There’s a lot of gloom around the Micro Four Thirds format these days, much of it from MFT fans worried that their favorite formate might be on the way out, and a lot of it from full frame sensor zealots who think it’s about time. This second bunch is just plain wrong, so let’s not worry about them. Let’s look at what’s actually happening on the ground.
So first, it’s true that Panasonic has discontinued some lenses, including – to my surprise, I have to say – the Panasonic Lecia 12-60mm f/2.8-4. But while it’s also true that Panasonic makes most noise about its full frame Lumix S line-up, its MFT Lumix line-up is a lot stronger than you might think.
Here’s a run-down of the Lumix G cameras you can buy right now. It’s not a history lesson – these are cameras being actively sold today.
Panasonic Lumix G100D
I’m not going to lie. This is not my favorite camera. It is cheap, though, and it is small, and it is cute. Styled like a mini-DSLR, it’s designed for both stills photography and video. It has a 20MP sensor that can capture high-quality stills and 4K video. It’s only downside, for me, is that it has no IBIS. Panasonic has been building rock-solid IBIS into its MFT cameras for years, so I am at a loss to imagine why Panasonic left it out of this camera.
- Where to get the Panasonic Lumix G100D with 12-32mm lens: $747.99 at B&H | £549.00 at Wex
Panasonic Lumix G97
But never mind. If the G100D is a bit disappointing, the Lumix G97 is absolutely not. Styled like a DSLR again, but bigger, it does have IBIS and it handles like a dream. It also comes, optionally, with a long-zoom 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 24-120mm equivalent kit lens. It doesn’t add much to the price, but this lens is WAY better than it ought to be. To be honest, I think it’s practically as good as the much more expensive Panasonic Leica 12-60mm f/2.8-4. If you want to get into photography on a budget but still with a proper, modern camera, get this. The Lumix G97 might look like a rehash of the older G90/95, and it is, but it turns out that the tech has worn extremely well and this is still an excellent camera today.
- Where to get the Panasonic Lumix G97 with 12-60mm lens: $697.99 at B&H | £649.00 at Wex
Panasonic Lumix GH5 II
The Lumix GH series has always been famous for its video capabilities and pricing. Countless filmmakers have relied on its portability, stabilization and video quality. The GH5 II is not new – it’s been superseded by the GH6 and GH7 – but Panasonic is still making it as a low-cost entry point for serious vloggers and filmmakers. It does what modern APS-C and full frame rivals have only just caught up with, offering 4K 60p full width capture and uncanny stabilization but for far less money.
- Where to get the Panasonic Lumix GH5 II: $997.99 at B&H | £699.00 at Wex
Panasonic Lumix G9 II
Panasonic was very late to the party with its new hybrid AF system, having insisted for probably a bit too long, that its DFD contrast AF system was fine. For stills photography, sure, but for subject tracking and video, not so much. So the G9 II was a big deal at its launch and still cuts the mustard today, with high-speed shooting and video options, hybrid phase detect subject tracking, AND a hike from 20MP to 25MP. Sensor snobs will say it’s too expensive. They need to look at what it can do.
- Where to get the Panasonic Lumix G9 II: $1,897.99 at B&H | £1,299.00 at Wex
Panasonic Lumix GH7
This is Panasonic’s ultimate vlogging/filmmaking camera, with exceptional frame rate, resolution and codec combinations which embarrass Panasonic’s much more expensive full frame Lumix S models. Panasonic might not put it that way, but that’s my perspective. The GH7 has Panasonic’s latest hybrid phase-detect AF and IBIS stability that full frame can’t compete with. Smaller sensors are easier to stabilize – it’s as simple as that. If you insist on the same specs but a bigger sensor, good luck to you. Get your money ready.
- Where to get the Panasonic Lumix GH7: $1,797.99 at B&H | £1,599.00 at Wex
Stop stressing, start appreciating
Despite all the doom and gloom around Micro Four Thirds and the cancellation of some key Lumix G lenses, all is not quite as it seems. Panasonic is still selling some very good and very competitive MFT cameras for beginners, for enthusiast photographers, for filmmakers and for sports and wildlife shooters.
Panasonic is not making a big song and dance about its Lumix G cameras, and neither are most camera reviewers and YouTubers, but I think both are wrong. These are five cameras that offer size, affordability, performance and specs that are hard to match in larger formats. We need to stop moaning and realize what we’ve got. And yes, Panasonic, I’m talking to you too.