Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic GX85

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Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic GX85

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

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-PL7 Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-PL7 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-PL7.
Compare Olympus E-PL7 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-PL7 conclusion.

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.

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Differences

Olympus E-PL7 advantages over Panasonic GX85

Fast startup
~0.50 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.
E-PL7 test data on DxO Mark GX85 test data on DxO Mark

873 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

350 vs 290 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
84 mm vs 64 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic GX85 advantages over Olympus E-PL7

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
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
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
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
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 28 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
10.5 fps vs 8.7 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 24 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.6 fps vs 8.7 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
44 vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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

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Adorama
Read E-PL7 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX85 User Reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-PL7

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 14-42mm Lens

All E-PL7 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 for its class including very good ISO performance; Improved performance and ergonomics over the E-PL5; LCD tilts 180 degree downward for easier selfies; Upgraded 3-axis IS system.
No built-in flash (but a small add-on flash is included); No built-in EVF; Default colors somewhat muted; Somewhat quirky menu system.
Read our Olympus E-PL7 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 Olympus E-PL5

Olympus E-PL7

Olympus E-PL5

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
Fast startup

$329
4/3

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Olympus E-PL5

Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-PL5

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$329
4/3

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Olympus E-PL5

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Olympus E-PL7

Panasonic GF6

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$400
4/3

In-camera panoramas
NFC

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic GF6

Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GF6

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$400
4/3

NFC
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Panasonic GF6

Compared to Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus E-PL7

Olympus E-M10 II

$399
4/3

Fast startup
Has anti-aliasing filter

$349
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Olympus E-M10 II

Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-M10 II

$598
4/3

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

$349
4/3

Higher effective ISO
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Olympus E-M10 II

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Olympus E-PL7

Olympus E-PL8

$399
4/3

$599
4/3

Compare Olympus E-PL7 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

Olympus E-PL7

Olympus E-PL9

$399
4/3

Less expensive

$700
4/3

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-PL7 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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