The Panasonic Lumix GX80 is a new mirrorless interchangeable lens camera with a 16 megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor, 5-axis in-camera sensor based image stabilisation, 4K video recording, and a sensor without the optical low pass filter, for improved resolution, contrast and colour reproduction. The GX80 will be available for £509 body only. 

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Panasonic Lumix GX80 Features

The Panasonic Lumix GX80 features the same 16 megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor as the GX7 (which has now been discontinued), but without the optical low-pass filter, for improved detail and resolution, which also means that noise performance should also be improved. The camera has 5-axis sensor based image stabilisation, which is designed to work in combination with lens-based image stabilisation. The Panasonic Lumix GX80 is also known as the GX85 in some parts of the world, or alternatively as the GX7 Mark II in Asia.

Panasonic Lumix GX80 Features at a glance

• 16-megapixel sensor w/o Low Pass Filter
• 5-axis sensor-based image stabilisation
• 4K Photo / Video with IS
• Post Focus

The Panasonic Lumix GX80 has a newly developed shutter unit, that is both smaller, as well as quieter, and has been designed to dramatically reduce shutter vibration (or shock), with a 90% reduction in shutter shock. The camera can shoot at 1/4,000s using the mechanical shutter, or 1/16,000s using an electronic shutter.

Panasonic Lumix GX80 Shutter Unit

The camera has a Panasonic Venus Engine image processor designed to get the best out of the GX80 sensor. The sensor is the same as that used in the GX7, but with the low-pass filter removed resolution is improved, as well as colour reproduction. To avoid false colour (moire) which can occur when the low-pass filter has been removed, the camera has built-in moire suppression, so that there is both the benefit of improved resolution, as well as reduced false colour.

Panasonic Lumix GX80 Image Stabilisation

The GX80 features Dual IS (Image Stabilisation): Lens image stabilisation (2-axis) and camera image stabilisation (5-axis sensor based) works simultaneously for improved image stabilisation. This works for photos, video, 4K video, as well as 4K photo, and this is the first camera to give 5-axis image stabilisation whilst recording 4K video. The use of dual image stabilisation is said to be particularly beneficial when using longer telephoto lenses.

Compared to the Panasonic Lumix GX8, GX7, and Olympus PEN-F:

The GX80 features an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2764K dot resolution, 100% colour reproduction, a 16:9 aspect ratio and 0.7x magnification, and an eye detection sensor. The EVF doesn't tilt, like it does on the GX8 and GX7, and the design of the camera makes the camera look a lot like a mini GX8.

There are full manual controls, as well as intelligent Auto, and you can use the creative effects in P/A/S/M modes. There is a new L Monochrome mode - added to Photo Styles, to give impressive, deep black photos with rich gradation like black and white film. A Light composition mode lets you take low light shots of subjects including fireworks, and light painting, etc, and combines a number of shots to produce one image. 

Wi-Fi connectivity is built in, with a QR-Code for a quick connection to your smartphone or tablet. The Panasonic Image App has a number of options, including remote control, image transfer, geotagging, snap movie, photo collage, and more. 

The GX80 records 4K (UHD: 3840x2160) video at 30, 25, and 24fps, with stereo sound, as well as full HD video at 50p, 50i, 25p, and 24p. Focus can be set with the touch screen, and there are a number of different focus options including: Face/Eye Detection AF, Pinpoint AF, One-shot AF and advanced Low Light AF (-4EV).

Key Features

• 16 megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor, without Low Pass Filter
• 5-axis image stabilisation (sensor based)
• 3inch tilting touch-screen, 1040K dots
• Electronic viewfinder, 2764K dots, 0.7x magnification
• 4K Photo (30fps), Post-focus 
• 4K Video (UHD: 3840x2160), 30, 25, 24p, Stereo sound
• ISO200 - ISO25600, Extends to ISO100
• Wi-Fi connectivity with QR-Code
• 8fps continuous shooting, 6fps with C-AF
• Panoramic shooting / HDR mode / Creative Effects
• RAW image development in-camera
• Silent Mode, Multiple Exposure
• Time Lapse Shot / Stop Motion Animation
• Built-in pop-up flash (GN6)
• Available in Black, Silver, Tan

Panasonic Lumix GX80 Handling

The GX80 has a solid plastic body that feels very well built, and the tilting screen is firmly attached giving reassuring confidence in the design. Despite the plastic body, the camera feels extremely solid. There is a textured grip with a leather-like look, but unfortunately, this isn't a rubber grip, like the one found on the GX7. 

There is a front and rear control wheel, so that you can quickly change aperture and shutter speeds, or other settings, and there are numerous function buttons that can be customised. The Q.Menu button can be used to quickly change settings, without having to go into the menu system. You can also customise five function buttons on screen so that you can setup the camera to give you quick access to your favourite settings. 

The electronic viewfinder has a good resolution, and the 16:9 aspect ratio is great for video recording, but less impressive for 4:3 aspect ratio photo shooting, making the electronic viewfinder appear smaller than when using other (4:3 or 3:2) aspect ratio viewfinders. The colours are quite strongly saturated, but this can be adjusted.

The screen quality is good with a clear display and good viewing angles, and you can view the screen even in bright sunlight. The electronic viewfinder and screen colours match although as mentioned above the viewfinder can appear quite highly saturated. The tilting screen fits very neatly into the camera when in its closed position, and it almost looks like the screen doesn't tilt at first glance. You can use the touch-screen to set the focus point to anywhere on the screen, however care needs to be taken when using the EVF, as your nose can accidentally set the focus point - luckily this can be switched off. Focus is said to work down to -4EV, with the focus assist lamp helping here.

The tripod socket is quite close to the front of the camera, however, unlike the PEN-F, this does not cause any problems when mounting larger lenses on the camera. The shutter is quieter and much more pleasant sounding than the GX7 shutter when a lens is mounted to the camera. 

Menus – The Panasonic Lumix GX80 menus are clearly and well laid out, with the menus separated over different colour coded sections. There is built-in help that explains each option, which makes it easier to use the camera, without having to refer to the manual. You can watch a video of the menu options available on the ePHOTOzine YouTube channel. The Q.Menu button gives quick access to some of the most common settings, and you can use the touch-screen to change settings and options as well as scroll through the menus. In playback you can use pinch to zoom, or scroll through different photos, making it easy to use the camera, particularly if you're used to using a smartphone.

Built-in Wi-Fi allows you to remote control the camera, and you can take photos as well as start and stop video recording. You can transfer images to a smartphone or tablet, or add geotagging information to photos. There are options for Snap Movie as well as Photo Collage. Setting up the connection is easy, as you can simply connect to the camera's Wi-Fi or use the QR code so that the connection is setup for you. 

Battery life - Battery life is rated at 290 shots according to Panasonic / CIPA test results, which is lower than other Panasonic Micro Four Thirds cameras, although we suspect it is due to the new in-camera sensor based image stabilisation. Thankfully, you can charge the battery using the MicroUSB connection, which will make it easy to charge the camera where-ever you are. The GX80 uses the same battery as the GX7.