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Panasonic G85 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
69
Imaging
54
Features
84
Overall
66
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Panasonic G85 vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

Panasonic G85
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 505g - 128 x 89 x 74mm
  • Released September 2016
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-G80
  • Newer Model is Panasonic G95
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
Photography Glossary

Panasonic G85 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

Here is a complete overview of the Panasonic G85 versus Panasonic ZS5, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are produced by Panasonic. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the G85 (16MP) and ZS5 (12MP) and the G85 (Four Thirds) and ZS5 (1/2.3") feature different sensor size.

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The G85 was revealed 6 years later than the ZS5 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic G85 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short summary of how the G85 grades vs the ZS5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G85 over the Panasonic ZS5

 G85 ZS5 
IntroducedSeptember 2016June 2010Fresher by 77 months
Focus manually More exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kSharper display (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Panasonic G85

 ZS5 G85 

Common features in the Panasonic G85 and Panasonic ZS5

 G85 ZS5 

Panasonic G85 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic G85 enjoys external dimensions of 128mm x 89mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS5 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic G85 versus Panasonic ZS5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the G85 and the ZS5.

Panasonic G85 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the G85 and ZS5 is 69 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic G85 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G85 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing just by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic here may provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the G85 and ZS5.

As you can see, both the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The G85 using its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field simpler and the Panasonic G85 will deliver more detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images much more aggressively. The fresher G85 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic G85 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G85 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G85 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G85 Portrait photography features
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography features
72
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
27
has face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G85 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Street photography camera
77
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
comes with touch focus
environment sealing
above average ISO range (25,600)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (214 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic G85
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS5
64
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
bad battery life (330 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
31
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300s)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic G85
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS5
71
environment sealing
comes with touch focus
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
bad battery life (330 per charge)
63
lighter than others (214g)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G85 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Landscape photography camera
73
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
bad battery life (330 CIPA)
33
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G85 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging info
78
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have mic socket
31
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than others (214 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic socket
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Panasonic G85 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G85 and Panasonic ZS5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Alternative name Lumix DMC-G80 Lumix DMC-TZ8
Category Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2016-09-19 2010-06-16
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3448 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 49 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 1,040k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1300s
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.20 m (at ISO 100) 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 505 grams (1.11 lb) 214 grams (0.47 lb)
Dimensions 128 x 89 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 2.9") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 71 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 656 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 10 secs x 3 shots) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $900 $300