap. I much prefer using the LCDVF 3.2 (same one I bought for my 550D years ago. But yeah totally depends how each person uses it.
 
I have both and prefer the GX-7 because of focus peaking. Also digging the tilting LCD. At first I thought this was a handicap but now I prefer it over the articulated GH3 LCD. When using a neck strap and the cam around stomach level you have a pretty steady hand held shot. I prefer the cam lower as opposed to eye level...just makes people look more significant from the lower perspective.

On the GX-7 downside is battery life...its not much compared to GH3. Also cant use an external monitor. I dont use audio from cam so no mic inputs don't matter to me.

There is a fairly long thread here comparing the 2 that would be worth a read.
 
Thanks everyone for the feedback

Frank, I will see if I can find that thread. If you have a moment, I would really appreciate if you could post the link

Cheers Everyone
 
True North,
Just like Frank, I own both the GH3 and the GX7 and find myself using the latter much more.
The video mode even though the weaker bitrate seems to outperform the results coming from the Gh3.
If audio is not your main concern and you can live without the hdmi out, I would opt for the GX7.
I find its form factor , the tilting LCD and the focus peaking its strongest points. The battery life is not so bad either. It is only that the GH3's battery life is so amazing that when in comparison it comes through as its weaker point.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top