Panasonic Lumix GX8 Review

The Panasonic G series of compact system cameras might be challenging to navigate due to the presence of the G, GM, GF, and GH lines. The GX series is more sophisticated than the GF and GM cameras, and their bodies are rectangular and flatter than those of the G and GH lines, which are shaped similarly to SLRs. The most recent addition to the series, the GX8, is an improvement over its predecessor, the highly popular GX7, which will remain in production for the foreseeable future.

Naturally, Panasonic is expecting that the GX8 will be as well-liked among photography enthusiasts as the GX7 was, and it gets off to a strong start by including the company’s first sensor of the Four Thirds kind, which has a pixel count that is greater than 16 million.

It boasts an effective pixel count of 20.3 million. Panasonic claims that this enables the camera to create the most outstanding image quality possible from any G-series camera, outperforming both the flagship GH4 and the recently announced G7.

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PANASONIC LUMIX GX8 Body Mirrorless 4K Camera Body

Last update was on: March 27, 2024 10:45 pm

Panasonic Lumix GX8 Build Quality

As was previously stated, the GX8 sports a form that is flatter and more rectangular than both the G7 and the GH4. Despite this, it features a substantial and efficient front grip, as well as a shallow thumb ridge that provides precisely the right amount of hold;. However, it wouldn’t hurt for this feature to be a bit more apparent and more ergonomically formed.

On the back of the camera, I find enough room for my thumb to fit, but individuals with larger hands may find that their thumb feels a little confined, and they may occasionally press the Quick Menu or Display buttons by accident. I see enough space to accommodate my thumb on the back of the camera.

Despite this, the GX8 has a body made of magnesium alloy, which gives it a more premium feel than the G7. Additionally, it is resistant to dust and splashes, allowing it to be utilized in more challenging environments. The new camera is also visibly more significant than the GX7 in every dimension, although it has a more streamlined appearance and a more substantial front grip than its predecessor.

The GX8 also features a dual-dial control mechanism, similar to that of the GX7; however, the dials on the GX8 are more prominent and more accessible. Because the shutter button has been moved forwards to the top of the grip, the front dial, for example, which surrounds the shutter release, is now easier to reach. On the other hand, the rear dial is more prominent, and it is located on the top plate within striking distance of the thumb rest. Both dials are near each other.

Panasonic Lumix GX8 Screen

You can compose low- or high-level shots in landscape or portrait format on a vari-angle screen, and you can make the most of the capability to adjust settings using the touchscreen. This is a significant improvement over a tilting unit, which only allows you to tilt the screen in one direction.

When shooting from a high or low angle, however, I found that it was sometimes difficult to identify certain buttons on the rear of the camera based just on feeling alone. This was one of the problems I faced.

However, the Quick Menu and bottom Function buttons are flush with the camera’s body, making it more challenging to discover. This is because the Review, Display, and Delete buttons all protrude clear of the camera body. The navigation buttons also protrude clear of the camera body. In addition, there is no on-screen option that allows you to bring up either the Quick Menu or the main Menu.

Because it enables you to set the AF point using the screen even when looking through the viewfinder, the Touch Pad AF system manufactured by Panasonic is a favorite of mine. On the other hand, when I used it on the GX8, several situations were annoying because the AF point started to resize rather than go to where I intended it to be — it would be wonderful to be able to lock off the scaling.

Panasonic Lumix GX8 Performance

Because it includes an electronic viewfinder that is capable of both reviewing photos and previewing images with the settings applied, looking through the photographs that I took with the GX8 did not result in any big surprises. The camera, on the whole, generates colors pleasing to the eye and decent exposures.

Because it is the first Micro Four Thirds camera to provide a pixel count of more than 16 million, there is a lot of curiosity about how much information the GX8 can record, as well as how effectively it can reduce noise. The good news is that both of these aspects have been improved.

The degree of detail that the camera is capable of capturing may be pretty remarkable when using the correct lens. At the lowest sensitivity setting, it produced images with the same level of clarity as the 24-megapixel Sony Alpha A6000, and its JPEGs produced images with a wider dynamic range. Even while it does not have the same nifty trick for enhancing resolution as the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II, it performs quite well when compared to that camera as well.

Panasonic Lumix GX8 Image Quality

During this evaluation, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 captured photographs of exceptionally high quality. It can produce pictures devoid of noise from ISO 100 to 1600, after which it generates some noise (although very little) from ISO 3200. ISO 6400 has rather noticeable noise and a loss of fine detail, and although the fastest settings of ISO 12800 and 25600 make considerably more noise, they are still useable for small prints and usage on the web.

The images were a little soft right out of the camera with the default level of sharpening, and they need additional sharpening in an application like Adobe Photoshop. Alternatively, if you don’t like the default results, you can change the setting in the camera itself. You may quickly personalize the appearance of the JPEG photographs that the camera captures, thanks to the vast number of filters and photo styles included.

Panasonic Lumix GX8 Specs

Body typeRangefinder-style mirrorless
Body materialMagnesium alloy
Sensor
Max resolution5184 x 3888
Other resolutions4:3 (3712 x 2784, 2624 x 1968), 3:2 (5184 x 3456, 3712 x 2480, 2624 x 1752, 1824 x 1216), 16:9 (5184 x 2920, 3840 x 2160, 1824 x 1024), 1:1 (3888 x 3888, 1968 x 1968, 1712 x 1712)
Image ratio w:h1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels20 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors22 megapixels
Sensor sizeFour Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm)
Sensor typeCMOS
ProcessorVenus Engine
Color spacesRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter arrayPrimary color filter
Image
ISOAuto, 200-25600 (expands down to 100)
Boosted ISO (minimum)100
White balance presets5
Custom white balanceYes (4 slots)
Image stabilizationSensor-shift
Image stabilization notesDual IS uses sensor and lens-shift (when available)
Uncompressed formatRAW
JPEG quality levelsFine, standard
File formatJPEG (Exif v2.3)Raw (Panasonic RW2)MPO
Optics & Focus
AutofocusContrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View
Autofocus assist lampYes
Digital zoomYes (2x-4x)
Manual focusYes
Number of focus points49
Lens mountMicro Four Thirds
Focal length multiplier
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCDFully articulated
Screen size3″
Screen dots1,040,000
Touch screenYes
Screen typeOLED
Live viewYes
Viewfinder typeElectronic
Viewfinder coverage100%
Viewfinder magnification1.54× (0.77× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder resolution2,360,000
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed60 sec
Maximum shutter speed1/8000 sec
Maximum shutter speed (electronic)1/16000 sec
Exposure modesProgramShutter priorityAperture priorityManual
Built-in flashNo
External flashYes (via hot shoe)
Flash modesAuto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off
Flash X sync speed1/250 sec
Continuous drive10.0 fps
Self-timerYes
Metering modesMultiCenter-weightedSpot
Exposure compensation±5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing±3 (3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
WB BracketingYes
Videography features
Resolutions3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
FormatMPEG-4, AVCHD
Videography notes100Mbps bit rate for 4k
MicrophoneStereo
SpeakerMono
Storage
Storage typesSD/SDHC/SDXC card
Connectivity
USBUSB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMIYes (micro-HDMI)
Microphone portYes
Headphone portNo
WirelessBuilt-In
Wireless notes802.11b/g/n with NFC
Remote controlYes (wired and via smartphone)
Physical
Environmentally sealedYes (Water and Dust resistant )
BatteryBattery Pack
Battery descriptionLithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)330
Weight (inc. batteries)487 g (1.07 lb / 17.18 oz)
Dimensions133 x 78 x 63 mm (5.24 x 3.07 x 2.48″)
Other features
Orientation sensorYes
Timelapse recordingYes
GPSNone

Panasonic Lumix GX8 Verdict

Because Panasonic has been utilizing a sensor with 16 megapixels for such an extended period, the move up to 20 megapixels is a significant step, and it has the effect intended upon the detail resolution. In addition, this has been accomplished by maintaining a manageable noise level; the photographs appear excellent whether the sensitivity is adjusted anywhere from ISO 100 to 6,400.

The new stabilization mechanism is also quite useful since it enables users to snap clear shots at shutter speeds that would typically prevent them from doing so when hand-holding the camera. Additionally, it makes the image displayed in the viewfinder much more steady, and it improves the smoothness of the video recording.

Panasonic Lumix GX8 Price

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PANASONIC LUMIX GX8 Body Mirrorless 4K Camera Body

Last update was on: March 27, 2024 10:45 pm

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