Canon 5D Mark II vs Panasonic GX85

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Canon 5D Mark II vs Panasonic GX85

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35mm 864.0mm²
21.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon 5D Mark II Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 5D Mark II.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX85 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX85 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX85.
Compare Panasonic GX85 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX85 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon 5D Mark III
Compare 5D Mark II vs 5D Mark III
Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Panasonic GX85

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark II advantages over Panasonic GX85

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.41 vs 3.77 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
5D Mark II test data on DxO Mark GX85 test data on DxO Mark

1,815 vs 662 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

850 vs 290 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
105 mm vs 64 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More pixels
21.1 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic GX85 advantages over Canon 5D Mark II

Less expensive
$598 vs $2999
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
43 mm vs 75 mm
Thinner
Newer
9 years vs 16 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
498g vs 1588g
Lighter weight
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
10.5 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 75 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.6 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
44 vs 11 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX85 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 5D Mark II

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm f/4 lens

All 5D Mark II Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX85

Kit with 12-32mm lens (Black)

Kit with 12-32mm lens (Black)
Kit with 12-32mm and 45-150mm lenses (Black)
Kit with 12-32mm lens (Silver)

All GX85 Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon 5D Mark II Full Review

Excellent build-quality; Good ergonomics for its size; Built-in 5-axis Dual IS, Built-in EVF; Tilting LCD touchscreen monitor; Competitive still image quality; Excellent 4K video quality; Fast autofocus and burst modes; Generous buffers; Tons of advanced features; Built-in Wi-Fi.
EVF could be better; Sluggish RAW and RAW+JPEG buffer clearing; No external mic and headphone jacks; Slow x-sync speed; Mediocre battery life.
Read our Panasonic GX85 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3X

Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D3X

$1200
35mm

Shoots 1080p video
Bigger JPEG buffer

$2500
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D3X

Panasonic GX85

Nikon D3X

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2500
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Nikon D3X

Compared to Nikon D600

Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D600

$1200
35mm

More telephoto lens reach
Bigger JPEG buffer

$1900
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D600

Panasonic GX85

Nikon D600

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1900
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Nikon D600

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark II

Canon 6D

$1200
35mm

Less shutter lag
More AF points

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Canon 6D

Panasonic GX85

Canon 6D

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1499
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Canon 6D

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Canon 5D Mark II

Olympus E-PL8

$1200
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$599
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Olympus E-PL8

Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-PL8

$598
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

$599
4/3

Longer stills battery life
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Olympus E-PL8

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Canon 5D Mark II

Olympus E-PL9

$1200
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Olympus E-PL9

Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-PL9

$598
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$700
4/3

Built-in Bluetooth
Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Olympus E-PL9

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