Sony NEX-6 vs Panasonic G85

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony NEX-6 vs Panasonic G85

Leave Feedback

APS-C 366.6mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-6 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NEX-6.

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.

Succeeded by the Sony A6000
Compare NEX-6 vs A6000

Succeeded by the Panasonic G95
Compare G85 vs G95

Compare SONY A6000 vs PANASONIC G95

Buy From

Differences

Sony NEX-6 advantages over Panasonic G85

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.78 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.
NEX-6 test data on DxO Mark G85 test data on DxO Mark

1,018 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
Thinner
42 mm vs 74 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
469g vs 728g
Lighter weight
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic G85 advantages over Sony NEX-6

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
More telephoto lens reach
120 mm vs 75 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
8 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
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 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
50 vs 10 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 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 panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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

NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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 NEX-6 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G85 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-6

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 16-50mm and 55-210mm Lenses
Kit with 16-50mm Lens

All NEX-6 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic G85

Kit with 12-60mm Lens (Black)

Kit with 12-60mm Lens (Black)
Body Only (Black)

All G85 Deals

Review Excerpt

Very good image quality; More consumer-friendly control setup than NEX-7 but more advanced (actual Mode dial) than step-down models; OLED EVF and 3-inch tilting LCD monitor provide viewfinder flexibility; Fast and decisive AF on stationary subjects, and good continuous AF on normal moving subjects; Full HD 1080p video recording at up to 60p.
Hybrid AF system speed and accuracy still lags somewhat behind higher-end DSLRs; Wi-Fi features still rudimentary (join the club); LCD is not a touchscreen; User interface foibles.
Read our Sony NEX-6 Review

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

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-6

Sony NEX-5N

$549
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Sony NEX-5N

Panasonic G85

Sony NEX-5N

$631
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Sony NEX-F3

Sony NEX-6

Sony NEX-F3

$549
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Sony NEX-F3

Panasonic G85

Sony NEX-F3

$631
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Sony NEX-F3

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Sony NEX-6

Sony NEX-5R

$549
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Higher effective ISO

$499
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs Sony NEX-5R

Panasonic G85

Sony NEX-5R

$631
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Sony NEX-6

Olympus E-M1 II

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs 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

Compared to Panasonic G95

Sony NEX-6

Panasonic G95

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$848
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony NEX-6 vs 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

Compare Other Cameras?