Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G80EB-K Panasonic - Review 🏆

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 (known as the G85 in the US) is a mid-range mirrorless camera aimed at enthusiast photographers. Released in 2016, it features a 16MP Micro Four Thirds sensor with no optical low-pass filter for maximum detail capture. Some of the key specs include:

• 16MP Live MOS sensor
• 5-axis in-body image stabilization
• 2.36M-dot electronic viewfinder
• 3" 1.04M-dot free-angle touchscreen
• 4K video capture at 30fps
• 9fps burst shooting with AF-C
• Weather-sealed metal body
• Built-in WiFi

This camera is designed to deliver excellent image quality in both stills and video, while also providing a robust weather-sealed body. The in-body stabilization, fast burst rate, and 4K video make it a versatile option for different types of photography.

Design and Build Quality

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 has a sturdy and durable design made of metal and composite plastic. Despite its compact size, it feels solid and substantial in-hand, weighing just 505g.

The body is weather-sealed, making it resistant to dust and moisture. This allows you to shoot in challenging weather conditions with confidence. The textured handgrip provides a secure hold, even when shooting one-handed.

In terms of ergonomics, the camera is comfortable to operate. Key controls are logically placed for easy access, including two control dials to quickly adjust settings. The buttons have a positive, responsive feel. Overall, the G80 is a well-built camera that feels great in the hand.

Another excellent option to consider is the Panasonic LUMIX DC-FZ10002EB. This camera features a powerful built-in zoom lens and a high-resolution electronic viewfinder. It is designed for photographers who need a versatile and portable solution without sacrificing performance. The camera body is ergonomically designed and includes various manual controls, making it user-friendly for both enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Image Sensor and Resolution

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 features a 16MP Micro Four Thirds sensor, which is a common sensor size for mirrorless cameras. The 16MP resolution provides enough detail for most photography applications, including large prints.

In real-world shooting, the 16MP sensor captures images with good resolution and detail. The level of fine detail is suitable for landscape, travel, and everyday photography. While not quite as high-res as some other mirrorless cameras, the 16MP strikes a good balance between resolution and low-light performance.

For most users, the 16MP resolution will be perfectly sufficient. Pixel peeping reveals some signs of softness at 100% zoom but images look sharp at normal viewing sizes. The resolution enables large 20 x 30 inch prints with good detail retention. Overall the sensor offers reliable image quality and versatility across different photography genres.

Another excellent option from Panasonic is the Panasonic Lumix FZ2000. This bridge camera features a 20MP 1-inch sensor, offering higher resolution and better image quality in various lighting conditions. The FZ2000 is known for its versatile zoom range and advanced video capabilities, making it a great choice for both photography and videography enthusiasts. Overall, it delivers high performance and is well-suited for those looking for an all-in-one solution.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 has a 49-point contrast-detect autofocus system that covers a wide area of the frame. It can lock focus in just 0.07 seconds and track subjects at up to 6 fps in burst shooting mode.

The autofocus is accurate and reliable in most lighting conditions. It can struggle a bit in very low light, but overall performs very well. The G80 uses Depth from Defocus technology for faster focusing speeds. There are also various AF modes like Face/Eye Detection, Tracking, 49-Area, Custom Multi, 1-Area, and Pinpoint.

For action shots and capturing fast movement, the G80's burst mode allows up to 9fps shooting with continuous autofocus, or up to 40fps with the electronic shutter and focus locked on the first frame. This gives you flexibility for different types of shooting scenarios.

The G80 has good customizability when it comes to autofocus settings. You can customize the operation, move the AF point using the touchscreen, and set priority for release or focus in AF-S mode. Overall, the autofocus system is fast, accurate, and versatile for both stills and video.

Video Recording

The Lumix DMC-G80 is a very capable camera for shooting high-quality videos. It can record 4K video at 30 frames per second (fps) and full HD 1080p video at up to 60 fps.

The 4K video is sharp and detailed, taking full advantage of the 16 megapixel sensor. You can extract high-resolution stills from the 4K footage in post as well. Slow motion effects are possible by recording in 1080p at 120 fps.

Overall, the video capabilities allow you to shoot very high quality films and footage, whether for professional, social media, or personal use. The variety of resolutions and frame rates give you flexibility for different scenarios.

Display

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 has a 3-inch rear LCD display with 1,040k dot resolution and touch control capabilities. The display provides a sharp and vibrant image for composing shots and reviewing photos and videos. With touch control, you can select focus points, navigate menus, and make settings adjustments by tapping the screen. The LCD can flip and rotate 180 degrees, making it easy to capture selfies or shoot at difficult angles. Overall the display is bright, colorful and responsive, giving you a great view of your images and intuitive control over the camera. The high resolution ensures details are crisp, while the touchscreen allows quick operation without having to dive into menus.

ISO Range

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 has a native ISO range of 200-25,600, which is quite impressive for a Micro Four Thirds camera. This allows you to shoot in low light situations without having to boost the ISO too high.

The extended ISO range is 100-25,600. Having the extended low ISO of 100 allows you to use slower shutter speeds in very bright light when you want a large depth of field. Overall, the wide ISO range provides a lot of flexibility when shooting in different lighting conditions.

The image quality at high ISOs is decent, with usable images up to ISO 6400. Noise starts to become more apparent at ISO 12800 and higher, but the results are still fairly good considering the high ISO. The in-camera noise reduction works well to control noise while retaining good detail.

Having a native ISO range up to 25,600 gives you the ability to capture images handheld in very dim lighting. This makes the G80 well-suited for low light event photography, street photography at night, and other situations when using a tripod is not practical. The excellent image stabilization also helps when shooting at slower shutter speeds needed for high ISOs.

Battery Life

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 comes with a 7.2V, 1200mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery. Panasonic claims you can take around 330 shots per charge based on the CIPA standard.

In real-world use, you can expect to get 300-350 shots before needing to recharge the battery. This is decent battery life for a mirrorless camera, but not as good as a DSLR. Having a spare battery is recommended for all-day shooting or travel.

The battery is charged via the included AC adapter or by plugging the camera into a computer via USB. A full charge takes approximately 150 minutes. Overall, the G80's battery life is fairly average for its class of camera. Just be sure to pack an extra battery or two if you plan on doing a lot of shooting between recharges.

Connectivity

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 has a good range of connectivity options, making it easy to transfer images and videos as well as control the camera remotely.

Ports

For wired connections, the G80 has a Micro HDMI port as well as a USB 2.0 port. The HDMI allows you to output video and images directly to an HDMI display. The USB 2.0 port can be used to charge the battery as well as transfer files to a computer.

Wireless Capabilities

The G80 has built-in WiFi which allows you to wirelessly transfer images from the camera to a smartphone or tablet using the Panasonic Image App. This makes sharing photos on social media very convenient.

The camera is also compatible with Bluetooth 4.2, allowing you to maintain an always-on connection between the camera and smart device. This constant connection makes transferring images even faster.

Additionally, the G80 is compatible with Panasonic's Lumix Tether app which allows you to use your smartphone or tablet to remotely control the camera. This is great for taking photos when the camera is mounted or in an inconvenient position to reach.

Overall, the connectivity options of the G80 allow for flexible and convenient sharing, charging, and remote control capabilities. The wireless transfer and tethering functions add a lot of value for a camera in this class.

Pros and Cons

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80EB-K has several strong advantages along with a few potential downsides to consider.

Pros

• Excellent image quality and sharpness thanks to the 16MP Live MOS sensor
• Fast and accurate autofocus with Depth from Defocus (DFD) technology
• In-body 5-axis image stabilization provides up to 5 stops of compensation
• Robust weather-sealed body protects against dust, moisture and freezing temperatures
• Fully articulating touchscreen LCD simplifies shooting at odd angles
• Shoots 4K video and offers advanced video features like mic input and focus peaking
• Offers both an electronic and optical viewfinder
• Wide range of manual controls and customization options

Cons

• Continuous shooting rate could be faster at 9 fps
• Buffer depth when shooting RAW is a bit limited
• No built-in flash (external flash included)
• Menu system can be complex and take time to learn
• Battery life is relatively short at 330 shots per charge
• No headphone jack for audio monitoring during video recording

Overall the G80 delivers excellent image quality in both stills and video along with 5-axis stabilization in a rugged weather-sealed body. It's a great choice for enthusiasts and pros looking for an affordable, capable hybrid camera. The drawbacks are relatively minor but worth being aware of.