Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GX85

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Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GX85

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4/3 226.2mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus PEN-F Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus PEN-F in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the PEN-F.
Compare Olympus PEN-F image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus PEN-F 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 PEN-F advantages over Panasonic GX85

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
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.
PEN-F test data on DxO Mark GX85 test data on DxO Mark

894 vs 662 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More pixels
20.3 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic GX85 advantages over Olympus PEN-F

Less expensive
$598 vs $999*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 1.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.62x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 43 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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

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

User reviews

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Adorama
Read PEN-F User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX85 User Reviews

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Buy the Olympus PEN-F

Body Only (Silver)

Body Only (Silver)
Body Only (Black)

All PEN-F Deals

Your purchases support this site

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

Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.
Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.
Read our Olympus PEN-F 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-M5 II

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-M5 II

$999
4/3

In-camera panoramas
More pixels

$899
4/3

Fast startup
External Mic Jack

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-M5 II

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Olympus E-M5 II

Compared to Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-M10 II

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
In-camera panoramas

$349
4/3

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Olympus PEN-F 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 PEN-F

Olympus E-PL8

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$599
4/3

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus PEN-F 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-M10 III

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-M10 III

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
In-camera panoramas

$549
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-M10 III

Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-M10 III

$598
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$549
4/3

More telephoto lens reach
Higher max flash sync

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Olympus E-M10 III

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-PL9

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Olympus PEN-F 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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