I have been using Olympus micro 4/3 products for some time now, starting with the EPL-1 and then transitioning to an EPL-2, and finishing with a EPL-5. I liked the still picture quality I a got from the Olympus cameras and I liked the fact that Olympus was the only camera manufacturer to support their cameras with their own custom underwater housings. I strongly considered purchasing the OM-D EM-5 but at the time it was slightly out of my price range and I decided to wait until Olympus came out with its successor.

I was disappointed when Olympus chose as the two successor cameras to the  EM-5, the smaller and (to me) less capable E-M10, and the larger DSLR-style  EM-1. Neither of these cameras suited my  needs as I wanted a camera that  had the same quality  of still photography was an upgrade  in video capabilities,  and also maintained the  small form  of the retro-style or  rangefinder-style camera body.  This started me on a search for a non-Olympus  camera.  This was a  difficult decision because I had  become loyal to  the brand, and also had an investment in the  matching Olympus  underwater camera housing and the accessory EVF.  At least I knew my lenses would work on another micro 4/3 body!

I knew that Panasonic was always considered a leader  in  video capabilities  and so started  researching  their options .  As I did not want a DSLR-style body, that automatically eliminated  the GH  series . When I came across the GX-7, I was  immediately  struck by its styling , the built-in and tiltable  EVF and its excellent  specifications , particularly in the video department.  After extensive research (which I'm known to get pretty carried away with), I chose the silver body GX-7.

I have sometimes wondered if my dis-loyalty to Olympus  is being punished because, while I have  very much enjoyed  the GX-7,  my related experiences have been  difficult.  The first GX-7 I purchased on eBay was shipped with the European video frame rate so I had to return it.  The next one I bought was correct, but after about 45 days, the EVF developed a red line across it and so I had to ship it to the infamous Panasonic Service Center in McCallen TX, which should be better known as "The Black Hole."  After a typically horrible experience, my camera worked great until a hot summer day in Albuquerque where I was shooting some pictures at the Cowboy Festival in Old Town when I noticed my EVF was blank.  When it cooled down it came back to life.  This was repeated a couple more times before I decided I had a real problem again.

As I was heading for a family vacation and dive trip to Florida shortly, I decided to hold off on sending it in, but since now I'm back I've shipped it off the Black Hole once more.

I will continue with more information on the actual camera in a later post.