Why Nobody Buys These $200 Cameras Anymore

Who doesn't love a pocket camera from Lumix? The GX1 comes in as one of the most affordable street photography cameras with an interchangeable lens mount. When paired with prime lenses or pancake micro four thirds zoom lenses, this becomes one of the most fun cameras I have ever used.

📽️ My Gear:

--------------

You might be interested in these:

Some of the above links are affiliate links, by purchasing via these links I receive a small commission.

--------------

#streetphotography

[GeorgeHolden]

📝 NOTE:

At 2:00 I compare three zoom lenses across MFT, E and FX mounts.
The lenses shown are the lenses I have available to compare on camera - however, smaller zoom lenses are available for Sony E mount and Fuji X mount:
e.g. Sony 28-60mm f/4-5.6 Full Frame 'pancake' and Fujifilm 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6.

Neither is as small as the MFT 12-32, but the size difference is less significant.
Additionally, the 12-32mm is variable aperture of f/3.5-5.6, whereas the two larger Sony and Fuji lenses shown are constant f/2.8 aperture lenses.

[nickpain]

I just discovered your channel - my whole ethos is to enjoy photography on a budget and it has been fantastic watching content from someone who shares that ethos - thank you :-)

[mrwashur]

I’ve been regressing to old ccd cameras from the early 2000’s. It’s crazy how good some of them are and how well they hold up. It brings the challenge back to photography and helps me slow down. Now I’m addicted to buying lenses for them haha

[stickyfox]

I learned photography with 110, instant film, Kodak Disc, and a point-and-shoot 35mm with one on-off switch for the flash. It blows my mind how today a 8/16-megapixel camera can be considered unacceptable in terms of image quality.

[OneHourPhotos]

I use a Lumix G9 and I’m sometimes tempted to switch to a crop system. But then I see the cost of lenses for other formats and I realise it’s a daft idea.

[rosscrichton]

I changed to M43 a few years ago when I purchased the Lumix GX85, a great camera and excellent value for money. My only complaint was the view finder, which was to small. I traded it in for the OM-E Mk 5ii because of the compact format, lens compatability and the look and feel. Even though it's 8 years old, it doesn't stop being a solid camera. It goes just about everywhere with me. A few months ago I
saw a Lumix GF1 on the web for 110, 00€ and teamed this up with my Lumix 20mm lens, a perfect in the pocket combination. On holidays recently my wife, a phone picture taker, got curious about using a camera and loved it. A lot of rambling but yes, I agree with you, these cameras have a fun feel, and being a hobby, keep you interested and learning. Thanks for your video.

[mudgie]

Interesting video as always. As a person who has changed camera systems multiple times over the years I have always gravitated back to the M43 system for it's size and performance ratio. I can also say I'm never disappointed with any of my m43 images. I also have a couple of full frame cameras that I use for specific type of shots but my e-m10 mark III is definitely my fun camera to use.

[Veedy]

I picked up an EM-10 mk1 and 14-42 used as a knock around camera... I am a Nikon guy for reference, and own all pro bodies and lenses. I was very surprised at the functionality of this little camera, and the quality overall ( for the price ) and, like you, I started looking into an OM1 ! Well, I may get one if I find one at a good price. It really opened my eyes to Olympus and the micro 4/3 genre. Great video, as always.

[petefluffy]

No one buys them any more, because one is enough.

[MrGohunter]

I normally shoot with Fuji, but I picked up a s/h GX80 with 12-32mm lens for under £200, specifically for holidays. I also picked up the Oly 45mm 1.8 portrait lens and the Oly 40-150mm zoom, both of which were very cheap and are super light. When I am away on holiday, I now feel far more comfortable walking around in a strange environment with the GX80 kit than I would with my much more expensive Fuji set up. If I were to get mugged and lose it, it wouldn't be the end of the world! I find the 12-32mm lens to be an amazing lens for its size and weight and the 24-64mm equivalent zoom range is very useful. With the 40-150mm (80-300 equiv) zoom, you really can get in close with a very light setup. On one holiday, a birdwatcher in our hotel said that I was getting in way closer than he was with his Leica binoculars and he actually said that he was jealous! As for the IQ, I sometimes have to look at the metadata to remind me whether I was using the Panasonic, or the Fuji.

[karllong]

Completely agree about the quality of Panasonic colour science, I've have the lx-3, lx-5, lx-100 and the GH4. It's also interesting to note that one of the most beloved Nikons', the D700 used a panasonic sensor :)

[gregfeeler]

Several other budget cameras you can include in your reviews would include any of the Olympus PEN series, the later ones which are far more advanced than the GX-1. Also the original Olympus E-M1 is going for about $250.00 and is a professional grade body built like a tank and fully weather sealed. Keep up the good work.

[marcusharman]

I love my lumix cameras. I bought a G2 in 2015 and later a GH4 and G90. I now have lenses that cover full frame equivalent from 14mm to 800mm. Light, well built and small. Nice.

[SuperSuperka]

I bought *LX100* mostly for video (for my family) - but for video it appeared just bad: Dyn.Range is poor, autofocus is bad. But I just love it for photo and began shooting photos more with it. Beautiful controls, amazing zoom range, just lovely colors in raw.
I bought Sony a7c expecting to fully subtitute my LX100. It does for video, but I just can't bare A7c for photo, always prefer LX100.
Thank you for your video, I mostly agree with your statments! _2:14__ is not really fair as panasonic has small max aperture. Sony's has rather small 28-60 lens_

[andydean]

Another informative video George, thank you.

I have followed a similar road in my photographic journey, having given up on chasing the newest and latest gear.

It started with a box of half a dozen old compact cameras, bought from a house clearance outlet, among which were a lumix GF2 and a Lumix LX5.
I started enjoying my photography more with these older cameras, having dismissed them for so long.

My collection has doubled and then some, with a canon powershot G12 being a firm favourite.

[Diago]

I Love my GX85, I upgraded from the old APSC canon I'd learned on at the beginning of the year and the portability of M43 made more sense to me as a system.

[event]

I still have original Pentax Ist*D - it has nice dedicated controls, decent sensor and runs on AA rechargeable cells. Display isn't great by today's standards but it has decent optical VF.

[RussellBaker]

Despite having fallen in love with Fuji, I've kept my GX1 bought cheap from Hong Kong when it first came out. It's got an amazing solid feel to it, and combined with the 14mm makes for a really small out on the street camera. Thanks for highlighting a hidden gem.

[FierceSleepingDog]

I'm a D500/D850 enthusiast user with lots of nice lenses. Both were bought used in excellent condition.

I just bought a used Olympus E-M1 iii with a 12-40 f2.8 lens. I'm REALLY EXCITED to get that camera in my hands!

[JapanHeresWhy]

It would be great to list the contents of the video in the description, especially when talking about a certain product. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I go back to videos and it's a pain having to skim through for exactly what I'm looking for. Keep up the great work with the content.