Sony A3000 vs Panasonic GX8

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Sony A3000 vs Panasonic GX8

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APS-C 357.3mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A3000 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A3000 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A3000.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A3000 conclusion.

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.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX9
Compare GX8 vs GX9
Compare Sony A3000 vs Panasonic GX9

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Differences

Sony A3000 advantages over Panasonic GX8

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.25 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
A3000 test data on DxO Mark GX8 test data on DxO Mark

1,068 vs 806 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

470 vs 340 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Sony A3000

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~1.20 vs 2.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Thinner
63 mm vs 84 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Higher-res screen
346k vs 77k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Less shutter lag
0.18 vs 0.28 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.77x vs 0.47x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
8.3 fps vs 3.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 11 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 16000 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 panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read A3000 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX8 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Absolutely incredible value; Includes a stabilized kit lens; More versatile than a fixed-lens bridge camera; Comfortable body with good ergonomics; Great image quality; Good autofocus performance; Decent battery life.
Feels a bit plasticky; Slow burst shooting with limited buffer; Sluggish to power on or switch modes; Low-res EVF and LCD monitor; Can't review images using EVF; No video output; Weak flash; Battery charges in-camera.
Read our Sony A3000 Review

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

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-01

Sony A3000

Pentax K-01

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

$359
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A3000 vs Pentax K-01

Panasonic GX8

Pentax K-01

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$359
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-01

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Sony A3000

Olympus E-M1

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$1099
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A3000 vs 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

Compared to Sigma sd Quattro

Sony A3000

Sigma sd Quattro

$598
APS-C

Lens selection
In-camera panoramas

$699
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
HDMI out

Compare Sony A3000 vs Sigma sd Quattro

Panasonic GX8

Sigma sd Quattro

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Sigma sd Quattro

Compared to Canon EOS M5

Sony A3000

Canon EOS M5

$598
APS-C

Lens selection
In-camera panoramas

$787
APS-C

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony A3000 vs Canon EOS M5

Panasonic GX8

Canon EOS M5

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$787
APS-C

Larger sensor
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Canon EOS M5

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Sony A3000

Olympus E-M1 II

$598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Sony A3000 vs 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

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