Yes, there were leaks. The Panasonic GX8 is indeed real, and it’s quite beautiful. This camera isn’t said to succeed GX7 but instead live above it. It’s the company’s flagship rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and lives alongside the GH4 as a flagship camera for the company.
Available in black and silver, the camera has Duel IS that works via the lens and sensor. This feature works for HD video, but not 4K–which the camera shoots. The GX8 sports a 20.3MP Live MOS sensor–the highest resolution Four Thirds sensor to date. The camera also has an exposure compensation dial in addition to a splash and dust proof design.
The GX8 has the same Venus Engine as the GH4 but provides a 1/3 stop better performance when it comes to dynamic range.
The sensor can shoot up to ISO 25,600. The camera includes a tiltable EVF and OLED screen. Panasonic claims that it has a 0.07 AF speed responsiveness in addition to 200% more focusing accuracy than the GH4 and focusing abilities down to -4 EV.
With the electronic shutter, you can shoot to 1/16,000; but otherwise the max shutter speed is 1/8,000. The camera can also shoot tethered. On top of this, there is WiFi and NFC connectivity. When it launches, it will be available for $1,199.99.
But that’s not all.
Also being announced today is the new Panasonic FZ300 point and shoot. This cameras has a 25-600mm f2.8 lens in front of a 12.1MP 1/2.3 MOS sensor. It also has a new Venus engine working with the sensor to create the images. The lens has five aspherical lenses, two ED elements and nano coating on the lens elements in addition to a macro focusing mode.
The camera has 5 axis Hybrid OIS in addition to a splash proof and dust proof design. However, it doesn’t have a magnesium alloy body.
Other features include a 1440K OLED LVF, Rear dial and side dial, 6fps shooting, up to 1/4000 shutter speeds with a mechanical shutter, electronic shutter with speeds of up to 1/16,000, silent shooting mode, WiFi connectivity an will come in black or silver.
Expect it to roll into stores around the second week of October for $599.99.
The company is also announcing the development of two new lenses: the 25mm f1.7 is the first one and it features a new function called Post Focus. According to the press release:
“Post Focus will enable users to select an “in-focus” area after shooting with a simple interface. This function has been developed as a further evolution of 4K Photo technology to prevent out-of-focus errors and offer additional creative freedom.”
Curious, huh? It will be coming to many cameras via a firmware update.
Then there is the new Leica DG 100-400mm f4-6.3 which will also have Post Focus. No other major details are available at the moment.
Panasonic FZ300
Panasonic GX8