• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 18.4 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon J4 advantages over Panasonic G85

  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    28 mm vs 74 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    317g vs 728g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 9.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic G85 advantages over Nikon J4

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 2.52 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Higher effective ISO
    656 vs 426 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.5 vs 10.7 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 81 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/160 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic G85

Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality; Very good high ISO performance and dynamic range; Fast and accurate autofocus; Excellent 4K video recording quality and features.

  • OLPF-less sensor is prone to moiré; Electronic viewfinder struggles in low light; Continuous autofocus is limited to 6fps shooting; Below average battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon J3

Nikon J4
Nikon J3
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Panasonic G85
Nikon J3
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Nikon J4
Samsung NX Mini
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Higher-res screen
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic G85
Samsung NX Mini
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • NFC
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon J5

Nikon J4
Nikon J5
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic G85
Nikon J5
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Nikon J4
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
Panasonic G85
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Panasonic G95

Nikon J4
Panasonic G95
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
Panasonic G85
Panasonic G95
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Newer
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