Panasonic

Lumix GX8: A Beginners Guide

Copyright 2015.
All are rights reserved.
This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner
whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of
brief quotations in a book review.


Introduction
Panasonic has introduced its latest piece of technology in the form of the Panasonic Lumix
GX8 camera. This model is the newest in the Micro Four Thirds line and was designed to
specifically meet the needs of enthusiasts on a global scale. This new device boasts
improved features from its predecessor, the Lumix GX7; introducing enhanced resolution
as well as improved sensor reading and processing.
The new Lumix GX8 camera is also outfitted with a new twenty point three-megapixel
sensor guaranteed to deliver excellent picture quality, a 4k imaging performance, Dual IS
system, magnesium alloy splash and dust proof body to ensure durability, a two point
three dot OLED panel, an electronic shutter, built-in Wi-Fi with NFC, and exposure
modes.
The purpose of this article is to highlight the features of the new Lumix GX8 camera. The
article will also seek to provide users with the requisite instructions for effectively
utilizing these basic features. It is hoped that at the end of the piece, users of the new
device will be sufficiently equipped with the knowledge needed to enjoy the features
available with the new camera.
1. Dimension
The Lumix GR8 camera measures 133.2 X 77.9 X 63.1 millimetres or
approximately 5.24 x 3.07 x 2.48 inches (W x H X D). This measurement is without
the inclusion of lenses and other protrusions.
2. Weight

The device itself weighs in at approximately 435 grams or .96 pounds. With the
inclusion of the SD card and battery pack, the device will weigh approximately 487
grams or 1.07 pounds.
3. Standard Accessories

The camera is accompanied by a number of accessories designed to improve

usability. These accessories are the Battery Pack, Battery Charger, Body Cap, DMCGX8A Kit/Hot Shoe Cover, USB Connector Cable, Lens Cap, Shoulder Strap, Lens

Hood, Lens Rear Cap, AC Cable and DVD.

4. Standard Software

The Lumix GR8 camera is outfitted with PHOTOfunSTUDIO 9.7 PE; ideal for
Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 and SILKYPIX
Developer Studio; ideal for Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1
and Mac OS X versions 10.5 to 10.10.
5. System Requirements

To efficiently utilize the Lumix GX8 with other devices, users will need to have the
following in place; Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows, 8 and Windows 8.1 or
for the Mac; OS X version 10.5 or beyond.
6. Languages

The camera is designed to operate in six languages. These languages include

English, German, Spanish, French, Italian and Japanese.
7. Power Source

The device is powered by a 7.2 volt, 1200 mAh, 8.7 watt 1x DMW-BLC12
rechargeable Lithium-ion battery pack, a battery charger and DMW-AC10 power
adapter.
8. Power ON/OFF

The power lever on the device is located to the top right of the device. To power on
the camera, push the lever to the ON position and back to the OFF position to shut
down. The status indicator, located to the right of power lever, lights up green when
the camera is powered on.
9. Battery Life

With a fully charged battery pack, the device is designed to capture approximately
three hundred and thirty (330) images where the rear monitor is in use and three
hundred and ten images (310) when using the viewfinder.
10. Operating Temperature

Users are encouraged to maintain use of the device is temperatures that range
between thirty-two and one hundred and four degrees Fahrenheit or approximately
zero to forty degrees Celsius.
11. Hot Shoe Cover

The camera come equipped with a hot shoe and hot shoe cover. This feature can be
found to the top center of the camera. The hot shoe must be kept covered whenever
it is not in use and carefully removed when necessary. To accurately remove the hot
shoe cover, press down on the button at the center of the cover and slide towards the
back of the camera.
12. Live MOS Sensor

The Lumix GX8 camera is designed with a twenty point three megapixel Digital
Live MOS sensor. It is designed to achieve high speed bursts, ISO sensitivity as high
as 25600 and a wide ever-changing range.
13. Compatible Memory Cards

Users of the Lumix GX8 camera are encouraged to use only SD (512MB to 2GB),
SDHC (4GB to 32GB) and SDXC (48 GB to 128GB) memory cards in the device.
14. Inserting the Memory Card

The memory card slot is located on the lower side of the battery chamber. To insert
the chosen card, open the chamber door located to the lower right of the device by
moving the door latch to OPEN and pulling the door outwards. The user should
rotate the card to ensure that clicked edge is to the right and push in until a click is
heard to confirm that it is securely in place. Be sure to close the chamber door and
lock by moving the latch to the LOCK position.
15. Removing the Memory Card

The memory card can be safely removed by pushing down on the top of the card
until a click is heard. The user should then be pulled up and out of the slot.
16. Formatting your Memory Card

Users are strongly encouraged to format the memory card of chosen prior to saving
images or videos from the device. To format your memory card, press the
MENU/SET button located to rear right of the camera and enter the menu options.
From those available, select the setup icon followed by the Format option.
17. Shutter Release Button

The feature is located to the top right front of the camera and has two primary
functions. When the button is pressed half way down, focus is achieved and the
aperture value, shutter speed and focus indication is displayed on the monitor. When
the shutter button is pressed all the way down, images displayed will be captured.

18. Motion Picture Button

This feature is designed for recording motion pictures and can be found on the top
right side of the camera. The button should be pressed to both start and stop a
recording. When the recording is started, the user should remove the finger from the
button and pressed a second time when the recording is to be stopped.
19. 4K Technology

This unique technology is designed to allow users to capture high resolution still
shots at a speed of thirty frames per second with the 4K Ultra HD Video. The feature
will allow the extraction and creation of eight megapixel images from the 4K Ultra
HD Video sequence of up to QFHD (3840 x 2160 pixels) with 100 megabytes.

20. 4K Photo Modes

The Lumix GX8 device comes equipped with 4K photo modes designed to capture
high resolution photos at high speeds. The 4K Burst mode captures eight megapixel
still images taken from 4K video. Users are required only to press the shutter release
button to the top of the camera to enjoy the feature. 4K Burst S/S (Start/Stop) works
by capturing 4k video and later allowing the user to play, pause and extract specific
frames to create still shots. The 4K Pre-Burst mode will commence the recording of
the video a second prior to and directly after the shutter release button is pressed.
21. Splash Proof

The Luminx GX8 is built with splash and dust proof material. The design offers the
camera extra protection against exposure to water, moisture, humidity and dust. To
maximize the features, users must however keep all chamber doors closed, store the
device in a dry cool area and use the H-HS12035 and H-HS35100 lenses on the
camera.
22. Charging the Battery

The device is outfitted with a DMW-BLC12PP. To accurately charge the battery

pack, first insert the pack into the charger; ensuring the arrow is facing in and push
down. The charger should then be inserted into a trusted electrical outlet. The charge
indicator will light up to show that charging has commenced.
23. Charge Indicator

This feature is located to the left front of the charger. It lights up to indicate when
the battery pack is being charged and will power off when charging has been
completed. Should the light in the indicator start flashing, it suggests that the
terminals may be dirty; preventing safe charging or that the battery temperature has
gotten too high or too low and needs to be adjusted.
24. Charging time

To charge a fully exhausted battery pack, users are asked to charge for
approximately two hours and 20 minutes. It is important to note that overall
charging time will always depend on the frequency with which the battery pack is
used or the environment in which the device is used and stored.
25. Inserting the Battery Pack

To insert the pack into the Lumix GX8 camera, first open the chamber door located
to the lower right of the device by moving the latch to OPEN and pulling the door
out. The battery should then be turned with the arrow to the top and facing inwards,
then pushed into the chamber until the pack is heard locking into place. The locked
lever to the entrance of the chamber should be in a down position to confirm secure
installation. Ensure that the door to the chamber is closed prior to powering on the
device.
26. Removing the Battery

To safely remove the battery pack from the camera first open the chamber door
located to the lower right of the device by moving the latch to OPEN and pulling
the door outwards. The lock lever to the entrance of the battery chamber should be
pushed upwards to release the battery.
27. Lenses

The Panasonic Lumix GX8 camera offers a number of digital lenses for enhanced
use. The lenses include the H-F0007014, the H-FS12032, the H-HS12035 and the
H-PS14042. A number of the lens options include an image stabilizer and all are
single mirror-less lens.
28. Attaching the Lens

The user should first remove lens cap from the front of camera by twisting the cap in
counter-clockwise direction and lifting off. The cap from the front of the desired
lens should also be rotated in a counter clockwise direction and lifted off the lens.
The user should then place the lens to front of the camera, ensuring that the
directional marks on both are aligned then rotate the lens in a clockwise position to
attach.
29. Removing the Lens

The user should first attach the lens cap to the front of the lens before attempting to
remove same from the front of the camera. The release button located to the front
left of the lens should be pressed down and the lens rotated in a counter clockwise
position until it stops. The lens can then be removed.
30. Diopter Dial

This feature is located to the right side of the Electronic Viewfinder on the top rear
of the camera. It is rotated to sharpen the images being viewed until they as desired.
31. Electronic Viewfinder (EVF)

This 2,360k dot feature is located to the top left rear of the camera and offers an
alternative for viewing intended subjects. The EVF on the Lumix GX8 also comes
equipped with 0.77 magnifications, a 10,000:1 contrast ratio and the special ability
to be adjusted. This feature also comes with an optional (DMW-EC3) eyecup and
allows for images to be captured from different angles. To take images from a low
angle, pull the EVF upwards to the top of the camera.
32. The LVF Button

The button can be found on the top left of the camera, next to the Viewfinder. It is
designed to allow a user to switch viewing between the viewfinder and the monitor.
Press the LVF button once to activate the auto switch between viewfinder and
monitor, another time to switch to the viewfinder and another time for the monitor
display.
33. Using the Monitor

The display for the Lumix GX8 camera is located to the rear of the device. It is
designed to be used as an alternative for viewing images and can be opened as well
as rotated to 180 degrees. To open the monitor, use the forefinger and thumb to hold
the edges of the monitor and pull outwards until it stops. To rotate, simply lift
upwards as desired. Users should always ensure that the monitor is returned to its
original position when not in use.
34. Touch Screen Operations

The screen is capacitive and allows users to employ the use of Pinch, Touch or Drag
to complete tasks. Use the Touch for selecting features and icon, the Drag can be
used to move to another image while in playback mode without releasing the screen
and the Pinch feature for zooming in or out on an image.
35. The Mode Dial

The mode dial can be found to top right of the camera. The dial is designed to allow
users to select the mode of use desired during a shoot.
36. Device Modes

The various modes available on the GX8 device are Intelligent Plus mode,
Intelligent Auto Plus Mode, Program AE Mode, Aperture-Priority AE mode,
Manual Exposure mode, Creative Video Mode, Custom Mode, Panorama Shot
mode and Creative Control mode.
37. Front/ Rear Dial

The dials are both located to the top right of the camera and should be rotated left or
right to modify the aperture, shutter speed and other settings during camera use.
38. Quick Menu

This feature is designed to allow users to access the menu settings most frequently
used. The user can modify a number of settings depending on the display style of the
device and the operating mode. To access the feature, press the top rear right of the
camera to display the Quick Menu options and turn the front dial to choose the item.
The rear dial should be used to select the desired setting and the Q. MENU button
pressed to confirm and exit the menu.

39. Auto Focus Tracking

This feature of the Lumix GX8 camera comes in the design of an auto focus tracking
algorithm. This algorithm tracks the size, color and motion vector of the intended
subject. This then allows for the device to achieve and maintain focus on the subject
to be captured.
40. DFD Technology

Depth from Defocus auto focus technology is designed to ascertain the distance the
background and foreground of the intended image. This allows the device to achieve

focus more quickly and in a more continuous manner. With this feature the device
can capture auto focus with a speed of up to 0.07 seconds and Continuous auto focus
of approximately six frames every second.
41. Star Light Auto Focus

A new feature of the Lumix line of cameras comes equipped with the Star Light
Auto focus feature. The feature is designed to work in -4EV low light and allow for
users to capture images in poorly lit environments.
42. Shutter Speed

To ensure accurate and crisp capturing of images that are moving at a rapid speed,
the camera comes with high shutter speed of approximately 1/8000 per second. The
feature will also allow the user to use the aperture feature in settings that are very
brightly lit and an electronic shutter to minimize washout is brighter environments.
43. RAW Files

The new camera is designed to also capture and store still shots in the RAW format.
The device is also designed to develop these photos directly inside the device.
44. HDR

This is a rich gradation feature that can be found in the new Lumix GX8 camera.
The feature, when activated, is designed to create one photo from a combination of a
number of images. The feature allows the device to capture different exposures of
one image and combine the best of each into the ideal shot in rich gradation. To
activate the feature, go to the MENU and select the option for Rec followed by
iHDR and then select ON or OFF. Whenever the feature is activated, HDR is
displayed on the monitor.
45. Defocus Control

The camera can also enable the user to create images that have blurred backgrounds.
This feature can be used while the camera is in Intelligent Mode or Intelligent Plus
Mode and can be set during viewing of the intended subject. To utilize the feature
first simply press on the Fn7 button. This will display the screen for modifying the
settings. The user should then rotate the rear dial to the top of the camera to adjust
the level of blurriness as desired.

46. Focus Lever

The lever can be found to the top right of the camera and is designed to allow users
to alternate between Manual Focus and Auto Focus.
47. Adjusting Manual Focus

If the device is unable to automatically achieve focus on an intended subject, the

user is provided with the option of manually setting focus. To do this, rotate the
focus mode lever which is located to the top right side of the device to MF and

then press the left arrow key of the selector. The focus position displayed on screen
can be modified using any of the arrows on the selector and press the MENU/SET
button to confirm.
48. Playing Back Still Images

Still images captured on the device can be reviewed by putting the camera into
Playback Mode. To activate playback, press the playback button located to the rear
right of the camera. The last captured image will be displayed on the monitor. To
peruse the stored images, use the left and right arrow keys of the selector.
49. Reviewing Motion Pictures

Motion pictures can also be reviewed by entering the Playback mode. Enter
playback mode by pressing the playback button located to the rear right of the
camera. The last captured image will be displayed on screen and motion pictures
indicated by the
icon. To peruse the stored images and locate motion pictures,
use the left and right arrow keys of the selector. When a motion picture is identified,
press the up arrow of the selector to commence play.
50. Deleting Images

To permanently remove images from your Lumix GX8 camera, go to playback

mode by pressing the playback button on the rear right of the device. Once in
playback mode, go to the image you wish to delete and press the delete button on
the lower rear of the camera.