I read the review with the camera sitting next to my computer. I've enjoyed playing around with the GX7 and could not believe that the overall evaluation seemed so negative. The complaints about start-up, shot to shot times, focus issues, manual focus, etc. are not things that have deterred my enjoyment of using the GX7; in fact, I have not even noticed them. I mean, it is a true compact camera after all. If I need high performance, I can use the D750.
My experience:
Focus- I point the thing at something, press the shutter button, and, almost instantaneously, it snaps a properly focused and exposed photograph.
Start-up- I push the start button while holding the camera at my waist; before I get the camera in front of my face, it is ready to go.
Shot-to-shot- In Jpeg+Raw mode I take a shot, and by the time I have steadied my hand for the second shot it is ready to go.
Who cares about having to push the "Func Set" button a second time?
The front dial is worthless for manual focus, but is pretty handy for step-zoom- or any of the other functions that can be assigned to it.
"The yellow box of doom"????(not a shot at Swandy, but at DPR) Give me a break! People in this world are dying in mortal combat and of dread disease. Recompose!!!. OK, so it is an imperfect camera! Personally, I was not looking for perfection, I was looking for convenience, good image quality , good build quality, and fun. The G7X provides in all those areas.
It is manufactured in Japan. FWIW, I do still assign some value to Japanese manufacture. The GX7 feels more solid and sturdy than the RX100 in the same same way that the Nikon A feels more solid and sturdy than the Ricoh GR.
Don't let the DPR review scare you away from considering the G7X.