Panasonic LUMIX DMC G85 Review | 108 Data compared

The DPReview evaluation identifies the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85/G80 as an appealing, weather-sealed mid-range mirrorless camera offering excellent Raw image quality, sharp 4K video, and effective Dual I.S. 2 five-axis stabilization. Key strengths include the elimination of shutter shock, a highly customizable interface, and reliable Depth from Defocus autofocus. Conversely, the review notes aggressive JPEG noise reduction that compromises fine detail and highlights ergonomic issues like small buttons and potential "nose-focusing" with the viewfinder. Additionally, the camera lacks a headphone jack, restricts Auto ISO in manual video mode, and features a problematic microphone port location.

The Panasonic Lumix G80 is a weather-sealed, 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera featuring a 5-axis Dual I.S. MK II system, 4K video recording, and a 4K Photo mode that shoots 8-megapixel stills at 30fps. Key pros highlighted include effective image stabilization, a quiet electromagnetic shutter reducing shake by 90%, and excellent handling, earning it an Editor's Choice award. Limitations noted in the review include the 16-megapixel resolution being lower than some competitors and a lack of NFC connectivity. While the camera is highly regarded, the standard kit lens can produce soft images in the corners of the frame.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 is a robust, weather-sealed mirrorless camera featuring a comfortable, deep grip and efficient twin control dials, bridging the gap between the G7 and GH4. It offers excellent image quality via a 16MP sensor without a low-pass filter, paired with an effective 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 system. Key drawbacks include flat, hard-to-access rear buttons and a lack of a dedicated headphone jack for video. Additionally, the camera is prone to rolling shutter in 4K, features average autofocus tracking compared to competitors, and suffers from limited battery life. YouTube

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 is a highly capable Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lens camera designed as a step-down option from the flagship GH5 model. Built with a solid magnesium alloy frame, the body features extensive splash and dustproof weather-sealing to protect its joints and buttons during outdoor use. Key technical features include a 16-megapixel mirrorless sensor, a 2.3-megapixel OLED electronic viewfinder, and a 1-megapixel tilt-and-rotate touchscreen display. The tested bundle includes a weather-sealed 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens (offering a 24-120mm 35mm equivalent focal length), with the complete kit priced at an RRP of $1,699. The camera also records UltraHD 4K video at up to 30 frames per second at a high 100Mbps bitrate, provided you use a UHS Speed Class 3 SD card. Pros and Cons The review highlights several prominent advantages, starting with an impressive five-axis in-body image stabilisation (OIS) system that seamlessly complements the optical stabilisation built into compatible lenses. Users gain access to highly advanced bracketing options—including aperture, white balance, and innovative focus stacking that can merge up to 999 continuous shots for extensive depth of field....

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 is a highly versatile, weather-sealed Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera featuring a durable magnesium alloy front plate, making it an excellent, rugged upgrade over the G7. Key performance advantages include an updated 5-axis dual image stabilization system, a 16-megapixel sensor without an optical low-pass filter for sharp images, and capable 4K video recording. Key limitations include a reliance on contrast-detect Depth from Defocus (DFD) autofocus, which can struggle with smooth, continuous tracking during video. Additionally, the smaller sensor leads to increased noise at high ISO settings, while the lack of a dedicated headphone jack and small, difficult-to-locate rear buttons limit professional audio monitoring and handling, respectively.

In his comprehensive review, professional wildlife photographer Daniel J. Cox details his field experience with the mirrorless Panasonic Lumix G85 (sold as the G80 in Europe), highlighting it as an advanced enthusiast's camera that offers a "huge bang for the buck". Cox emphasizes several notable pros, beginning with its robust die-cast magnesium body and improved aluminum front plate that offer excellent durability and weather-sealing compared to its predecessor. He highly praises the whisper-silent electromagnetic shutter which completely eliminates "shutter shock" vibrations, alongside the incredibly effective In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) and Dual I.S. system that allows for sharp handheld shots at exceptionally slow shutter speeds. Additionally, Cox values the 16-megapixel sensor's lack of a low-pass filter for creating large, stunning prints, the highly responsive flip-out touchscreen LCD, and advanced features like 4K Photo Mode, Depth From Defocus (DFD) contrast AF, Panorama mode, and the convenient built-in flash. Despite his overall enthusiasm, Cox points out clear disadvantages, defining low-light performance as the definitive "Achilles' heel" of the Micro Four Thirds system. He explicitly notes that shooting at higher ISOs like 3200 generates...

The Panasonic Lumix G80 / G85 is a highly recommended mid-range mirrorless camera built on the Micro Four Thirds standard, offering a robust feature set for both photographers and videographers. Encased in a solid, weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, it features a 16 Megapixel sensor without a low-pass filter, delivering crisp image quality that punches above its class. Its standout performance feature is the highly effective five-axis Dual IS 2 stabilization system, which provides up to five stops of compensation for sharp handheld stills and exceptionally smooth 4K video recording at 100Mbit/s. Users will also benefit from an immersive 2,360k-dot OLED electronic viewfinder, a fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen, a dedicated side SD slot supporting fast UHS-II cards, and innovative 4K Photo options like Post Focus and Focus Stacking. Despite its versatility, the camera has some drawbacks, particularly regarding physical design and speed. The physical buttons are notably small, flush to the surface, and lack satisfying travel or feedback. While the single autofocus is exceptionally fast and works in near-darkness down to -4EV, the contrast-based continuous autofocus (AFC) requires compromises. Action photographers...

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 with a 12-60 mm lens serves as an excellent, travel-friendly mirrorless camera that balances low-light efficiency and advanced features for around $1,000. A major standout feature is its 4K video capability, which allows travelers to freeze individual frames and convert them into high-quality, still images. Furthermore, the camera excels in low-light performance using presets over manual adjustments, offering specialized scene modes like "Appetizing Food" and "Clear Sport Shot" that reliably produce great results without a flash. Additional pros include its weather-sealed design, a 5-axis stability system to prevent blur, and the ability to shoot in RAW for exceptional still image quality despite having a modest 16 MP sensor. On the downside, the reviewer notes that the camera suffers from an overwhelming number of control options and pre-settings, requiring users to invest time with the manual to filter out what they will actually use. There is also a slight learning curve of about 10 to 15 minutes required to master extracting high-quality still photos directly from 4K video footage. Despite these minor operational hurdles, the G85 is...

The Panasonic Lumix G80 (G85) is a highly capable mirrorless camera featuring a robust body, a 5-axis image stabilisation system that excels in low light, and a 16MP sensor without an optical low-pass filter to enhance sharpness. Standout performance features include minimal 4K video cropping, full-sensor width for 1080p, and effective noise handling, although the native Micro Four Thirds sensor limits its dynamic range compared to larger sensors. Cons identified by ePHOTOzine include notable software dependency for correction of native optical flaws in the kit lenses, such as shading and distortion. Furthermore, an ergonomic flaw allows the user's nose to accidentally change the focus point via the touchscreen while using the EVF. For the full, in-depth evaluation, read the ePHOTOzine performance review.

The Learn About Film review names the Panasonic G85 (known as the G80/G81 in Europe) as the best mid-range camera for low-budget filmmaking due to its exceptional value, sharp video quality in both 4K and 1080p, and weather-sealed magnesium alloy body. A standout feature is its outstanding In-Body Image Stabilisation (IBIS), which allows filmmakers to shoot handheld smoothly, especially when paired with Dual I.S. compatible Panasonic lenses. Reviewer Tom Barrance notes that the camera is highly customisable and accommodates professional workflows by offering features like focus peaking, zebra stripes, and clean HDMI output to transmit 4:2:2 video to external recorders. Furthermore, its fully articulating screen makes it highly functional for solo vloggers. Despite these strengths, the review highlights several distinct limitations, including a small Micro Four Thirds (MFT) sensor that struggles with performance in low-light environments. The camera's face-tracking autofocus is noticeably slow, particularly when shooting in 4K resolution. Physical and hardware drawbacks are also prevalent; the device entirely lacks a built-in headphone socket for direct audio monitoring, and the battery life is poor, making the purchase of a battery...