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PANASONIC LUMIX G85 Body 4K Mirrorless Camera, Inbody Dual I.S 2.0, 16 Megapixels, 3 Inch Touch LCD, DMC-G85KBODY (USA BLACK)
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Panasonic |
Model Name | Panasonic Lumix G85 |
Maximum Webcam Image Resolution | 16 MP |
Photo Sensor Size | Micro Four Thirds |
Image Stabilization | 5-Axis |
Max Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds |
Min Shutter Speed | 30 seconds |
Metering Description | Center-Weighted Average, Multiple, Spot |
Form Factor | Mirrorless |
Effective Still Resolution | 16 |
About this item
- Less bulky than a DSLR, the LUMIX G85 is the compact 4K video enabled Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless (DSLM) camera with true to life photo image quality
- Class leading 5 axis body stabilization that when mated to LUMIX 2 axis optically stabilized lenses for a “Dual IS” effect
- 4K Video recording at 30p/24p 100 Mbps plus a 3.5 millimeter port for external microphones (Full HD 60p 28Mbps)
- Weather sealed splash proof and dustproof, rugged enough to withstand even the most challenging environments
- 16 Megapixel MFT eliminates the need for low pass sensor filters while boosting fine detail resolving power sensor
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This Item PANASONIC LUMIX G85 Body 4K Mirrorless Camera, Inbody Dual I.S 2.0, 16 Megapixels, 3 Inch Touch LCD, DMC-G85KBODY (USA BLACK) | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | $599.95$599.95 | -17% $499.00$499.00 List: $599.99 | -13% $699.00$699.00 List: $799.99 | $799.00$799.00 | -45% $997.95$997.95 List: $1,799.99 | -29% $497.99$497.99 List: $699.99 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Thursday, Mar 28 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it Apr 1 - 4 | — | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Picture quality | — | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.6 |
Image stabilization | — | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.4 | 4.1 |
Auto focus | — | 4.1 | 4.7 | — | 3.7 | 4.1 |
Value for money | — | — | 4.0 | — | 4.7 | 4.6 |
Battery life | — | — | — | 4.0 | 4.6 | 4.4 |
Sold By | PhoenixPhoto | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | 42nd Street Photo | Beach Camera Same Day Shipping | Amazon.com |
display type | LCD | LCD | LCD | Articulating Touchscreen OLED | LCD | LCD |
display size | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches |
lens type | Prime | Telephoto | Telephoto | Interchangeable | Zoom | mirror-lens |
shooting modes | — | Automatic | Automatic | Bulb Mode,Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority | Bulb Mode,Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority | Silent Shooting |
connectivity tech | HDMI, USB | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Micro HDMI, USB | HDMI, NTSC | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | HDMI, USB |
video resolution | 4K UHD 2160p | 2160p | 4320p | 4K UHD 2160p | 4K UHD 2160p | 4K UHD 2160p |
What's in the box
Product Description
The Panasonic LUMIX G85 offers over 27 LUMIX compact lens options built on the next-generation interchangeable lens camera standard (Micro Four Thirds) pioneered by Panasonic. Its “mirrorless” design enables a lighter, more compact camera body that includes cutting-edge video, audio, creative controls, wireless, intelligent-focusing, gyro sensor control in body image stabilization and exposure technologies not possible with traditional DSLRs. And with the exclusive LUMIX 4K Ultra HD video pause and export as a 4K PHOTO mode, you’ll never again miss that one shot that perfectly captures a scene.
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From the manufacturer
Overview
The Panasonic LUMIX G85 offers over 27 LUMIX compact lens options built on the next-generation interchangeable lens camera standard (Micro Four Thirds) pioneered by Panasonic. Its “mirrorless” design enables a lighter, more compact camera body that includes cutting-edge video, audio, creative controls, wireless, intelligent-focusing, gyro sensor control in body image stabilization and exposure technologies not possible with traditional DSLRs. And with the exclusive LUMIX 4K Ultra HD video pause and export as a 4K PHOTO mode, you’ll never again miss that one shot that perfectly captures a scene.
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Keeps Pace With Your PhotographyWhen life's adventures take you places, you need a camera that keeps up. Photographer Mitchell Kanashkevich took the LUMIX G85 on a journey to Romania. Perfect for outdoor shooting, the Dual Image Stabilizer helped him take crisper, clearer images in difficult and fast-moving environments, while the compact, weather-sealed body and kit lens improved flexibility wherever he went. See the difference a LUMIX G85 makes on your adventures, too. |
5-Axis Gyro Sensor CompensationWith the LUMIX G85, a new gyro sensor increases the image stability compensation power of the 5-Axis Body image stabilization to correct hand-shake for all lenses, including classic lenses not equipped with optical image stabilization. |
Dual I.S. Effective To 5 StopsThe LUMIX G85 integrates 5-Axis Dual I.S.2 (Image Stabilizer)*, combining 5-axis body and 2-axis lens stabilization for more effective handshake correction and compensation for shots up to 5 f-stops**. The 5-axis stabilization works in both wide and telephoto photography and motion picture recording, including 4K Video. * 5-Axis Dual I.S. 2 works when attaching compatible lenses. . Firmware update of the lens is also required. ** Based on the CIPA standard [Yaw/Pitch direction: focusing distance f=50-140mm (35mm film camera equivalent f=100-280mm), when H-FS14140 is used.] |
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A Rugged Sealed BodyRugged enough to withstand even the most challenging environments, the splash/dustproof body gives you the flexibility and freedom to never stop exploring. The thick, ergonomically designed grip provides stable shooting even with one hand. |
4K Photo - Never Miss That ShotLUMIX-pioneered 4K PHOTO lets you capture the perfect moment by selecting single frames from a 4K video sequence shot at a blistering 30fps to save as individual high-res images. |
Extend Your Battery LifeProlong battery life to approximately 800–900* images with a power-saving eye sensor that detects when your eye moves away from the viewfinder and automatically enter Sleep mode. * When the time to enter Sleep mode is set to 3 sec. |
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A Grip On PowerShoot longer with two batteries — one in the camera, the other in the optional battery grip (DMW-BGG1). The grip also makes handling the camera more comfortable, even in vertical angle shooting and it perfectly matches the camera's rugged splash/dustproof design. |
Shoot Now, Focus LaterEnjoy the creative freedom of being able to decide what you want in focus, even after you shoot. Exclusive POST FOCUS mode gives you the power to review an image and touch the area you'd like to be pinpoint sharp. What's more, a new Focus Stacking feature lets you easily select several focus points in the same image. |
Shutter Shock ReductionThe LUMIX G85 includes a new electromagnetic drive in the shutter unit. The shock caused by movement of the shutter diaphragm is dramatically reduced and the shutter sound is significantly minimized. Together with the use of a new solid magnesium front panel, shutter shock is reduced by approximately 90% compared with the LUMIX G7. |
DFD - Ultra High Speed FocusingThanks to the DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology that instantly calculates distance to subject by evaluating two images with different sharpness levels, ultra-high-speed AF and 6-fps burst shooting with AFC, and 9-fps burst shooting with AFS is possible. The compatibility of the UHS-II SDXC/SDHC Memory Card and increased buffer memory elevate the maximum number of recordable images in consecutive shooting up to 300 (JPEG) / 45 (RAW) or more. |
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What You See Is What You GetThe Live View Finder with 0.74X (35mm equiv.) magnification ratio gives you the freedom to frame your shot and capture everything you see. Plus, 2360K-dot high resolution and approximately 100% color reproduction provides high visibility under any circumstances. |
True-to-Life DetailThe 16-megapixel Digital Live MOS sensor with no low pass filter helps capture sharper images with more detail. |
Impressive Color ReproductionShoot true-to-life images with excellent resolution, high contrast and impressive color reproduction. Removing the Low Pass Filter improves quality by approximately 10%* while the Venus Engine designed for the LUMIX G85 detects high-frequency components to suppress the generation of moiré. Combining the Digital Live MOS Sensor and Venus Engine renders clear images with minimum noise even in low-light situations and a maximum sensitivity of ISO25600. * A Panasonic comparison with the LUMIX G7. |
Life has Never Looked so GoodWith highest quality 4K Video, the LUMIX G85 lets you record every journey's twists and turns in up to 4X the resolution of Full HD. More detail and more clarity means more memories to look back on, all in perfect quality. |
Product information
Auto Focus Technology | Multi area, Contrast Detection, sensor |
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Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
Display Resolution Maximum | 1040 |
Photo Sensor Size | Micro Four Thirds |
Photo Sensor Technology | CMOS |
Effective Still Resolution | 16 |
Maximum Webcam Image Resolution | 16 MP |
White balance settings | Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Flash torch |
Self Timer Duration | 10 seconds |
JPEG quality level | Normal |
Image Stabilization | 5-Axis |
Supported Image Format | Micro Four Thirds |
Video Capture Format | 4k |
Video Capture Resolution | 4K UHD 2160p |
Batteries Required? | Yes |
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Number of Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
Are Batteries Included | Yes |
Rechargeable Battery Included | No |
Battery Cell Composition | Lithium Ion |
Battery Weight | 1 Grams |
Target Gender | Unisex |
Connectivity Technology | USB, HDMI |
Continuous Shooting Speed | 30 fps |
Wireless Communication Technology | BuiltIn; 802.11b/g/n |
Flash Memory Type | SDXC |
Special Feature | Lightweight |
Skill Level | Professional |
Form Factor | Mirrorless |
Hardware Interface | AV Port |
Photo Sensor Technology | CMOS |
Lens Type | Prime |
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Optical Zoom | 1 x |
Maximum Aperture | 3.5 Millimeters |
Compatible Mountings | Micro Four Thirds |
Maximum Focal Length | 85 Millimeters |
Minimum Focal Length | 3.5 Millimeters |
Expanded ISO Maximum | 409600 |
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Max Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds |
Min Shutter Speed | 30 seconds |
Metering Description | Center-Weighted Average, Multiple, Spot |
Screen Size | 3 Inches |
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Display Type | LCD |
Model Name | Panasonic Lumix G85 |
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Brand | Panasonic |
Model Number | DMC-G85KBODY |
Customer Reviews |
4.0 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #356,213 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #911 in Mirrorless Cameras |
ASIN | B01LYU3WZR |
Number of Items | 1 |
Color | Black |
Included Components | Battery Charger, Battery Pack, USB Connection Cable, Shoulder Strap, AC Cable, Body Cap, camera, Hot Shoe Cover |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 2.93 x 5.06 x 3.5 inches |
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Item Weight | 1.11 Pounds |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Read about our customers' top-rated cameras and lenses on our review pages: Compact System Cameras, Lenses
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, ease of use, and size of the digital camera. For example, they say it's an excellent, great all-round camera, and has a big, bright viewfinder. Customers are also impresseded with the back button focusing and image stabilization. That said, some complain about the microphone port.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are satisfied with the image quality of the digital camera. They mention that it produces very good still pictures, and the JPEG result is still good. The 4K footage is stunning, and it offers in-body image stabilization, making it easier to capture the perfect moment in an action sequence.
"...I can pull up highlights and shadows in-camera and the JPEG result is still good. Hopefully RAW output will be included in the future...." Read more
"...Super video, very good still pictures. good ergonomics.I bought one of these when one of my G7 cams conked out...." Read more
"...It makes it so much easier to capture the perfect moment in an action sequence.There are far too many filters to describe here...." Read more
"I love this camera. Beautiful image quality and 4k is stunning. Good battery life but probably go buy a few back ups...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the digital camera. They mention that it is an excellent, great all-round camera, and extremely versatile. The software team has done a good job, and the camera is customizable and easy to use. The bright EVF and LCD screen make it easy to see the image clearly, and it has a customizable in-camera highlight and shadow that helps reduce work in post processing.
"...(with Dual IS), built-in bright EVF and LCD screen, versatile stills and video camera, customizable and easy user interface for a small mirrorless,..." Read more
"...Viewfinder: it's great. Big, bright viewfinder. Now, the GX85 had a more "movie" style viewfinder, but it is also off center...." Read more
"Amazing camera. Easy to use, great quality images, incredible features. The focus stacking feature is the best...." Read more
"Excellent camera. Seems to be one of the better value options on the market at the time. Great quality for the money." Read more
Customers find the digital camera easy to use. They mention the two dials are very convenient in manual mode, the focusing feature is very responsive, and the touch screen is easy to operate.
"...LCD screen, versatile stills and video camera, customizable and easy user interface for a small mirrorless, weather sealed..." Read more
"...There are far too many filters to describe here. But they are all easy to use, and the camera can be set to save both the filtered and unfiltered..." Read more
"...image stabilization, a flip screen, a microphone port, and an easy to use touch screen, I had some use-specific gripes about it...." Read more
"Amazing camera. Easy to use, great quality images, incredible features. The focus stacking feature is the best...." Read more
Customers like the size of the digital camera. They mention it's lightweight, has a low profile, and has able to fit in a small package.
"...Primary reasons why I bought the G85:Lightweight and small, low profile, reasonable price of camera and lenses, good in lowlight..." Read more
"...Viewfinder: it's great. Big, bright viewfinder. Now, the GX85 had a more "movie" style viewfinder, but it is also off center...." Read more
"...There is so much to like about this camera - it is both smaller and lighter than my previous SDLR, and it has allowed me to produce better photos...." Read more
"...Good battery life but probably go buy a few back ups. Small package but functional ergonomics. So useful with the flip out screen...." Read more
Customers like the back button of the camera. They say that it allows them to retain back button focusing when in PASM modes and half-pressed shutter focusing in auto mode. They also mention that the focus is pretty zippy and the focus stacking feature is the best.
"...What I like about this camera is that I can retain back button focusing when in PASM modes, and half pressed shutter focusing in auto mode which is..." Read more
"...Now this is a totally great feature.Focus was pretty zippy. Takes the same battery as the G7 (I still have the battery from my GH2)...." Read more
"...The focus stacking feature is the best. Can't believe the flower close-ups I've been able to take with it...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the features of the digital camera. They mention that it has a nice set of features, including 11 customizable function buttons (6 physical, 5 on the LCD screen) and a user interface that resembles a DSLR.
"...The G85 has 11 customizable function buttons (6 physical, 5 on the LCD screen), pressing a function button (physical) for 2 sec...." Read more
"...heavier, a little better built, has better weather seals, and more features. All the great dials of the G7 but everything is more solid...." Read more
"Amazing camera. Easy to use, great quality images, incredible features. The focus stacking feature is the best...." Read more
Customers appreciate the camera's image stabilization. They say it has better stabilization than the G7 and the GX85.
"...Overall, it feels like the best of the G7 and the GX85, with better stabilization and a nice set of features. No time limit on mine...." Read more
"...for a while now, I must say that my favorite features are its image stabilization and low light capabilities...." Read more
"...While the camera offers 4k footage, in-body image stabilization, a flip screen, a microphone port, and an easy to use touch screen, I had some use-..." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the microphone port of the digital camera. They mention that an external microphone is a stupid option, the port was broken, and the mic jack is in the way for vlogging.
"...And an external microphone is a stupid option. I bought 4/3 for small/portability, not to piece together a production studio...." Read more
"Great camera, but my product was shipped with a broken microphone port and won't record any audio with my external microphone...." Read more
"Mic jack is in the way for vlogging and takes up screen space" Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews
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Primary reasons why I bought the G85:
Lightweight and small, low profile, reasonable price of camera and lenses, good in lowlight conditions (with Dual IS), built-in bright EVF and LCD screen, versatile stills and video camera, customizable and easy user interface for a small mirrorless, weather sealed (water and dust resistant).
Camera features I really like:
• 4K Photo
• Silent mode
• Time-lapse option on the dial
• 11 customizable function butttons
• Customizable in-camera highlight and shadow. Cuts down work in post processing.
• Post focus and built-in Focus Stacking (JPEG only). I would prefer Focus Stacking output as RAW. However, with the highlight shadow feature setting I can pull up highlights and shadows in-camera and the JPEG result is still good. Hopefully RAW output will be included in the future.
Compared with the Sony a6000 (that I sold):
Focusing - The hybrid (w/ phase detect) autofocus with the a6000 is just phenomenal (now more impressive with the new a6500) but I don't shoot sports often. Contrast detect for the G85 is sufficient to track pets, kids, indoor sports (I prefer using the Panasonic 35-100mm f2.8). It can also track faster movement like birds in flight quite well. Short buffer on the a6000 compared to the G85.
Battery- Battery life is almost the same. Non-OEM batteries (Wasabi) used with the a6000 causes the camera to freeze. I had no problems with Wasabi batteries on the G85. Mirrorless cameras are notorious for sucking a lot of juice from your battery therefore you need to have at least two spare ones.
Powering On - Instantaneous on the G85. I can take pictures soon as I turn on the switch. Similar to my FF DSLR. With the a6000 it takes 2 to 3 secs to start up. Good luck if you use cheap batteries. I missed a lot of shots because of it.
Video - Of course, the G85 has an advantage with 4K does heats up quickly and so far after using it a couple or more times, it does not overheat. Sony a6000 starts heating up after taking video for more than 15 mins. It still plagues the a6300 and hopefully not the a6500. Diagonal panning issues and jitters have been resolved after the firmware update. Humming sound of the IBIS is still present with the G85. The humming can be picked up by the built in mic in a quiet environment. You need an external mic if you do need to record video in such conditions.
User interface - Love the DSLR like controls on the G85. Two dials (front and back) is very convenient in manual mode. Sony a6000 does not have intuitive controls like the G85. The G85 has 11 customizable function buttons (6 physical, 5 on the LCD screen), pressing a function button (physical) for 2 sec. will let you directly assign a function, not to mention the Q. MENU possibilities. What I like about this camera is that I can retain back button focusing when in PASM modes, and half pressed shutter focusing in auto mode which is not possible with my DSLR. The touchscreen and touch focusing feature with G85 is convenient and very responsive. Careful not to touch your nose on the screen though as it can move your focus point. Among some settings that are easily accessible when pressing the Exposure Compensation button (F1 by default) are Exposure Bracketing and Flash Compensation. Still looking for other cool stuff that this camera has in store.
IBIS and Dual IS - With Dual IS I can shoot even at 1/10th of sec. to even 1 sec. handheld and still get sharp images especially when paired with the 12-35mm f2.8 lens. The a6500 will have IBIS and dual IS on Sony lenses that has OSS.
Lenses - Reasonable prices for micro 4/3 lenses and other choices from Olympus, Rokinon or Sigma. Sony aps-c has limited zoom lenses and they are larger than micro 4/3. No Sony 24-70 f2.8 (35mm equivalent) for aps-c. Best I ever used is the Zeiss 16-70mm f4.0. Sony FF e-mount lenses are expensive. Main reason why I left Sony. If they have more lenses for aps-c and make it smaller and affordable, I may come back... maybe.
Image Quality - Love the IQ of photos taken with the a6000 but the IQ of the G85 is equally good despite having a smaller sensor. Just do not crop too much.
WiFi and Mobile App - The best I have ever used so far. It never prematurely disconnects, very capable controls and app performance is nearly flawless. Good job software team. The only caveat, as with all the other camera brand apps is that they only download images in JPEG. I only shoot in RAW and download my images to my iPad Pro using a card reader since I mostly edit my photos with Adobe Lightroom Mobile and later syncing and tweaking some of it on my PC. This is how rate my experience with the WiFi apps:
Very Good - Panasonic App w/ G85, Could have been Excellent if it downloads RAW.
Good - Sony PlayMemories w/ Sony a6000. Good controls but it disconnects. WiFi turned on quickly drains the battery.
Acceptable - Canon Camera Connect w/ Canon G7X Mark II (sold)
Mediocre - Nikon WMU w/ my D610 w/ wifi adapter, D5500 (sold). Limited controls and disconnects. Since I am an Apple user I cannot attest to how SnapBridge performs but still the app should work well with all platforms. As if Nikons software department is almost non-existent.
Why did I choose the G85 over the 1 inch sensor Canon G7X Mark II(sold)?
The G7X Mark II is an excellent camera because of its portability and performance in low light, but sometimes I needed a viewfinder. It is difficult to see anything on the LCD screen on a sunny day. Could not wait for the Nikon DL 18-50mm. Still no built in viewfinder and is priced at almost $1000. Sony RX 100 IV or V? Maybe. But soon as I got hold of this camera I just couldn't let go.
Why did I choose the G85 over the Sony a6500?
Price. The a6500 is $1500 . If I was thinking of getting the GH5, which is in the same price point, I would consider the a6500. However, native Sony aps-c E-mount lens selection is still limited.
Compared to my Nikon D610:
Image Quality - Full frame wins in this department, hands down. But if you only post photos in social media or don't print that often in large sizes then why need a full frame DSLR at all.
Weight and portability - I would rather equally enjoy taking photos and traveling without lugging heavy equipment. I would not drag my Nikon 80-200 f2.8D on overseas trips and would rather carry a Lumix 35-100mm f2.8 lens or Lumix 45-150mm lens. For most of my travels, I will just bring my Nikon 20mm f1.8G on my Nikon D610 for landscapes and Panasonic Lumix G85 cam and lenses (12-35mm f2.8, 35-100 f2.8 or the lighter and affordable 45-150mm f4.0-5.6) for walk-around.
Price - Micro 4/3 wins, camera and lenses! The pro grade Panasonic Lumix 35-100mm f2.8 lens with IS for the G85 is selling for $897 at this time of writing vs the expensive Nikon 70-200 f2.8G VRII for $2200+.
User Interface - Going from AF-S to AF-C on the D610 is a nuisance sometimes. Back button focusing resolves this issue and having it permanently on AF-C. Most DSLR users know this. The G85 however has a dedicated switch for AFS, AFC and MF. Awesome. I can take advantage of the 9 fps on AF-S or MF with focus peaking at any time. D610 has no wifi and touchscreen.
Build quality - My D610 looks and feels sturdier, however as light as it is, the build quality of the Panasonic G85 does not dissappoint.
Suffice to say, I am happy with my new camera system. I am a Micro 4/3 convert.
UPDATE: Purchased the Lumix 45-150mm, 35-100mm f2.8 and included sample photos. Night and long exposure shots of Union Square shot using Lumix 12-35 f2.8. Close up of xmas tree and skating rink shot at 1/15th, f2.8, ISO 800 handheld. Bird photos using the Lumix 35-100mm f2.8 at 100mm.
UPDATE 2: In video mode, microjitters are still apparent when using the long end of the Lumix 35-100mm f2.8, even after the firmware update. You may not want to shoot handheld at 100mm. No problems with the Lumix 12-35mm f2.8 which normally what I use for video anyway. Still a stellar performer.
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2016
Primary reasons why I bought the G85:
Lightweight and small, low profile, reasonable price of camera and lenses, good in lowlight conditions (with Dual IS), built-in bright EVF and LCD screen, versatile stills and video camera, customizable and easy user interface for a small mirrorless, weather sealed (water and dust resistant).
Camera features I really like:
• 4K Photo
• Silent mode
• Time-lapse option on the dial
• 11 customizable function butttons
• Customizable in-camera highlight and shadow. Cuts down work in post processing.
• Post focus and built-in Focus Stacking (JPEG only). I would prefer Focus Stacking output as RAW. However, with the highlight shadow feature setting I can pull up highlights and shadows in-camera and the JPEG result is still good. Hopefully RAW output will be included in the future.
Compared with the Sony a6000 (that I sold):
Focusing - The hybrid (w/ phase detect) autofocus with the a6000 is just phenomenal (now more impressive with the new a6500) but I don't shoot sports often. Contrast detect for the G85 is sufficient to track pets, kids, indoor sports (I prefer using the Panasonic 35-100mm f2.8). It can also track faster movement like birds in flight quite well. Short buffer on the a6000 compared to the G85.
Battery- Battery life is almost the same. Non-OEM batteries (Wasabi) used with the a6000 causes the camera to freeze. I had no problems with Wasabi batteries on the G85. Mirrorless cameras are notorious for sucking a lot of juice from your battery therefore you need to have at least two spare ones.
Powering On - Instantaneous on the G85. I can take pictures soon as I turn on the switch. Similar to my FF DSLR. With the a6000 it takes 2 to 3 secs to start up. Good luck if you use cheap batteries. I missed a lot of shots because of it.
Video - Of course, the G85 has an advantage with 4K does heats up quickly and so far after using it a couple or more times, it does not overheat. Sony a6000 starts heating up after taking video for more than 15 mins. It still plagues the a6300 and hopefully not the a6500. Diagonal panning issues and jitters have been resolved after the firmware update. Humming sound of the IBIS is still present with the G85. The humming can be picked up by the built in mic in a quiet environment. You need an external mic if you do need to record video in such conditions.
User interface - Love the DSLR like controls on the G85. Two dials (front and back) is very convenient in manual mode. Sony a6000 does not have intuitive controls like the G85. The G85 has 11 customizable function buttons (6 physical, 5 on the LCD screen), pressing a function button (physical) for 2 sec. will let you directly assign a function, not to mention the Q. MENU possibilities. What I like about this camera is that I can retain back button focusing when in PASM modes, and half pressed shutter focusing in auto mode which is not possible with my DSLR. The touchscreen and touch focusing feature with G85 is convenient and very responsive. Careful not to touch your nose on the screen though as it can move your focus point. Among some settings that are easily accessible when pressing the Exposure Compensation button (F1 by default) are Exposure Bracketing and Flash Compensation. Still looking for other cool stuff that this camera has in store.
IBIS and Dual IS - With Dual IS I can shoot even at 1/10th of sec. to even 1 sec. handheld and still get sharp images especially when paired with the 12-35mm f2.8 lens. The a6500 will have IBIS and dual IS on Sony lenses that has OSS.
Lenses - Reasonable prices for micro 4/3 lenses and other choices from Olympus, Rokinon or Sigma. Sony aps-c has limited zoom lenses and they are larger than micro 4/3. No Sony 24-70 f2.8 (35mm equivalent) for aps-c. Best I ever used is the Zeiss 16-70mm f4.0. Sony FF e-mount lenses are expensive. Main reason why I left Sony. If they have more lenses for aps-c and make it smaller and affordable, I may come back... maybe.
Image Quality - Love the IQ of photos taken with the a6000 but the IQ of the G85 is equally good despite having a smaller sensor. Just do not crop too much.
WiFi and Mobile App - The best I have ever used so far. It never prematurely disconnects, very capable controls and app performance is nearly flawless. Good job software team. The only caveat, as with all the other camera brand apps is that they only download images in JPEG. I only shoot in RAW and download my images to my iPad Pro using a card reader since I mostly edit my photos with Adobe Lightroom Mobile and later syncing and tweaking some of it on my PC. This is how rate my experience with the WiFi apps:
Very Good - Panasonic App w/ G85, Could have been Excellent if it downloads RAW.
Good - Sony PlayMemories w/ Sony a6000. Good controls but it disconnects. WiFi turned on quickly drains the battery.
Acceptable - Canon Camera Connect w/ Canon G7X Mark II (sold)
Mediocre - Nikon WMU w/ my D610 w/ wifi adapter, D5500 (sold). Limited controls and disconnects. Since I am an Apple user I cannot attest to how SnapBridge performs but still the app should work well with all platforms. As if Nikons software department is almost non-existent.
Why did I choose the G85 over the 1 inch sensor Canon G7X Mark II(sold)?
The G7X Mark II is an excellent camera because of its portability and performance in low light, but sometimes I needed a viewfinder. It is difficult to see anything on the LCD screen on a sunny day. Could not wait for the Nikon DL 18-50mm. Still no built in viewfinder and is priced at almost $1000. Sony RX 100 IV or V? Maybe. But soon as I got hold of this camera I just couldn't let go.
Why did I choose the G85 over the Sony a6500?
Price. The a6500 is $1500 . If I was thinking of getting the GH5, which is in the same price point, I would consider the a6500. However, native Sony aps-c E-mount lens selection is still limited.
Compared to my Nikon D610:
Image Quality - Full frame wins in this department, hands down. But if you only post photos in social media or don't print that often in large sizes then why need a full frame DSLR at all.
Weight and portability - I would rather equally enjoy taking photos and traveling without lugging heavy equipment. I would not drag my Nikon 80-200 f2.8D on overseas trips and would rather carry a Lumix 35-100mm f2.8 lens or Lumix 45-150mm lens. For most of my travels, I will just bring my Nikon 20mm f1.8G on my Nikon D610 for landscapes and Panasonic Lumix G85 cam and lenses (12-35mm f2.8, 35-100 f2.8 or the lighter and affordable 45-150mm f4.0-5.6) for walk-around.
Price - Micro 4/3 wins, camera and lenses! The pro grade Panasonic Lumix 35-100mm f2.8 lens with IS for the G85 is selling for $897 at this time of writing vs the expensive Nikon 70-200 f2.8G VRII for $2200+.
User Interface - Going from AF-S to AF-C on the D610 is a nuisance sometimes. Back button focusing resolves this issue and having it permanently on AF-C. Most DSLR users know this. The G85 however has a dedicated switch for AFS, AFC and MF. Awesome. I can take advantage of the 9 fps on AF-S or MF with focus peaking at any time. D610 has no wifi and touchscreen.
Build quality - My D610 looks and feels sturdier, however as light as it is, the build quality of the Panasonic G85 does not dissappoint.
Suffice to say, I am happy with my new camera system. I am a Micro 4/3 convert.
UPDATE: Purchased the Lumix 45-150mm, 35-100mm f2.8 and included sample photos. Night and long exposure shots of Union Square shot using Lumix 12-35 f2.8. Close up of xmas tree and skating rink shot at 1/15th, f2.8, ISO 800 handheld. Bird photos using the Lumix 35-100mm f2.8 at 100mm.
UPDATE 2: In video mode, microjitters are still apparent when using the long end of the Lumix 35-100mm f2.8, even after the firmware update. You may not want to shoot handheld at 100mm. No problems with the Lumix 12-35mm f2.8 which normally what I use for video anyway. Still a stellar performer.
You can't go wrong with this one, it's a great all-rounder. Super video, very good still pictures. good ergonomics.
I bought one of these when one of my G7 cams conked out. I needed it on the same day so I didn't get a great deal, but it was not so bad, price wise. It's like a G7 plus.
It's a little heavier, a little better built, has better weather seals, and more features. All the great dials of the G7 but everything is more solid. When you first pick it up, and look at it, you think "G7". But then when you pick them up side by side, you can feel that it is just a bit more solid and a tiny bit thicker, and there's some really small changes to the layout.
IQ is about the same as the GX85, ever so slightly better than the G7. It's a teeny teeny bit less sharp than the GH5.
Someone obviously thought a lot about the controls and ergonomics, for example, there's a little indent so you can flip out the screen easier. However, as some have noted, the buttons on the back are hard to feel and have a very short travel. Not a deal breaker but it is nice to be able to navigate by touch easily.
Similarly, the mode dial is just a bit more solid, in keeping with the overall "more solid" style of the camera.
Weight: with a battery, and with a card, but no lens or cap, 506 grams. The G7 weighs 413 grams. I weighed all three G7 cams and they weighed the same, the silver weighs the same as the black, just in case you are curious. So 93 grams, not a lot, but not a little.
Image stabilization works great. Floats like a good bar of soap. Not like 5 stops but really nice and smooth.
Shutter is nice and quiet. So, I personally think there may still be some shutter shock, but it is really smooth compared to other Panasonic cameras and a very nice piece of high tech in the new shutter.
Viewfinder: it's great. Big, bright viewfinder. Now, the GX85 had a more "movie" style viewfinder, but it is also off center. The G85 has it right in the center, but in a more photo like crop format. Manual focus with peaking through the VF is pretty awesome.
There's one thing I didn't read anywhere, maybe I missed it, there's a setting that tells the camera to reset the lens to where it was when you turned it off, when you turn it back on. Now this is a totally great feature.
Focus was pretty zippy. Takes the same battery as the G7 (I still have the battery from my GH2).
One pain--if you are using a dummy battery, there is a stupid hole in the bottom so you have to disconnect the battery from the battery or power supply and thread it through the hole, You can't just pop it in.
On thing that is better on the GX85 is that you can use the built in flash as a bounce flash. It's very cool. Sadly, this is not so on the G85. I rarely use it, but every now and then it is great to have the built in bounce flash.
Several reviews have said that the G85 writes video files just like the G7, that is, when it gets to 4GB it seamlessly starts a new file. Actually, that is not true. I'm guessing they never tried it. If you record a video in 4K, it writes one big file just like the GX85, which is what you would expect since the electronics are similar.
Other reviewers note that you can take a non IS lens, like the Olly 75mm, or a legacy lens, and shoot at .4 seconds aperture handheld, using the cameras in body stabilization. Well, I tried that and I think like all of this vaporware about IS you have to be realistic. I was able to consistently get a sharp image at 1/15 second and sometimes 1/10 with the heavy 75mm.
Although the specs list 4K as 24p, it is in fact 23.976 fps. I mention this because several Panasonic cameras do shoot at real 24p (like the GH5), and Panasonic should clear up their terminology, and the review sites just cut and paste it, of course.
Noise and whir: this camera has gyroscopes to help with the IS. If you hold your ear up to the camera, you will hear a soft whir. If you place a mic right on it, you might pick up some whir. It makes the exact type of whir that an image stabilized lens does. And, if you have the two together, you will get a bit more of this sound. You can't hear it two feet away, but for super sensitive recordings, factor that in. The GX85 makes the same noise, as does any camcorder with IS.
Overall, it feels like the best of the G7 and the GX85, with better stabilization and a nice set of features. No time limit on mine. It does make one appreciate the lightness of the G7, actually, but there are times when you want a more rugged camera, for sure.
So for travel, you have to "weigh" the additional features against the heavier weight and a few mm more bulk. I like having IS on the camera, and with the 14-42 kit you get the double IS.
It's a nice camera, bottom line.