At the beginning of September we examined the virtues of the Panasonic Lumix DC-G90, a tank with excellent features that still carries a premium price. But what if we don't want to wait? Is there an alternative we can get today? The answer is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80. Its normal price isn't that interesting, but recently we've seen it online with significant discounts, which completely changes its competitiveness.
The idea that photography is expensive may never completely disappear. Still, we must recognize that manufacturers have made a notable effort to lower the entry point, and their success materialized in cameras like the Canon EOS 4000D, a DSLR that remains the best seller on Amazon Spain (280 euros with lens included, not much to argue about). Hunting for deals in photography is as valid as in any other market (think computing or general electronics), and that brings us to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80, which with just three years of age presents a very attractive balance of features and construction.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80: 16 MP Done Right
Announced originally in September 2016, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 (also known as the G85 and G81 in other regions) features a 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor, backed by the Venus Engine processor. Its ISO sensitivity ranges from 200 to 25,600 with a lower boost of 100, while shutter speed ranges from 1/4,000 to 60 seconds, or 1/16,000 with the electronic shutter. Its three-inch touchscreen is articulated, with 1.04 million dots, and the viewfinder is an OLED module with 2.36 million dots and 100% coverage.
The autofocus system of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 is based on 49 contrast-detect points and Panasonic's proprietary Depth from Defocus technology, the same as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 (note the extra X) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX800. Maximum burst is about 9 FPS (10 FPS electronic), however, the combination of continuous autofocus with a speed of 6 FPS (which enables live view) tends to give better results. We must also remember automatic face and eye detection. The camera 'prefers' the closest faces, but nothing prevents you from applying an 'override' with a tap on the screen.
Need the camera to capture faster? In that case, the key is its Super High electronic mode, with a limit of 40 frames per second. From a practical standpoint, JPEG shots have no buffer limit, while RAW mode fills it at 45 images. Personally, I believe this is the way to get the most out of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80. JPEG quality is more than adequate, but we can always extract a bit of extra detail in RAW, especially at higher ISO values.
The interface of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 doesn't present too many changes compared to the DMC-G7 it aims to replace. The controls are abundant, but not necessarily difficult to understand. The mirrorless camera has five physical Fn buttons, plus six virtual ones. The dial on the left defines the drive mode, with six entries total: Single, Burst, 4K Photo, Post-Focus, Self-Timer, and Time Interval.
The mode dial is certainly familiar, with references to Full Auto or Intelligent Auto 'iA', Programmed Auto 'P', Aperture Priority 'A', Shutter Priority 'S', Manual 'M', Creative Mode (the camera with the M), custom modes C1 and C2, Scene Guide mode 'SCN', and Creative Movie (the palette). Panasonic offers two versions of the manual for the Lumix DMC-G80, but I recommend getting the advanced version, with 330 pages.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 can record 4K at 30 FPS and 100 megabits per second, with options for p50, p25, and p24. By losing its anti-aliasing filter, the final quality is a step above its predecessor G7, and it doesn't tremble in the face of video produced by its larger-sensor sisters. Its integrated five-axis stabilization is excellent, so you can do without a tripod on more than one occasion. At the same time, remember that the 4K Photo mode is at your disposal (which allows extracting 8-megapixel frames from a piece of video), and Post Focus, which includes Focus Stacking mode (adds multiple focus points, applying a crop to the final result).
Accessories for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 reached a price of 1,000 euros at the time of its debut. Today we can find it at 620 euros under a kit that includes a good 12-60 lens of wide use. I calculate that such an offer won't last long, but if you're willing to take the leap, you'll probably want to add a couple of accessories to your future equipment.
Batteries and Power
Official information suggests that a full battery charge on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 equals about 330 shots, but the manufacturer also indicates that with good power management, its performance is much higher. Anyway, it's never a bad idea to add a secondary module, and that's where the Gloxy battery compatible with the DMW-BLC12 format comes in, costing 25 euros on average. Of course, our configuration isn't complete without the Gloxy 2-in-1 charger for home and car. Energy in abundance, and everywhere. This setup is available under the SKU "DI713,VDTS-4604-CH-VDTS-112".
Tripods and Supports
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 has solid stabilization, but at 505 grams with batteries installed, it can become heavy during overly long sessions. The good news is that a tripod for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 is much more accessible than we imagine. For example, the classic Gloxy GX-T6662A supports a load of 10 kilograms, reaches 1.6 meters in height, and is unbeatable at 60 euros. If you want something more compact, then you should take a close look at the Clampod Takeway T2. Easy to transport, very strong in its grip, and with a maximum of 40 kilograms, it will have no problems holding the G80.
Backpacks and Bags
Its body made of magnesium alloy and factory weather sealing are two very positive aspects in the configuration of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80, but that doesn't eliminate our responsibility when it comes to transport and storage. Options? Two classics here at NeoTeo: On one hand, the Gloxy Pro AW backpack, with wide straps, padded and customizable interior, tripod support, three different sizes, and a waterproof cover. On the other hand, the Delta 400a Fancier bag, available in three colors, with a very abundant interior space despite appearances, and a sling style that makes it very comfortable. These two options can be purchased under the SKU "GloxyPRO,Fancier400a".
Flashes
The ideal for any photographer is to access the exact amount of light, but if the environment doesn't help, sometimes you have to force things a bit. For these and other reasons, today we recommend two flashes. The first is the small but robust Meike MK-320. Functional, compatible, more powerful than it seems, and very economical, with 75 euros on its tag. More power? In that case... jump to the Metz 52 AF-1. Guide number 52, a head with good movement, and a touchscreen that rotates 90 degrees simplify its use. It demands a larger investment, but it's worth it.
Lenses
A lens to close our accessory section. The offer for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 includes a 12-60 lens that will serve you well, but if you're willing to expand your horizons, the Tamron 14-150 f3.5-5.8 Di III won't disappoint you. A flexible and well-constructed wild card that should adapt to almost any situation.
In short, it would be a mistake to let the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 pass by while it remains at that price. Formidable RAW images, 4K video among the best, a great design, and weather sealing seal the deal. Good luck!
