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

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Differences

Nikon J5 advantages over Panasonic G85

  • Less expensive
    $497 vs $598
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    31 mm vs 74 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    345g vs 728g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.8 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    59.4 fps vs 9.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    59.4 fps vs 9.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic G85 advantages over Nikon J5

  • 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.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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 2.37 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    656 vs 479 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 20 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    50 vs 20 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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

  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic G85

Review Excerpt

  • Photographer-friendly controls; Impressive dynamic range for its class; Very fast hybrid autofocus; Fast high-speed shooting capabilities; Tilting touchscreen display.

  • No hot shoe or viewfinder; Aggressive noise reduction, even at base ISO; 4K video is limited to 15fps.

  • 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 J5
Nikon J3
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Panasonic G85
Nikon J3
  • $631
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Nikon J5
Samsung NX Mini
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner
Panasonic G85
Samsung NX Mini
  • $631
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • NFC
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon J4

Nikon J5
Nikon J4
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
Panasonic G85
Nikon J4
  • $631
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Nikon J5
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic G85
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $631
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Panasonic G95

Nikon J5
Panasonic G95
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic G85
Panasonic G95
  • $631
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Newer
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