Does Panasonic Have Big Plans for Rangefinder-Style Cameras?
The Panasonic GX10 is apparently in the works and will go head to head with other Rangefinder-style cameras.
We’re suckers for Rangefinders. In fact, a lot of photographers love the look and feel of these cameras. They remind us of days gone by, and honestly, they’re a nice break from the normal, often quite boring DSLR-style cameras on the market. Panasonic has made a few Rangefinder-style cameras in the past. However, it’s been a while since we’ve been excited about one. This could be about to change, though. Panasonic has been making noise about a GX10. Could Panasonic beat OM Digital Solutions to market with a new Micro Four Thirds Rangefinder camera? Let’s talk about this after the break.
A post on 4/3 Rumors shared details from Panasonic China. The official Panasonic account on the Chinese social media platform Weibo recently posted a message stating a GX10 was definitely coming. This is incredibly exciting news, especially for fans of Rangefinder-style cameras. Honestly, the Olympus Pen F still holds the crown for the best Rangefinder-styled Micro Four Thirds camera. The Panasonic GX8 was a very close second, though. Panasonic missed the mark with the GX9 in terms of ergonomics, so we’re really hoping they learned from that. Unfortunately, no other information about the Panasonic GX10 was given, but it’s great to know it’s indeed coming.
Could Panasonic Beat OM Digital Solutions in the Rangefinder-Style Cameras Race?
There’s no doubt that the Rangefinder-style space in the camera market is an incredibly competitive one. Panasonic and Olympus (now OM Digital Solutions) have gone head to head over the years. The Olympus Pen F become an instant classic, and it reached greater heights than offerings from Panasonic. Now, though, Panasonic could beat their Micro Four Thirds partner in the rangefinder-style race. We’ve been asking Olympus for quite some time for a new, weather-sealed Pen F II, but all is incredibly quiet on that front. Perhaps Panasonic spilling the tea on the GX10 will help kick OM Digital Solutions into gear. Whatever happens, we know that a new M4/3 rangefinder-style camera will go down incredibly well, as long as it is done right.
What We Want To See In the GX10
Panasonic could make a huge statement with the GX10. Ergonomics plays a big part in the experience of using Rangefinder-style cameras. The last time we felt at one with a Panasonic camera in this category was with the GX8. If we could have ergonomics similar to it, that would be great. The new Panasonic GX10 also needs to have fantastic weather sealing. These smaller cameras designed to be used on the streets often have this omitted, and that makes no sense to us. Panasonic, weather seal it. Give it an IP rating, and street photographers will flock to it.
It goes without saying that in 2021, any new Micro Four Thirds camera simply must have a new sensor. If you want more photographers to take the platform seriously, this has to happen. If you omit the AA filter like you did in the GX9, that will be well received too. Give the GX10 IBIS, a solid, fast, AI-infused autofocus system, a high resolution, tiltable EVF, and a two-way tilting screen at a minimum. Dual card slots, Wi-Fi 6, 4k60p for video lovers, and price it to sell. $999 to $1,199 would be ideal! It will be a hit.
Are you excited about this news coming from Panasonic China? What would you want to see in the Panasonic GX10? Let us know in the comment section below.