Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 vs Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 20.3 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8
63
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 20 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9
62
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 and Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 are mirrorless cameras, released in 2015 and 2018 respectively. The GX9 is the smaller and lighter one for everyday carrying, at 124 x 72 x 47 mm and 450 g against the GX8's 133 x 78 x 63 mm and 487 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2015 | 2018 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
July 16, 2015 | February 13, 2018 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 133 x 78 x 63 mm | 124 x 72 x 47 mm |
| Camera weight | 487 g | 450 g |
| Optics | 65/100 | 62/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe GX8 is the stronger choice for shooting wide apertures in bright daylight, because its shutter reaches 1/16000 second where the GX9 stops at 1/4000. That shorter exposure keeps apertures open in summer light without overexposing. The GX8 also fires at 10 fps against 9 fps for the GX9, a slim edge for short action bursts. For manual focus checking, the GX9's electronic viewfinder shows more detail, with 2,760,000 dots against 2,360,000 on the GX8. Both cameras offer in-body stabilisation for handheld shooting. Resolution differs by only 0.3 megapixels, 20.3 on the GX8 against 20 on the GX9, with no real impact on cropping or print size. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20.3 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5184 x 3888 | 5184 x 3888 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13 x 17.3 | 17.3 x 13 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
10 fps045 | 9 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Venus Engine | Venus Engine |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
1600080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
490300 | 490300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | 276000009900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe GX9 gives editors far more slow-motion latitude, with a 60 fps maximum frame rate against 25 fps on the GX8. Fast subjects such as street sports or running children can be slowed further in post before motion looks choppy. Both cap at 4K and offer built-in timelapse for condensing a sunset or project. The recording formats differ: the GX9 offers MPEG-4, AVCHD and MOV, while the GX8 records AVCHD and MP4. The GX9's MOV option is convenient for workflows built around QuickTime-native editors. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
25 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
AVCHD, MP4 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, MOV |
| Features | 70/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing sets the GX8 apart for coastal walks and dusty trails, protection the GX9 lacks. The GX9 answers with a built-in flash for quick fill light and Bluetooth for a low-power phone link, alongside Wi-Fi on both. Neither camera has built-in GPS. Both cameras offer a 3-inch flip-out touchscreen with live view and support for external flash. The GX9's screen shows 1,240,000 dots against 1,040,000 on the GX8's OLED panel, rendering menus and playback a little more finely. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
No |  Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen type | OLED | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 12400001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
No |  Yes |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe GX8 holds the battery advantage, rated for 330 shots against 260 for the GX9 under their test conditions. For a long day of sightseeing photography without a charger, that higher rating points to the GX8. The GX9 partly offsets this with USB charging, so it can top up from a power bank or laptop between locations, something the GX8 cannot do. Both cameras use a single SD card slot with no dual-slot backup. The GX9's slot is UHS-I compatible, so it supports higher-speed UHS-I SD cards. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | DMW-BLC12 | Lithium-ion |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
330 shots1505000 | 260 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | No |  Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 if you shoot outdoors in unpredictable weather or want the longer rated battery life for full-day outings. Its 1/16000 second shutter also matters if you shoot fast primes wide open in strong light, such as portraits on a sunny beach.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 for a lighter travelling kit, a more detailed viewfinder, built-in fill flash, Bluetooth and USB charging. Its 60 fps frame-rate ceiling makes it the better pick if slow-motion clips are part of your plans. For general stills use, both share the mount, sensor format and stabilisation, so size and conveniences decide it.