Samsung NX1 vs Panasonic GX8

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Samsung NX1 vs Panasonic GX8

APS-C 369.0mm²
28.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX1 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX1.
Compare Samsung NX1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Samsung NX1 conclusion.

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 Panasonic GX9
Compare GX8 vs GX9
Compare Samsung NX1 vs Panasonic GX9

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Differences

Samsung NX1 advantages over Panasonic GX8

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Fast startup
~0.70 vs 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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.
NX1 test data on DxO Mark GX8 test data on DxO Mark

1,363 vs 806 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

500 vs 340 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
28.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
15.2 fps vs 8.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
15.1 fps vs 7.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GX8 advantages over Samsung NX1

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
More viewfinder magnification
0.77x vs 0.69x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 53 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
36 vs 22 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 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
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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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 GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX8 User Reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX1

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 16-50mm f/2-2.8 S Lens
Kit with 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ Lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX8

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)

Review Excerpt

Very good, high-resolution image quality; Excellent high ISO performance with RAW files; Very good dynamic range; Blazing fast 15fps full-res burst mode; Deep buffer; Great build quality & comfortable ergonomics; Lots of physical controls; Great battery life; Fast single-shot AF.
Continuous AF performance still not as robust as competing DSLRs; Aggressive JPEG noise reduction at high ISOs; JPEG colors and saturation less pleasing at higher ISOs; H.265 video codec can be difficult to work with.
Read our Samsung NX1 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 Olympus E-M1

Samsung NX1

Olympus E-M1

$1797
APS-C

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

$1099
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Samsung NX1 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 Fujifilm X-T1

Samsung NX1

Fujifilm X-T1

$1797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Fujifilm X-T1

Panasonic GX8

Fujifilm X-T1

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1299
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Fujifilm X-T1

Compared to Panasonic G7

Samsung NX1

Panasonic G7

$1797
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$665
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Panasonic G7

Panasonic GX8

Panasonic G7

$998
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
NFC

$665
4/3

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Samsung NX1

Fujifilm X-T2

$1797
APS-C

Touchscreen
Fast startup

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Thinner

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Fujifilm X-T2

Panasonic GX8

Fujifilm X-T2

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to Fujifilm X-T3

Samsung NX1

Fujifilm X-T3

$1797
APS-C

Fast startup
NFC

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
Newer

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Fujifilm X-T3

Panasonic GX8

Fujifilm X-T3

$998
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1299
APS-C

Larger sensor
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Panasonic GX8 vs Fujifilm X-T3

Compare Other Cameras?