Panasonic GX8 vs Sony A99 II

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Panasonic GX8 vs Sony A99 II

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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 861.6mm²
42.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A99 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A99 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A99 II.
Compare Sony A99 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A99 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX9
Compare GX8 vs GX9
Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Sony A99 II

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Differences

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Sony A99 II

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$998 vs $3198
Save money for lenses or accessories
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Lighter weight
487g vs 849g
Lighter weight
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 61 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
36 vs 25 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A99 II advantages over Panasonic GX8

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.51 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.
A99 II test data on DxO Mark GX8 test data on DxO Mark

2,317 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

490 vs 340 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
42.4 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
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
10.5 fps vs 8.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.1 fps vs 7.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
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

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
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX8 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A99 II 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 at low, moderate ISOs; Improved high ISO performance; Fast continuous shooting speeds; Very impressive hybrid autofocus; High-quality 4K UHD video; Rugged camera body.
Multi-selector joystick can be awkward to use; No EVF live view at fastest burst rate; Buffer clearing is slow with no UHS-II support; 4K UHD video isn't as full-featured as E-mount counterparts.
Read our Sony A99 II 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 A99 II

Olympus E-M1

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$1099
4/3

Lens selection
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A99 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

Sony A99 II

Olympus E-M5 II

$3198
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Olympus E-M5 II

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Panasonic GX8

Canon 5D Mark IV

$998
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2249
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A99 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

$3198
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$2249
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A99 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

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 A99 II

Olympus E-M1 II

$3198
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Olympus E-M1 II

Compared to Nikon D850

Panasonic GX8

Nikon D850

$998
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2464
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Nikon D850

Sony A99 II

Nikon D850

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2464
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Nikon D850

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