Conclusion
On the sensor front, we’ve reached what some may consider a disappointing conclusion – the new 20MP in the GX8 appears to perform in a very similar manner to previous 16MP sensors like the one inside the E-M1. The sharpness, dynamic range and high ISO performance of the Raw files are practically identical, while the E-M1 displays a little more sharpness and contrast in the OOC JPGs when both cameras are set to the Natural profile with standard NR.
The moral of the story? Higher megapixel counts always look good on paper but may not always make a difference in the real world, especially when dealing with values as close as 16 and 20. Double or triple the number of megapixels, and there might actually be something to talk about.
The biggest difference can be found in how the sensors handle long exposures with NR turned to OFF. The E-M1 produces noisy files while the GX8 files are clear of noise. However, it isn’t really a big issue because the E-M1 can create star trails/light paintings in-camera with its Live Composite mode.
As for the stabilisation, the results from the GX8 were a pleasant surprise. Olympus’ 5-axis stabilisation system is a standard to which all brands aspire, so it is great to see a Lumix camera capable of keeping pace with the leader in the field. Though the Dual I.S. was the better performer, giving me sharp results at 1 second much like the E-M1, I also found the GX8’s 2-axis in-body stabilisation very good with the M.Zuiko 12-40mm. This means that even owners of third party lenses can enjoy reliable stabilisation with the GX8.
Do you have any questions about the sensor and stabilisation of the Panasonic GX8? If so, leave us a comment below!