Panasonic G85 vs Sony A9

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Panasonic G85 vs Sony A9

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic G85 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic G85 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G85.
Compare Panasonic G85 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic G85 conclusion.

35mm 847.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Sony A9 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A9.
Compare Sony A9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A9 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic G95
Compare G85 vs G95

Succeeded by the Sony A9 II
Compare A9 vs A9 II

Compare PANASONIC G95 vs SONY A9 II

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Differences

Panasonic G85 advantages over Sony A9

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$598 vs $2995*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 364 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A9 advantages over Panasonic G85

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.93 vs 3.77 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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.
A9 test data on DxO Mark G85 test data on DxO Mark

3,517 vs 656 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

650 vs 330 shots
Capture more photos
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More pixels
24.2 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
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 9.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 9.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
240 vs 50 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/16000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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

Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G85 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A9 User Reviews

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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.
Read our Panasonic G85 Review

New sensor offers incredible performance; Excellent image quality at low & high ISOs; Very good dynamic range; Phenomenal 20fps burst speed & deep buffer; Very good battery life for a mirrorless; 4K video; Dual card slots.
Slow buffer clearing; Only one card slot is UHS-II compatible; Touchscreen underutilized; No lossless RAW compression option; No 4K/60p option.
Read our Sony A9 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic G85

Panasonic G7

$631
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

$498
4/3

Less expensive
Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Panasonic G7

Sony A9

Panasonic G7

$2995
35mm

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$498
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A9 vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Panasonic G85

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$631
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$3999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$2995
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3999
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

Compare Sony A9 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic G85

Olympus E-M1 II

$631
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Sony A9

Olympus E-M1 II

$2995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A9 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Compared to Panasonic G95

Panasonic G85

Panasonic G95

$631
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger RAW buffer

$848
4/3

Built-in Bluetooth
Newer

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Panasonic G95

Sony A9

Panasonic G95

$2995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$848
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A9 vs Panasonic G95

Compared to Sony A9 II

Panasonic G85

Sony A9 II

$631
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$4498
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Sony A9 II

Sony A9

Sony A9 II

$2995
35mm

Less expensive

$4498
35mm

Newer

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A9 II

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