Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 review: Verdict
The GX8 is weathersealed when used with premium lenses like the 12-35mm f/2.8
It may not have the retro styling and overall charisma of its most direct competitor, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II, and on first impressions you could be forgiven for thinking that it is oversized for its sensor, but once you get past this there’s a lot to like about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8. It fits nicely in your hand, and the large grip works well with long lenses. The control layout places most key settings at your fingertips, especially if you’re prepared to spend a bit of time working through the customisation options in the menus, and this means that shooting with the GX8 is a fluid and enjoyable experience.
The offset viewfinder may not be to everyone’s taste, but there’s no denying the quality of the view it offers. Likewise, the fully articulated LCD is a welcome improvement over the GX7’s tilt-only version. The result is something that’s a bit different to the current fashion for SLR-style CSCs, and while the GX8 may not be to everyone’s taste, it’s good to have the choice.
In many ways the main attraction of the GX8 is its ability to record high-resolution 4K video, and to use the same technology for 30fps stills capture via Panasonic’s well-thought-out 4K Photo technology. This allows users to explore fast-moving action in a way that quickly becomes addictive. Overall, the GX8 is probably Panasonic’s best CSC yet, and a very capable competitor to the likes of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II and Fujifilm X-T1.
