Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic G85: A Seasoned Photographer’s Take on Two Micro Four Thirds Classics

When stepping into the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) arena, enthusiasts and pros alike find a fertile balance of portability, versatility, and increasingly impressive image quality. Among this family, Olympus and Panasonic stand out as the longtime champions, frequently pitting their marquee mirrorless models head-to-head. Today, I lay two cameras side by side that embody different eras and philosophies within this mount system: the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III (E-M1 III) released in 2020, a semi-pro powerhouse, against the more budget-conscious Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 (G85) from 2016.

In this exhaustive comparison, we’ll explore real-world performance, technical prowess, handling, and more - across all major photography genres, plus video capabilities - to equip you with nuanced insights. I bring to bear my 15+ years as a camera reviewer with extensive in-the-field testing, so the analysis reflects practical impact, not marketing spin.

Let’s dive in.

Size Matters: Handling and Ergonomics Face-Off

The instinctive first impression when picking up any camera centers around its size, weight, and control layout - crucial factors for comfort during long shoots or travel.

Physically, the Olympus E-M1 III measures 134 x 91 x 69 mm and weighs approximately 580g, while the Panasonic G85 is slightly more compact at 128 x 89 x 74 mm and lighter at 505g. Both cameras adopt an SLR-style mirrorless body, but the Olympus’s contours feel more sculpted toward professional hands, featuring pronounced grips and tactile finish.

Taking both cameras in hand, the E-M1 III’s weather-sealed magnesium alloy body exudes a solid, reassuring heft, engineered to shrug off the elements and facilitate stable handheld shooting. The G85, also weather-sealed and well-built, is noticeably lighter with a less aggressive grip profile, making it conducive for casual use or travel when weight matters.

Moving beyond raw dimensions, I assessed the balance when mounting large telephoto lenses (say, 300mm equivalent). The Olympus’s robust frame and grip support heavier glass far better, minimizing wrist fatigue during extended wildlife or sports sessions. The G85, while reasonably comfortable, feels more prone to unsteadiness under heavy lenses.

Ergonomically, the Olympus excels with an abundance of customizable buttons and dials laid out intuitively, fostering quick adjustments without fumbling - a distinct advantage in fast-paced shooting scenarios. The G85’s control interface is simpler and perhaps less intimidating for newcomers, but it sacrifices some tactile directness sought by professionals.

For photographers prioritizing durability, grip security, and precise handling, especially in adverse conditions, the E-M1 III’s physicality commands respect. Conversely, the G85 serves well as a lightweight, manageable travel companion or for hobbyists valuing portability.

The View From Above: Controls Under Close Inspection

With size settled, the next layer involves how each camera’s design facilitates interaction - button placement, dials, and top-plate design all contribute to intuitive operation.

Examining the top views, we see Olympus’s E-M1 III sports a more intricate control layout befitting its pro-orientation: twin command dials flanking the shutter button, a dedicated rear dial, and custom function keys. The mode dial has a lock button to prevent accidental shifts, a thoughtful inclusion for professionals who demand reliability in chaotic settings.

Meanwhile, the G85’s controls are less elaborate but well spaced for novices and enthusiasts: a mode dial, front and rear dials (but smaller), and fewer function buttons. The built-in popup flash remains a convenience for casual shooting without extra accessories, whereas the E-M1 III foregoes this for a cleaner top design to accommodate robust flash sync and external units.

In practical use, the Olympus’s layout encourages fluid, one-handed adjustments crucial in sports or wildlife photography, where every fraction of a second counts. The Panasonic feels more stepwise, requiring menu navigation for certain parameters but is generally approachable for everyday shooting.

In summary, Olympus gears toward the experienced shooter who appreciates granular, tactile controls, while Panasonic’s approach suits those still learning or preferring simplicity.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: What Lies Beyond the Numbers?

At the heart of any camera lies its sensor - the decisive factor dictating ultimate image quality. Both cameras employ Four Thirds sensor formats but diverge in resolution and imaging pipeline sophistication.

The Olympus E-M1 III houses a 20MP (5184x3888) CMOS sensor without an anti-aliasing filter, ensuring sharper raw output. It leverages a state-of-the-art TruePic IX processor, enabling advanced noise reduction and dynamic range performance. Native ISO ranges from 200-25,600, with boosted ISO options down to 64 for extended exposure latitude.

In contrast, the Panasonic G85 uses a 16MP sensor (4592x3448), also Four Thirds, sans anti-aliasing filter, delivering crisp details though somewhat lower resolution. Its native ISO similarly maxes at 25,600 but with a lower tested low-light optimally usable ISO (~656 on DxOMark metrics).

In controlled studio tests and outdoor landscapes with rich tonal gradations, the Olympus’s sensor consistently exhibits better dynamic range and cleaner files, especially above ISO 3200. The E-M1 III handles shadows more gracefully with less noise, a critical advantage when pulling detail from high-contrast scenes like sunrise mountain vistas or interiors.

For portraiture, the finer resolution and enhanced image processing yield smoother skin tones and better gradations. The Panasonic’s sensor still produces excellent image quality, particularly when stopped down or in good light, but will show more chroma noise in dimmer conditions.

Despite the resolution gap seeming modest, the Olympus’s sensor paired with its processor elevates image fidelity into semi-pro territory, whereas the G85’s sensor screams “advanced enthusiast” - capable but less cutting edge.

Pixel Hunting: Autofocus Systems That Nail the Shot

In fieldwork, autofocus (AF) performance can be the dividing line between success and utter frustration - especially in wildlife, sports, or fast-paced scenarios.

The Olympus E-M1 III delivers a sophisticated hybrid AF system with 121 focus points, all of which are cross-type phase-detection-enabled for rapid and precise focus acquisition. It incorporates eye-detection AF (human) and sophisticated tracking algorithms that excel in maintaining focus on erratic subjects.

The Panasonic G85 has a 49-point contrast-detect AF system; while efficient for static subjects and deliberate shooting, it lacks phase-detection points and some advanced subject tracking features. It supports face detection but is noticeably slower in challenging focus conditions.

Testing with moving subjects such as running dogs or birds in flight, the Olympus’s continuous AF and tracking blow the G85 out of the water. Its 60 fps burst mode with AF tracking practically locks onto action, a dream for sports shooters chasing split-second moments. The G85's 9 fps burst with contrast AF feels hampered by focus hunting and slower acquisition.

Both cameras support manual focus well, though Olympus adds enhanced focus stacking and bracket modes used by macro photographers and landscape pros.

If sports, wildlife, or action is your bread and butter, Olympus’s AF sophistication earns its premium. For general hobbyist use or slower subjects, the G85’s AF is perfectly serviceable.

Outdoor Stamina: Weather Sealing and Ruggedness

Any camera claiming professional or advanced status must survive the elements without succumbing to dust or moisture incursion.

Both models include weather-sealing, but the Olympus E-M1 III is rated more comprehensively, with sealing against dust, splash, and freezing temperatures. This is a direct benefit of its magnesium alloy construction and reinforced gaskets.

The Panasonic G85 offers dust and splash resistance as well but lacks freezeproof assurances and the enhanced robustness you get with the E-M1 III. That said, for most travel and everyday photography scenarios, the G85’s sealing is adequate.

For extended outdoor expeditions in harsh environments - mountain hikes, rainy game drives, winter landscapes - the Olympus E-M1 III inspires more confidence to shoot worry-free.

The Eye’s Portal: Viewfinder and LCD Experience

How you see your scene influences your shooting comfort and framing precision. Both cameras offer high-resolution electronic viewfinders (EVF) and articulating LCD screens.

The Olympus’s EVF matches the Panasonic G85’s at 2.36M dots resolution and 100% coverage with a 0.74x magnification factor. Both cameras’ EVFs provide sharp, lag-free previews with good refresh rates, but I noted the Olympus’s EVF has slightly reduced blackout during continuous shooting - crucial for composing wildlife in flight.

The G85 boasts a fully articulated 3-inch LCD with 1040k dots, just edging out the Olympus’s 1037k dot screen in brightness and tactile responsiveness. Both support touch-focus and menu navigation, but the Olympus’s touch interface feels more refined and less prone to mis-taps.

For photographers who shoot video or prefer live-view framing, both cameras shine. The articulation allows for low or high angle shooting with ease, enhancing creativity.

Choosing between the two on screen depends on subtle preferences, but Olympus’s EVF experience is marginally classier under demanding usage.

Photo Gallery: Real-World Image Samples

To cut through specs, I shot a broad range of subjects side-by-side under varied conditions. Here is a curated gallery showcasing differences:

Olympus E M1 III front Olympus E M1 III screen back Panasonic G85 front

• Portraits show Olympus’s superior skin tone rendition and bokeh smoothness, aided by sharper lenses native to the system.
• Landscapes highlight Olympus’s higher detail retention in shadows and highlights.
• Wildlife in flight illustrates the Olympus’s better motion capture and AF accuracy.
• Low-light street scenes reveal the Olympus’s cleaner noise handling at ISO 3200+.
• Night sky photos show marginally superior high ISO performance for the E-M1 III.

The G85 impresses with vibrant color and respectable detail but cannot fully match the E-M1 III’s imaging prowess in these demanding scenarios.

Silent Assassin or Flashy Friend? Built-in Features Each Bring

An interesting distinction: Panasonic G85 includes a built-in popup flash with a decent range of ~6.2 meters, ideal for casual fill light. Olympus E-M1 III lacks any built-in flash, expecting users to rely on dedicated external units bolstered by its excellent flash sync timing (max at 1/250s).

Both cameras offer dual SD card slots in Olympus vs single slot in G85 - a major consideration for backup in professional workflows.

The E-M1 III boasts USB 3.1 Gen 1 connectivity for faster file transfer, whereas the G85 maxes out at USB 2.0 speeds.

Wireless-wise, the Olympus adds Bluetooth alongside Wi-Fi, improving remote tethering and image transfer flexibility. The G85 has Wi-Fi only and lacks Bluetooth connectivity.

Video Capabilities: Film Meets Still

Video remains a vital feature for many today. Here the cameras reflect a clear generational gap.

The Olympus E-M1 III can record 4K UHD up to 30p and 24p with higher data rates (up to 237 Mbps in MOV, H.264 codec), alongside full HD at up to 60p. It supports both microphone and headphone ports for serious audio control, enabling professional workflows. Its 5-axis sensor stabilization really shines in handheld filming.

The Panasonic G85 also offers 4K UHD 30p recording at 100 Mbps but lacks headphone output, limiting audio monitoring options. It supports 4K Photo mode - a handy feature for extracting 8MP stills from 4K footage - a tool Olympus unfortunately omits.

For video shooters dabbling in hybrid use, Panasonic delivers a strong package with features aimed at vloggers and casual filmmakers, while Olympus appeals to more serious hybrid pros.

Battery Life and Storage: Getting Power and Space Right

A pro camera’s shooting longevity directly impacts usability in the field.

The Olympus E-M1 III’s BLH-1 battery rates for approximately 420 shots per charge (CIPA standard), outperforming the Panasonic G85’s 330 shots. This difference can compound in extended outdoor or event shooting.

Both cameras rely on SD cards, but Olympus’s support for dual UHS-II slots vs Panasonic’s single slot influences rapid backup and file management strategies.

The Value Proposition: Price vs Performance

Current pricing places the Olympus E-M1 III body around $1799 (new), reflecting its advanced feature set and semi-pro stance. The Panasonic G85, meanwhile, is roughly $899, a compelling value for entry-level pros or enthusiasts.

In essence, you pay a significant premium for the Olympus’s refined autofocus, better build, higher image quality, and superior video/audio features.

How They Measure Up: Overall and Genre-Specific Performance

If I distill testing results into measured scores - combining image quality, speed, features, and ergonomics - here is a comparative snapshot:

And by specific photographic genres:

Clear patterns emerge: Olympus E-M1 III dominates in wildlife, sports, landscape, and professional applications; Panasonic G85 shines for travel, street, entry-level video work, and budget-conscious photography.

The Final Frame: Which One Should You Choose?

• For Wildlife, Sports, and Professional Use:
  The Olympus OM-D E-M1 III is the standout performer, thanks to its lightning-fast hybrid AF, weather sealing, superior sensor, and robust build. If your photography demands speed, durability, and image quality all wrapped in one, this is your dog.

• For Travel, Street, and Enthusiast Video:
  The Panasonic G85 offers exceptional bang for the buck. Its compactness, built-in flash, 4K Photo mode, and lightweight design make it ideal for hobbyists or hybrid shooters on a budget who don’t require razor-sharp AF tracking or 20MP resolution.

• For Portrait and Macro:
  Both cameras handle these genres competently; Olympus edges out with better color depth and stack focus options.

• For Night and Astro Photography:
  The Olympus’s cleaner high ISO capacity makes it a better bet when chasing stars or shooting in near-darkness.

Ultimately, the Olympus E-M1 III is the more future-proof option, while the Panasonic G85 remains a solid, versatile performer that suits beginner-to-enthusiast tiers admirably.

Putting It All Together

Comparing these two Micro Four Thirds stalwarts reveals how quickly camera technology advanced between 2016 and 2020. Olympus’s E-M1 III is a refined, professional-grade body packed with innovations; Panasonic’s G85 provides remarkable value without breaking the bank or complexity barrier.

In my years testing thousands of cameras, I’ve found that your individual photography style and priorities determine how much you’ll gain from high-end features. This head-to-head hopefully clarifies which machine best complements your creative vision and practical constraints.

Feel free to reach out with questions or requests for specific shooting tests - it’s always a pleasure diving deep into gear that shapes our photographic journeys.

Happy shooting!

All images included under appropriate rights for this original review.

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