Panasonic DMC GF8 Detailed Review

In additional DMC GF8 was introduced by Panasonic in February 2016. It belongs to the Mirrorless Cameras category.

Panasonic is well-known and shouldn’t require further introduction, please see our manufacturer’s page for more digital cameras by Panasonic.

Also DMC GF8 has a Four Thirds CMOS sensor with size of 17 x 13 mm² (0.68″ x 0.51″).

Picture of DMC GF8’s sensor compared to popular format.

The 1-Euro coin has a diameter of 23.25mm.

The DMC GF8’s image sensor has an effective resolution of around 16 megapixel. The resolution is somewhat below average but will be sufficient for most purposes. Photos with this resolution can easily be printed to A3 size.

The Panasonic supports taking images in RAW. RAW images are stored as they come from the sensor, without any in-camera processing or sharpening. Converting to JPEG or other formats takes place on the computer, using software like Adobe Lightroom or Panasonic’s RAW converter. This involves one extra processing step but almost always results in superior image quality. Some filters, like converting to monochrome (black and white) will only yield decent results when used with RAW images.

The DMC GF8 features a mechanism for automatic sensor cleaning.

The DMC GF8 does not come with a built-in viewfinder. The camera’s display is used to compose the photo. That can be cumbersome in broad daylight.

The DMC GF8’s shutter speed varies from 1/16000s to 60s.

The DMC GF8’s sensitivity goes from 100 ISO und 25600 ISO, a very useful and practical range.

The DMC GF8 supports all general exposure modes.

The Panasonic allows spot exposure for the difficult occasion.

The DMC GF8’s auto focus processor uses 23 AF points (or sensors). A basic rule of thumb says that the more AF points you have, the better. More AF points mean a better chance to have a point at the location of interest in a scene, a big plus in challenging situations (e.g. when panning the camera).

Manual focus is also possible with the Panasonic, a plus in tricky situations or for some creative freedom.

The DMC GF8 features a built-in flash with a range of up to 6m (19 ft.). That range will work for most situations.

A hotshoe is missing from the Panasonic.

The DMC GF8 display has a diagonal of 75.00mm (3.0 inches.) and a resolution 1.04 megapixel.

The camera display is intended for selfies or other occasion.

Display parameters:

DMC GF8 video supported the resolution with 1920 x 1080 pixel.

ACamera is not equipped with an external microphone.

Panasonic DMC GF8 Video parameters:

The DMC GF8 has Wifi connectivity already built-in. Use Wifi to transfer images to a smartphone or computer and to remote control the camera. With NFC, camera and smartphone can be paired without the need for passwords.

Connect the Panasonic to a monitor or TV set over HDMI.

The Panasonic supports USB 2.0.

Connection parameters:

The DMC GF8 will only accept Micro SD cards. The Panasonic does not support SD cards.

Memory cards characteristics:

The Panasonic DMC GF8 works with a BLH7E battery. The battery lifetime is an average 230 shots. That’s on the lower side of things for a full day, consider a spare battery for the DMC GF8.

The battery can be charged over USB while in camera. Very useful, especially on vacation when most people bring a USB charger for their smartphone anyway.

The DMC GF8’s battery battery parameters:

The Panasonic DMC GF8’s dimensions are 106.5 x 64.6 x 33.3mm³. (4.2″ x 2.5″ x 1.3″). That’s the body only, without lens. The camera’s weight is only 266 grams (8.6 oz.). Add to this the weight of the lens.

Here is front and top view of the DMC GF8:

To put the size of the camera in context, here it is next to a typical ID card (c. 86mm x 55mm, about the size of a credit card).

The DMC GF8 is not much bigger: