• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic FZ300 advantages over Panasonic GX8

  • Less expensive
    $448 vs $998
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.3 fps vs 8.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.4 fps vs 7.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Panasonic FZ300

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.34 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Better color depth
    23.5 vs 19.3 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    806 vs 97 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.6 vs 11.0 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Thinner
    63 mm vs 117 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    487g vs 724g
    Lighter weight
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.77x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    36 vs 25 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 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
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Panasonic GX8

Review Excerpt

  • Good image quality for its class; Improved ergonomics; Impressive new EVF and rear display; Versatile 24-600mm equivalent f/2.8 lens; Faster autofocus performance; 4K video and 4K Photo features.

  • Bulky camera body; Excessive default noise reduction applied at lower ISOs; Continuous autofocus performance is inconsistent.

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm HS30EXR

Panasonic FZ300
Fujifilm HS30EXR
  • $481
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $468
  • 1/2 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
Panasonic GX8
Fujifilm HS30EXR
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $468
  • 1/2 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic FZ200

Panasonic FZ300
Panasonic FZ200
  • $481
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
Panasonic GX8
Panasonic FZ200
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash

Compared to Fujifilm S8200

Panasonic FZ300
Fujifilm S8200
  • $481
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • More telephoto lens reach
Panasonic GX8
Fujifilm S8200
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic FZ300
Olympus E-M1
  • $481
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Panasonic GX8
Olympus E-M1
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic FZ300
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $481
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1324
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Panasonic GX8
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC
  • $1324
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Fast startup
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