Video.

Crunch time is coming.

The Osmo gave me a good increase in my video capabilities and to be honest, it is enough to do many things, but as a primary video camera, I am re-purposing one of my EM1’s for the task.

A full re-purpose is required, because trying to set an EM1 for video and stills is problematic. It can be done, but to be honest it is a pain, so it is either all in or go home.

Having one EM1 out of action is ok, as long as my camera stable is all good as is. If I need a backup or simply want a better camera in my day bag*, then I have to reset this one to its preferred job, then back again.

There are other issues also, which speak more to the EM1s limitations as a video camera.

The EM1’s have good to very good quality 4k/30p and excellent stabilisation, but there are a few things that could be better. Their LOG is poor so you are limited to FLAT profile. They cannot do 4k/60p, their 1080p is a little less than exciting and their files are annoyingly split into multiple segments in processing.

I prefer the warmer Panasonic video colour for most jobs (social media), their cameras are true hybrids, when they are not genuine video cameras that is.

My crush at the moment is the very stable and empowered veteran, the G9.

Originally launched four years ago as a still camera hybrid, as opposed to the GH line that are video camera hybrids, the G9 has had some serious love recently . It received an almost unprecedented firmware upgrade, giving it much of the GH5’s video capabilities, especially for a semi regular, semi pro user like me. It can now genuinely be called a true hybrid.

It started life a level level above the EM1 in video so the firmware puts it well ahead and many of its eccentricities have been ironed out. It can be custom set for video use (3 sets), has a lossless x2 teleconverter making the Oly 12-40 effectively a 24-160 f2.8 FF equivalent, can shoot 4k/60p, 10 bit 4K/30p, 180 frame 1080p super slo-mo and better 1080p, can stream, record out to an external recorder (with no time limit) and be powered externally, which all add to it alsombeing a capable equivalent to the EM1 as a stills camera. With a paid firmware option, you can even add Wave form and a better LOG to its already impressive stats.

If you want it set up for video, but also useable as a stills camera, you can transfer a full set of still camera settings to a card and nearly instantly change its personality and back again.

It is the video-centric lean of all Panasonic cameras that shines through most. Focus, Zebras, custom settings, focus controls, twin high speed card slots are all better than the Olympus offer, so the EM1 can get back to its main job as a stills stalwart, but still be a capable video backup, especially for hand held work. It lacks a few top end GH5 features, shutter angle being particularly annoying, but near enough.

The other deciding factor is the colour. The Panasonic d-cinelike format matches the Osmo and the base colour is much closer than the Oly in Flat profile. The EM1 has very cool looking video, with a lean towards blue/green/magenta, the Pana and Osmo are warmer and brighter looking. To have good b-roll or alternate angles, with matching colour is helpful.

Is this too much for a very part time and still budding videographer or is it the perfect do all fix, for the price of a base model Oly or other mid range Pana (Black Friday sale $1100 au)? Even if I was only after a stills camera, the G9 is unsurpassed value, coming in at the current price of a lower-mid range EM10 IV or less than the 2 year old EM5 III.

Compared to its own brethren, there is the GH5, which is too dear and overkill for my needs, the G95 that crops its 4K/30p, but still at about the same price and is a lesser camera over all. The equally old G85, that is actually not that much cheaper and lacks a headphone port and 4K/60, but has a lens for the cheaper price. The capable little G100 was tempting, but size is not the issue, performance is.

The only others in the mix are the Sony RX10 IV, which is also too dear or the Black Magic Cinema Compact, but I am not too keen to dabble in that field, as I know nothing about them and again, they are dearer.

The G9 is untouched on its pedestal as the best value camera overall. If I go even further into video, it can be upgraded, used as the backup camera or a replacement stills shooter for an ageing Oly body.

There are also the added benefits of better AF for my 8-18 Leica and my employers 35-100 and compatibility with their DJI Gimbals, which do to play well with the EM1’s.

The negatives are few.

The battery is different, but big. The AF with Oly lenses is a bit hit or miss, but good enough as a stop gap and really irrelevant for video (I have the tracking ability of the Osmo and the Leica lens if needed). Another menu to learn adds to my current curve, but that is weighed against the many added options and a different menu on a video specific camera which probably makes more sense than adapting to a different way of using a camera I am also using for stills.

Not much else really.

A very small element is some future proofing. If Olympus withdraws from the race, I have started to make a gentle transition into Panasonic. If Pana starts to slip, I have a decent showing of their range.

I just pulled the trigger on one so there will be an imminent answer to all my hopes and concerns.

*My daily kit comprises an EM1 Mk2 (long lenses), EM10 Mk2 (short lenses) and EM5 Mk1 (fast prime lens). This combo is duplicated and regularly rotated with each model doing its own job well.

The EM1 has the tracking speed needed for a tele, the EM10 has the flip up screen and plenty of touch focus speed that works well for wide angle use and the EM5’s take good honest portrait images and seem to handle artificial indoor lighting better than the newer cameras (the RAW files seem less confused by the schools lighting mix in C1).

I also have a Pen mini and Pen F as backups to the above, for personal use and the EM1x is reserved for action based events. If the EM5’s die, the Pen F will do that job.