Canon G1X vs Panasonic GX8

Cameras
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Canon G1X vs Panasonic GX8

1.5 inch 261.8mm²
14.3 megapixels
28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G1X Review.
See real-world photos taken with the G1X.

4/3 224.9mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX8 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX8 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX8.
Compare Panasonic GX8 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX8 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon G1X Mark II
Compare G1X vs G1X Mark II

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX9
Compare GX8 vs GX9

Compare CANON G1X MARK II vs PANASONIC GX9

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Differences

Canon G1X advantages over Panasonic GX8

Larger sensor
1.5 inch vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.30 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 36 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Canon G1X

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Fast startup
~1.20 vs 1.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
GX8 test data on DxO Mark G1X test data on DxO Mark

806 vs 644 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
GX8 test data on DxO Mark G1X test data on DxO Mark

12.6 vs 10.8 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

340 vs 250 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
9 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Less shutter lag
0.18 vs 0.70 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.3 vs 14.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
8.3 fps vs 4.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 6 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.9 fps vs 1.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Tilt-swivel screen
Both provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read G1X User Reviews

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Adorama
Read GX8 User Reviews

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Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)

Review Excerpt

Large-sensor image quality. Sharp lens with useful zoom range. Tilt/swivel LCD. Twin dials. Smaller than competing interchangeable-lens cameras with a similar lens. Lots of photographer-friendly features.
Not as small as you might hope. Mediocre burst shooting and autofocus speed. Far too easy to accidentally change exposure compensation. Viewfinder is of surprisingly little use. Battery life could be better.
Read our Canon G1X Review

Highest resolution Micro Four Thirds camera yet; Great high ISO performance; Very fast autofocus; Fast burst mode with deep buffers; Impressive Dual I.S. system; Great 4K video.
No built-in flash; Slow buffer clearing; Below average battery life; Limited I.S. for 4K video.
Read our Panasonic GX8 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Canon G1X

Sigma DP1 Merrill

$576
1.5 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G1X vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Panasonic GX8

Sigma DP1 Merrill

$998
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Canon G1X

Olympus E-M1

$576
1.5 inch

Larger sensor
Less expensive

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Canon G1X vs Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$1099
4/3

Fast startup
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Sigma dp2 Quattro

Canon G1X

Sigma dp2 Quattro

$576
1.5 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon G1X vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

Panasonic GX8

Sigma dp2 Quattro

$998
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Canon G1X

Olympus E-M1 II

$576
1.5 inch

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1324
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon G1X vs Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1 II

$998
4/3

In-camera panoramas
NFC

$1324
4/3

High resolution composite
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Compared to Canon G1X Mark III

Canon G1X

Canon G1X Mark III

$576
1.5 inch

Bigger pixels
More telephoto lens reach

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon G1X vs Canon G1X Mark III

Panasonic GX8

Canon G1X Mark III

$998
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Fast startup

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Canon G1X Mark III

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