One of Panasonic’s latest 4k capable selfie cameras, the GX850/GX800, gets tested by knowledgeable gear head Lok Cheung. He takes a look at the good and bad features that this small, compact micro 4/3 has to offer.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX850 (Also known as the GX800 and GF9 in some parts of the world) is Panasonic’s most compact interchangeable lens camera to date and uses the same 16MP Four Thirds sensor as several of its larger bodied playmates. It come with a 12-32mm collapsible zoom mounted on the front, prominent features include a 180-degree flip-up touch LCD, Panasonic’s solid Depth-from-Defocus AF and 4K/1080p video capture capabilities.
Basic features:
16MP Four Thirds MOS sensor
4K/30/24p video capture
4K Photo mode for 8MP stills at 30 fps
5 fps bursts with continuous AF
3″ 1.04M-dot touch LCD flips ups 180 degrees
Wi-Fi
Many people will be buying this camera for it’s selfie abilities. The GX850’s selfie screen is up to the level of most cameras in it’s class. By default, when you flip the view screen up, the GX850 uses a 3 second timer before a photo is taken, and a countdown is displayed to prepare you for the photo that will soon snap.
The camera comes with a built-in pop-up flash, but it tends to give you washed out images when shooting up close. This is very true if you use the flash with the selfie screen in the up position.
The Panasonic GX850 is equipped well for video in bringing 4K shooting in 24p and 30p when shooting in MP4 format. If you wish to shoot AVCHD, you will have the ability to select 1080p at60/30/24p.
One downside for some people. Behind the battery door you’ll find not only the battery, but the memory card slot. The reason I mention this is because the camera accepts microSD cards, rather than full-sized SD. The will bother many people that already have loads of SD cards in back-up, but it will be good news for anybody who’s been using microSDs with their mobile phones and have extra.
You can find the Panasonic GX850 here now at a good price.