Digital SLR Photography

116 Digital SLR PhotographyNove mber2016T``````HELUMIX SERIESof CompactSystem Cameras (CSCs) haveproven popular since theyfi rstappeared in 2008, helping Panasoniccarve a significant chunkof themirrorless market. The GX-80is the latest model in theGX-series and is packed withfeatures.Wefi rst took noteof it duringthe cleverTVad campaign that highlightedits 'still image from 4K video' capability anddecided to see how versatile it proved to be.The Lumix GX-80 has the modern-retrorangefinder-style design that has proven sopopular with various brands over the lastfew years. The compact sizeof the cameraand theretractable designof the 12-32mmkit zoom makes this bundle small enough toslip into a pocket, giving it a distinctadvantage as a 'take-everywhere' camera.The camera's size means that the buttonsare also on the small side, but they're neatlyarranged and well marked, sofi nding yourway around isn't difficult. However, thesheer numberof function buttons, alongwith the less-than-straightforwardarrangementof LCD icons, means thatchanging from one function to another isn'tas simple as it should be. If there is one areathat I wouldrecommend Panasonic changeon future models, it's making the interfacemore user-friendly – I certainlyfound ittiresome having torefer to the user manual.In somerespects, this complaint isaccentuated by the numberof features thatthe GX-80 boasts. It's crammed with thelatest technologyoffering plentyfor the stillsand video photographer. There's a full setofexposure modes and metering patterns, asyou'd come to expect on a modern camera,along with stacksof overrides such as``````exposure compensation through touser-controlof dynamic range andhighlight/shadowrecording. Ifound theexposure system was extremelyreliable,with only strong backlighting posing thebiggest challenge.The AF systemoffers a sophisticatedrangeof options – as well as multi- andsingle-point selection, you can choosecustom AF points or face detection too, oreven try postfocus, a mode that shootsanumberof framesat different pointsof``````focus, allowing you to choose the one thatsuits your needs best. Ifound the AF to befast and accurate in general, as well ascapablefor general moving subjects.However, I was annoyed that when selectingthe AF area, such as the centre, my nosetouching the screen would move it towherever my conk made contact!Video isn't an area we normally look intotoo greatly, but I was very impressed by thequalityof the movies Ifi lmed on the GX-80.While serious videographers will be putoffalittle by the lackof microphone orheadphone sockets,for general users, thevideo capabilities will be more than goodenough. The ability to pull an eight-megapixel still image from a videofi le – aswefi rst noted on theTVad – is a neat trick.The overall image quality captured usingthe 12-32mmzoom is excellent – with goodsharpness and contrast throughout thefocalGear/CompactSystemCameraAbove:The GX-80 is styled in a pleasingretrorangefinderfashion, as is the current trend with most mirrorless models.``````Exposure:1/640sec atf/4.9 (ISO 400)PANASONIC LUMIX GX-80This fully-featured 16-megapixelCompactSystem Camera promisestobe greatvalue at under £600(with 12-32mm), butcan it deliver?``````Test:DANIEL LEZANO``````SPECIFICATIONSStreet Price:£510 (body£510 (body only) / £600y) / £600(3(with 12-32mm)2mm)Image sensor:Image sensor:Four-Thirds Live Mos (17.3x13mm)Image RImageResolution: 16-megapix: 16-megapixelsVideoResolution: 4K,Full HD, HD &VGALens Mount:MicroFour-ThirdsAF system:y Contrast AF withvarious optionsoptionsMeteringeringsystem:sy 1,728-zoone,spot &ne,spot &cecentre-weightightedISOrange:ange:Auto + 100-25600 (Video: Up25600 (Video: Up tto6400)Image SImageStabilisation:Five-axis sensor shiftContinuous framerate:Eight frEight frames-per-second-perLCD monitor:3in tiltingting ttouchscreen (1,040,000-dot)Storaage:ge:SD (SDHC/SDXC)Size:122x70.6x43.9mmWeeight:ight:426g (including battery426g (including battery andcard)