Panasonic has finally announced the new Lumix DMC-GX8 (Amazon | B&H | Adorama)micro four thirds mirrorless camera. It’s the first Micro Four Thirds camera to break the 20MP barrier, and also has a ‘Dual IS’ feature that uses both sensor-shift and lens-shift IS (when available) for more effect shake reduction. The updated Venus Engine processor allows the GX8 to top out at ISO 25,600, shoot at up to 8 fps, and record 4K/UHD video.
Autofocus sees a significant boost, using DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology to speed up focus acquisition to about 0.07 seconds and greatly improving tracking focus. The contrast detect system can also be used down in light levels as low -4EV.
The camera provides a tilting 2.36M dot OLED viewfinder and a fully articulated 1.04M dot 3″ OLED touchscreen. A dedicated exposure compensation dial is included on the GX8’s top panel, and Wi-Fi and NFC are built in.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 will be available from August in all-black or black-and-silver variants for $1199.99 body only.
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Panasonic Lumix GX8 | Amazon | B&H | Adorama | eBay |
Features:
- 20.3 MP Digital Live MOS Sensor and Venus Engine
- An updated 20.3 MP Digital Live MOS Micro Four Thirds sensor pairs with the Venus Engine image processor to deliver fast overall performance, a wider dynamic range, with notable image quality to suit working in a wide variety of conditions. Sensitivity ranges from ISO 200 to 25600, with the ability to extend down to ISO 100 for working in bright conditions or with longer shutter speeds. Versatile burst shooting modes also allow you to pair high continuous shooting rates with single-shot or continuous autofocus. Using the mechanical focal plane shutter, you can shoot up to 8 fps with AF-S, 6 fps with AF-C, and 5.5 fps during live view with AF-S. For even faster performance, up to 10 fps shooting is possible with the electronic shutter function or 30 fps at 8 MP using the 4K Photo Modes.
- 4K UHD Video Recording
- In addition to the versatile still shooting modes, the GX8 also supports recording 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) video with either 30p or 24p frames rates at 100 Mbps in the MP4 format. Full HD 1080p/60 is also supported, in both MP4 and AVCHD formats, as well as HD and SD resolutions.
A built-in stereo microphone can be used during recordings, and features an integrated wind-cut filter, or an optional external microphone can be utilized via the 2.5mm jack for even clearer sound.
- 4K Photo Modes
- Utilizing the 4K video recording capabilities, a trio of still shooting modes are available for recording continuous 8 MP stills at a 30 fps shooting rate:
- 4K Burst: Just as with video recording, this mode will allow you to continuously record 8 MP images at 30 fps for up to 29 min. 59 sec., making it ideal for instances where you need a fast frame rate in order to capture the best moment.
- 4K Pre-Burst: This mode is ideal for times when you’re unsure of the critical moment to press the shutter button and will record 8 MP images at 30 fps one second prior to and one second after pressing the shutter button in order to give you 60 frames to choose from.
- 4K Burst (S/S): This mode most closely follows the 4K video recording process, and allows you to playback your video, pause at the chosen moment, and use the shutter button to mark a chosen frame from the video and save it as a single 8 MP frame.
- Dual Image Stabilization
- Helping to achieve the utmost sharpness when photographing handheld, Dual I.S. combines the GX8’s sensor-shift image stabilization technology with lens-based image stabilization to compensate for a broader range of movement types to render sharper, clearer imagery. Dual I.S. requires the use of compatible Lumix lenses featuring O.I.S.
- Body Design and Built-In Wi-Fi
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- A large OLED Live View Finder features a unique tilting design to benefit working from low angles and also has an impressive 2.36m-dot resolution, 0.77x magnification, and 10,000:1 contrast ratio.
- A larger means for image composition and playback, the 3.0″ 1.04m-dot rear OLED monitor has a free angle, tilt and swivel design to support viewing from a variety of angles. It is also a touchscreen, which permits intuitive menu navigation and settings control.
- Constructed from magnesium alloy with die-cast front and rear frames, the GX8 features a durable design that also incorporates extensive sealing at each joint, dial, and button to render it both splash- and dust-proof.
- The sleek flat-body profile incorporates both front and rear dials for intuitive control over aperture and shutter speed settings. Eight assignable function buttons are also available, as well as a dedicated exposure compensation dial.
- Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity with NFC allows for wireless image sharing and remote camera control from linked smartphones and tablets.
- Depth-From-Defocus and Starlight AF Technologies
- For accelerated autofocus performance, DFD (Depth-From-Defocus) technology is employed to quickly calculate the distance to subjects and adjust the focusing position in as little as 0.07 seconds, which enables continuous shooting up to 6 fps with continuous AF. This contrast-detection type focus method benefits both still and video recording modes, as well as subject tracking applications where subject color, size, and motion vectors are used to intelligently lock-onto the moving subjects and ensure precise focus. Additionally, supporting working in low-light conditions, a Starlight AF feature enables accurate AF performance down to -4 EV.
Benefitting manual focus operation, focus peaking is available that highlights bright edges of contrast with a colored outline for quickly recognizing your focus point, as well as Touch MF Assist for touch-to-focus operation.
- Other Camera Features
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- A mechanical focal plane shutter enables a fast maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 sec., as well as a top flash sync speed of 1/250 sec. An electronic shutter function also avails a top shutter speed of 1/16,000 sec. to better enable working in bright conditions and with wider aperture settings.
- More than 100 consecutive full-resolution JPG files can be captured in a burst, or approximately 30 consecutive raw files in a single burst.
- Raw image files can be processed in-camera for a more streamlined post-production workflow.
- Depending on the lens in use, the included DMW-BLC12 battery provides approximately 330 shots per charge when using the rear monitor, or 310 with the electronic viewfinder.
- Photo Style modes: Standard, Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, Scenery, Portrait, Custom, Cinelike D, and Cinelike V.
- Creative Control modes: Expressive, Retro, Old Days, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Monochrome, Dynamic Monochrome, Rough Monochrome, Silky Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Toy Pop, Bleach Bypass, Miniature Effect, Soft Focus, Fantasy, Star Filter, One Point Color, and Sunshine.
Specs:
Price | |
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MSRP | $1199 |
Body type | |
Body type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Body material | Magnesium alloy |
Sensor | |
Max resolution | 5184 x 3888 |
Other resolutions | 4:3 (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:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
Effective pixels | 20 megapixels |
Sensor photo detectors | 22 megapixels |
Sensor size | Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) |
Sensor type | CMOS |
Processor | Venus Engine |
Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
Color filter array | Primary color filter |
Image | |
ISO | Auto, 200-25600 (expands down to 100) |
White balance presets | 5 |
Custom white balance | Yes (4 slots) |
Image stabilization | Sensor-shift |
Image stabilization notes | Dual IS uses sensor and lens-shift (when available) |
Uncompressed format | RAW |
JPEG quality levels | Fine, standard |
File format |
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Optics & Focus | |
Autofocus |
|
Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
Digital zoom | Yes (2x-4x) |
Manual focus | Yes |
Number of focus points | 49 |
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds |
Focal length multiplier | 2× |
Screen / viewfinder | |
Articulated LCD | Tilting |
Screen size | 3″ |
Screen dots | 1,040,000 |
Touch screen | Yes |
Screen type | OLED |
Live view | Yes |
Viewfinder type | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 1.54× |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360,000 |
Photography features | |
Minimum shutter speed | 60 sec |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/16000 sec |
Exposure modes |
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Built-in flash | No |
External flash | Yes (via hot shoe) |
Flash modes | Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off |
Flash X sync speed | 1/250 sec |
Continuous drive | 12.0 fps |
Self-timer | Yes |
Metering modes |
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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 Bracketing | Yes |
Videography features | |
Resolutions | 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
Format | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Videography notes | 100Mbps bit rate for 4k |
Microphone | Stereo |
Speaker | Mono |
Storage | |
Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
Connectivity | |
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
HDMI | Yes (micro-HDMI) |
Microphone port | Yes |
Headphone port | No |
Wireless | Built-In |
Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n with NFC |
Remote control | Yes (wired and via smartphone) |
Physical | |
Battery | Battery Pack |
Battery description | Lithium-ion battery & charger |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 330 |
Weight (inc. batteries) | 487 g (1.07 lb / 17.18 oz) |
Dimensions | 133 x 78 x 63 mm (5.24 x 3.07 x 2.48″) |
Other features | |
Orientation sensor | Yes |
Timelapse recording | Yes |
GPS | None |