Upgrade to the ideal
(1) weather-proof body and lens
(2) Electronic and silent shutter with fast Flash X sync speed (Both GX8 & GH4 is 1/250; but using external flash at low flash power, higher speed up to 1/500 is possible?)
(3) Better Image Stabilization for night and low-light shooting
(4) Fast and accurate AF for bird-in-flight shooting - sharp image rather than a soft one
(5) Most good features of GH2 and 100-300 lens
Verdict: 100-400mm + GX8 or GH4 is the best combination, though expensive ( 1,800 + 1,200/1,300 = 3,000/3,100 ).
In the field with Panasonic's new 100-400mm zoom + GX8
Panasonic H-RS100400 100-400mm F/4.0-6.3 LEICA VARIO-ELMAR
Body: Lumix DMC-GX8 - splash and dustproof
It's the first Micro Four Thirds camera to break the 20MP barrier, and also has a 'Dual IS' feature that uses both sensor-shift and lens-shift IS (when available) for more effective shake reduction. The updated Venus Engine processor allows the GX8 to top out at ISO 25,600, shoot at up to 8 fps, and record 4K/UHD video.1. The Dual I.S. (Image Stabilizer)
The LUMIX GX8 integrates Dual I.S. (Image Stabilizer)3 for the first time in
LUMIX G series allowing for more powerful vibration correction. Conventional
image stabilization in the camera (Body I.S.) and the interchangeable lens (Lens
I.S.) can be switched. However, with the new Dual I.S., both Body I.S. and Lens
I.S. work at the same time to take advantage of both stabilizers not only in
wide angle shooting but also in telephoto. With max.3.5x (wide) / 1.5x (tele)4 wider
correction angle, you can get clear handheld images even in low-lit situations
where the shutter speed tends to be slower. Panasonic LUMIX G DSLM (Digital
Single Lens Mirrorless) Cameras offer a wide variety of digital interchangeable
lenses and most of them are able to conform with Dual I.S.
For video recording, 5-Axis HYBRID O.I.S.+ (Optical Image Stabilizer
Plus)5 which has been available in Panasonic’s professional video camera
development, corrects complex movement for more stable imagery.
2. Unprecedentedly High Picture Quality in the History of LUMIX Cameras
The LUMIX GX8 integrates the newly developed Digital Live MOS Sensor that helps
achieve the highest image quality of LUMIX G digital cameras. By increasing the
resolution from 16.0-megapixel (GX7) to 20.3-megapixel, higher descriptiveness
is achieved and the faster digital signal readout enables higher speed burst
shooting. Moreover the LUMIX GX8 features 1/3 stop wider dynamic range than the
LUMIX GX7 which suppresses washout even in high contrast situations. The
combination of the Digital Live MOS Sensor and the Venus Engine achieves clear
image rendering with minimum noise even in low-lit situations and stunning
picture quality in a natural way.
The Venus Engine image processor with quad-core CPU enables high speed signal
processing. Optimizing the combination design of the sensor, the imaging engine
and the low-pass filter enhances the resolution by approx. 15% in comparison
with the LUMIX GX7. The aperture filter is capable of controlling a wider
frequency range. It adjusts the amount of sharpness according to the frequency
level, resulting in faithful stereoscopic effect. The advanced Multi-process NR
(Noise Reduction) applies effective noise reduction and detail processing
according to each component frequency. Plus, the newly added Random Filter
granulates chromatic noise to be blended into the image more naturally. As a
result, the max. ISO 25,600 is achieved. The Venus Engine also improves color
reproduction with accurate evaluation of each color even if it is similar not
only in color phase but also in saturation and luminosity. In addition, the
Venus Engine in the GX8 excels in diffraction compensation to make the resulting
image crisp and clear even when photographed with a small aperture.
|
5. The Top Level of AF Performance among Conventional DSLRs and
Mirrorless Cameras
The Contrast AF in the LUMIX GX8 achieves higher speed and precision focusing with digital signal communication at max. 240 fps. Furthermore, the DFD (Depth Defocus) technology6 calculates the distance to the subject by evaluating 2 images with different sharpness level while consulting the data of optical characteristics of the current lens. As a result, the LUMIX GX8 achieves ultra-high speed AF of approx.0.07 sec7. This improvement will be noticed more as focal length increases. The speed of burst shooting is dramatically faster than the predecessor LUMIX GX7, boasting high speed burst shooting at 8 fps (AFS) / 6 fps (AFC) to capture fast moving subject perfectly in-focus. The Low Light AF makes it possible to set focus on the subject more precisely even without AF assist lamp in extremely low-lit situations to -4EV, which is as dark as a moonlit night. Plus, the LUMIX GX8 integrates Starlight AF which allows users to shoot a star in the sky at night with auto focus. This can be achieved with accurate calculation of contrast values in a smaller AF zone. The focus detect area is increased from 23 (LUMIX GX7) to 49 points for more flexible composition and together with Custom Multi AF mode users can freely select the blocks to focus out of the 49 in the focusing area. In addition to conventional Face Recognition AF, the LUMIX GX8 newly incorporates Face / Eye Detection AF which automatically sets focus right on the eye of human face. With the Pinpoint AF, users can even magnify the target area to set precise focus. With the new algorithm of AF Tracking, not only the color but also the size and motion vector of the target are recognized, enabling the camera to lock on the subject even more securely. The result is the AF tracking performance of approx.200% or greater which refrains the camera from losing the subject8. |
| Price | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $1199 |
| Body type | |
| Body type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Body material | Magnesium alloy |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 5184 x 3888 |
| Other resolutions | 4:3 (3712 x 2784, 2624 x 1968), 3:2 (5184 x 3456, 3712 x 2480, 2624 x 1752, 1824 x 1216), 16:9 (5184 x 2920, 3840 x 2160, 1824 x 1024), 1:1 (3888 x 3888, 1968 x 1968, 1712 x 1712) |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 20 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 22 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | Venus Engine |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 200-25600 (expands down to 100) |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 100 |
| White balance presets | 5 |
| Custom white balance | Yes (4 slots) |
| Image stabilization | Sensor-shift |
| Image stabilization notes | Dual IS uses sensor and lens-shift (when available) |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, standard |
| File format |
|
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus |
|
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Digital zoom | Yes (2x-4x) |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 49 |
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds |
| Focal length multiplier | 2× |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 1,040,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | OLED |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 1.54× |
| Viewfinder resolution | 2,360,000 |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed (electronic) | 1/16000 sec |
| Exposure modes |
|
| Built-in flash | No |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe) |
| Flash modes | Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/250 sec (slightly better than GH2) |
| Continuous drive | 10.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Metering modes |
|
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±3 (3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes |
| Videography features | |
| Resolutions | 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
| Format | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| Videography notes | 100Mbps bit rate for 4k |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (micro-HDMI) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n with NFC |
| Remote control | Yes (wired and via smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes (Water and Dust resistant ) |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | Lithium-ion battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 330 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 487 g (1.07 lb / 17.18 oz) |
| Dimensions | 133 x 78 x 63 mm (5.24 x 3.07 x 2.48″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes |
| GPS | None |
weather proof m43 (Dec 2015 / Jan 2016)
| Camera | Flash sync speed |
| Lumix GH3 | 1/180s |
| Lumix GX7 | 1/320s |
| Lumix GX8 | 1/250s |
| Lumix GM1 | 1/50s |
| Lumix GH4 | 1/250s |
I think 1/320 is only partly right for the GX7:
1/320 sync rate with internal flash
1/250 sync rate with external flashand as the GX8 does not have an internal flash...
Yeah those are the specs but they are wrong. The gx7 syncs reliably with any flash triggers or units at 1/320 and 1/400. With very low flash powers my yongnuo 560iii will sync with my gx7 at 1/500. And of course if you have 1/320 with internal it will function as a commander. But if they are setting it [i.e., GX8] as only 1/250 there is a possibility it wont push like the gx7 does.
So my understanding is:
GX7 with internal flash = 1/320.
GX7 with external flash = 1/250 but possibly up to
1/500.
So GX8 with external flash = 1/250 and higher (it may
or may not worse/better than GX7).
Maybe the following quick'n dirty table will help you in your decision.
Please feel free to point out things I missed or did wrong.
The mechanical focal-plane shutter of film 35mm SLR cameras and Leicas are two curtains of metal or cloth that zip across the front of the film. At slow speeds like a full second they zip fast enough to appear to open and close immediately.
What's not obvious to the naked eye at fast shutter speeds is that the second curtain has to start zipping across the film right behind the first curtain. It has to do this because the curtain speed is not instantaneous. At fast shutter speeds the film is effectively exposed through a slit that zips across the film.
If you pop a flash at one of these faster speeds then only the part of the film behind the open part of the slit would be exposed to the flash.
The sync speed is the fastest speed at which the entire film or CCD can be open to light. This is determined by how fast the shutter curtains move.
At speeds faster than the sync speed the slit that travels across the film or CCD narrows. If you used flash at faster than the sync speed (you can't do this on modern cameras) you would only expose the part of the film behind the slit to the flash.
Nikon has done the world a great favor in the D1, D1X, D1H and D70 cameras by adding an electronic shutter to take care of the faster speeds. By doing this the sync speed becomes unlimited. The only reason the D1, D1X and D1H (and for all I know the D70) limit the speed to 1/500 is because of the loss of efficiency above that speed for shoe mounted flash.
Amateur digital SLR cameras omit the electronic shutter and are limited by the mechanical focal plane shutter.
Point-and-shoot digital cameras usually sync at high speeds like 1/500 because they also have electronic shutters.
Leaf shutters as used in professional cameras like the Hasselblad and large format cameras can sync at any speed. This is because their leaves open completely at all speeds, at which point the flash is fired. There is no slit or partial opening at the fastest speeds.
Firstly it's important to know why sync speed exists, basically when you use a shutter speed faster than the nominal "sync speed" the shutter starts to close at the bottom before it's fully open at the top. Thus at no single instant in time is the shutter fully open so if you fire a flash part of the image will be dark. For most DSLRs this speed is 1/250s.
There are a couple of ways to exceed the 1/250s with flash. You can make the shutter move faster so it exposes the whole frame at once even at high speeds, or you can use electronics shutter to turn the sensor on and off simulating an infinitely fast mechanical shutter.
I think whoever mentioned fast sync with old DSLRs was referring to electronic shutters, as these are no longer used on DSLRs (but are still found on compacts). Reasons for the demise of electronic shutters on DSLRs are varied and there's little consensus though issues with image quality and consistency are often cited.
Even if you're using a mechanical shutter you can sneak past the manufacturer stated sync speed by timing the flash very carefully. The "Hyper sync" function on new Pocket Wizards allows you to tune the flash delay for this purpose.
Here's a summary of the methods and speeds you can expect in practice:
*Technically you can sync at any speed with an electronic shutter, however past 1/1000 the shutter duration is usually shorter than the flash duration so you start to lose power which halts your ability to overpower ambient.
The only models of DSLR I'm aware of with electronic shutters are:
I'm sure someone here can fill any blanks from the other major manufacturers. It seems the only model from Canon with an electronic shutter is the original 1D, which is an ancient beast, though the newer 1D models can sync above 1/250s with mechanical shutters.
So in summary there are cameras with faster mechanical shutters / leaf shutters that can beat 1/250s but not by much. If you want crazy sync speeds electronic shutter is the way to go.
(1) Sony RX100ii syncs to 1/2000
(2) Olympus OM-D E-M1 can sync at 1/500th