Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Leave Feedback

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.

4/3 226.2mm²
20.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M1 II Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M1 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M1 II.
Compare Olympus E-M1 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M1 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX9
Compare GX8 vs GX9

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Compare E-M1 II vs E-M1 Mark III

Compare PANASONIC GX9 vs OLYMPUS E-M1 MARK III

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 51 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Panasonic GX8

High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Fast startup
~0.80 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.
E-M1 II test data on DxO Mark GX8 test data on DxO Mark

1,312 vs 806 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

440 vs 340 shots
Capture more photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
60.6 fps vs 8.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.6 fps vs 7.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
51 vs 36 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/16000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
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
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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX8 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M1 II User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX8

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)

All GX8 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M1 II

Body Only (Black)

All E-M1 II Deals

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

Excellent image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance; Fantastic C-AF performance; Incredible burst rates, even with RAW; 4K UHD & Cinema 4K (DCI) video; Clean HDMI; Dual SD card slots.
Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Olympus E-M1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Panasonic GX8

Fujifilm X-T2

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Fujifilm X-T2

Olympus E-M1 II

Fujifilm X-T2

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Fujifilm X-T2

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

Olympus E-M1 II

Olympus E-M1

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1099
4/3

Compare Olympus E-M1 II 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

Olympus E-M1 II

Olympus E-M5 II

$899
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Higher effective ISO

$899
4/3

Thinner

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-M5 II

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic GX8

Panasonic G7

$998
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
NFC

$498
4/3

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Panasonic G7

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic G7

$899
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

$498
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Panasonic G85

Panasonic GX8

Panasonic G85

$998
4/3

NFC
Higher effective ISO

$631
4/3

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Panasonic G85

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic G85

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Higher effective ISO

$631
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G85

Compare Other Cameras?