Fujifilm X-E2S versus Panasonic GX80

The Fujifilm X-E2S and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 (labelled Panasonic GX85 in some countries) are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in January 2016 and April 2016. Both the X-E2S and the GX80 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are based on an APS-C (X-E2S) and a Four Thirds sensor. The Fujifilm has a resolution of 16 megapixel, whereas the Panasonic provides 15.8 MP.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Fujifilm X-E2S and the Panasonic GX80. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. You can also use the toggle button to switch to a percentage comparison if you prefer that the measures are being expressed in relative terms (in this case, the camera on the left – the X-E2S – represents the basis or 100 percent across all the size and weight measures).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic GX80 is notably smaller (10 percent) than the Fujifilm X-E2S. However, the GX80 is markedly heavier (22 percent) than the X-E2S. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the X-E2S nor the GX80 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can find an overview of optics for the two cameras in the Fujinon X Lens Catalog (X-E2S) and the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog (GX80). Mirrorless cameras, such as the two under consideration, have the additional advantage of having a short flange to focal plane distance, which makes it possible to mount many lenses from other systems onto the camera via adapters.

Concerning battery life, the X-E2S gets 350 shots out of its NP-W126 battery, while the GX80 can take 290 images on a single charge of its DMW-BLG10 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, just select a new right or left comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The X-E2S was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 13 percent) than the GX80, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Fujifilm X-E2S features an APS-C sensor and the Panasonic GX80 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the GX80 is 39 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 2.0. The sensor in the X-E2S has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the GX80 offers a 4:3 aspect.

With 16MP, the X-E2S offers a slightly higher resolution than the GX80 (15.8MP), but the X-E2S nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.80μm versus 3.77μm for the GX80) due to its larger sensor. It is noteworthy in this context that the two cameras were released in close succession, so that their sensors are from the same technological generation. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the GX80 provides a better video resolution than the X-E2S. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Fujifilm is limited to 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under review are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the GX80 offers a higher resolution than the one in the X-E2S (2765k vs 2360k dots). The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Fujifilm X-E2S and Panasonic GX80 along with similar information for a selection of comparators. If needed, the dpreview camera hub, for example, contains further detail on the cameras' specs.

The GX80 is a current model that online retailers, such as amazon, will have in stock. In contrast, the X-E2S has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the X-E2S was succeeded by the Fujifilm X-E3.

Summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Fujifilm X-E2S or the Panasonic GX80 – has the upper hand? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Advantages of the Fujifilm X-E2S:

• Better low-light imaging: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for better high-ISO images.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 76g or 18 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (350 versus 290) on a single battery charge.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced segment (13 percent cheaper at launch).

Arguments in favor of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80:

• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/60p).
• More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (2765k vs 2360k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (8 vs 7 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More compact: Is smaller (122x71mm vs 129x75mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology build-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the GX80 emerges as the winner of the match-up (7 : 4 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the X-E2S or the GX80 handle or perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. This is why expert reviews are important. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites. You can find the full text of the reviews, respectively, at cameralabs.com, dpreview.com, ephotozine.com, imaging-resource.com, and photographyblog.com.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when refering to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other comparisons

If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool. If you cannot find the camera you are interested in, kindly get in touch, and I will try to update the database with the necessary infos.