• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Canon G5X

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.34 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Fast startup
    ~1.20 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 340 vs 215 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.27 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    7.9 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon G5X advantages over Panasonic GX8

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $998
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 63 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 36 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Both provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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

  • Photographer-friendly controls; Good OLED viewfinder; Good image quality with sharp detail especially with RAW; Vari-angle touchscreen display.

  • Only 31 autofocus points; Subpar continuous shooting performance; Soft corners at wide-angle; Flare issues and fringing shooting wide-open; No 4K video; Poor battery life.

  • Read our Canon G5X Review

The Competition

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 G5X
Olympus E-M1
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • NFC
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G5X 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 G5X
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G5X vs Olympus E-M5 II

Compared to Canon G7X Mark II

Panasonic GX8
Canon G7X Mark II
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Canon G7X Mark II

Canon G5X
Canon G7X Mark II
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Canon G5X vs Canon G7X Mark 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 G5X
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G5X vs Olympus E-M1 II

Compared to Canon G5X Mark II

Panasonic GX8
Canon G5X Mark II
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Canon G5X Mark II

Canon G5X
Canon G5X Mark II
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G5X vs Canon G5X Mark II

Compare Other Cameras?