In recent years, Panasonic has demonstrated an exceptional ability to design and manufacture high-quality cameras, ranging from pocketable compacts like the LX10 and LX15 to more sophisticated models that support interchangeable lenses.
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It aims to continue its successful streak with the G80, which in the United States is known as the G85. It combines features intended for enthusiasts with a design that should not scare even more inexperienced users.
The model succeeds the G7 introduced the previous year, even though the double-digit model designation goes against convention (almost all G models that came before a single number only designated this one).
The majority of what was in that camera has been carried over, and the changes are primarily predictable when you consider which areas Panasonic has chosen to focus on in recent years; however, the camera that has been produced as a result still has very impressive specifications in comparison to other cameras in its category.
Panasonic Lumix G85 Features
A 16-megapixel Live MOS sensor is at the heart of the G80, just as it was with the model it replaces. However, even though it appears to be the same as those featured in many earlier Micro Four Thirds models, this one does not include an optical low-pass filter. This allows the camera to record finer details with greater clarity; however, the trade-off is that it may be more susceptible to the effects of aliasing.
Panasonic Lumix G85 Build Quality
The Panasonic G80 has an appearance that is strikingly similar to its predecessor, the G7. As a result, it’s relatively simple to confuse the two until you put them next to one another when the subtle distinctions between them become clear.
The latest model features a grip that is a bit more prominent, and the memory card compartment has been repositioned so that it is now accessible through the side of the camera rather than through the battery compartment at the base of the device. Other changes include these.
Because that implies the card may be removed and replaced even with the camera mounted on a tripod, this information will be especially appreciated by photographers specializing in still life, macro, and landscape photography.
Panasonic Lumix G85 Autofocus
Panasonic’s Light Speed AF system boasts focusing rates of 0.07 seconds. In addition, it uses a technique called Depth From Defocus (DFD), which analyzes two photos with varying degrees of clarity to identify the proper subject distance quickly.
When automated subject detection is needed, the camera may be programmed to use the 49-area focusing option. However, if 1-Area, Pinpoint, Face-detection, and Eye-detection choices are wanted, they can be called up.
Panasonic Lumix G85 Performance
Compared to DSLR cameras that do not rely on electronic viewfinders, mirrorless cameras can be a little slower to start up than DSLRs, one of the criticisms that can be leveled against these types of cameras. The G80, on the other hand, has none of these issues and starts with only a minute or so of lag time.
You can concentrate on subjects before the viewfinder even comes to life, so even if the image appears a fraction of a second later than it does on the LCD, the latency is still relatively small.
The overall reaction of the camera and the speed at which photographs may be written to the memory card are both aspects that are pretty satisfying (this is card-dependent, of course). When shooting continually, adding raw photos to the mix does make the process significantly more time-consuming, but this is to be anticipated.
If you have several videos taken consecutively, you will notice that navigating through them is significantly slower than flying through stills. One case in which the camera will substantially slow down is if it encounters movies when you are analyzing photographs.
Panasonic Lumix G85 Image Quality
When viewed at their full resolution, photos taken with the Panasonic G80 provide satisfying results from the camera. The absence of a low-pass filter is evident when analyzing the images in further detail. Certain sceneries, such as those with fine architectural elements like railings or roof tiles, display some aliasing artifacts, but these are not particularly noticeable. The photograph’s exquisite detail is crucial to remember, especially while working at lower sensitivities.
Even though some of Panasonic’s earlier models have been criticized for having overly aggressive noise reduction, and even though this is true to some extent here, the additional detail being recorded does somewhat offset this, resulting in images that are reasonably clean and detailed overall. In addition, although noise reduction benefits become more apparent when the ISO setting is increased, the degree of detail in the image is still relatively high.
Panasonic Lumix G85 Specs
| Body type | SLR-style mirrorless |
|---|---|
| Body material | Magnesium alloy |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 4592 x 3448 |
| Image ratio w h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 16 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 17 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Color space | Primary color space |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 200-25600 (expands down to ISO 100) |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 100 |
| White balance presets | 5 |
| Custom white balance | Yes (4 slots) |
| Image stabilization | Sensor-shift |
| Image stabilization notes | IS system works together with stabilized lenses to improve shake reduction |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, normal |
| File format | JPEG (Exif 2.3)Raw (Panasonic RW2) |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 49 |
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds |
| Focal length multiplier | 2× |
| Screen/viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 1,040,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 1.48× (0.74× 35mm equiv.) |
| Viewfinder resolution | 2,360,000 |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed (electronic) | 1/16000 sec |
| Exposure modes | ProgramShutter PriorityAperture PriorityManual |
| Built-in flash | Yes |
| Flash Range | 6.20 m (at ISO 100) |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe) |
| Flash modes | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/160 sec |
| Continuous drive | 9.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, 10 secs x 3 shots) |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weighted spot |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±3 (3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes |
| Videography features | |
| Format | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| Modes | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 20 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | Yes (micro-HDMI) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n |
| Remote control | Yes (via wired remote or smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | Lithium-ion battery & charger; optional grip |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 330 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 505 g (1.11 lb / 17.81 oz) |
| Dimensions | 128 x 89 x 74 mm (5.04 x 3.5 x 2.91″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| GPS | None |
Panasonic Lumix G85 Verdict
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Even if the Panasonic Lumix G80 isn’t the most revolutionary improvement we’ve seen recently, there’s still much to enjoy.
The foundation of what the camera provides is solid, which may be the most crucial aspect. The processing rates are rapid, and the image stabilization technology is highly effective whether you are recording still images or videos. In addition, the autofocus is quite good, regardless of whether you use it for moving or stationary subjects.
The fact that you can utilize sensor-based stabilization on its own, albeit to a minor advantage than you would have with a lens with its stabilization system, is an additional benefit for lenses that do not have their stabilization systems.
