Sony A5000 vs Panasonic GX8

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Sony A5000 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 A5000 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A5000.

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 A5000 vs Panasonic GX9

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Differences

Sony A5000 advantages over Panasonic GX8

Less expensive
$298 vs $998*
Save money for lenses or accessories
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.
A5000 test data on DxO Mark GX8 test data on DxO Mark

1,089 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

420 vs 340 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
35 mm vs 63 mm
Thinner

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Sony A5000

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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
Higher-res screen
346k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Less shutter lag
0.18 vs 0.30 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
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 3.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 15 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.9 fps vs 2.5 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
36 vs 9 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (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
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
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
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 A5000 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX8 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A5000

Kit with 16-50mm Lens (Black)

Kit with 16-50mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 16-50mm Lens (Silver)
Kit with 16-50mm Lens (White)

All A5000 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX8

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)

All GX8 Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Sony A5000.
Read our Sony A5000 Initial Test

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 Samsung NX1100

Sony A5000

Samsung NX1100

$298
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$450
APS-C

Higher-res screen
Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5000 vs Samsung NX1100

Panasonic GX8

Samsung NX1100

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$450
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Sony A5000

Sony NEX-5T

$298
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Internal flash

$299
APS-C

Touchscreen
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Sony A5000 vs Sony NEX-5T

Panasonic GX8

Sony NEX-5T

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$299
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Sony NEX-5T

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Sony A5000

Olympus E-M1

$298
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-camera panoramas

$1099
4/3

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony A5000 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 Sony A5100

Sony A5000

Sony A5100

$298
APS-C

Less expensive

$348
APS-C

Touchscreen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony A5000 vs Sony A5100

Panasonic GX8

Sony A5100

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$348
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Sony A5100

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Sony A5000

Olympus E-M1 II

$298
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Sony A5000 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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