• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GX85 advantages over Nikon Z5

  • Less expensive
    $598 vs $1297
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 69 mm
    Thinner
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon Z5 advantages over Panasonic GX85

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 3.77 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    4 years vs 8 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.80x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.3 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
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 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
  • 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 GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z5
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 24-200mm f/4-6.3 Lens
  • Kit with 24-50mm f/4-6.3 Lens
All Z5 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • 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-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

Nikon Z5
Olympus E-M10 II
  • $1147
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-M10 II

Compared to 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

Nikon Z5
Olympus E-PL8
  • $1147
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Longer exposure

Compare Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL8

Compared to 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

Nikon Z5
Olympus E-PL9
  • $1147
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compare Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL9

Compared to Nikon Z6 II

Panasonic GX85
Nikon Z6 II
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Nikon Z6 II

Nikon Z5
Nikon Z6 II
  • $1147
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • More dots on screen

Compare Nikon Z5 vs Nikon Z6 II

Compared to Panasonic S5 II

Panasonic GX85
Panasonic S5 II
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Panasonic S5 II

Nikon Z5
Panasonic S5 II
  • $1147
  • 35mm
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2000
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite

Compare Nikon Z5 vs Panasonic S5 II

Compare Other Cameras?