Panasonic GX8 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

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Panasonic GX8 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

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4/3 224.9mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX8 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX8 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX8.
Compare Panasonic GX8 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX8 conclusion.

35mm 864.0mm²
30.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Canon 5D Mark IV Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 5D Mark IV in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 5D Mark IV.
Compare Canon 5D Mark IV image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 5D Mark IV conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX9
Compare GX8 vs GX9
Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

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Differences

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Canon 5D Mark IV

Less expensive
$998* vs $2899
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Lighter weight
487g vs 890g
Lighter weight
More viewfinder magnification
0.77x vs 0.71x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
8.3 fps vs 7.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.9 fps vs 7.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
36 vs 19 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon 5D Mark IV advantages over Panasonic GX8

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.36 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
5D Mark IV test data on DxO Mark GX8 test data on DxO Mark

2,995 vs 806 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

900 vs 340 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Higher-res screen
540k vs 346k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More pixels
30.4 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
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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

Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Adorama
Read GX8 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Highest resolution Micro Four Thirds camera yet; Great high ISO performance; Very fast autofocus; Fast burst mode with deep buffers; Impressive Dual I.S. system; Great 4K video.
No built-in flash; Slow buffer clearing; Below average battery life; Limited I.S. for 4K video.
Read our Panasonic GX8 Review

Superb image quality from RAW files; Improved dynamic range; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 7fps burst rate with unlimited JPEG buffer; High-quality cinema 4K video; Built-in Wi-Fi; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is very good.
JPEG files look soft at default settings; 1/200s flash sync; 4K video codec is cumbersome; 29:59 continuous video recording limit.
Read our Canon 5D Mark IV Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Panasonic GX8

Canon 5D Mark III

$998
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2079
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 5D Mark III

$2249
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$2079
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D810

Panasonic GX8

Nikon D810

$998
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2246
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Nikon D810

Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D810

$2249
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$2246
35mm

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Nikon D810

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$1099
4/3

Fast startup
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M1

Canon 5D Mark IV

Olympus E-M1

$2249
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M5 II

$998
4/3

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M5 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

Olympus E-M5 II

$2249
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Olympus E-M5 II

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1 II

$998
4/3

In-camera panoramas
NFC

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

Olympus E-M1 II

$2249
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Olympus E-M1 II

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