G7vs ax100 at DVinfo.net

John McCully · March 23rd, 2016, 04:16 PM

A question if I may for folks who shoot with a Panasonic G7 and the Sony AX100. As I continue the search for the perfect piece of gear that shoots 4k video and decent stills and doesn't weight a ton the Panasonic G7 crossed my path. Right now my one cam approach for shooting photographs and video is the AX100. Excellent 4k video and very adequate, for me, photographs however changing from one mode to the other requires a mind numbing time consuming reconfiguration of the settings, and furthermore it is a bit of a brick weighing close to 1kg.

So my question is how might the Panasonic g7, significantly less weight and the price is right enough, compare image quality-wise (photo and video) and general user-friendly functionality when shooting in full sunlight to cloudy days, not low light night shooting or indoors.

Many thanks...

Steve Bleasdale · March 25th, 2016, 12:07 PM

Outdoors just as good. Indoors ax100 all day long unless have fast lens for g7 like 42.5 panasonic.
G7 is excellent but would get 14-45 instead of 14-42. Just that bit sharper better. Or if can afford it then panasonic 12-35 2.8

John McCully · March 25th, 2016, 02:09 PM

Thanks Steve, very helpful. Since posting the question I noted a comment on the Internet that 'There's one other curse: most of their OIS lenses produce micro-jitters during hand-held recording. This renders the GH4 useless for run-and-gun.' Referring to Panasonic OIS lenses of course. If true, and as we all know the Internet is full of misinformation, then that might well be a show-stopper.

And as I think this through the AX100 built in ND filters are so user friendly. Fiddling with add-on ND's for the G7 kind of tips the balance back significantly towards the heavier AX100.

Perhaps I'm still searching for the perfect cam that shoots 4k video and decent stills.

Noa Put · March 25th, 2016, 03:43 PM

I don't see that problem with jitters in my panasonic stabilized lenses, below is a test shot with the gh4 and 42,5mm f1.7 handheld, same applies for my 12-35mm f2.8
password: test

John McCully · March 25th, 2016, 04:10 PM

Thanks Noa, looks fine to me, and now I shall have another cup of coffee (without milk and sugar thanks) and think about it.

Cheers.

Tim Paynter · March 25th, 2016, 09:43 PM

Wow, Noa, that is pretty smooth for hand held shots. The only way you know it is not on the tripod is when you change shots.....

John McCully · March 25th, 2016, 10:33 PM

Yes, way better than I can do, that's for sure. Maybe I should lay off drinking the coffee and just shoot it.

For what it's worth I compared the following evaluating steadiness - lack of jitter:

Panasonic 14-140 lens (on the BMPCC - lens stabilization, no in-body)
Sony 18-200 (on the A6000 - lens stabilization, no in-body)
Sony AX100 (built in 29 to 348mm - in-body active Steadyshot stabilization)

This was a somewhat quick and dirty comparison, not rocket science, but the result was clear and significant. The lens stabilization in the lens of the Panasonic and the Sony 18-200 didn't even come close to matching the in-body stabilization of the AX100. I would go so far as to say that only the AX100 delivered acceptable overall results. Bear in mind the test was conducted using my aging hands after lots of coffee.

The AX100 is now an 'old' model and well known for the quality of the 4k video it produces. What is not talked about is the fact that it does produce very respectable 20 Megapixel photographs that for my purposes are more than adequate not to forget the benefit of built in ND's. Seems to me there is no better overall daylight walkabout option for 4k video and photographs right now even though the AX100 is an old model by today's standards. I might just pass on the G7. Furthermore I believe my new megabucks A7RII might just get left behind more often than not when I go out shooting.

Please feel free to suggest otherwise.

March 23rd, 2016, 04:16 PM	#1
John McCully Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: South Island, New Zealand Posts: 609 Images: 2	G7vs ax100 A question if I may for folks who shoot with a Panasonic G7 and the Sony AX100. As I continue the search for the perfect piece of gear that shoots 4k video and decent stills and doesn't weight a ton the Panasonic G7 crossed my path. Right now my one cam approach for shooting photographs and video is the AX100. Excellent 4k video and very adequate, for me, photographs however changing from one mode to the other requires a mind numbing time consuming reconfiguration of the settings, and furthermore it is a bit of a brick weighing close to 1kg. So my question is how might the Panasonic g7, significantly less weight and the price is right enough, compare image quality-wise (photo and video) and general user-friendly functionality when shooting in full sunlight to cloudy days, not low light night shooting or indoors. Many thanks...

March 25th, 2016, 12:07 PM	#2
Steve Bleasdale Trustee Join Date: May 2010 Location: England liverpool Posts: 1,343	Re: G7vs ax100 Outdoors just as good. Indoors ax100 all day long unless have fast lens for g7 like 42.5 panasonic. G7 is excellent but would get 14-45 instead of 14-42. Just that bit sharper better. Or if can afford it then panasonic 12-35 2.8

March 25th, 2016, 02:09 PM	#3
John McCully Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: South Island, New Zealand Posts: 609 Images: 2	Re: G7vs ax100 Thanks Steve, very helpful. Since posting the question I noted a comment on the Internet that 'There's one other curse: most of their OIS lenses produce micro-jitters during hand-held recording. This renders the GH4 useless for run-and-gun.' Referring to Panasonic OIS lenses of course. If true, and as we all know the Internet is full of misinformation, then that might well be a show-stopper. And as I think this through the AX100 built in ND filters are so user friendly. Fiddling with add-on ND's for the G7 kind of tips the balance back significantly towards the heavier AX100. Perhaps I'm still searching for the perfect cam that shoots 4k video and decent stills.

March 25th, 2016, 03:43 PM	#4
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: G7vs ax100 I don't see that problem with jitters in my panasonic stabilized lenses, below is a test shot with the gh4 and 42,5mm f1.7 handheld, same applies for my 12-35mm f2.8 password: test Private Video on Vimeo

March 25th, 2016, 04:10 PM	#5
John McCully Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: South Island, New Zealand Posts: 609 Images: 2	Re: G7vs ax100 Thanks Noa, looks fine to me, and now I shall have another cup of coffee (without milk and sugar thanks) and think about it. Cheers.

March 25th, 2016, 09:43 PM	#6
Tim Paynter Major Player Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Denver Posts: 255	Re: G7vs ax100 Wow, Noa, that is pretty smooth for hand held shots. The only way you know it is not on the tripod is when you change shots.....

March 25th, 2016, 10:33 PM	#7
John McCully Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: South Island, New Zealand Posts: 609 Images: 2	Re: G7vs ax100 Yes, way better than I can do, that's for sure. Maybe I should lay off drinking the coffee and just shoot it. For what it's worth I compared the following evaluating steadiness - lack of jitter: Panasonic 14-140 lens (on the BMPCC - lens stabilization, no in-body) Sony 18-200 (on the A6000 - lens stabilization, no in-body) Sony AX100 (built in 29 to 348mm - in-body active Steadyshot stabilization) This was a somewhat quick and dirty comparison, not rocket science, but the result was clear and significant. The lens stabilization in the lens of the Panasonic and the Sony 18-200 didn't even come close to matching the in-body stabilization of the AX100. I would go so far as to say that only the AX100 delivered acceptable overall results. Bear in mind the test was conducted using my aging hands after lots of coffee. The AX100 is now an 'old' model and well known for the quality of the 4k video it produces. What is not talked about is the fact that it does produce very respectable 20 Megapixel photographs that for my purposes are more than adequate not to forget the benefit of built in ND's. Seems to me there is no better overall daylight walkabout option for 4k video and photographs right now even though the AX100 is an old model by today's standards. I might just pass on the G7. Furthermore I believe my new megabucks A7RII might just get left behind more often than not when I go out shooting. Please feel free to suggest otherwise.