Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8

The Lumix DMC-GX8 is a mirrorless camera that Panasonic released in 2015. It takes Micro Four Thirds lenses, and at 487g with 133 x 78 x 63mm body dimensions it stays easy to pack.

The electronic viewfinder offers 2,360,000 dots for a detailed eye-level view, and the rear screen flips for awkward angles. Weather sealing adds reassurance for outdoor work, though the camera is not waterproof.

A touch-sensitive OLED screen, built-in WiFi and 4K video round out the main features, so the GX8 works as a light, adaptable camera for travel and everyday photography.

The GX8 pairs a 20.3-megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with the Venus Engine processor, which gives files enough resolution for prints and cropping. Our Optics score of 65 rates it as good, placing it around the middle of cameras in our database for Optics.

In-body stabilisation is the standout for stills work. It counteracts camera shake when you shoot handheld in low light or with longer focal lengths, which lets you use slower shutter speeds without leaning on high ISO. It reduces your own movement, not the movement of a running subject.

For action, the camera reaches 10 frames per second at its maximum burst rate, though that figure is a peak rather than a sustained-speed promise. Forty-nine autofocus points give the focus system multiple placement options, and the 1/16000 top shutter speed handles bright scenes and fast motion.

Sensitivity runs from ISO 200 up to ISO 25600, giving settings for bright daylight through to dim interiors. The 200 base means wide-aperture lenses in daylight may need a shutter or aperture adjustment to avoid overexposure.

The GX8 records 4K video, which yields footage sharp enough for editing and cropping in post. The fastest frame rate the camera offers is 25fps.

Recordings save as AVCHD or MP4 files, so you can match the file type to the job rather than working around a single option.

A built-in timelapse mode is supplied, which saves you from triggering the camera by hand or carrying an intervalometer. Set it up on a tripod and the camera captures the sequence itself.

Our video score of 70 rates this as a good set of recording features, and the main constraint to check is the 25fps maximum frame rate if you want smoother motion than that standard provides.

Handling centres on a 3-inch OLED screen with 1,040,000 dots and touch control. Touch input lets you place focus points where you tap, and the screen flips for waist-level or overhead framing.

WiFi is built in, but Bluetooth is absent, so there is no Bluetooth connection option.

The body is weather sealed, which helps when dust or moisture appears, though it is not a waterproof camera and still needs care in wet conditions. Our features score of 70 reflects a good overall feature set.

There is no built-in flash, so dim interiors call for a higher ISO, the stabilisation or an external flash, which the camera supports. GPS is absent, so any location tagging must come from another device.

Our storage and battery score of 21 is limited, and the practical reasons are easy to see. The camera takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards but has only one slot, so there is no second card recording a backup of important shots.

The DMW-BLC12 battery is rated at 330 shots per charge. Actual endurance varies with settings and use, so a spare battery is worth packing for longer days out.

USB charging is not supported, so you cannot top the battery up from a laptop or power bank while you are out. Charging between sessions, and packing that spare, becomes part of the routine.