Lumix DMC-GX8 - Last Words...

This is to wrap up my review of the marvellous Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8, I have it for too long and it is time to send it back to Panasonic NZ  ;)

I had lots of fun the last three weeks I was having the camera, I wish I had more time to explore the many features this cutting edge MFT mirrorless provided. The weather doesn't help, the nagging rain and more rain driving me up the wall.

Monday being my off day, I decided to try out my 50 mm F1.4 Nikon prime lens on the GX8...

Lumix GX8 Dual IS, How Slow Can You Go?

Four days after my Dual I.S. on the GX8 appear, I got this comment..

Anonymous said...

Have you tried shooting at 1/4 sec.?

I've been getting a 95%+ success rate at 1/4 sec. shooting with the Nocticron on the 

GX8 with Dual IBS. I'm sure you can do at least as well with the 12-35.

September 19, 2015 at 5:31 AM

This is what I saw every day when I am in front of my two monitor screen, I will use this as a simple target for my GX8 Dual I.S. at 1/4 second test.

Lumix DMC-GX8 - Dual I.S.

I.S. (Image Stabilisation) in a camera or lens can permit the use of shutter speed 2 to 5 stops SLOWER, but still result in SHARP PICTURES.

When I was starting in photography many years ago, I was told...

“The rule of thumb to determine the slowest shutter speed possible for hand-holding without noticeable blur due to camera shake is to take the reciprocal of the 35 mm equivalent focal length of the lens, also known as the "1/mm rule". For example, at a focal length of 125 mm on a 35 mm camera, vibration or camera shake could affect sharpness if the shutter speed was slower than 1/125 second.”  - Wikipedia

In the good old film days, we stick to this rule; for example, with a 300mm telephoto, we will not use a speed slower than 1/250 to get sharp result. Just to make sure, we also shoot at 1/500.

What happen if there is only enough light to allow F4 (max aperture) and 1/60 for the ISO 400 film you are using?  No, you have no tripod and monopod either, what then?

Fast forward to present...

You have IMAGE STABILISATION!

To understand the concept and the working of IS, I suggest you read this excellent write up.


The mechanism of an image stabilisation can be found in either the lens or built into the camera.

Lumix DMC-GX8 - Performance

Wellington weather was crappy the week I receive the review cameras from Panasonic New Zealand.

It was good of them to include both "kit lens" that came with the GX8 kits, I also asked and got a GX7 body for comparison.  Much appreciated Panasonic NZ :)

 In New Zealand the new GX8 are offered in two kits,  NZ$ 2,895.00 with a 12-35 f2.8 X lens (left) and 

NZ$ 2,548.00 with a 14-140 f3.5/5.6 zoom lens.

The Lumix GX Vario 12-35mm/F2.8 ASPH / Power OIS is a weather sealed ultra high performance zoom lens, with bright F2.8 over the entire 24-70 (35mm equivalent) zoom range.

The slightly cheaper  Lumix G Vario 14-140mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH / Power OIS is not weather sealed, however it's 28-280 (35mm equiv.) zoom range can "pull in" your subject 3 times closer compare to the X lens.

Lumix DMC-GX8 - Prima Facie

Panasonic raised many eye brows when they released their DMC-GX7 in 2013.

The GX7 is compact, with nice retro design and stuff with all the latest M43 technology, lots of external controls and today, remain a reasonably priced, high end camera that you still can buy.

Then in mid July Panasonic launch their GX7 "Update" or "Refresh", the GX8; the camera got me excited, just look at the new features this LARGER camera include!