I shot some video with the GX8 for the first time yesterday. My wife is in a Japanese Taiko drumming group and they had an outdoor performance. The video quality is excellent, but as I expected, I need an external mic for better audio. I have an older Rode Videomic (not the new Videomic Pro) that I could use with a 2.5 to 3.5 adapter. It works well on my Canon HD camcorder. However, I was looking at the Panasonic DMW-MS2 mic designed for the GH3 and GH4. It has some interesting features when used with those cameras, but I haven't been able to find any info on how it might work with the GX8. Does anyone have experience using this mic on the GX8 or a Panasonic m43 camera other than the GH3/GH4?
Gary
Gary, the MS2 is a good mic but will not work with your GX8 (I own both). The MS2 is powered by the camera while most of the third party mics are self-powered (via a battery). The GX8 does not provide power to the microphone while the GH3 and GH4 do provide that power (2.5 vdc, I think). Additionally, the MS2 features are controlled with camera menu selections and the GX8 does not have those items in the menu (there are no switches on the MS2 itself). Another popular mic that requires power from the camera is the Rode Videomic GO which also will not work on the GX8. For self-powered mics that would work on your GX8, assuming you want to stay under $200, there are the Rode Videomic Pro, Sennheiser MKE 400, and Shure VP83 (this is the one I use with the GX8). Generally speaking, if it has a battery, it will probably work with the GX8. You will also need a 3.5mm to 2.5mm adapter.
The MS2 is a true shotgun mic but the others that I mentioned are various forms of cardioid. All are condenser mics. The MS2 also has stereo capability and these others are mono with the single channel duplicated for pseudo-stereo.
Most video is only half complete without audio so it is important to record the best audio that you can (afford).
David