Sony A55 vs Panasonic GX85

Cameras
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Sony A55 vs Panasonic GX85

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APS-C 369.7mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Sony A55 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A55.

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

Sony A55 advantages over Panasonic GX85

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.82 vs 3.77 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
A55 test data on DxO Mark GX85 test data on DxO Mark

818 vs 662 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
More telephoto lens reach
83 mm vs 64 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic GX85 advantages over Sony A55

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Thinner
43 mm vs 84 mm
Thinner
Newer
8 years vs 14 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
498g vs 727g
Lighter weight
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
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 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
10.5 fps vs 9.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 32 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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 Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read A55 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX85 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A55

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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

Read our Sony A55 Full 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 Canon T2i

Sony A55

Canon T2i

$734
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$692
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A55 vs Canon T2i

Panasonic GX85

Canon T2i

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$692
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Canon T2i

Compared to Sony A33

Sony A55

Sony A33

$734
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

$540
APS-C

Compare Sony A55 vs Sony A33

Panasonic GX85

Sony A33

$598
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$540
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Sony A33

Compared to Sony A35

Sony A55

Sony A35

$734
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Built-in GPS

$567
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony A55 vs Sony A35

Panasonic GX85

Sony A35

$598
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$567
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Sony A35

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Sony A55

Olympus E-PL8

$734
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$599
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Sony A55 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

Sony A55

Olympus E-PL9

$734
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Sony A55 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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