• 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha ILCE-A7S
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Panasonic GX7
GX7 vs GX8
Successor: Sony A7S II
A7S vs A7S II
Panasonic GX9
GX8 vs GX9
General
Model Number: A7S GX8
Alternate Model Number(s): ILCE-7S  
Camera Format: Compact System Camera Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: Yes Yes
Retail Price: $2499.99 $1199.99
Street Price: $1,998.00 $997.99
Date Available: 2014-07-08 2015-08-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 17.9 oz (507 g)
includes batteries
17.2 oz (487 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.0 x 3.7 x 1.9 in.
(127 x 94 x 48 mm)
5.2 x 3.1 x 2.5 in.
(133 x 78 x 63 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Panasonic
Effective Megapixels: 12.2 20.3
Sensor Format: 35mm 4/3
Sensor size: 847.28mm2 (35.60mm x 23.80mm) 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 8.40 microns 3.34 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 87 75
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.9 23.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.2 12.6
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 3,702 806
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4240 x 2832 (12.0 MP, 3:2),
4240 x 2384 (10.1 MP, 16:9),
2768 x 1848 (5.1 MP, 3:2),
2768 x 1560 (4.3 MP, Other),
2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
2128 x 1200 (2.6 MP, Other),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other)
5184 x 3888 (20.2 MP, 4:3),
3712 x 2784 (10.3 MP, 4:3),
2624 x 1968 (5.2 MP, 4:3),
1824 x 1368 (2.5 MP, 4:3),
5184 x 3456 (17.9 MP, 3:2),
3712 x 2480 (9.2 MP, 3:2),
2624 x 1752 (4.6 MP, 3:2),
1824 x 1216 (2.2 MP, 3:2),
5184 x 2920 (15.1 MP, 16:9),
3840 x 2160 (8.3 MP, 16:9),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1824 x 1024 (1.9 MP, 16:9),
3888 x 3888 (15.1 MP, 1:1),
2784 x 2784 (7.8 MP, 1:1),
1968 x 1968 (3.9 MP, 1:1),
1712 x 1712 (2.9 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3), MPO, RAW, RAW + JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 5.0 8.3
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60p/​60i/​50p/​50i/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (120p/​100p)
1440x1080 (30p/​25p)
640x480 (30p/​25p)
3840x2160 (30p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​60i/​30p/​24p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: XAVC-S, AVCHD 2.0, MP4 with stereo sound AVCHD (Audio format: Dolby Digital 2ch) / MP4 (Audio format AAC 2ch)
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a No
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a Yes
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony E Micro Four Thirds
Lens: n/a n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):    
Focal Length (actual):    
Zoom Ratio:    
Aperture Range:    
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x; 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom 2x, 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 25-point contrast-detect AF: Wide (25 points), Center-weighted, Flexible Spot (S/M/L), Zone Contrast Detection with DFD: Face/Eye detection, Tracking, 49-area, Custom Multi, 1-area, Pinpoint; One Shot AF, Shutter AF, Half Press Release, Quick AF, Continuous AF (during motion picture recording), Eye Sensor AF, AF+MF, MF Assist, Touch MF Assist, Focus Peaking, Touch AF/AE Function, Touch Pad AF, Touch Shutter
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD EVF / OLED
Viewfinder Type: EVF: 0.5-inch (1.30cm) 2.4M-dot XGA color OLED, 100% coverage, 0.71x magnification, -4.0 to +3.0 diopter Tilting 2360K-dot OLED, 1.54x / 0.77x (35mm eq.) magnification, 21mm eyepoint, -4 to +3 diopter, eye sensor
Focus Peaking: Yes Yes
EVF Resolution: 2,359,296 dots (786,432 pixels) 2,360,000 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.71x 0.77x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.71x 1.54x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots (307,200 px) 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No Yes
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 13.3x 16.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 102400 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 100 200
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 102,400, expandable to 50 - 409,600 Auto, iISO, 100 (extended), 200 - 25600; in 1 or 1/3 EV steps
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4 settings), Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation), Underwater Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Flash, White Set 1-4, Color Temperature Setting (2,500-10,000K in 100K steps)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/16000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 1200-zone Evaluative Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot 1728-zone Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Anti Motion Blur; Sweep Panorama; Picture Effect: Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R, G, B, Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft Highkey, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature, Watercolor, Illustration; Dynamic Range Optimizer (Auto/Level (1-5)), Auto High Dynamic Range: Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure Difference Level (1.0-6.0 EV, 1.0 EV step) Panorama (Standard/Wide); Creative Control: Expressive, Retro, Old Days, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Monochrome, Dynamic Monochrome, Rough Monochrome, Silky Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Toy Pop, Bleach Bypass, Miniature Effect, Soft Focus, Fantasy, Star Filter, One Point Color, Sunshine
Self Timer: 2 or 10; 3/5 shots after 10 seconds 2, 10, 3 shots in 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Hi-speed Sync, Wireless; Red-eye reduction: On/Off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off; 1st. Curtain Sync, 2nd Curtain Sync.
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Multi Interface Hot shoe Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG RAW, RAW + JPEG
Movie File Format: XAVC-S, AVCHD 2.0, MP4 with stereo sound AVCHD (Audio format: Dolby Digital 2ch) / MP4 (Audio format AAC 2ch)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: Yes Yes
NFC: Yes Yes
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes Yes
Headphone Jack: Yes No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Yes, via USB or Wi-Fi Wi-Fi or optional wired
Connections (extended): Micro HDMI (Type-D), Multi Micro USB connector, Stereo microphone jack (3.5mm), Stereo headphone jack (3.5mm) Micro HDMI (Type-D), 2.5mm Wired Remote/External Mic Jack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.53 <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.57  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.52 <0.3
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 5.0 8.3
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 62 Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 5.0 7.9
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 39 36
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 5.0 7.9
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 28 32
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds 0.18 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.129 seconds 0.065 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.024 seconds 0.058 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full AF lag, Multi-area AF mode = 0.183s  
Startup Time: 2.0 seconds 1.2 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.5 seconds 0.6 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 380 shots 340 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 320 shots 320 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FW50 Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable 7.2v, 1200mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 2 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: Yes No
Software
Included Software:   PHOTOfunSTUDIO 9.7 PE, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 4.3 SE, LoiloScope (trial version)
OS Compatibility:   PHOTOfunSTUDIO and LoiloScope: Windows Vista/7/8/8.1; SILKYPIX: Windows Vista/7/8/8.1, Mac OS X 10.5-10.10
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 720p (1,280 x 720 pixel) video can be recorded at 120fps with an APS-C sensor crop. Can't record 4K video internally, but can output uncompressed 3,840 x 2,160 pixel 4K video over the HDMI port for recording on an external device. Can also output uncompressed Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixel) video. Can shoot still images at 5.0 fps in Speed Priority Continuous mode, or 2.5 fps otherwise. Battery life figure of 380 shots is for LCD monitor. Using electronic viewfinder, battery life falls to 320 shots. New 20.3MP Live MOS sensor, upgraded quad-core CPU Venus Engine image processor, Dual IS uses both IBIS and OIS, 4K 30p/24p video and stills capture, 8fps full-res burst shooting (10fps with electronic shutter), Depth From Defocus AF, tilting high-res 0.77x EVF, tilt/swivel touchscreen OLED monitor, built-in Wi-Fi with NFC, magnesium alloy die cast frame