teeford

Anyone have any experience with the Panasonic GX8? Pros,cons?

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

A UHH-er with LOTS of experience using the GX8 is Daniel J. Cox, a veteran pro wildlife and nature photographer who takes people on exotic photo tours. He has his own blog, which is FULL of information on the Panasonic LUMIX cameras and Micro 4/3 in general.

Visit his site at http://naturalexposures.com/corkboard/

There is an excellent review of the GX8 at https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-gx8-review

The newer GX85 has a few less bells and whistles, but solves the shutter shock problem. And the G85 (no 'X') has a different sensor, no Anti-Aliasing filter (for better sharpness and detail), also solves the shutter shock issue (see below) with the GX8, and has Dual IS version II.

Of course, those of us using LUMIX gear are all waiting to see what the new GH5 will bring. Olympus previewed their OMD-EM1 Mark II at Photokina last month... It sounds phenomenal, but neither it, nor the GH5 will be out until some time next year. I'm guessing the OMD-EM1 Mark II will drop at CES (January 5–8, 2017), and the GH5 by NAB (April 22–27, 2017). Just guesses, though.

Back to your original question: On the plus side, the GX8 has 20MP, and DUAL IS — in-body image stabilization that works WITH Panasonic's in-lens stabilization to drastically reduce YOUR camera shake when working hand-held. The articulating EVF is great for working on a copy stand, or on the street, or low to the ground.

However, the GX8 has shutter shock between about 1/60 and 1/320 second, meaning if you use the mechanical shutter, it shakes the camera for you, and the in-body image stabilization does not eliminate that shake. Nor does the in-lens stabilization. You can use the ELECTRONIC SHUTTER to eliminate camera shake effects, but for action scenes, this can introduce "rolling shutter" effects (diagonal elongation of objects, or "lean").

One more thought — Gently used GX8 bodies are showing up at KEH and other used camera sites these days. You can save money by buying used gear.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

There have been quite a few content posts on DPReview.com regarding the Panasonic DMC Lumix GX8. The camera has been mentioned frequently here on the UHH Forum - you may wish to use the Search tool at the top of this page.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

URGENT UPDATE - B&H Photo is offering the Panasonic GX8 body for $997.98 (a $200 savings) AND throwing in a Panasonic 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 (24-120mm field of view) lens (a $497.99 value) ABSOLUTELY FREE. If you are interested in this camera, this would be the time.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Reality check: http://shop.panasonic.com/search?q=Gx8

You're saving $2.01 on the body and getting a lens. Still a good deal, but the new street price on the camera is around a kilobuck.

Still, look for a used one, too.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Bill, i've watched the GX8 for some time. The RETAIL price that B&H recently advertised was $1,198.98, so their current price IS a $200 savings and the 12-60mm IS a decent lens, so the bundle IS a better than decent deal for the OP. [aside]: You are a knowledgeable guy, and my posts have frequently recognized you as such, but your Trump-like smug attitude is not your most attractive trait. Regards, my friend. /Ralph

teeford

Thanks for the input. I am still looking at the GX8, but I just discovered the G85 which should be out on Oct. 25 or so, for the same price as the GX8 with same kit lens (12-60mm). Many 4/3 choices now.

Linckinn Loc: Okatie, SC and Edgartown, MA

I have had the GX-8 for 6 months now, and find it fantastic. Image Quality with the 14 - 140 lens is wonderful, the "quick menu" and mechanical controls are super convenient, and with the 100-300 lens, one has 600 mm of reach at a fraction of the bulk and weight of DSLR systems. I have not experienced the shutter shock, and the images are very sharp, even handheld at slow shutter speeds.

I highly recommend it.

I highly

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Trump-like? Really? Hey, NO smugness intended here. I'm just pointing out that companies change their own retail prices — and their dealer authorized price ranges — to reflect demand and other market conditions.

The ORIGINAL price at product launch was $1199.99. Panasonic took a lot of bad press for the shutter shock news. Demand fell. They lowered their price to encourage sales. I've never seen a company raise it back to the launch price before the product became obsolete. Panasonic did exactly the same thing with the GH4. It was $1800 at launch, and I bought it later for $1300, yes, with a bundle. By then, the firmware had gone from version 1.0 to 2.6, so that was REALLY a deal... Panasonic added many new free, useful features that you just had to download and install to use.

Companies do this all the time to bolster demand for their products. The OEM says it is a "sale", when really, it is just a reduction of the authorized selling price to reflect demand AND to take advantage of the long run marginal cost curve. As each successive unit is sold, the total cost of manufacturing additional units goes down, at least to a certain point. To maximize demand, sales, total revenue, and profit, companies drop prices. When demand falls from that point, it's time to introduce the next generation product.

Just about every dealer competing on the web will advertise a camera within $5.00 of the new OEM-limited price, and then offer add-ons to sweeten the deal. Companies that advertise a lower price on the *main item* are sanctioned. But bundles are allowed, in effect, providing a total sale discount to the customer. Virtually every large company that sells electronics plays this same game. It's great if you can use the bundled items, annoying if you can't, don't, or won't.

Yes, the 12-60 is a very decent lens. And I would agree it is a good package deal for someone starting out.

But really, TRUMP??? I'm a Libertarian...

h2odog Loc: Brooklyn NY

I too, have the GX8 and use it with the 14-140, a very sharp and convenient lens. I set it on "auto" shutter and if shutter shock is sensed, the camera uses electronic shutter. It works seamlessly and no blurring is seen in the photo. The GX8 has a lot going for it, including the tilting EVF which is very useful. The camera feels terrific in the hand with the its grip and using the extended larger rubber EVF attachment provides for a clear view with no light entering it. This is very effective. If you prefer a rangefinder style camera with great ergonomics, the GX8 fits the bill.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The great thing about Micro 4/3 is that you have a great range of choices from several manufacturers.

If you like the 14-140 (a great walk-around and video lens), you would LOVE the 12-35mm and 35-100mm pro, weather-sealed IS zooms. They are a great match for the GX8, and quite a bit sharper.

The 100-300mm is a fine lens, and best used about one stop down from wide open. Lots of folks want to stop it down all the way, and then wonder why their images are fuzzy. (That's diffraction.)

The new 100-400mm Panasonic Leica f/4-f/6.3 IS zoom is $1800, but worth it if you REALLY get the birding bug. Over the 100-300mm range, it, too, is much sharper. And it is quite good at 400mm (800mm FF equivalent)


On my wish list of lenses:

Leica 12mm f/1.4, 15mm f/1.7, and 25mm f/1.4 primes

Panasonic 30mm f/2.8 macro and 42.5mm f/1.7 prime

Olympus 75mm f/1.8 prime

Olympus 300mm f/4 prime

...and that 100-400 Leica zoom.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

That's the great thing about Panasonic. They respond to user suggestions and complaints, and in this case, found a software workaround for a mechanical design flaw. The "auto" shutter setting was added in a firmware update, not too long after the camera was on the market.

The only downside to the electronic shutter is "rolling shutter" effect — when panning the camera, vertical objects tend to lean. (Each line of the image is scanned in sequence. You are moving the camera between lines, so they get staggered in the image). Rolling shutter effect is usually seen in video. It's worse in 4K than 1080P.

That said, risk of rolling shutter is better than camera shake in still images. Panasonic did the right thing. And their latest cameras have a different shutter design that eliminates the shutter shock issue, mechanically.

I think Panasonic hit one out of the park, overall, with the GX8. The camera performs a lot better than the Olympus Pen F, its direct competitor. The retro Oly LOOKS cooler, but I'll take good performance — especially great AF performance — over looks, any day of the week.

I'm sure their GH5 will be phenomenal. And their GX9 (you know it's probably in development) should be fantastic.

teeford

GX8 or G85, for same price with same kit lens????????

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

If you can try both, do. No doubt one will feel better in your hands. Compare specs at DPReview, as well. Buy the combination that appeals most to what you want to do with it.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I have the GX8, 14-140 and 100-400. I am enthused for both video and stills. The Internet discussion of shutter shock is great fun but even when I try, I can't seem to ruin pictures. I'm typing on a phone on a cruise ship so, if you have any questions, I will try to answer in a few days with a real keyboard.