Take a look at the specification comparison review of both the camera, the recently announced Panasonic GX8 camera features newly developed MOS sensor from Sony on the other hand the Panasonic GH4 features traditional 16MP sensor, for other noticeable difference written below…
Major Difference
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 vs. Panasonic GH4 Specification Comparison Table.
| Features / Models | Panasonic GX8 | Panasonic GH4 |
| Megapixel | 20 megapixels | 16.5 megapixels |
| Sensor size / type | Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) | Four Thirds (17.3 x 13mm) |
| Low-Pass-Filter | Yes | Yes |
| AF System | Contrast Detect (sensor) | Contrast Detect (sensor) |
| AF points | 49 | 49 |
| ISO | 100-25600 | 100-25600 |
| Shutter Min/Max | 60 sec 1/16000 sec | 60 sec 1/8000 sec |
| Top Continuous Shooting Speed | 10fps | 12fps |
| Video | 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p) | 4096 x 2160 (24p) |
| Display | 3″ Rear Touchscreen Swivel Touchscreen OLED (1,040,000) | 3″ Touch screen Swivel OLED (1,036,000) |
| Viewfinder | EVF 100% | EVF 100% |
| Hot-shoe | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless | Built-In with NFC | Built-In |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 330 shots | 500 shots |
| Dimensions | 133 x 78 x 63 mm | 133 x 93 x 84 mm |
| Weight | 487g | 560g |
Sensor: The sensor size of both the camera is same but they features different resolution, the Panasonic GX8 4/3 sensor features 20 MP sensor as well as the Panasonic GH4 features a 16 MP 4/3 sensor. The sensor inside the Panasonic GX8 is actually newly designed and developed by Sony, so despite of having same size and same ISO range I do believe the sensor inside the Panasonic GX8 will capture better still and video compared the GH4 camera.
With the help of new Venus Engine IX image processor and Sony IMX 269 sensor the camera is able to record 4K video at 30 and 24 fps, not only that you can also shoot 4K snaps (8 megapixels) @ 30 frames per second, that’s more than enough for capturing a live F1 event.
Panasonic GH4 full resolution continuous shooting speed is approx 12 fps and on the other hand the Panasonic GX8 continuous shooting speed is limited to 10 fps only, however keep in mind that the resolution of GX8 is bit high compared to the GH4.
The other major advantage of the new image processor is increase in the AF speed of the camera, although both camera is based on contrast based system but due to the addition of Venus Engine IX processor the AF speed is now approx 40% faster than the AF speed of GX7.
Due to the presence of Electronic shutter in GX8 camera you get electronic shutter speed of 1/16000 sec where as the GH4 shutter speed is limited to 1/8000, with the Panasonic GX8 you can easily capture any sports event or flying bird in the air (highly suitable for sports and wildlife photography)
The Panasonic GX8 carry built-in WiFi and NFC, with the help of WiFi you can easily share your files whereas the with the NFC you can easily control you camera from a distance, you can use any of you NFC enabled smart device to control your camera. The Panasonic GH4 carries only built-in WiFi tag, so it can only used for sharing files.
Verdict: The Panasonic GX8 features improved core specification compared to the Panasonic GH4 camera, you get a camera with bit better core specification at $500 less.
you say it has Sony sensor. The G7 has depth from defocus technology. Last time chipset deconstructed Panasonic sensor they found special circuitry for this feature?? Did you guess or do you know it is Sony?
http://thenewcamera.com/panasonic-gx8-uses-sony-20mp-imx269-sensor/
Ok thank you, I saw this already. It is my belief that it is a Panasonic sensor, this is based only on Chipsures (not chipset) assertion that fast autofocus circuitry is not telltale sign of a Sony sensor !
The DFD tech is not part of the sensor, DFD autofocus relies on special hardware in the camera’s processor.
Yes sorry I meant phase detect. I don’t know the answers but I am curious since I read the chipsure analysis. By the way I am still unsure if you have heard any more?
remember that gh4 have cine 4k (4×2) and the gx8 have tv 4k (3×2)