GH2 Lumix G6: Should the cheap build be a concern?

[GHKAM]

I sold my GH2 earlier this year and really regretted it.
When I recently saw the G6 on sale, with similar video quality, I decided to pick one up.

Taking the G6 out, it's just so hollow and plastic and the buttons feel cheap. I know this is in a different category than the GH2/GH3 - but this seems like a disposable camera/not sure how long it will last.

I haven't used it yet because I'm not even sure I want to keep it.

The GH2 has a solid plastic feel, the G6 is hollow/like when you glue together a toy ship and there is is empty space inside.

Should I be concerned? I could buy a 3rd party accident warranty for piece of mind, not sure.

Anybody have a G6 or others have thoughts on this issue, in general?

 

[c3hammer]

I have beat the crap out of mine since the first week they were available in the US and it's been perfect. Rain, dust and getting beat up in my packs filming wildlife and hunts almost exclusively. Obviously YMMV, but I'm super pleased with mine.

Cheers,
Pete
www.vimeo.com/petecarney

 

[GHKAM]

I have beat the crap out of mine since the first week they were available in the US and it's been perfect. Rain, dust and getting beat up in my packs filming wildlife and hunts almost exclusively. Obviously YMMV, but I'm super pleased with mine.

Cheers,
Pete
www.vimeo.com/petecarney

Thanks, I appreciate the response. Good to hear you like the G6 and that it's been durable.

I apologize if my post seems a bit dramatic but I just wasn't expecting the build to be as it is with the G6.
I was anticipating it close to the GH2.

Small and light is a good quality - but I'm concerned a drop on a hard surface might waste the G6 and, in general, the long-term life of the camera.

 

[stoneinapond]

I had the G6 for a week or so a while back. First thing I noticed was the flimsy feel, especially the LCD screen. Unfortunately I see the same thing on the GH3. Lacking the multi-aspect sensor and an EVF that again seemed a step back from the GH2, and the inability to see adjustments in Live View, I returned it and instead opted to wait for the arrival of the GH4 or 5.

I know it produces great images but for me it was uncomfortable. Working again with the GH2 was like coming home.

 

[GHKAM]

I had the G6 for a week or so a while back. First thing I noticed was the flimsy feel, especially the LCD screen. Unfortunately I see the same thing on the GH3. Lacking the multi-aspect sensor and an EVF that again seemed a step back from the GH2, and the inability to see adjustments in Live View, I returned it and instead opted to wait for the arrival of the GH4 or 5.

I know it produces great images but for me it was uncomfortable. Working again with the GH2 was like coming home.

Good to hear someone else thought the same about the G6 build.
Interesting you think the same about the GH3.

I think I am expecting too much from this class of camera.
When the G6 is eventually available at $299, it may be a more justified purchase.

 

[c3hammer]

...and the inability to see adjustments in Live View....

In video M mode all adjustments are seen in live view. If you use just M mode you don't see adjustments in live view. Lot's of folks keep saying this about the G6, but live view works perfectly with Menu Set => Motion Picture => Exposure Mode = M and the dial set to video M.

Hijack off, back to the OP -

Peoples perception of these things is funny some times. I don't see it as flimsy at all. I see the G6 as the ultimate ultra light camera of all time. My only quirk with it is that the lens mount is not all that stiff. Heavier vintage lenses without a tripod mount on the lens vibrate when using the cameras tripod mount. That's a trade I'm willing to make all day every day so that I can have an effective focal length range of 25 - 1500mm in two lenses (12-35mm & 100-300mm) for a total weight of only 2.67 lbs. With my tripod, fluid head, steadycam and gopro my total kit is less than 6 1/2 lbs. It makes for the most incredible backcountry videographers tool ever made, with the exception of maybe the new GX7 which I'm seriously looking at.

In any case it definitely depends on where your blinders see it from. Now that I've got this thing, I see the Gh3 and all my old canon kit as nothing but a boat anchor around my neck, with zero image quality advantage for what I do.

Cheers,
Pete

 

[Bruce Foreman]

Modern "space age" polymers are a lot stronger than people realize, often being able to flex enough to take some impacts without damage. These materials will chip if the impace is severe enough but in the main they result in lighter easier to carry with us products.

The polymers (plastic if you will) used in Glock pistols actually have a tensile strength stronger than steel (but will tend to chip if hit hard enough on an edge). They've been run over by trucks, dropped from helicopters and still are able to function. Now I wouldn't expect a G6 to survive this kind of treatment but as C3hammer had described it has survived his kind of back country hard use and still functions fine.

I use common sense precautions with all of my cameras, use straps on them and pay attention to putting the strap over my head before dismounting the camera from support.

Hint: If you drop a camera or lens don't try to catch it, you'll likely miss anyway. Stick your foot out so instead of hitting the ground it will hit the top of your foot. If it's a lens it will then roll away from you, on ground it will be OK, on pavement it might scuff or scratch the barrel but it should "live to shoot another day".

I have a pair of GH3's and to me they feel anything but "flimsy".

 

[GHKAM]

Modern "space age" polymers are a lot stronger than people realize, often being able to flex enough to take some impacts without damage. These materials will chip if the impace is severe enough but in the main they result in lighter easier to carry with us products.

The polymers (plastic if you will) used in Glock pistols actually have a tensile strength stronger than steel (but will tend to chip if hit hard enough on an edge). They've been run over by trucks, dropped from helicopters and still are able to function. Now I wouldn't expect a G6 to survive this kind of treatment but as C3hammer had described it has survived his kind of back country hard use and still functions fine.

I use common sense precautions with all of my cameras, use straps on them and pay attention to putting the strap over my head before dismounting the camera from support.

Hint: If you drop a camera or lens don't try to catch it, you'll likely miss anyway. Stick your foot out so instead of hitting the ground it will hit the top of your foot. If it's a lens it will then roll away from you, on ground it will be OK, on pavement it might scuff or scratch the barrel but it should "live to shoot another day".

I have a pair of GH3's and to me they feel anything but "flimsy".

Very good explanation, thanks.

 

[stoneinapond]

I have a pair of GH3's and to me they feel anything but "flimsy".

Didn't mean to imply that the GH3 was flimsy other than the LCD hinge construction versus the GH2. And yeah, I'm sure the G6 would survive most usage well - it's just as I said, it didn't feel "comfortable" to me (we didn't bond.....). Otherwise, a good camera particularly at the price.

 

[GHKAM]

Didn't mean to imply that the GH3 was flimsy other than the LCD hinge construction versus the GH2. And yeah, I'm sure the G6 would survive most usage well - it's just as I said, it didn't feel "comfortable" to me (we didn't bond.....). Otherwise, a good camera particularly at the price.

I was on Amazon Sunday morning and Samy's camera/via Amazon had the GH3 body for $698, with "5 left in stock"...and I didn't click 'add to cart'. I was kicking myself later. :-BlackEye(DBG


I see Amazon is selling a 3-year SquareTrade accident warranty for the G6 $109...2 year for $72.
I might consider the 2 year/as I don't see an HD camera being relevant in late 2016/early 2017.

Maybe if I get one of those it could ease my mind a bit.

 

[stoneinapond]

I was on Amazon Sunday morning and Samy's camera/via Amazon had the GH3 body for $698, with "5 left in stock"...and I didn't click 'add to cart'. I was kicking myself later. :-BlackEye(DBG

I saw that too and my finger was millimeters away from clicking on the deal. But I've made a concious one-year plan and I know that at some point if nothing else materializes, the GH3 will again be offered at that price and I will not hesitate....