Nikon D3300 vs Panasonic GX8

The Nikon D3300 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in January 2014 and July 2015. The D3300 is a DSLR, while the GX8 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on an APS-C (D3300) and a Four Thirds (GX8) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the Panasonic provides 20.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Nikon D3300		Panasonic GX8
Digital single lens reflex		Mirrorless system camera
Nikon F mount lenses		Micro Four Thirds lenses
24 MP, APS-C Sensor		20.2 MP, Four Thirds Sensor
1080/60p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 100-12,800 (100 - 25,600)		ISO 200-25,600
Optical viewfinder		Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.0 LCD, 921k dots		3.0 LCD, 1040k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Swivel touchscreen
5 shutter flaps per second		10 shutter flaps per second
Lens stabilization only		In-body stabilization
not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
700 shots per battery charge		330 shots per battery charge
124 x 98 x 76 mm, 430 g		133 x 78 x 63 mm, 487 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D3300 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon D3300 and the Panasonic GX8 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The D3300 can be obtained in three different colors (black, grey, red), while the GX8 is available in two color-versions (black, silver).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic GX8 is notably smaller (15 percent) than the Nikon D3300. However, the GX8 is markedly heavier (13 percent) than the D3300. It is noteworthy in this context that the GX8 is splash and dust-proof, while the D3300 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

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 compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Nikon Lens Catalog (D3300) and the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog (GX8). Mirrorless cameras, such as the GX8, have moreover the advantage that they can use many lenses from other systems via adapters, as they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance.

Concerning battery life, the D3300 gets 700 shots out of its EN-EL14a battery, while the GX8 can take 330 images on a single charge of its DMW-BLC12 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)		Street Price
1.		Nikon D3300	124 mm	98 mm	76 mm	430 g	700	n	Jan 2014	499
2.		Panasonic GX8	133 mm	78 mm	63 mm	487 g	330	Y	Jul 2015	1,199
3.		Nikon D3500	124 mm	97 mm	70 mm	365 g	1550	n	Aug 2018	429
4.		Nikon D5600	124 mm	97 mm	70 mm	465 g	970	n	Nov 2016	699
5.		Nikon D3400	124 mm	98 mm	76 mm	445 g	1200	n	Aug 2016	499
6.		Nikon D5500	124 mm	97 mm	70 mm	420 g	820	n	Jan 2015	899
7.		Nikon D7100	136 mm	107 mm	76 mm	765 g	950	Y	Feb 2013	1,199
8.		Nikon D5300	125 mm	98 mm	76 mm	480 g	600	n	Oct 2013	799
9.		Nikon D3200	125 mm	96 mm	77 mm	505 g	540	n	Apr 2012	599
10.		Olympus E-M5 II	124 mm	85 mm	45 mm	469 g	310	Y	Feb 2015	1,099
11.		Olympus E-M1	130 mm	94 mm	63 mm	497 g	350	Y	Sep 2013	1,399
12.		Panasonic G95	130 mm	94 mm	77 mm	536 g	290	Y	Apr 2019	999
13.		Panasonic GX9	124 mm	72 mm	47 mm	407 g	260	n	Feb 2018	849
14.		Panasonic GX7	123 mm	71 mm	55 mm	402 g	350	n	Aug 2013	999
15.		Sony A5000	110 mm	63 mm	36 mm	269 g	420	n	Jan 2014	449
16.		Sony A5100	110 mm	63 mm	36 mm	283 g	400	n	Aug 2014	549
17.		Sony A6000	120 mm	67 mm	45 mm	344 g	360	n	Feb 2014	599
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The D3300 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 58 percent) than the GX8, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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 size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants 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 are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon D3300 features an APS-C sensor and the Panasonic GX8 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the GX8 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 D3300 has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the GX8 offers a 4:3 aspect.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors.

With 24MP, the D3300 offers a higher resolution than the GX8 (20.2MP), but the D3300 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.91μm versus 3.34μm for the GX8) due to its larger sensor. However, the GX8 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 6 months) than the D3300, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the D3300 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Nikon D3300 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the D3300 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Panasonic GX8 are 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm for good quality, 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm for very good quality, and 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Nikon D3300 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 are ISO 200 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-25600.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under review, the D3300 has a notably higher overall DXO score than the GX8 (overall score 7 points higher), which gives it an advantage in terms of imaging quality. This advantage is based on 0.8 bits higher color depth, 0.2 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.8 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports		DXO Overall
1.		Nikon D3300	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.3	12.8	1385		82
2.		Panasonic GX8	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	23.5	12.6	806		75
3.		Nikon D3500	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..		..
4.		Nikon D5600	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.1	14.0	1306		84
5.		Nikon D3400	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.8	13.9	1192		86
6.		Nikon D5500	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.1	14.0	1438		84
7.		Nikon D7100	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.2	13.7	1256		83
8.		Nikon D5300	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.0	13.9	1338		83
9.		Nikon D3200	APS-C	24.1	6016	4000	1080/30p	24.1	13.2	1131		81
10.		Olympus E-M5 II	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	23.0	12.5	842		73
11.		Olympus E-M1	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	23.0	12.7	757		73
12.		Panasonic G95	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..		..
13.		Panasonic GX9	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..		..
14.		Panasonic GX7	Four Thirds	15.8	4592	3448	1080/60p	22.6	12.2	718		70
15.		Sony A5000	APS-C	19.8	5456	3632	1080/60i	23.8	13.0	1089		79
16.		Sony A5100	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.8	12.7	1347		80
17.		Sony A6000	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.1	13.1	1347		82

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the GX8 provides a better video resolution than the D3300. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Nikon is limited to 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the GX8 has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the D3300 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinder in the GX8 offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the D3300 (95%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. In addition, the viewfinder of the GX8 has a higher magnification (0.77x vs 0.57x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Nikon D3300, the Panasonic GX8, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Nikon D3300	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
2.		Panasonic GX8	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
3.		Nikon D3500	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
4.		Nikon D5600	optical	n	3.2	1037	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
5.		Nikon D3400	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
6.		Nikon D5500	optical	n	3.2	1037	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
7.		Nikon D7100	optical	Y	3.2	1229	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.0	Y	n
8.		Nikon D5300	optical	n	3.2	1037	swivel	n	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
9.		Nikon D3200	optical	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	4.0	Y	n
10.		Olympus E-M5 II	2360	n	3.0	1037	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
11.		Olympus E-M1	2360	n	3.0	1037	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
12.		Panasonic G95	2360	n	3.0	1240	swivel	Y	1/4000s	9.0	Y	Y
13.		Panasonic GX9	2760	n	3.0	1240	tilting	Y	1/4000s	9.0	Y	Y
14.		Panasonic GX7	2760	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/8000s	5.0	Y	Y
15.		Sony A5000	none	n	3.0	461	tilting	n	1/4000s	3.5	Y	n
16.		Sony A5100	none	n	3.0	922	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
17.		Sony A6000	1440	n	3.0	922	tilting	n	1/4000s	11.0	Y	n

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The D3300 has one, while the GX8 does not. While the built-in flash of the D3300 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the GX8 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Panasonic GX8 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the D3300 and the GX8 write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D3300 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Nikon D3300	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Panasonic GX8	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
3.		Nikon D3500	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	Y
4.		Nikon D5600	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
5.		Nikon D3400	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	Y
6.		Nikon D5500	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
7.		Nikon D7100	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Nikon D5300	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
9.		Nikon D3200	Y	mono	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Olympus E-M5 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
11.		Olympus E-M1	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
12.		Panasonic G95	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
13.		Panasonic GX9	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
14.		Panasonic GX7	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
15.		Sony A5000	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
16.		Sony A5100	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
17.		Sony A6000	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

It is notable that the GX8 offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the D3300 does not provide wifi capability.

Both the D3300 and the GX8 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on eBay. The D3300 was replaced by the Nikon D3400, while the GX8 was followed by the Panasonic GX9. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Nikon and Panasonic websites.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Nikon D3300 or the Panasonic GX8 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Arguments in favor of the Nikon D3300:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (24 vs 20.2MP) with a 11% higher linear resolution.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (7 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (0.8 stops ISO advantage).
• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 57g or 12 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (700 versus 330) on a single battery charge.
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (58 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in January 2014).

Reasons to prefer the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/60p).
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 95%).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.77x vs 0.57x).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 921k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• More compact: Is smaller (133x78mm vs 124x98mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• More modern: Was introduced somewhat (1 year and 6 months) more recently.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the GX8 is the clear winner of the contest (20 : 10 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D3300 and the Panasonic GX8 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the D3300 or the GX8. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)			Street Price
1.		Nikon D3300	3/5	+	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2014	499
2.		Panasonic GX8	5/5	+	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2015	1,199
3.		Nikon D3500	..	..	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2018	429
4.		Nikon D5600	4/5	..	79/100	4.5/5	4/5	Nov 2016	699
5.		Nikon D3400	4/5	+	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2016	499
6.		Nikon D5500	5/5	+	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2015	899
7.		Nikon D7100	5/5	+ +	85/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2013	1,199
8.		Nikon D5300	4/5	+ +	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2013	799
9.		Nikon D3200	5/5	+ +	73/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2012	599
10.		Olympus E-M5 II	5/5	+ +	81/100	5/5	5/5	Feb 2015	1,099
11.		Olympus E-M1	5/5	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2013	1,399
12.		Panasonic G95	4.5/5	+	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2019	999
13.		Panasonic GX9	4/5	+	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2018	849
14.		Panasonic GX7	4/5	+	79/100	5/5	5/5	Aug 2013	999
15.		Sony A5000	3/5	+	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2014	449
16.		Sony A5100	4.5/5	+	..	4.5/5	5/5	Aug 2014	549
17.		Sony A6000	5/5	+	80/100	4.5/5	5/5	Feb 2014	599
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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Specifications: Nikon D3300 vs Panasonic GX8

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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