Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 (DSLM) Review & Specification
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 is one of the DSLMs with the best price-performance ratio in the test. For less than 700 euros there is first-class image quality, extensive equipment and flawless performance in autofocus and series speed.
The only real weakness: the comparatively short battery life. With the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80, the manufacturer has achieved a real coup: Seldom has there been so much performance for so little money.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 Review
The equipment, speed and image quality are at such a high level that Panasonic could actually ask twice as much for the Lumix GX80. For around 700 euros, the street price is even 100 euros lower in some cases, there is one of the best mirrorless system cameras with Micro Four Thirds standard. Of course, given the low price, one or the other professional feature falls victim to the red pencil.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 Strong equipment
It seems a bit astonishing what photographers can get for 700 euros today. Take, for example, the equipment of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80: Ultra HD video, electronic viewfinder, touchscreen and WLAN leave little to be desired at first glance. The assumption is that the DSLM is limited to the minimum, but the opposite is the case.
The video mode with four times the full HD resolution impresses with razor-sharp and pleasantly detailed moving images. Of course, there are also the 4K photo modes on board, which, in terms of photography, represent a series of pictures at 30 frames per second of 8 megapixel photos.
In addition, Panasonic has equipped the Lumix GX80 with the so-called post-focus function: the system camera records a film scene of around one second with different focus levels. The focus can then be moved later and the desired photo extracted as a JPEG. Lytro light field cameras send their regards.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 Middle class with professional ambitions
The Panasonic Lumix GX80 has a touchscreen so that it works comfortably on the camera. The 3-inch display has a razor-sharp resolution with around one million subpixels and can be folded up and down a total of 135 degrees. So it’s not quite enough for selfies.
The fluid electronic viewfinder is primarily suitable for taking photos. With 0.7 times magnification and around 2.8 million subpixels, the small, sun-protected display almost reaches the level of optical viewfinders in full-frame cameras.
Also amazing: the Lumix GX80 comes with two knurled wheels to adjust the aperture and shutter. This is anything but self-evident for a camera in this price range, but it does increase the convenience when taking photos in the PSAM modes.
Artistic people can also let off steam with the 57 creative modes and, for example, give their recordings an artistic touch in the form of a sepia tone or a miniature effect. However, if you are still unsure about the right settings for your motif, you should find the right preset among the 25 scene programs.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80: Strong picture quality
But even the best creative and scene modes are not very convincing if the image quality does not play along. But here too, the Panasonic Lumix GX80 comes up trumps. Crisp 1,784 pairs of lines serve the 16 megapixels with minimal light sensitivity.
Up to and including ISO 3,200, the level of detail and, surprisingly, the image noise remain in the good range. Surprising because the comparatively small Four Thirds image sensors tend to have interfering pixels.
But even ISO 6.400 can easily be used with small restrictions. You can find practice and test photos in full resolution in the photo gallery.
The last two ISO levels 12,800 and 25,600, on the other hand, no longer seem quite as attractive. Most photographers should rarely use them anyway: The Panasonic Lumix GX80 has an integrated 5-axis image stabilizer that protects against micro-shake. This enables lower light sensitivities and longer shutter speeds when taking photos by hand.
In the case of a connected lens with OIS stabilizer, the performance is combined. Panasonic calls the whole thing “Dual IS” and promises an exposure time that is up to 3.5 light values longer.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 Test: Long breath only with the series length
The Panasonic Lumix GX80 is also convincing in terms of speed. Not only that the 49 contrast measuring fields always focus quickly so that they are suitable for snapshots. The series recording also races away with 10.7 frames per second.
It is also amazing that the camera keeps this high speed with JPEGs until the memory card is full or the battery is empty. With the professional RAW format, on the other hand, the DSLM starts stuttering after just 44 shots. For a representative of this class, however, it’s a more impressive result.
This also applies to the shutter speed: If the electronic shutter is activated, the DSLM freezes movements of up to 1 / 16,000 seconds. This should especially suit owners of bright lenses who want to take photos with an open aperture in glaring sunlight.
True enough, the Panasonic Lumix GX80 offers an extraordinary amount for the money. One or the other professional might miss a few little things. For example, the solidly manufactured plastic housing, which weighs only around 430 grams, has no splash protection.
In addition, microphone and headphone connections are missing. Professional filmmakers should therefore shrug their shoulders slightly. Furthermore, WLAN for wireless data transmission and remote control via smartphone is slumbering in the body, but NFC for contactless connection is not.
And finally, the battery life is quite short with a maximum of 460 exposures and 116 video minutes. A spare battery is therefore not only a must for longer photo tours.
But let’s be honest: Given this competitive price, who would seriously criticize these four points? Just. That is why the time now seems to have come to replace your camera with a current model. Because in the foreseeable future it will be extremely difficult to undercut this first-class service with an even cheaper one. No excuses, buy now!