Panasonic G7 vs Panasonic G85: Hands-On Mirrorless Showdown for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing between the Panasonic Lumix G7 and the G85 poses an interesting dilemma for many photographers shopping for an affordable yet capable Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera. Both models target advanced enthusiasts and content creators looking for flexibility, solid image quality, and 4K video abilities without breaking the bank. Having tested these cameras extensively over years of real-world shooting (travel, portraits, sports, landscapes - you name it), I’m here to lay out the practical differences, technical details, and user experience nuances that truly separate these two siblings.

Whether you’re a hobbyist pondering an upgrade or a pro hunting a second body for video or travel, this side-by-side analysis will help you pinpoint the best fit for your photography style - and budget.

First Impressions and Ergonomics: Size, Feel, and Controls

Right off the bat, the Panasonic G7 makes itself known as a lightweight body (410g), while the G85 feels a bit tougher and more substantial at 505g. The dimensions are close, but that additional heft in the G85 is no coincidence - it houses improved weather sealing and built-in stabilization hardware.

In hand, both cameras adopt the familiar SLR-style mirrorless silhouette with decent grip sizes that suit a range of hand sizes. The G85’s grip offers just a bit more heft for stability during longer shoots or telephoto use, while the G7’s smaller footprint appeals to those who prize portability or shoot street photography where discretion matters.

The control layouts follow Panasonic’s intuitive scheme. Both feature fully articulating 3-inch touchscreens with crisp 1040k-dot resolution, great for composing at odd angles or vlogging (more on video later). However, the G85 edges ahead slightly with marginally refined button ergonomics - buttons are a tad more tactile, and the menus feel more responsive, a result of iterative firmware polish.

For those who rely on physical dials and quick access clubs for your thumbs, the top panel layout remains almost identical on both - but subtle improvements on the G85 make juggling exposure settings more natural during rapid shooting.

If you prioritize ultra-lightweight convenience over ruggedness, the G7 wins here. But for a more durable, weather resistant affair, the G85's build quality shines clearly.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras share a 16MP Four Thirds MOS sensor - 17.3 x 13.0 mm in size - with a 2.1x crop factor, typical for Micro Four Thirds. However, Panasonic incorporated an anti-aliasing filter on the G7, while the G85 notably discards it to tease out finer detail and sharper images in ideal conditions.

Technical details worth highlighting:

• Resolution: Both deliver 4592 × 3448px maximum images.
• ISO Performance: Base ISO differs slightly: G7 starts at 100 native, G85 at 200 native, with boost capabilities up to 25600 ISO on both.
• Dynamic Range Insights: The G85 enjoys roughly a one-stop advantage in dynamic range, scoring 12.5 EV in DxO Mark tests, thanks to no AA filter and newer image processing.
• Color Depth: Here, the G85 pulls ahead again with 22.8 bits measured versus the G7’s untested but typically lower range.

What does this mean for photographers? If you revel in landscapes or portraits demanding razor-sharp detail and nuanced tonal gradation, the G85’s sensor architecture gives you more headroom. The lack of AA filter demands cleaner lenses and good technique to avoid moiré but rewards you with a discernible uptick in crispness.

Meanwhile, the G7 still produces excellent files, especially when paired with high-quality glass. Its files may show slightly less microcontrast and edge resolution but hold their own in everyday shooting.

Autofocus System: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Focusing systems can make or break an experience, particularly in wildlife, sports, or street photography when split-second precision counts.

Both the G7 and G85 employ a contrast-detection autofocus system enhanced by Panasonic’s Depth From Defocus technology, offering 49 AF points with face detection and continuous tracking.

That said, the G85 improves autofocus responsiveness with better algorithms and a slight boost in continuous AF speed - jumping from 7fps continuous on the G7 to a brisk 9fps on the G85.

Real-world implications? The G85 excels at tracking moving subjects like joggers or children with fewer lost focus moments. The G7 remains competent in static or slow-changing scenes but occasionally lags in maintaining focus on erratic wildlife or athletes.

Neither camera boasts phase detection on the sensor, which is not unexpected in this segment, but their dedication to contrast AF has come a long way. The G85’s improved focus peaking and live view responsiveness feel less "hunt and settle," smoothing the overall user experience.

User Interface and Display: Touchscreen and Electronic Viewfinder

Both models feature identical 3-inch fully articulated touchscreens. This articulation allows 180° flip for selfies or vlogging and vari-angle tilt capabilities perfect for awkward low or high-angle shots.

The screens share a 1040k-dot resolution, presenting detailed previews with natural color reproduction and excellent visibility in daylight. The touchscreen interface is responsive and lets you tap to focus or navigate menus quickly.

Evangelists of electronic viewfinders (EVFs) will appreciate the 2360k-dot resolution and 100% coverage on both cameras - sharp enough for pixel-level critical focusing. The G85 edges slightly in viewfinder magnification at 0.74x versus the G7’s 0.7x, offering a subtly larger, more immersive composition experience.

Menus across both cameras are Panasonic-standard: comprehensive but not overwhelming, layered intuitively for newcomers and pros alike.

One notable omission for both is illuminated buttons - less helpful in pitch black scenarios, but manageable with the screen’s video light or external LED aids.

Real-World Photography Applications: Performance by Genre

Analyzing strengths and weaknesses gets interesting when we dive into different photography genres. Here’s how both stack up across key specialties.

Portrait Photography: Getting Skin Tones and Bokeh Right

• G7: Produces smooth, neutral skin tones with respectable color accuracy. The AA filter can marginally soften the micro detail on eyelashes or facial texture but helps combat moiré on complex patterns. Eye detection AF works adequately but lacks animal eye detection.
• G85: Cleaner files with better contrast and sharpness translate to more lifelike textures without artificial sharpening. Slightly faster AF facilitates sharper eyes, critical for headshots. A big plus is the sensor shift stabilization, which helps in low-light portraits, enabling slower shutter speeds handheld.

Both benefit from excellent lens support in the Micro Four Thirds world to deliver creamy bokeh, but remember, smaller sensor size typically means thicker depth of field compared to full-frame competitors.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Ruggedness

• G7: Lightweight form factor is appealing, but lack of weather sealing limits use in harsher outdoor conditions. Dynamic range is solid but trails behind G85.
• G85: Tops the G7 here, boasting dust and splash resistance - important factors for landscapes shot in unpredictable weather. The no-AA filter sensor extracts fine texture from foliage, rocks, and skies, and expanded dynamic range captures more shadow detail and highlight retention, invaluable for high-contrast scenes like sunrises.

Wildlife and Sports: Speed and Tracking

• G7: 7 fps burst is decent, enough for casual wildlife shooting but may miss critical frames of fast action. Autofocus struggles with aggressive tracking.
• G85: 9 fps burst combined with improved AF tracking marks it as the better option for amateur sports or wildlife hobbyists. The in-body image stabilization (IBIS) paired with telephoto lenses aids in sharper shots without a tripod.

Street Photography: Discretion and Portability

The G7’s smaller, lighter frame makes it a stealthier companion around city streets. The fully articulating screen aids candid capture from waist height. The electronic shutter capable of 1/16000s allows silent shooting, minimizing disturbances.

The G85, though slightly bulkier, maintains respectable portability but its sturdier build may draw more attention.

Macro Photography: Precision and Stability

Neither camera specializes in macro but both can pair nicely with Micro Four Thirds macro lenses.

• G85: Its superior IBIS system (5-axis sensor-shift) helps hold tight focus and counteract micro shakes when shooting extreme close-ups handheld.
• G7: Lacking stabilization requires support like a tripod or stabilized lenses for best results.

Night and Astrophotography: ISO and Exposure Control

Low light performance is limited by sensor size but generally competent.

• G7: Maximum ISO of 25600 is available but usable ISO range peaks lower with more noise artifacts.
• G85: Slightly better noise control with 656 DxOMark low-light ISO score and longer exposures made easier by IBIS.

Both support time-lapse recordings and exposure bracketing to assist in long-exposure stacking or HDR astrophotos.

Panasonic G7 front Panasonic G7 screen back Panasonic G85 front

Video Capabilities: 4K, Stabilization, and Audio

Video enthusiasts will appreciate both cameras shooting 4K UHD video at 30p max frame rate, encoded in MP4 (H.264) or AVCHD.

• G7: This was one of the earlier affordable 4K mirrorless cameras, and it offers great basic 4K image quality but without sensor stabilization. So, handheld footage can be shaky unless paired with optically stabilized lenses or gimbals.
• G85: Wins hands down with built-in 5-axis in-body image stabilization that drastically smooths handheld video without additional hardware. The 100 Mbps bit rate on 4K recording adds sharpness and color fidelity.

Both cameras include microphone input but lack headphone output, which pros may find limiting for audio monitoring. The articulating touchscreen improves vlog-style framing and touch-focus control.

In summary, the G85 is better suited for hybrid shooters requiring strong still and video features, while the G7 appeals to video beginners or budget-conscious creators who prioritize light weight.

Build Quality and Durability: Weather Sealing and Ergonomics

A key upgrade in the G85 is the addition of weather sealing against dust and splashes, broadening the shooting environments to outdoor and unpredictable conditions. Although not fully ruggedized, it’s still reassuring for field use.

The G7 does not incorporate these protections, making it less ideal for harsh weather or dusty conditions. Both cameras lack comprehensive shock, crush, or freeze resistance.

The G85’s slightly heavier and thicker body feels more robust, while the G7 focuses on portability.

Lens Ecosystem and Mount Compatibility

Both cameras mount the Micro Four Thirds system, a cornerstone ecosystem with over 100 lenses available from Panasonic, Olympus, and third-party manufacturers.

• You’ll find a smorgasbord of affordable primes, zooms, macros, and high-speed lenses suitable for virtually any genre.
• Panasonic Lumix lenses are often optimized to leverage sensor shift stabilization on the G85, enhancing image sharpness for stills and video.
• Lens adapters also grant compatibility with legacy glass where creative choices abound.

This shared mount ensures both cameras benefit equally from available glass, which is arguably the most important investment for image quality beyond the body.

Battery Life and Storage Options

• G7: Rated for approx 350 shots per charge, slightly edging out the G85’s 330. Real-world performance is similar for day trips.
• Both use the same standard Lithium-ion battery packs.
• Single SD card slot, supporting SD/SDHC/SDXC.

Neither model bests professional-grade battery endurance, so carrying spares or using USB charging solutions is advised for extended shoots.

Connectivity: Wireless and Physical Ports

Both feature built-in Wi-Fi for smartphone pairing and remote control, simplifying image transfers and on-the-go sharing - crucial for content creators.

• HDMI and mic input ports are present on both bodies, supporting external audio devices and clean video output.
• Somewhat older USB 2.0 ports limit data transfer speeds relative to modern standards.
• Neither model supports Bluetooth or NFC, missing the conveniences of wireless pairing improvements in rival models.

Price and Value Analysis: Where Does Your Dollar Go?

The G7 typically retails around $799 with a kit lens, and the G85 closer to $899. For roughly $100 more, you secure:

• 5-axis IBIS
• Weather sealing
• Improved sensor without AA filter
• 9 fps burst vs 7 fps
• Better autofocus tracking

If your budget is extremely tight or you prize weight savings above all, the G7 remains a bargain with solid core features. But if you seek more robust handling, image quality, and video performance, the G85’s premium feels justified and future-proof.

Summing It Up for Different Photographer Types

• Portrait and Studio: G85’s better detail and stabilization lend it an edge; G7 good for casual portraits.
• Landscape: G85 by far with sealing and dynamic range.
• Wildlife/Sports: G85’s faster burst and better AF tracking shine.
• Street Photography: G7’s lighter build and silent shutter appeal.
• Macro: G85’s stabilization helps in close focusing.
• Night/Star: G85 offers cleaner high ISO and steadier long exposures.
• Video: G85 is the serious hybrid’s choice with IBIS and higher bitrates.
• Travel: G7’s lightweight and smaller size favor long walks.
• Professional Work: G85’s reliability and image quality better suited for client demands.

Pros and Cons At a Glance

Final Verdict: Which Panasonic Mirrorless Fits Your Needs?

After spending countless hours shooting side-by-side with both the Panasonic G7 and G85 across varied settings, here’s my practical take:

• Choose the Panasonic G7 if:

  • You’re a casual shooter or beginner photographer on a budget.
  • Portability and lightweight form factor matter most.
  • You want an easy-to-use 4K camera that performs solidly for landscapes, portraits, and video.
  • You don’t need weather sealing or in-body stabilization.

• Opt for the Panasonic G85 if:

  • You want a more refined tool for serious hybrid shooting (stills + video).
  • You value ruggedness and weather resistance for outdoor use.
  • You prioritize improved autofocus, faster burst rates, and better low-light handheld capability.
  • You’re willing to invest a bit more upfront for features that extend your shooting versatility and future-proof your setup.

In a nutshell: The G85 is the better all-around machine - offering meaningful upgrades in build, sharpness, and stabilization. The G7 remains a capable powerhouse for those who want Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds system and 4K support without breaking the bank or adding bulk.

For enthusiasts, semi-pros, or content creators, the G85’s feature set and durability make it my preferred recommendation if budget allows. For those who swear by lightness or find the extra $100 pinch your wallet too tight, the G7 is no slouch. Both remain winners in the affordable mirrorless arena.

I hope this deep dive helps clarify the differences and guides your next camera purchase! Feel free to ask any questions or share feedback based on your shooting needs.

Happy shooting!

• Your hands-on mirrorless gear expert

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