Panasonic Lumix G85 Review (2024) with photo samples

This year, I joined the Panasonic Lumix bandwagon with the Lumix ZS200D point-and-shoot. I’m back with another review of another Lumix camera, this time the Lumix G85. The Panasonic Lumix G85 is an enthusiast’s micro four thirds mirrorless camera from 2016 with the ability to shoot 4K 30fps video. That’s pretty cool for 2016, but does it hold up in 2024? Let’s dive a bit deeper to see if the Lumix G85 should find it’s place in your camera bag this year.

Who is the Lumix G85 for?

It’s a nine year old camera so let’s get real about who the Panasonic Lumix G85 is actually for. If you don’t care very much about the megapixels (this camera has 16MP–the standard today is at least 20MP for a mirrorless camera which your smartphone easily doubles), do care about price and value (it’s constantly on sale), and have a soft spot in your heart for a micro four thirds sensor (which it has), then this camera is likely for you. You’re the kind of person who recognizes that the photographer matters more than the gear in the sense that this camera, in the right hands, will last another nine years without much issue.

You can go through all of the specs below, but I’ll give you the highlights from my POV: the combination of sensor, lens availability, image stabilization, 4K 30fps video, and weather sealing make the sale price worth it. Would I pay full MSRP? No. But under $600? In a second… and I did. By the way, the G95 came out in 2019 and it’s got a 20MP sensor with some other bells and whistles.

Specifications

Sensor: 16.0 MP Live MOS; 17.3 x 13.0 mm (Four Thirds)
Lens/Mount: Micro Four Thirds mount; Kit lens is 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6
Aperture: f/3.5 - 5.6, up to f/22
ISO Range: Auto, 200 - 25600 (expandable down to 100)
Shutter Speed: 60 sec - 1/4000 sec (mechanical); up to 1/16000 sec (electronic); Bulb mode
Image Stabilization: 5-axis in-body stabilization; Dual I.S. 2 compatible
Autofocus System: Contrast Detection with Depth from Defocus (DFD) technology; 49 focus points
Viewfinder: 0.39” OLED EVF, 0.74x magnification (35mm equiv.), 2.36 million dots
Screen: 3.0-inch fully articulated touchscreen LCD, 3:2 aspect ratio, 1,040,000 dots
Video Recording: 4K UHD (3840×2160) at 30p/25p/24p; Full HD (1920x1080) at 60p/50p/30p/25p; MP4 and AVCHD formats
Connectivity: Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) but you’ll need a Panasonic account
Battery: Lithium-Ion; Approx. 330 shots per charge (CIPA standard)
Dimensions: 128 x 89 x 74 mm (5.04 x 3.5 x 2.91 inches)
Weight: 505 g (with battery and memory card)
RAW: RAW format available
Flash: Built-in pop-up flash; TTL Auto, 1/160 sec sync speed
Hotshoe: Yes

It’s sturdy, but it ain’t slim

Like most popular mirrorless camera bodies today, it’s got a nice body. I mean, it’s sturdy and rugged with a magnesium alloy front plate that makes it stand head and shoulders above some other plasticky competitors. The camera is weather-sealed so I didn’t hesitate to shoot it in one of the few rainy days we had in New York this fall/winter.

The body has a fairly ergonomic design and will fit well in most hands, though the weight of it falls more on it’s right side when placed on a table. The grip is comfortable for all day shooting (if you’ve got spare batteries–more on that later). The buttons and dials have a nice firmness go them and provide a satisfying click sound when changing modes.

The LCD screen is fully articulated, but I found myself not popping it out very frequently until I shot video.

Image quality is good enough

The Lumix G85 has a 16MP Micro Four Thirds sensor which delivers sharp, vibrant images. However, as I said before, the resolution is starting to show its age when it comes to still images. Others in the price range offer at least 20MP and larger sensors, yet the four thirds sensor combined with in-body stabilization is strong when shooting 4K video.

In good lighting conditions, photos have excellent detail, and the colors are natural. The dynamic range is respectable, handling shadows and highlights well, though it doesn’t quite match the performance of cameras with larger APS-C sensors. I definitely had some unexpected grainy and blurry shots.

One of the G85’s strongest assets is its access to the Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem. There are dozens of lenses available from Panasonic, Olympus, and third-party manufacturers, so you can easily find high-quality and affordable glass for any type of photography.

Content creators will love the video

Some cameras are just great for still photography; others are just great for video. A hybrid shooter or a content creator will appreciate the G85’s video capabilities along with it’s detailed images. You can records as high as 4K at 30fps with no crop giving you the full field of view from your lens. The footage is detailed with accurate colors. I mentioned it already, but the standout feature for me is the in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which smooths out handheld footage really well and, together with the articulating screen, makes the G85 a great choice for vloggers who need stable footage without relying on additional stabilization gear.

However, the autofocus is not a strong suit of this camera and that’s all I’ll say about that.

Battery life is fine

Don’t leave the camera on while you’re walking around looking for the best street shots and you’ll do just fine for a few hours of shooting. Otherwise, you’re lucky to get an hour and a half out of the battery. Is that normal nowadays?

I’d recommend getting a couple of spare batteries and keeping them in your pocket while you shoot. You can get two batteries and a charger from Pickle Power for around $20 which is a steal.

Final verdict

Almost nine years later, Panasonic Lumix G85 is still a solid choice in 2024 for shooters who want a dependable and versatile camera that doesn’t break the bank. It’s rugged and nice to look at with a lot of lens availability, strong 4K video, and a compact-ish form factor.

Keep in mind that, at its price point, it competes with cameras that offer either higher resolution or greater portability, or both, leaving it feeling a bit outpaced in the camera market. It’s currently 34% off on Amazon for a price just under $600.

You can see some Lumix G85 photo samples below shot in and around New York City.