• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D800 advantages over Panasonic GX9

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 vs 3.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More pixels
    36.3 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic GX9 advantages over Nikon D800

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    46 mm vs 81 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    7 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    413k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.2 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    140 vs 54 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    32 vs 18 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D800

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX9
Kit with 12-60mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 12-60mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 12-60mm lens (Silver)
All GX9 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Rugged build; Excellent controls; Extremely high resolution; Dual cards; Surprising high ISO performance.

  • Very large files; Slower frame rate; Custom white balance gives a greenish tint; Battery life lower than D700.

  • Read our Nikon D800 Review

  • Great image quality; Good high ISO performance for its class; Improved JPEG processing; Fast autofocus; Fast ~9fps burst mode.

  • Smallish field-sequential EVF; Below average battery life; No mic/headphone jacks; Noticeable crop on 4K video.

  • Read our Panasonic GX9 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D800
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D800 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Panasonic GX9
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D800E

Nikon D800
Nikon D800E
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D800 vs Nikon D800E

Panasonic GX9
Nikon D800E
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Nikon D800E

Compared to Nikon D810

Nikon D800
Nikon D810
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2278
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D800 vs Nikon D810

Panasonic GX9
Nikon D810
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2278
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Nikon D810

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Nikon D800
Panasonic GX85
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D800 vs Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GX9
Panasonic GX85
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-M10 III

Nikon D800
Olympus E-M10 III
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D800 vs Olympus E-M10 III

Panasonic GX9
Olympus E-M10 III
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Olympus E-M10 III

Compare Other Cameras?