• APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon 7D Mark II advantages over Panasonic GX85

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 0.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,082 vs 662 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 670 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 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
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GX85 advantages over Canon 7D Mark II

  • Less expensive
    $598 vs $1799
    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
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    498g vs 1388g
    Lighter weight
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 29 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.5 fps vs 9.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 103 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.6 fps vs 9.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    44 vs 26 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Canon 7D Mark II
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  • Body Only
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  • Kit with 18-135mm Lens and Wi-Fi Adapter
All 7D Mark II Deals

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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

  • Excellent image quality; High ISO performance improved over predecessor; Excellent burst speeds (up to 10fps); Significantly improved buffer depths; 65-pt AF system; Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Can focus down to f/8 (great for teleconverters); 1080/60p video; Headphone and mic jacks; Rugged build quality.

  • Autofocus speed (AF shutter lag) slower than 7D and 70D; Mediocre battery life for a pro DSLR; Dynamic range at low to moderate ISOs not as good as competitors; Phase-detect AF did not perform as well as expected in our low-light AF tests; No built-in Wi-Fi; No autofocus for 1080/60p video.

  • Read our Canon 7D Mark II 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 Canon 7D

Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 7D
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 7D

Panasonic GX85
Canon 7D
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Canon 7D

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 6D
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 6D

Panasonic GX85
Canon 6D
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Canon 6D

Compared to Canon 70D

Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 70D
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 70D

Panasonic GX85
Canon 70D
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Canon 70D

Compared to Sony A77 II

Canon 7D Mark II
Sony A77 II
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Sony A77 II

Panasonic GX85
Sony A77 II
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Sony A77 II

Compared to Nikon D7200

Canon 7D Mark II
Nikon D7200
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Nikon D7200

Panasonic GX85
Nikon D7200
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Nikon D7200

Compare Other Cameras?