Olympus’ Pen F has been an important camera for many reasons. However, despite it being over a decade, the company has not yet announced its successor. While there have been talks of such a device coming soon to replace the aging model, it has not happened yet. With uncertainty still around, it is best to look for an alternative, one that can give you the same performance at possibly lower cost. Have a look.
Incredible Specs and Build
The model we are talking about is the Panasonic GX8. For the uninitiated, this device was introduced in 2015, a year before the launch of the Pen F. However, what is impressive is that the two cameras share many similar traits. For instance, the GX8 features a 20MP Four Thirds sensor, while Olympus shares the same resolution with Four Thirds. The GX8 also features a low-pass filter, ISO up to 25,600, 10 fps of burst rate, and 487 g of weight. Where the GX8 does shine is the ability to shoot 4K videos, which was not possible with the Pen F.
Similarly, another significant advantage was the design. The GX8 appeared like the DMC-L1 DSLR, had simple controls, and had a nice pop-up EVF. There was a nice LCD screen with good functionality. Not only was the camera stunning, with retro dials and buttons, but it also offered weather sealing. The Pen F does not have weather sealing, which makes the camera a challenge to be used during outdoor drizzle.
A Quick Focusing System
While it excelled in design, it also did with autofocus too. Once you choose a focusing point, you are able to get the shot with ease. It is on par with Olympus and Sony in many ways. Similarly, focus peaking with the GX8 is accurate. With the Voigtlander 17.5mm f0.95, we managed to get everything tack sharp easily. We also said, “Tracking focus, even in the dark, is some of the best I’ve seen and can only really be bested by the Sony A7s Mk II and Sony A7r Mk II.”
Images That Are Worthy
The image quality is another reason why the GX8 is a perfect replacement for the Pen F. Right out of the camera, you get excellent colors. In fact, once the file is edited, Panasonic gives just the best colors, like the Pen F. Even with RAW files, you are able to recover details with ease.
Similarly, when shooting at high ISO, you will see little noise. But if you pixel peep, the Pen F has some edge over the GX8. Despite that, the sensor is highly capable in the grand scheme of things and in real-life applications.
Overall, the GX8 is worthy in every aspect. In fact, for those who also shoot videos, the camera outpaces the Pen F. As we said in our review:
Absolutely any job that a person needs to get done can easily be accomplished with the Panasonic GX8–seriously any job. But it will take a true creative to really take the fullest advantage of what this camera’s imaging sensor is capable of.
For those who are interested, the GX8 will cost you around $550 on eBay and different prices on Amazon, as opposed to the $950 for Pen F. It is a good idea to invest in this model before the prices hike up again.