Lumix GX800

Hi guys!

I'm new here and have a question. I have a Youtube-channel and last year I bought a Lumix GX800 camera for that reason. I've tried to figure out and get to know the camera but I think its hard since I can hardly find ANY information about this exact one. There's a bunch about like Gx80, GX85, GX7, GX10 etc.

Sooo, I'm starting to think I bought a crappy camera? 😅

Is there any way to get more recording than just like 20mins and for it not to overheat?

And about lenses, are there specific ones for this exact camera, or can I use just whatever for Panasonic?

Thanks!

Sincerely,

The biggest noob of Cameras🙈

catbjor wrote:

Hi guys!

I'm new here and have a question. I have a Youtube-channel and last year I bought a Lumix GX800 camera for that reason. I've tried to figure out and get to know the camera but I think its hard since I can hardly find ANY information about this exact one. There's a bunch about like Gx80, GX85, GX7, GX10 etc.

Sooo, I'm starting to think I bought a crappy camera? 😅

I think it's a very nice camera, but video is not it's speciality. Have you read the manual?

Is there any way to get more recording than just like 20mins and for it not to overheat?

Record at a lower resolution? There's limits of 5 min and 20 min mentioned in the footnotes for how much video you can fit on a card (page 30 in my copy). As well as various other notes about overheating with 4k. It's notorious for it.

You might do better with a GX9 (the GX10 does exist yet).

And about lenses, are there specific ones for this exact camera, or can I use just whatever for Panasonic?

Any micro 4/3rds lenses should work. That includes ones from Panasonic, Olympus and other manufacturers. It's not any Panasonic lenses as they also make L mount lenses for their full frame cameras.

The smaller lenses like the 12-32 and 35-100/4-5.6 are particularly designed for smaller bodies like the GX800/850, but it works quite happily with larger lenses (but might look a bit weird).

The advanced manual would be the best place to start. Here is a version for the EU (you can find the right one for your region if you go to your region's Panasonic website):

https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/dscoi/DC-GX800/EG_EC_EF_EB/DC-GX800_DVQP1194ZA_eng.pdf

The links are all clickable in there. Page 14 and 15 shows what all the buttons do.

For lenses you need to buy Micro Four Thirds lenses (see page 17). Not all Panasonic lenses will work because Panasonic also sells L-mount lenses which is not compatible.

To find other guides keep in mind the GX800 is also called the GX850 and GF9 in other markets.

It will overheat in 4K in around 5 minutes, but it should be able to record 1080p for far longer.

You should aware that GX800 (a.k.a. GX850 or GF9 in some regions) is being the entry class line of product among the Panasonic M43 Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens camera line up.

It is very cost friendly (should be around US$200 for the body + 12-32 nowadays), highly portable (the smallest Panasonic M43 except GMs), has majority of latest features that its larger brothers have, but of course at a trade off of less physical controls and are on more limited capacity. Its latest successor is GF10 (thank god, no more GX###).

Although GX85 (a.k.a. GX80, GX81 or GX7 mk-II in some region) has a similar name (once was very confusing), it is actually a class higher and edges more towards a full feature enthusiastic/mid range class of product. At a higher cost, larger size, but has more physical control (less Menu diving so faster operation), less limitation and above all, has IBIS which is great for run and gun video. GX9 (a.k.a. GX7 mk-III) is its latest successor.

There is also the G85 (a.k.a. G80/81) and its successor G95 which is a class higher than the GX85/9, and the flagship G9 (for still shooting) and GH5 (for video).

You have to live what it is capable of. In case if video is your major interest, a G85, which has a mic port for external mic could be useful to you.

Regarding lenses, GX800 uses M43 lens mount, such that any M43 native lenses can be used (mainly from Olympus, Panasonic, Sigma and one lens from Tamron. Also some Chinese brands like Kodak, Xi Yi and Yongnuo).

However, as GX800 is not IBIS, lens OIS is its only mean of stabilisation. You better pick an OIS lens (mostly from Panasonic) in case if you are shooting handheld.

alcelc wrote:

Its latest successor is GF10 (thank god, no more GX###).

Actually, they keeping going with that ridiculous naming scheme. GF10 is now available on European markets as GX880.

The GX800 (or GX850 or GX880, etc...) is very near to GM1. The only very significant change is the flippy screen that add few mm and 60 grams to the weight.

If you follow the forum, you will see that the GM1 is a well beloved camera. The GX800 is almost identical.

Morever, it seems that the JPG quality is better. I cannot retrieve the link just now but there are tests that show it as the best 16Mbytes sensor available, with a very good dynamic.

I use a lot the GM5 wich is a kind of jewel but my wife bought a GX800 and I have been wondered by the quality of its jpg images.

You may use the GX800 as a pocket camera (big pocket), using then the Panasonic 12-32. You can improve your photos by using the 12-60 3.5-5.6 instead, that is significantly better while remaining cheap. You can make very nice macro pictures using the Panasonic 30mm macro, that is also quite cheap with very high sharpness.

Always remaining a small system, you may access to pretty good telephoto by using the Panasonic 45-175.

Of course, you can also use any other lens, as the 100-400 or even the Olympus 300mm, but it is out of the philosophy of this tiny body, made to remain the core of a tiny system.

shmelej wrote:

You may use the GX800 as a pocket camera (big pocket), using then the Panasonic 12-32. You can improve your photos by using the 12-60 3.5-5.6 instead, that is significantly better while remaining cheap.

That's not my experience. For my copies, the 12-32 is at least as good at the same focal lengths, and noticeably better at 32mm.

Barry Twycross wrote:

shmelej wrote:

You may use the GX800 as a pocket camera (big pocket), using then the Panasonic 12-32. You can improve your photos by using the 12-60 3.5-5.6 instead, that is significantly better while remaining cheap.

That's not my experience. For my copies, the 12-32 is at least as good at the same focal lengths, and noticeably better at 32mm.

Same with me: I have had two great copies of 12-32 (still using one) and got rid off my mediocre 12-60 3.5-5.6. Actually, 12-60 is the only failure (not a lemon!) lens of nearly 10 I have had.

shmelej wrote:

The GX800 (or GX850 or GX880, etc...) is very near to GM1. The only very significant change is the flippy screen that add few mm and 60 grams to the weight.

GM1 was probably 1080i60, while GX800 is p60 in the video.

Both are not close to ideal for video, but the flippy screen is a huge plus.

My GX800 shoots both p25/50 and 30/60 at least in mp4 mode, which is a plus for me, too.

If you follow the forum, you will see that the GM1 is a well beloved camera. The GX800 is almost identical.

Morever, it seems that the JPG quality is better. I cannot retrieve the link just now but there are tests that show it as the best 16Mbytes sensor available, with a very good dynamic.

I am a RAW shooter but positively impressed with GX800 jpegs: can be handy with raw+jpeg.

I also have a GX800, and I'm satisfied with it, especially with its 12-32 kit lens, and also with the 35-100 f/3.5-5.6 telephoto lens I bought with it. However I use it for photos, so I'm not familiar with video recording. If I were you, I would record in full HD, that should be enough for most of the youtube users.

GX800 is a cheap camera, it has some limitations (no IBIS, no viewfinder), however it's still decent for many of the use-cases, and it's 16 megapixel sensor is among the best ones with this size and resolution, so I don't think that it's a bad choice.

alcelc wrote:

It is very cost friendly (should be around US$200 for the body + 12-32 nowadays),

Where would you find it at that price? I don't see anywhere near that price when I look.

In Panasonic shops in Hong Kong while they are on clearance sale, or it is a general gray market price if you don't mind original manufacturer's local 12 months warranty.

That's quite a good price. I bought mine 2 months ago for about $490 in double kit (12-32, 35-100), the cheapest discount price in my country of the normal kit (only with 12-32) was about 325$.

Well, last year most of the time, GX85 bundled with 12~32 & 45~150 was around US$500 only 😆.

That would actually mean at least $635 for me, as ordering anything over 22 euros from a non-EU country means +27% VAT, and some custom over 150 euros. That ~$490 was a gross price of the GX800 double kit, including the VAT.