HDMI output and touch-to-magnify while recording 4K video with Panasonic GX8

RickPick wrote:

The following is from Imaging Resource's review of the GX8. The "on the other hand" refers to a comparison being made with the GH4, which has 10-bit 422 output over HDMI:

"The GX8, on the other hand, offers only Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) resolution at 30p or 24p (25 and 24p in PAL regions), though it is captured at a bitrate of 100Mbps. The GX8, of course, offers additional video resolutions including 1080/60p at up to 28Mbps. Additional video feature include a choice of MP4 and AVCHD recording formats, 4:2:2 8-bit HDMI output at up to 4K resolution, though without simultaneous internal recording of 4K video, and unlimited video recording (though European countries are still limited to 29:59 minutes). Lastly, unlike the G7 and GH4, the GX8's microphone jack is of the smaller, less common 2.5mm variety that does double-duty as a remote input, which means a Panasonic-brand microphone or a 3.5-to-2.5mm jack adapter will be needed."

I would still check the features out at your local camera store before buying, if possible.

Thank you for the information, tremendously.

I am a Sony fanboy, but the GX8 is really a brilliant camera:

• huge, very high-quality tilting EVF,
• fully articulating high resolution touch screen,
• moving the focus point quickly in the EVF with the touch screen,
• internal 4K video,
• no overheating (I hope),
• (speed boostable) lens adaptability
• soap-box, no-hump, no plasticy shape/body
• metal EC dial 

Some reviwer say that m43 is really a small sensor for the price Panasonic wants for a GX8, the entire m43 mount is an evolutionary dead-end in a sense, unlike Fuji, Sony E, Canon EOS-M, m43 was designed too small to upgrade up to FF in the future.

Here are a summary of the limitations:

• GX8 has no (clean) HDMI output while recording internally; that is, no external monitor while recording internally. Not necessarily a big problem, though, all Sony cameras have excellent clean HDMI output.
• A real show-stopper of GX8, though, might be that its IBIS doesn't work with video, a most important task for IBIS; for a 4K video camera with IBIS (two selling points), and these features do not work with each other. The IBIS in Sony and Olympus cameras all work brutaly fine for video. Still, I can live with the optically stabilized 4K videos, I just have to remember when I am buying lenses for GX8.
• For enthusist videographers using external microphones is so important, and weirdly the GX8 has a 2.5" mic-in and no headphone jack; weird in a $1200 4K camera. Again I can live with this since I very often use external recorders, and an 3.5 - 2.5 cable is only $5.
• Another missing feature in all m43 camera including the GX8 is that "no magnification while recording video", this is a terribly important feature when videoing with high quality (speed boosted) manual focus (Canon EOS L) lenses to make 100% sure the accuracy of the focus plane. This function is available in all Sony cameras. With the GX8 you must rely on the unmagnified focus peaking during video. On my A5100 while recording, I gently tap on the touch-screen and the camera opens a magnified view with focus peaking, and I can verify the accuracy. With some practice I can execute a very smooth, perfectly controlled focus pull wih this technique. Of course, this magnification is not relevant when AF is used for video. I think I can live with this limitation, too, GH4 is regarded as one of the best video cameras and it has exactly the same limitation.
• As explained in http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_GX8/ when recording 4K video, the GX8 has a 1.25 field-of-view magnification factor, that is it makes a 31mm lens from a 25mm. Again when I buy a 12mm lens, I should be keep in mind that I will not have the "24mm-EQ" field of view when recording 4K.

Weirdly, all of the shortcomings/limitations are video-related; the reason it is weird that a key selling feature of GX8 is its 4K video capability.

Before buying, I should evaluate the importance of these limitations of the GX8. Of course, the inferior (vs APS-C/FF) low-light performance of the m43 sensors in video is another factor to keep in mind, and I should remember before buying.

Still, the number of excellent features of GX8 make me so much hesitant not to go for a GX8 as my 1st 4K camera. Nevertheless, I've decided to wait until Sony to announce its 1st 4K APS-C camera, if ever. If it's going to be in the same price range as the GX8, GX8 might lose some of its appeal.

Funnily, I was on the point of buying my 1st m43 camera a number of times, but suddenly Sony announced something (much/slightly) better. If this scenario is applicable now, too, Sony should announce a GX8 "killer" soon, as the A7 was an Olympus E-M1 killer in October 2013, and A5100 was a GX7/E-P5 killer in my story.

Anyhow, I am visiting the Panasonic show room tomorrow to have a chance to touch the GX8, a dream camera.

I am really brand agnostic: after Nikon 1, I jumped to Sony A7 while keeping my complete Nikon 1 kit. I used to have a Fujifilm X-A1 for several months until I got my A5100. GX8 is terribly expensive (vs A5100/A6000), but I think when I have it in my hands, I am going understand why is the high price.

Miki