Written by Do you need to spend a small fortune on camera’s and gear to enjoy photography? Hell no! Paying peanuts for great gear is an art-form in itself and there are some exceptional cameras available for hardly any outlay if you are prepared to buy second-hand. Here, I’m going to let you into a secret about two of the best I have ever used.
The outstanding Lumix GX80 and Fuji x-T1 should be in your gun sights if you are looking for cheap, reliable and practical work-horses capable of outstanding results.
I’ve been using both of these cameras for some time now, over 4 years in the case of the GX80 and 2 years In the case of the x-T1. They are very different but each brings something special to the party. The one thing you can be sure of both cameras are exceptional for what they might cost you.
Panasonic Lumix GX80
The Panasonic Lumix GX80 is a compact mirrorless camera that is perfect for both experienced photographers and those just starting out. It packs a lot of features into a relatively small package, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a versatile, lightweight camera.
I bought this camera new after spending some time researching cameras upto about £500. The final choice came down to the Lumix or Olympus, both using Micro Four Thirds (M43) sensors. Why? Well, I wanted something with affordable interchangeable lenses, exceptional optical performance, a compact body, comprehensive menus and a lots of inbuilt presets to play around with. For me, the Lumix GX80 was the clear winner based on these criteria.
Of course I could also have chosen from the GX80’s bigger siblings including the GX7, GX8 and GX9 but price was also a key factor and these cameras were more expensive. Importantly, at the time of purchase Panasonic was offering a huge discount on the GX80 which meant that I got the GX80 with the exceptional 12-32mm kit lens for just £350. A crazy good deal considering that some 4 or 5 years on, this camera will still set you back a similar price for a new model. Even secondhand cameras hold their price which I think says a lot for what Panasonic were able to create.
As mentioned above, the Panasonic Lumix GX80 is a compact mirrorless camera perfect for both experienced photographers and those just starting out. It packs a lot of features into a relatively small package, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a versatile, lightweight camera
The GX80 has a 16-megapixel Digital Live MOS sensor and the Venus Engine image processor. This combination allows for high-resolution photos with excellent detail, color accuracy, and low noise. The camera also has a wide ISO range of 200-25600, allowing for excellent performance in low-light situations.
The GX80 has a built-in electronic viewfinder, which can be used to compose and review photos. The viewfinder has a resolution of 2.36 million dots, giving you a clear view of your subject. The camera also has a 3-inch LCD touchscreen, which makes it easy to navigate the menu and review photos.
The camera has a variety of shooting modes, including auto, aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual. It also has a range of creative filters and effects, allowing you to add a unique look to your photos.
The GX80 has a fast autofocus system, with 49 AF points and a maximum burst speed of 6fps. This makes it great for capturing fast-moving subjects. It also has a built-in flash, which is useful for fill-in lighting in low-light situations.
The GX80 is also Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, allowing you to easily share your photos with friends and family. You can also use the camera to control compatible Panasonic Lumix cameras remotely.
