Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GX8 camera test by Our team

The main innovation that sets the LUMIX DMC-GX8 apart from its predecessors is support for 4K video at 3840×2160 pixels at 25p (50Hz) or 24p in MP4 format. The high resolution of the resulting video image allows you to implement the «4K Photo» function, you can create photos at a speed of 30 fps in a resolution equivalent to 8 megapixels. There are three modes of operation of the 4K Photo function: 4K Burst Shooting, 4K Burst S/S (Start/Stop) and 4K Pre-Burst.

Let’s see in practice what the LUMIX DMC-GX8 is.

Frame

The body of the camera, made of magnesium alloy, turned out to be quite weighty, the same as that of its predecessor LUMIX DMC-GX7. The weight of the device together with a memory card and battery, without a lens, is 487 grams. It can hardly be called compact (133x78x63 mm), the camera fits in a jacket pocket only with a 15 mm/f1.7 lens.

The layout of the controls, most of which are made of metal, and their number have changed compared to the LUMIX DMC-GX7. The shutter button has moved to the grip ledge, the mode dial has moved closer to the center of the camera, and another control dial has appeared in its original place. By changing the position of the controls and the large, fully rubberized grip on the front panel, it is convenient to shoot the camera with one hand.

On the front side of the camera there is a mount for Micro 4/3 lenses, a function button to the left of it, a lens release button to the right, and an autofocus backlight on top.

At the top there is a rotary viewfinder, a hot shoe, holes for two microphones, a dual command dial (shooting modes + exposure compensation), a command dial combined with the camera power lever and a function button (quick change of ISO or white balance), start / stop video recording key , camera operation indicator and another function button. The shutter button is combined with the control dial and placed on the beveled end of the grip. It is worth noting that the LUMIX DMC-GX8 has a lot of additional controls, dials and buttons, so once you make the settings for yourself, you can work without accessing the menu.

There is nothing on the right side of the camera.

On the left are the speaker and under the rubber plug are the AV OUT, HDMI and remote control/microphone jacks.

Most of the rear surface of the camera is occupied by a rotary display. Above it (from left to right) are an inclined viewfinder with a proximity sensor, a button for switching between the display and the viewfinder, a focus mode selector combined with a function button. The proximity sensor has good sensitivity, it only reacts to the direct approach of an object to the sensor. There was no blinking of the display from poorly placed hands and objects near the sensor, like the LUMIX DMC-GX7.

To the right of the screen are a quick menu button, a view mode button and a display mode selection button, four soft keys + an enter button, a trash/back to menu button, and a programmable key. On the ledge is the AF / AE LOCK key.

On the bottom panel there is a combined compartment for the battery and memory card, as well as a tripod mount.

It is impossible to find fault with the build quality of individual elements of the case. The ergonomics of the camera is also at a high level, as befits a functional mirrorless camera, aimed primarily at advanced amateurs and professionals.