Pentax K-30 vs Panasonic GX8

Cameras
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Pentax K-30 vs Panasonic GX8

APS-C 369.7mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-30 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-30.

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 Pentax K-50
Compare K-30 vs K-50

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX9
Compare GX8 vs GX9

Compare PENTAX K-50 vs PANASONIC GX9

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Differences

Pentax K-30 advantages over Panasonic GX8

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
K-30 test data on DxO Mark GX8 test data on DxO Mark

1,129 vs 806 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

410 vs 340 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Pentax K-30

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More viewfinder magnification
0.77x vs 0.61x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
20.3 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
8.3 fps vs 5.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 45 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/6000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-30 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX8 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-30

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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Buy the Panasonic GX8

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)

Review Excerpt

Pentaprism viewfinder is bright and accurate; Weather-sealed body can handle direct rain; Twin control dials make exposure control a snap; Solid build; Great image quality.
Lower resolution than some rivals; Not as small as recent Pentax entry-level and mid-range models; A couple of ergonomic and UI quirks; Shutter isn't the quietest; 18-55 kit lens isn't weather-sealed.
Read our Pentax K-30 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 Nikon D7000

Pentax K-30

Nikon D7000

$599
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Nikon D7000

Panasonic GX8

Nikon D7000

$998
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Nikon D7000

Compared to Canon T4i

Pentax K-30

Canon T4i

$599
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Canon T4i

Panasonic GX8

Canon T4i

$998
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Canon T4i

Compared to Pentax K-5 II

Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5 II

$599
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$699
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-5 II

Panasonic GX8

Pentax K-5 II

$998
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-5 II

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Pentax K-30

Olympus E-M1

$599
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1099
4/3

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-30 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 Olympus E-M1 II

Pentax K-30

Olympus E-M1 II

$599
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1324
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-30 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

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