Sony A7S vs Panasonic GX8

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A7S vs Panasonic GX8

Leave Feedback

35mm 847.3mm²
12.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Sony A7S Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7S in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7S.
Compare Sony A7S image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7S 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 Sony A7S II
Compare A7S vs A7S II

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX9
Compare GX8 vs GX9

Compare SONY A7S II vs PANASONIC GX9

Buy From

Differences

Sony A7S advantages over Panasonic GX8

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 8.40 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.
A7S test data on DxO Mark GX8 test data on DxO Mark

3,702 vs 806 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
48 mm vs 63 mm
Thinner
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
409600 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Sony A7S

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$998 vs $1998
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
More viewfinder magnification
0.77x vs 0.71x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
20.3 vs 12.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
8.3 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 62 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.9 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in 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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7S User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX8 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A7S

Sony a7S

All A7S Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX8

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)

All GX8 Deals

Review Excerpt

Outstanding high ISO performance; excellent dynamic range; 4K video recording (via uncompressed HDMI); XAVC S option for HD video; Slightly improved battery life over A7/A7R; Built-in Wi-Fi & NFC connectivity.
4K video requires expensive external recorder; Sluggish startup time; Loud shutter; Silent Shooting mode hurts image quality; Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses.
Read our Sony A7S 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 Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Sony A7S

Leica M-E (Typ 220)

$1998
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$7999
35mm

Thinner
More pixels

Compare Sony A7S vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Panasonic GX8

Leica M-E (Typ 220)

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$7999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Sony A7S

Olympus E-M1

$1998
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1099
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A7S 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 A7S II

Sony A7S

Sony A7S II

$1998
35mm

Less expensive
Fast startup

$2398
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A7S vs Sony A7S II

Panasonic GX8

Sony A7S II

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$2398
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Sony A7S II

Compared to Leica M (Typ 262)

Sony A7S

Leica M (Typ 262)

$1998
35mm

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$4995
35mm

More pixels
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Sony A7S vs Leica M (Typ 262)

Panasonic GX8

Leica M (Typ 262)

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$4995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Leica M (Typ 262)

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Sony A7S

Olympus E-M1 II

$1998
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A7S 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?