• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D500 advantages over Panasonic GX85

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 0.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,324 vs 662 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.0 vs 12.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1240 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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
  • Higher-res screen
    590k vs 347k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    20.9 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
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    200 vs 44 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    1638400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GX85 advantages over Nikon D500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $598 vs $1597
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 81 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 200 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D500

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX85

Review Excerpt

  • Superb image quality; Great high ISO performance; Rugged, comfortable camera body; Sharp articulating touchscreen display; Excellent AF point frame coverage; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K UHD video; Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth.

  • Somewhat large for an APS-C camera; Expensive for a DX camera; 4K UHD video doesn't offer full DX field-of-view; No built-in flash; Still uses contrast-detect for Live View AF; Dual slots use two different card types (XQD and SD).

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D500
Pentax K-3 II
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic GX85
Pentax K-3 II
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • High resolution composite

Compared to Sony A68

Nikon D500
Sony A68
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic GX85
Sony A68
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Nikon D500
Olympus E-PL8
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D500
Pentax KP
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic GX85
Pentax KP
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • High resolution composite

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Nikon D500
Olympus E-PL9
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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 Other Cameras?