• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony A77 advantages over Panasonic GX8

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.95 vs 3.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 530 vs 340 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.6 fps vs 8.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.6 fps vs 7.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Sony A77

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $998* vs $1899
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Newer
    9 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 17 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    36 vs 14 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 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
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A77
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 16-50mm Lens
  • Kit with 18-135mm Lens
All A77 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX8
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Silver)
All GX8 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Very fast top frame rate; full-time phase-detect autofocus; Full 60p HD video; Excellent kit lens; Very good high-resolution sensor.

  • Heavy; EVF appears dim when used in bright light; AF tracking in Movie mode was unreliable in our testing.

  • Read our Sony A77 Full 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 Canon 7D

Sony A77
Canon 7D
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A77 vs Canon 7D

Panasonic GX8
Canon 7D
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Canon 7D

Compared to Canon 70D

Sony A77
Canon 70D
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A77 vs Canon 70D

Panasonic GX8
Canon 70D
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Canon 70D

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Sony A77
Olympus E-M1
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony A77 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 A77 II

Sony A77
Sony A77 II
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Sony A77 vs Sony A77 II

Panasonic GX8
Sony A77 II
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Sony A77 II

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Sony A77
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A77 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

Compare Other Cameras?