Lumix GX8 Sample Images
Lumix GX8 Sample Images
Last week I attended the Lumix Luminary summit and had a chance to shoot the new Lumix GX8 which I wrote about in a previous post titled Lumix Luminary Summit Glancing Back Looking Forward with Lumix GX8. In that post when I spoke about the GX8 I was mainly discussing my excitement with the 4-axis, in-body image stabilization and how well it worked with my Olympus 40-150mm F/2.8 and 1.4X teleconverter attached.
Moonrise over the Gulf of Mexico and the Sarasota Beach, Sarasota, Florida. When I shot this image I had no idea there was a person standing in the water and when I looked at this at 100% it looks like it’s a man and he has his swim trunks off shaking them out. I had no idea he was even there until I processed the picture. Lumix GX8 with 12-35mm F/2.8 6 seconds at F/2.8 ISO 200
Below is a 100 % crop.
100% crop of the image above
I’ve since had a chance to review some of the other images I shot in the very short time I had the camera in my hands and I thought I would share some of those pictures.
Black skimmer, Sarasota Beach, Florida. Lumix GX8 with 40-150mm F/2.8 with 1.4X teleconverter. Lens at 420 mm. 1/500th of a second at F/4. ISO 250
100% crop of image above.
Keep in mind that I shot maybe a dozen flight shots and several were perfectly focused, razor sharp. I felt the lens and camera focused extremely well and was exceptionally fast.
Black skimmer, Sarasota Beach, Florida. Lumix GX8 with 40-150mm F/2.8 with !.4X teleconverter. Lens at 420mm. 1/400th. of a second at F/4 ISO 250
100% crop of image above.
Black skimmer, juvenile begging for food. Sarasota Beach, Florida
100% crop of image above
Sarasota Beach, Florida
100% crop of image above
Black skimmer, Sarasota Beach, Florida
100% crop of image above
Great blue heron, Sarasota Beach, Florida
100% crop of image above
Glenn AsakawaOn Oct. 11th, 2016
Dand–the GX8 is available at Amazon for $840 new, body only! B&H is selling it for $1000 with the new 12-60 zoom. Panasonic dropped the retail price by $200 and decided to throw the kit lens in for free. But that Amazon deal was too good for me to pass up! I already have one GX8 and two would be the perfect set. Here’s the Amazon link. It probably won’t last long: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011B8QW38/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Daniel J. CoxOn Oct. 11th, 2016
Thanks for the info Glenn. Here’s an image from last night with the GX8 in Madagascar.
Glenn AsakawaOn Oct. 13th, 2016
Sweet photo!
Glenn AsakawaOn Jun. 2nd, 2016
Hi Dan. Thanks for your great reviews and information. Regarding the GX8 (and all Lumix cameras with EVF): Do you notice the viewfinder image becoming blurry as you burst though a moving subject such as your great skimmer shots. I don’t usually use the highest speed burst that only focuses on the first frame and doesn’t allow for following the subject live in the viewfinder. But I was expecting the EVF to show sharp images during a Medium setting burst that’s supposed to keep the EVF in live view. But I seem to get a lot of fluctuating sharpness. It’s only when I review the series of images that I realize that everything is sharp. Let me know if I’m doing something wrong.
Thanks!
Glenn
Daniel J. CoxOn Jun. 3rd, 2016
Glenn, actually I’ve never noticed this issue. I think mainly because I’ve come to realize and expect that I’ve never seen an EVF as good as regular glass yet. BUT… I’m so happy with the other features of the Lumix cameras that I accept the viewfinder downside knowing that the images will be fine as you’ve also experienced. I do agree that the EVF is something Lumix and all others have to improve but there are so many other upsides to the Lumix mirrorless cameras I’ve not been overly picky about the EVF. I must admit, I’ve been reevaluating the EVF myself and thinking I need to start being a bit more critical to hopefully help Panasonic push themselves on EVF technology. Thanks for bringing this to my attention it just confirms what I’ve been ruminating over recently.
GabrieleOn Feb. 13th, 2016
Just switched to a m4/3 format 4 months ago, I’m a former Nikon shooter. Got a GX8, I cannot be happier with my choice. I can leave home my 200-500mm Tamron (4 lbs. +) and do most of my shooting with the 100-300mm Lumix Vario. Looking for a teleconverter, any suggestion?
Daniel J. CoxOn Feb. 13th, 2016
Gabriele, no teleconverters for the 100-300mm. However, I absolutely love the Olympus 40-150mm with the Olympus 1.4X teleconverter. You will soon be able to purchase the new 100-400mm Leica zoom which is superior to the 100-300mm zoom. Exciting times in the world of Micro Four Thirds.
JaneOn Sep. 1st, 2015
Thanks for this great article. I was pondering the GX8 then thought I bet Dan has written about it. Of course, you had! Helps make up my mind!
RobertOn Aug. 28th, 2015
I know you have the GX8 in hand now! Me, I’m waiting on your and David Thorpe’s review before I jump. Do wish they’d announced/delivered the 100-400 at the same time but I guess the 100-400 will arrive with the GH5. Saw your post on the FF synergism from Lexica + Lumix, Sony needs competition but I don’t think my A7Rii would cotton up to Lexica on the same shelf.
Daniel J. CoxOn Aug. 28th, 2015
Thanks Robert for confidence in wanting to hear my thoughts on the GX8 before you decide to buy in. Unfortunately, it will be another week or so before I get my hands on the GX8. I’ll be taking it to Brazil with me and getting lots of opportunities to really put it through the paces. It will be great to have IBIS for my Olympus 40-150mm F/2.8. Thanks again for your support and will be reporting back as soon as possible.
RobertOn Aug. 29th, 2015
OK thanks. One more question please before you fly off to the flotel.
On the Black Skimmer captures were you in AF-C or AF-S ??
I’m trying to judge the auto focus tracking ability of the GX8. Each gen gets better and better 🙂
On my GH4 I’ve learned the autofocus is so fast (way faster than even my 7Dii) that you can simply point
the camera at the BIF and get the image.
Daniel J. CoxOn Aug. 31st, 2015
Robert, Skimmer images where in AFC. And yes, this camera as well as my Lumix GH4 with the Olympus 40-150mm F/2.8 is every bit as fast as my Nikon D4. It is a rocket!
Daniel J. CoxOn Sep. 2nd, 2015
Robert, the GX8 is at least as fast as the GH4 and maybe faster. Panasonic has made huge strides improving the AF of their Lumix cameras. I now feel they are every bit equal to my Nikons and in many cases faster than even my D4. It’s all moving faster than I ever would have thought.
RICARDO F SIMANOn Aug. 6th, 2015
So, will switch tomthis mirrowless Dan ? You think will get same quality images than the ones with SLR NIKON ?
Daniel J. CoxOn Aug. 7th, 2015
Ricardo, it’s great to hear from you. It all depends on what you do with your pictures Ricardo. I’m currently making prints as large as 24×36 inches from my Lumix cameras and awhile back I ran some tests printing as large as 40×60 inches. The quality of MFT cameras like the Lumix GH4 is all I need in todays world of photography for most of the things I love to photograph. Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see you again at some point.
Joel KleinerOn Aug. 6th, 2015
Great post Dan. I always love to learn and hear about new cameras, lenses and equipment. What is improved over the GX7? The images are really terrific examples of great photos from a real master! Thank you for sharing them with all o us.
Daniel J. CoxOn Aug. 6th, 2015
Thanks Joel. The biggest improvements I saw in the short time I had it included for sure the 4 AXIS IS on th Olympus lens which will soon be 6 Axis on all the professional Lumix lenses. The AF speed is incredible, the feel and handling is much improved, it’s weather sealed has a terrific EVF, +/- Exposure Compensation dial on the top deck. But probably the most impressive thing over all is the new in body IS and the incredibly quick auto focus.
Bill TylerOn Aug. 6th, 2015
The main thing keeping me in the full-size DSLR camp right now is the Canon 65mm MP-E macro lens with its magnification range of 1x up to 5x. If you photograph insects, there’s nothing to compare with it. For almost everything else, I’m very happy with Micro 4/3.
Daniel J. CoxOn Aug. 6th, 2015
Bill, I just looked up the lens you mentioned. Quite impressive. I had no idea this lens even exists. Without a doubt there will always be speciality tools we all use outside our main systems. I’m thinking seriously about the new Sony A7Rll with one wide angle lens for landscapes and night photography. But for my general travel and wildlife work the Lumix system is king.
Hal KnowlesOn Aug. 15th, 2015
Bill, in case you were unaware, Metabones makes and electronic adapter with AF support from Canon EF lenses to Panasonic Micro Four Thirds bodies. These renowned adapters almost seem like magic as they not only make the MTF of the adapted lenses better, but they also “boost” the lighter gathering capacity of the lens by 1 full stop. Interestingly and if I understand all of the conversions correctly, your 65mm f/2.8 1:1 to 5:1 would become about a 92mm f2.0 at 2:1 to 10:1 in full frame equivalency. Furthermore, with the exposure boost in the EVF, you’d also have less worry about your viewfinder going so dark as you increase the lens magnification. So strangely, you may be limiting the potential of that lens (and your images) by keeping it mounted to its native Canon body!
Metabones Canon EF Lens to Micro Four Thirds T Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x
http://www.metabones.com/products/details/MB_SPEF-M43-BT4
Also, you can search for videos showing the AF performance of this adapter on Micro Four Thirds bodies (e.g., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv0STlGPgs8).
Dan, thanks for sharing all these great blog posts and wonderful images! I’ve been happily shooting with the Micro Four Thirds system for a bit over 3 years now. It really is a perfect combination of small size and big performance. I’ve always carried a mix of both Panasonic and Olympus bodies and lenses (and the stellar little Sigma 60mm f/2.8 prime along with tons of Nikon F and Minolta MD adapted lenses). We are spoiled for choice!
I’m loving my new Panasonic G7 complemented by my Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II. They complement each other really well for a lightweight kit that excels in creating both stills and video. Until recently acquiring a Pansonic 12-35mm f/2.8, I’ve generally been a prime lens shooter and Micro Four Thirds makes it so easy to carry two small bodies with my two favorite small primes (e.g., Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 and Olympus 45mm f/1.8).
Daniel J. CoxOn Aug. 18th, 2015
Thanks Hal for sharing the meatiness info.
Christine CrosbyOn Aug. 6th, 2015
Beautiful images Dan!! Thanks SO much for this!! Really helps!! I really need to lighten up my “load” and this helps make some decisions about that!! Thanks!!
Daniel J. CoxOn Aug. 6th, 2015
Christine, we’re really getting close to the days of not needing all the heavy gear we’ve been carrying all these years. With what I experienced in the GX8 I can only dream of what we are going to get with the GH5 when it comes out. I’m confident the GH5 and the new Lumix 100-400mm lens will be the final straw for moving out of the big cameras for 99% of everything I do.