Sony A7R vs Panasonic GX8

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Sony A7R vs Panasonic GX8

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35mm 861.6mm²
36.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A7R Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A7R.

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 Sony A7R II
Compare A7R vs A7R II

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX9
Compare GX8 vs GX9

Compare SONY A7R II vs PANASONIC GX9

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Differences

Sony A7R advantages over Panasonic GX8

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.88 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.
A7R test data on DxO Mark GX8 test data on DxO Mark

2,746 vs 806 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A7R test data on DxO Mark GX8 test data on DxO Mark

14.1 vs 12.6 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Thinner
48 mm vs 63 mm
Thinner
More pixels
36.4 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Sony A7R

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
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
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Less shutter lag
0.18 vs 0.36 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.77x vs 0.71x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
8.3 fps vs 4.0 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 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
36 vs 15 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
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 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
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7R User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX8 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Incredibly small body for a fully-featured, full-frame camera; Resolution that rivals a medium-format camera; Excellent image quality even at very high sensitivities; Decent performance bearing in mind its extremely high resolution; Accepts existing Alpha-mount and E-mount lenses, and can optionally crop to APS-C image circle.
Extreme resolution makes focus and lens quality critical; Modest performance; Loud shutter; Lacks hybrid autofocus of the A7; Mediocre battery life when using electronic viewfinder; Slow X-sync; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses.
Read our Sony A7R 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 Sony A7

Sony A7R

Sony A7

$1399
35mm

Higher effective ISO
More pixels

$748
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R vs Sony A7

Panasonic GX8

Sony A7

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$748
35mm

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Sony A7

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Sony A7R

Olympus E-M1

$1399
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1099
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A7R 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 A7R II

Sony A7R

Sony A7R II

$1399
35mm

Less expensive
Lighter weight

$2898
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A7R vs Sony A7R II

Panasonic GX8

Sony A7R II

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$2898
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Sony A7R II

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Sony A7R

Olympus E-M1 II

$1399
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A7R 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

Compared to Canon EOS RP

Sony A7R

Canon EOS RP

$1399
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$949
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R vs Canon EOS RP

Panasonic GX8

Canon EOS RP

$998
4/3

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$949
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Canon EOS RP

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