• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GX85 advantages over Sony RX100 VII

  • Less expensive
    $598 vs $1298*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 1.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.59x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • 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 169 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony RX100 VII advantages over Panasonic GX85

  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    5 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 10.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 10.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    77 vs 44 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

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX85

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.

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
Sony RX100 VII
Olympus E-M10 II
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic ZS100

Panasonic GX85
Panasonic ZS100
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Higher max flash sync
Sony RX100 VII
Panasonic ZS100
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $498
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

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
Sony RX100 VII
Olympus E-PL8
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Sony RX100 VII
Olympus E-PL9
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Panasonic GX85
Sony RX100 VI
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • NFC
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Sony RX100 VII
Sony RX100 VI
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • External Mic Jack
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster JPEG shooting
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