Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G80MEB-K Professional Camera with 12-60

Very versatile camera with excellent image quality and at a fantastic price with the included 12-60mm lens.

In summary, the Panasonic Lumix G80 is a good camera. Not the best, not the latest, but “bang for the buck” especially with the brilliant 12-60mm kit lens (accounting for at least half the current asking price, and will hold its value if looked after) it’s probably one the best deals out there at the moment.

We bought it to replace a Lumix G2, having been wedded into the Micro Four Thirds (and particularly) Lumix ecosystem, and despite itself being half a decade old, it is a revolution in many ways over the G2, and I’m not sure the pace of development has been anywhere near as great since. Not a massively higher resolution sensor, but significantly better quality especially at higher ISO, making it much more versatile in practice, and megapixels aren’t everything in these 2000px social media days anyway. There are at least three stand-out upgrades over the old to specifically mention. First off, there’s the in-body image stabilisation, which effectively adds stabilisation to any lens (especially useful if interested in converting old glass to work) and works in tandem with the optical stabilisation in a number of recent Lumix G and Panasonic-Leica lenses to further improve image quality in trickier conditions by allowing longer shutter speeds without cranking the ISO. Then the various 4K modes which can be used for straight high quality video, to focus bracketing and all kinds of other dark arts I have yet to really explore. The 4K modes use a central 8 megapixel cropped area of the sensor so inherently zooms in a little, unlike on some other cameras, and are a bit clunky, but useful new functionality to try. Finally the electronic shutter option allows for much faster speeds than previously, as fast as 1/16000 second, which means wide-open apertures and sunny days can be friends for the first time! There are some inherent issues with electronic shutters when photographic moving subjects, so it’s good that the traditional mechanical options are there too, at the cost of wearing out the shutter rather more quickly if you’re taking lots of images, especially using the (incidentally) much improved non-4K burst modes.

The controls on the G80 are pretty decent and mostly in about the right place for familiarity with the G2 and other models in the Lumix range. However both the various function buttons and dials now have a considerable degree of configurability, and it’s pretty likely you’ll want to deviate from the defaults in practice once you get a feel for what options you would most like at your fingertips. For example there is now a front and back dial, and although by default these both control shutter/aperture, it’s possible to reassign the front one to control exposure compensation which is lovely to use in conjunction with the very useful live peaking for avoiding blown highlights.

Any downsides? Battery life isn’t amazing, and they’ve reduced the battery size (physical and capacity) from the G2 days whilst increasing the demands on the juice with new functionality. With some fine tuning of economy settings it’s possible to get somewhere near the longevity claims, but it’s still worth factoring in an additional battery or two — and thankfully we found a seller elsewhere with some genuine Panasonic ones at a fair price. We haven’t found the HDR mode that useful yet — it really doesn’t seem to do very much, and the auto-alignment usually fails badly; better doing your own bracketing then stacking on the computer. As mentioned, the 4K modes are a bit clunky, and although there is a composite mode, you can’t see the image building in real time — but remember, this is a half-decade old camera, so one of the earlier implementations of the technology.

A bit more about the 12-60mm lens supplied: it’s brilliant! Sure, there are other considerably more expensive options with similar zoom range and wider apertures, but for a kit lens it’s a cracker. Most kits lenses especially on more budget DSLR and similar cameras top out at 3x zoom, but this offers 5x, starting noticeably wider than most and extending usefully more telephoto than most. Performance across the range is perfectly good for me, and although the f/3.5-5.6 maximum aperture isn’t much to write home about, with a close focusing distance of 25cm at telephoto, you can get in very close to subjects and throw the background out of focus regardless. It’s not quite true macro, but not far off, especially if you’re used to cropping in editing. The complexity of the lens does make for a few oddities in use, with the zoom range being not entirely linear, but one soon gets used to it and it’s no issue at all for still photography. The lens stabilisation works great in tandem with the G80 in-body stabilisation, as one would hope.

(Attached images all taken with Panasonic Lumix G80 and 12-60mm kit lens, per this product listing)

I usually don’t write reviews. I never felt this amazed at a product. Just a summary of why I chose Panasonic G80. I was looking to buy a camera that can shoot 4K video and also capture audio using an external microphone. I already had a Panasonic FZ82 bridge camera that shoots brilliant 4K but did not have a mic input. I also evaluated mobile phone cameras. I found one thing that no one mentions in photography i.e. the sensor size. Megapixels dont equate to better image quality but larger sensor size does. Image quality is a factor of both the sensor size and the native image processing algorithm [in lay man terms; i am no way a professional]. Panasonic G80 has an amazing blend of a four thirds sensor and awesome image processing to produce professional quality images with just a click of the button. I am just using the default mode and am super impressed with the quality of the video/photo. The bonus that came with the G80 is a Dual image stabilisation which wasn’t on my radar of requirement but so happy to have it as a feature.

I sold my almost new Sony A7ii because my shoulder could no longer take the strain of the weight of the lenses. I wanted something compact and light which was also a quality camera at a reasonable price. I researched the market and came up with this. Just before a recent trip to Vienna I decided to get hold of the tiny 12-32 pancake zoom as a travel lens and I proceeded to trek for 5 days with this little beauty hanging round my neck with nary a twinge to complain about. I was just amazed at the quality of the pictures….OK I admit that the Sony is hard to beat for depth of field, but in all other respects the pictures were nearly all pin sharp, the stabilisation is fab allowing pictures taken inside churches and out doors late at night all in perfect focus. I have read that JPEG colour is lacking. For me rendition is just as I saw things. I have the kit lens which might give even better results and a 45mm Olympus to try out and i can’t wait to see the results. I suppose you could pay more for more megapixels but at fine quality and maximum magnification I cannot tell the quality apart from the Sony. Brilliant camera highly recommended.

Really a very good camera with an excellent kit lens too. Pictures come out excellent with good dynamic range, a fairly nice colour profile (not so sure on the skin tones), fantastic manual modes, surprisingly good low light and the stabilisation is beyond belief. Video in both 1080p and 4K is absolutely excellent- for anything OTHER than vlogging. Unfortunately this was one of my reasons for buying this camera- I wanted to make 4K videos including vlogs. Unfortunately the autofocus was just too slow, especially in low light. An overall amazing camera- even better when you consider the price. But if you are even thinking about vlogging or doing fast-paced video needing good autofocus, look elsewhere (I changed my g80 for a canon m50 and sacrificed the 4K- pity neither camera is perfect). I wish I could afford both the g80 and m50. If you want a very versatile camera to shoot great stills and cinematic 4K, this is it. But forget the vlogging. It won’t work

I agonised over purchasing another interchangeable lens camera. For 4+ years now, my Sony RX(s) and iPhone have satisfied the gulf between learning imagery (properly at last, although much to still cover) and having fun. But this year I’d started to realise the more challenging things I planned were not being replicated well by these little pocket dynamos.

I get the whole light thing, bigger sensor more light to play with. But I honestly don’t need the ability to ‘shoot in the dark’. Its great that the 5DA7II850(s) can, I was looking for something small with razor sharp proprietary glass.

The G80 is a perfect fit for me. Small, pro build CSC, articulating screen. Well received 12-60mm kit glass, sublime LEICA glass choice (interesting focal lengths and superb quality). Does the G80 shoot the Canon jpg look in AUTO, no. Can this be tweaked in camera or post, yes. Ad nauseam for virtually every other feature feature of the competition, plus some unique ones thrown in. 4K of particular note and just about everything here to keep a video enthusiast very happy indeed. M43 v FF? No brainer for me, happily parted with 799 with excellent kit lens and sensor with no AA filter. Bar the GH5, the best hybrid / video shooter on the market. And I haven’t looked over my shoulder yet.

This little guy has now been supplemented in my bag with the LEICA 25MM 1.4 / 7-14MM / 100-300MM. The Nocticron 42.5MM will be my final weapon, expensive but it will be worth it. Regards that bag, its small – a Samsonite Trekking rucksack which fits ‘under the seat in front’ no problem including iPad, cables, spare batteries and other nonsense.

I love mine & am extremely happy with all aspects of M43 so far. My best purchase of the year.

I didn’t buy this camera on amazon because of the few month wait for it to be shipped to me, however I thought to write a review just so anyone interested could still see how it does.I use this camera almost solely for video and because of that I don’t have too much to say on the photography side of things but there are several amazing videos you can find on YouTube reviewing this model or the g85. *Simple good and bad list is at the bottom of the review*

This camera really does well in so many fields, for anyone familiar with cameras its similar to the Lumix g7 or the Sony a6300 in terms of video abilities, It is 4k video at 30fps, with full HD at 60fps, in built stabilization and the kit lens is the same, decent low light capabilities, the auto focus does very well tracking and doesn’t offer to many hiccups and it has a flip out screen as well. Overall this camera, for its price at 800 w/kit lens, it really struggles to be matched on the market for anyone looking to shoot with video.

The quality is great, please remember that this is micro four thirds as well before reading on wards as well, it offers a lot of versatility in terms of movement with the camera and holding its own with rolling shutter. They offer a feature called e stabilization which is super handy at times acting like a post stabilizer where it crops in and reduces shake by moving diagonally, but this will crop into your image further so if you’re shooting 4K as well bare all of this in mind. The camera also allows you to record mp4 and avchd, also the camera does need a higher write speed on your sd cards.

The stabilization on this camera is really amazing, using the dual IS between camera and kit lens shows a lot and eliminates a lot of shaking. It is even possible to get away with not using a hand held stabilizer if you are confident in moving with your camera it is so good as the camera is so light and easy to control, the added E stabilizer is useful but in some situations can hinder your video when you want a wider shot or there’s excessive movement such as walking heavily down a hill you can notice fuzz in the corners where its trying to counter the shake. Really really amazing and after buying this I returned my stabilizer I had brought for my canon.

Lowlight and auto focus are important to point out on this camera, Lumix aren’t known for either but this camera does hold its own in both of these. Using it low light there is not a lot of noise at all and works really well from what I can see. As for auto focus you can have problems with it, I tend to try be as manual as possible with focusing, but this camera does alright with its auto focus. If you want a specific subject in focus through shots where there maybe be a lot of movement around the frame, you can struggle there.

Competition is a big one when it comes to this camera, understand that this is a mid tier camera and all the positives are compared to cameras in the same skill/price range. Looking at cameras in the same sort of skill/price area the biggest competitors are the Canon 80D, Sony a6300 and maybe the a6500 although it is a lot more expensive. I really do enjoy using this camera and I haven’t had it too long either, it takes a day or two to get too grips with but ever since its been amazing for video.

Good:
Great video quality and chooses with 4k and fullHD 60fps
Decent in both Auto focus and Low light
Stabilization is a massive plus on this camera, its amazing
Amazing all around camera

Bad:
No headphones jack,
Can be hard to learn if you’re new to Lumix,
Struggles in some areas of lowlight/auto focus to competitor cameras (Sony)

Overall for the price it is truly one of the best all around cameras you can buy, this is amazing —- This is not in comparison to the likes of much more expensive cameras such as the GH5, A7ii or 5D M iii so dont expect it to be above your top dollar cameras.—-

While I did have a problem with the SD card door in a first sample, Amazon exchanged it and this second one is first-class. It does everything you could possibly want and I imagine that right now it is the best of the micro four third system cameras.