One of the most interesting aspects of the mirrorless market is that it allowed the advance of “alternative” brands (if you'll excuse the expression) outside the classic Nikon-Canon duo. Last week we talked about the Fujifilm X-T100 with extraordinary image quality, and if your budget reaches €800 you can't go wrong with the Sony Alpha a6300. However, today it's the turn of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80. At first glance, its 16-megapixel sensor seems a bit limited, but that idea changes completely once we take the first shots and record 4K video.
I admit the main camera manufacturers have done a great job launching more affordable SLR models. The Canon EOS 2000D costs just €400 with an 18-55 lens in its kit, and the Canon EOS 1300D turned out to be so popular that it's now almost sold out. On the Nikon side, the Nikon D3400 remains extremely competitive, and a great candidate for beginner photographers. But there are also mirrorless cameras. Lighter, more compact, and I dare say easier to use. Canon and Nikon haven't ignored that format, and honestly, they can't afford to. Besides, they face fierce rivals. One of them comes in the form of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80: Versatile, Compact, and with 4K Video
Known as the GX85 in other regions of the globe, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 has a Four Thirds CMOS sensor with 16 effective megapixels without an anti-aliasing filter, and is accompanied by a Venus Engine image processor. ISO sensitivity ranges from 200 to 25,600 with a lower boost of ISO 100, and a shutter speed ranging from 1/4000 to 60 seconds with mechanical shutter, or 1/16000 to 1 second with electronic shutter. Its LCD screen is touch-sensitive and tilting, with a size of 3 inches and 1.04 million dot resolution. The electronic viewfinder is also LCD, with sequential color field and 2.76 million dots.
Autofocus relies on a contrast detection system with 49 points. From a practical standpoint, the burst of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 is 8 FPS with the mechanical shutter and 10 FPS with the electronic. Technically, the camera offers a super high-speed burst with 40 FPS under the electronic shutter, but the resolution loss is very pronounced. On the other hand, the maximum burst with continuous autofocus is about 6 FPS, which isn't bad at all.
The five-axis dual image stabilization works wonders when recording video handheld, and that leads us to the available modes. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 records 4K at 30, 25, and 24 FPS, or 1080p50. In addition to delivering excellent quality, the potential of 4K is multiplied thanks to the so-called Post Focus. Basically, the user can create a JPEG image with different focus points after having taken the shot.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/XJjvEe6VbM0
The compact design of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 does not sacrifice robustness or build quality. The grip is more than acceptable, although users with very large hands may have to get used to it a little first. As for the interface, even the most novice will master this mirrorless in minutes.
The mode dial has a total of ten entries, and most of them are very familiar: “IA” is Intelligent Auto, “P” for Program Auto, “A” is Aperture Priority, “S” is Shutter Priority, and “M” belongs to Manual. The camera symbol with the letter M is “Creative Movie Image Mode”, the palette is “Creative Movie”, and “SCN” is “Scene Guide”. Finally there is the symbol for Panoramic mode, and “C” equals custom, that is, a customizable entry we can program. The rest of the information can be found in the manual, including the details of its WiFi connectivity.
Accessories for Panasonic DMC-GX80
As with other mirrorless cameras on the market, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 delivers very solid results in both photography and video, and any accessory in our arsenal will be aimed at compensating for basic limitations such as the lack of sealing against dust and liquids, or its battery performance. Logically, our priority is to favor the cost-benefit ratio, although it all depends on the initial configuration chosen. If you prefer to buy only the body of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 and look for an alternative lens, you'll pay €440, but today it's much more convenient to invest an extra €30 and add the 12-32 pancake, or go for €630 with the 12-32 and an additional 35-100 wildcard. That said, let's begin:
Batteries and Power
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 has an approximate performance of 290 shots per full battery charge, just a step below if we compare it with its direct competition. Fortunately, this is corrected by obtaining a Gloxy battery compatible with the DMW-BLG10 module, and a Gloxy 2-in-1 hybrid charger for home and car, because charging one battery at a time via USB becomes tedious in record time. If you plan to go out “hunting” photos very often with your Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80, you'll need both resources. For reference, the compatible battery kit SKU is “0712001269,VDTS-4604-CH-VDTS-114”.
Tripods and Supports
Mirrorless cameras don't demand much in the field of tripods and supports… unless you decide to make a strange combination with a telephoto lens and turn it into an astrophotography cannon or something similar. However, there's no reason to worry. If you want a tripod for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80, your first option is the classic Gloxy GX-T6662A, with a load of 10 kilograms and a maximum working height of 1.6 meters. Among compact solutions, the Clampod Takeway T1 remains undefeated. Maximum 40 kilograms, it grips onto anything, and at 200 grams, it's very easy to carry.
Backpacks and Bags
We mentioned it above, and the manual makes it clear from the start: The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 doesn't come with any kind of sealing against dust or the whims of the weather. That requires a bit of extra care in storage and transport, but the market offers us bags and backpacks of very good quality, without turning our budget into an Olympic torch. On the one hand, the Lowepro Toploader Zoom 55 AW II bag has plenty of space to carry the mirrorless with an 80-400 lens already mounted, and the waterproof cover is definitely welcome. Now, if you need to move more equipment, the logical alternative is the Gloxy Pro AW backpack. Three different models, padded and customizable interior, external rain cover, and even a hook to carry the tripod, all for €45.
Flashes
The small flash that comes with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 works better than we imagined, but if we've learned anything about light deficit in certain scenes, it's that it doesn't cooperate. So, nothing better than tipping the scales in our favor with two flashes. The first is official, the Panasonic DMW-FL200L. A bit more expensive than average, but with excellent reviews, and a hybrid flash-torch mode that is very useful and lets us save some money in the short term. The second is already becoming a classic for mirrorless, and I'm referring to the Meike MK-320. Its LCD screen helps us control it very easily, it comes with a diffuser as a gift, and weighs 150 grams. A feather. For reference, the flash kit SKU is “0713278336,IM713093838”.
Lenses
Micro Four Thirds lenses can present some difficulty in local markets when it comes to availability, but if you decide to opt for the body of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 (provided you get it much cheaper than the kit), there are two units you should keep an eye on. The first is the super wide-angle Samyang 12mm f/2.0 NSC CS, with a 98.9-degree angle of view and a minimum focusing distance of 20 centimeters, delivering wide and well-lit shots. The second option is the Tamron 14-150mm f/3.5-5.8 Di III. It is the company's first Micro Four Thirds lens, and a wildcard for shooting at any time, everywhere. The lens kit SKU is “0712001238,IM712001934”.
4K video, less than €500 initial investment, and formidable photos even with a “small” sensor. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 is screaming to be your first mirrorless camera, and honestly, it has plenty of material to do so. If SLRs don't catch your attention, choosing this camera will be a great success. Good luck!
