Panasonic GX8 vs Sony A9

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Panasonic GX8 vs Sony A9

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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 847.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Sony A9 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A9.
Compare Sony A9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A9 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX9
Compare GX8 vs GX9

Succeeded by the Sony A9 II
Compare A9 vs A9 II

Compare PANASONIC GX9 vs SONY A9 II

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Differences

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Sony A9

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$998 vs $2995
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Lighter weight
487g vs 673g
Lighter weight
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 364 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A9 advantages over Panasonic GX8

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.93 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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.
A9 test data on DxO Mark GX8 test data on DxO Mark

3,517 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

650 vs 340 shots
Capture more photos
More pixels
24.2 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
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 8.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 7.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
240 vs 36 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/16000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
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 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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX8 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A9 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

New sensor offers incredible performance; Excellent image quality at low & high ISOs; Very good dynamic range; Phenomenal 20fps burst speed & deep buffer; Very good battery life for a mirrorless; 4K video; Dual card slots.
Slow buffer clearing; Only one card slot is UHS-II compatible; Touchscreen underutilized; No lossless RAW compression option; No 4K/60p option.
Read our Sony A9 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

Sony A9

Olympus E-M1

$2995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1099
4/3

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A9 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

Sony A9

Olympus E-M5 II

$2995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A9 vs Olympus E-M5 II

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Panasonic GX8

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$998
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$2995
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

Compare Sony A9 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

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

Sony A9

Olympus E-M1 II

$2995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A9 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Compared to Sony A9 II

Panasonic GX8

Sony A9 II

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$4498
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Sony A9 II

Sony A9

Sony A9 II

$2995
35mm

Less expensive

$4498
35mm

Newer

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A9 II

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