Sony A7S II vs Panasonic GX85

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Sony A7S II vs Panasonic GX85

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35mm 847.3mm²
12.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Sony A7S II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7S II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7S II.
Compare Sony A7S II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7S II 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

Sony A7S II advantages over Panasonic GX85

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 8.40 vs 3.77 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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.
A7S II test data on DxO Mark GX85 test data on DxO Mark

2,993 vs 662 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

370 vs 290 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.70x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
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
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
409600 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GX85 advantages over Sony A7S II

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$598 vs $2398*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 2.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
43 mm vs 60 mm
Thinner
More pixels
16.0 vs 12.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
10.5 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 63 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.6 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
44 vs 28 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7S II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX85 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A7S II

Body Only

All A7S II 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

Comfortable and surprisingly compact camera body; Improved low light performance; Built-in image stabilization; Wide range of usable ISOs; More sophisticated autofocus performance; Excellent video capabilities.
Relatively low resolution; Mediocre continuous shooting performance; No built-in flash; No losslessly compressed RAW option.
Read our Sony A7S II 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 Sony A7S

Sony A7S II

Sony A7S

$2398
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

$1998
35mm

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Sony A7S II vs Sony A7S

Panasonic GX85

Sony A7S

$598
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1998
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Sony A7S

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Sony A7S II

Olympus E-PL8

$2398
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$599
4/3

Lens selection
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7S II 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 Sony A9

Sony A7S II

Sony A9

$2398
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2995
35mm

Touchscreen
Fast startup

Compare Sony A7S II vs Sony A9

Panasonic GX85

Sony A9

$598
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$2995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Sony A9

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Sony A7S II

Olympus E-PL9

$2398
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
4/3

Lens selection
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7S II 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

Compared to Sony A7S III

Sony A7S II

Sony A7S III

$2398
35mm

Less expensive

$3348
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Slower slow-motion

Compare Sony A7S II vs Sony A7S III

Panasonic GX85

Sony A7S III

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Lens selection

$3348
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Sony A7S III

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