Panasonic Lumix GX8 Short Review

A contrast in Panasonic camera design styles. From the left, G7, GX8, FZ1000

I made a new year’s resolution at the beginning of 2015 to refrain from buying any interchangeable lens cameras this year.  The plan was to stay with my FZ1000 and LX100 until those models were upgraded.

But I wanted to evaluate the ergonomics of the G7 so I got one.

Then I wanted to find out if all the hype about the GX8 is justified, so I got one of those with the Lumix 12-35mm f2.8 lens. I have been testing it together with the G7 and comparing both to the FZ1000 and LX100.

Target user group   The GX8 and G7 occupy the enthusiast level of the Lumix M43 ILC range.

Panasonic has created two tiers within that level.

For enthusiasts on a budget, the G7 packs an amazing amount of technology and performance into its modestly priced frame.

For those with more to spend and who also want a flat top design the GX8  offers some features not available in the G7.

The 12-35mm lens is good for close ups.

Features and specifications 

The G7 uses an older 16 Mpx sensor, lacks IBIS, is decently made but to a lower standard than the GX8, is not weather sealed and has a hump top shape.

The GX8 uses the latest (Sony??) 20Mpx sensor, has IBIS, weather sealing, is heavier (470 vs 410 grams) and appears to be made to a higher standard than the G7. It has the flat top style with swing up EVF which some users may find useful and a hotshoe but no flash.

Tough luck if you want the new sensor and IBIS in a hump top style.

Maybe that comes with the GH5 whenever that may be.

Otherwise both cameras come loaded with all the usual goodies in a current model Panasonic ILC  including 4K video, Wi-Fi, DFD AF, Zebras, twin dial operation and much more. These cameras have many sophisticated features and are highly specified.

The feature both cameras notably lack is EFCS  (Electronic First Curtain Shutter) so you must use the E-Shutter with several lenses (such as the 14-140mm with which the GX8 is often bundled) to avoid shutter shock.

GX8 with 12-35mm. Hand held night shot, f2.8 ISO 4000, fluorescent lights. 

Image Quality  The GX8 can make pictures of excellent quality in almost any circumstance, especially with one of the better M43 lenses. I tested the GX8 with the excellent  Lumix 12-35mm f2.8.

The new 20Mpx sensor offers 12% more linear resolution than the older 16 Mpx versions.

The difference is not great but can be seen in subjects with a lot of detail.

High ISO noise levels are slightly greater than the G7 but when output size of the GX8 files is reduced to match that of the 16Mpx G7 then noise levels are the same. 

Perhaps more relevant is that the GX8 does not suffer image degradation when using the E-Shutter.

A popular way to test this is to underexpose a still life subject 5 stops then in Adobe Camera Raw push the Exposure slider 5 stops to the right.  With the GX8 the resulting picture shows magenta color shift but it looks the same whether the E-Shutter or M-Shutter was used.

This suggests the sensor is recording at the same bit rate (12 bit) with M-Shutter and E-Shutter.

The next test is to photograph a blank white wall under fluorescent light using a fast shutter speed of about 1/500 sec. In Australia  AC power is at 50hz. With the GX8 this produces 5 bands indicating a sensor scan time of 1/20 second.  Scan time is number of bands divided by hz x 2.

The hot topic for interchangeable lens cameras ( MILCs and high Mpx DSLRs) at the moment is shutter shock. 

My tests show that pictures with the Lumix 12-35mm lens are slightly but detectably sharper with E-Shutter than M-Shutter, hand held or on tripod.  So if you want all the considerable resolution of which the GX8 is capable, I recommend using the E-Shutter routinely, unless flash or  long exposure time is required when the M-Shutter must be used.

Crop from the previous picture. Good detail, good highlight and shadow detail, low noise levels, good color. Who needs full frame ?

Performance  This is in line with recent Panasonic ILCs and is excellent. AFS is super fast and accurate. AFC at 6 FPS, with live view and  predictive AF is very good with suitable lenses. The camera responds very quickly to all user inputs.

Ergonomics  The camera is decently usable but the HMI (human machine interface) presents several issues which I will detail in a later post. These relate to the handle shape, size and configuration, top plate layout,   Exposure Compensation dial,  Fn7 and Disp buttons and the rear dial. 

In some respects it is less user friendly than the G7 making for an interesting ergonomic comparison with some lessons on how to get it right and how to get it not-quite-right.

Quick Summary

The good

* Slightly but visibly more resolution than cameras with the 16 Mpx sensor and no noise penalty at the same output size.

* Full 12 bit capture with E-Shutter and no image degradation.

* IBIS which works with lens OIS for more effective image stabilisation.

* Weather sealing, which I have not tested for effectiveness.

The not-so-good

* Several ergonomic issues, which I will detail in a later post.

* No EFCS.

Do I recommend the GX8 ?  Yes but with reservations about the ergonomics.

I suggest prospective buyers spend if possible several hours with the camera before deciding to buy.

Some users have reported they are very happy with the GX8 and enjoy using it.

Others have complained about various handling and ergonomic issues.

I would not be surprised if the GX8 comes to find itself in a position similar to the Olympus EM-5 which polarised users into  ‘love’ and  ‘hate’ camps.

We shall see. But do try before you buy.