Panasonic LUMIX G85 4K Digital Camera, 12-60mm Power O.I.S. Lens, 16 Megapixel Mirrorless Camera, 5 Axis In-Body Dual Image Stabilization, 3-Inch Tilt and Touch LCD, DMC-G85MK (Black)

I’ll begin by clarifying that I am a hobbyist seeking an entry-level, accessible option for starting out with photography. After doing a bunch of research I decided to order the G85 bundled with a 12-60mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens. From the get-go you can tell this is a well-built product. They used magnesium alloy plating in the top and front to counteract ‘shutter shock’ in this model’s predecessor, the G7, along with high quality plastic throughout. The grip is coated in quality rubber and feels very comfortable. Weather sealing (on the kit lens too!) is a great touch. I find the ergonomics of this camera to be intuitive and comfortable. The dials are useful, easy to use yet hard to accidentally toggle. The buttons feel nice and clicky, with a sensitive shutter button. I also love the viewfinder; extremely clear and no issue for someone with glasses like myself. The touch screen fully articulates and is also clear. Menu system works well and navigation is a breeze. On the software end, however, the wifi functions are finicky; transferring photos to my iPhone 14 Pro is a trial-and-error process with the Image App, which struggles to even establish a connection. I find the 12-60 kit lens to have good clarity compared to others I’ve tried, with a very useful zoom range of 24-120 FFE, and reasonably fast aperture. The OIS and IBIS work in tandem to make camera shake in video and photo modes a non-issue, no gimbal or tripod needed. I found the autofocus to be sluggish in low light conditions especially during 4k recording, though in well-lit areas it’s faster for photography and well-workable. Manage focus properly and invest in some quality glass and you have an amazing camera for the price. In summary, this is a great camera for beginners as well as experienced photographers. The flaws are minor in comparison to the ergonomics, build quality, features, amazing price and picture quality. This camera can tackle many types of photography along with videos and grow with you.

I bought the G85 to supplement/mostly replace my old D3300. In most respects it's a step up. I primarily needed a camera with better video. The D3300 was and still is an outstanding entry level DSLR for still photography, but it's very underwhelming for video, which what I find myself doing more off these days. The video autofocus on the D3300 is borderline unusable, it hunts relentlessly. When picking out a new camera. I was looking at the Cannon 80D (no 4k video), the 90D (very nice, but comparatively expensive), the Nikon Z50 (very good AF, but the lack of lens selection and the cost of the available lenses at the time of purchase scared me off), the G9 (pretty much everything I wanted , but more than I wanted to spend), and the G95 (killer V.log profile, but otherwise not much improvement over the G85. I went with the G85 since it was a proven commodity, and had widely available and affordable lenses. For still photography I think the lower MP sensor hurts it vs. the big sensor APS-C cameras, but it's still acceptable. The autofocus is quick, even when doing bursts. For video , which why I got it, it's impressive. Autofocus is very good, about on par with the Canons at 1080p and okay at 4k, ,the stabilization with both the OEM lenses and body is very nice. Build quality is above average for the price bracket. The wifi works very well too. The only negatives are that battery life isn't amazing, and there's no headphone jack (there is a mic jack). I feel like the G85 is a very good value for money. You're getting a lot camera for your dollar. The G9 is nicer in every way, but cost a few hundred more. The G95 is also somewhat more expensive, but I don't think you're getting much in return for the extra money spent. The G85 isn't perfect, if you want a camera primarily for still photography. I'd stick with a comparable APS-C DSLR for the same or less money. The 80D and D7500 are going to be superior to the G85 for that. But for video the G85 is hard to beat for the price.

The Panasonic G85 was my first mirrorless camera after years of using a Nikon D40 DSLR. I wanted a camera that's good for photography and video, and the G85 has lived up to my expectations. Not only is the camera good, but I also like the well developed ecosystem of lenses and accessories, which continues to grow and improve. Likes: * The controls are intuitive and responsive, with many switches and buttons to quickly access the setting I need, and there's a lot of ways to customize the controls to my preference. The touch screen further augments the physical controls, and I use it often. I also like the two custom modes on the dial to quickly access my often used settings. * The ergonomics and hand comfort are good. Controls can be reached without straining my fingers. I can carry the camera and kit lens without a strap, and not feel any noticeable discomfort. * It can reliably and quickly focus under low light and tricky conditions. Better than my old DSLR. * The image stabilization is outstanding. It allows for almost effortless hand holding at normal focal lengths, and reasonably feasible hand holding at 300mm and longer focal lengths. * The image quality is very good, better than my old DSLR in terms of dynamic range, sharpness, noise performance. Since I don't plan on using crazy high ISO, I don't need a larger sensor, and the compromises of an inferior system. * Did I mention the system? Not only is this camera weather sealed, but Panasonic has a growing number of weather sealed lenses to match. One of the reasons why I didn't go with the Sony E-mount system. I'm also enjoying the benefits of a 600mm-equivalent tele lens that isn't ridiculously bulky and heavy. * It actually has a built in flash. Since I don't plan on limiting my self to an indoor studio, and don't plan to lug around a bulky external flash, this was a must have feature for me. If Fuji would have thought of such a revolutionary idea, maybe I would be using their camera instead. * It has the video features I need - external mic jack, tilt and swivel screen, peaking, zebra stripes, and manual exposure. Many other mirrorless cameras I looked at were missing one or more of these. * Panasonic has addressed the early problems of stabilization humming and jerky panning with firmware upgrades. I no longer have any serious complaints about the camera, and it shows they take their camera business seriously. * The kit lens is noticeably more capable than most other kit lenses elsewhere. Not only is the zoom range wider and longer, but it's weather sealed to match the camera body. This is the lens I use most often. Dislikes: * It would have been nice to incorporate a wireless remote shutter release that doesn't involve a smartphone, like the inexpensive infrared remote on my Nikon D40. Instead I'm forced to buy a more expensive and less convenient cable release. Overall, a very capable camera and system, and priced lower than the competition I looked at. Looking forward to getting a lot of use from this new camera.

In this day of camera smart-phones, is there still a place for DSLRs? I say yes, if you actually want to take pictures rather than snapshots and if you are willing spend some money and are ready to haul some stuff around to take those pictures. I settled on the Micro 4/3 format because it is the most easily portable DSLR camera, and therefore the most likely to be used by me. I don't see myself printing larger than 8x10 photos so 16mp is more than enough and overkill for social media. The regular-speed 4K video is more than adequate for and videography I will be doing (invest in a good mike to up your game). A HUGE plus is the fact that this camera and kit lens that cam with it are weather-sealed so I have peace of mind taking it on a hike. I look forward for using 4K pre-burst mode, it is literally a time machine, letting you capture an event up to one second before you push the shutter button! It allows you to follow your child on the field and to get the shots you really want with having to take thousands of pictures. There are trade-offs for not going full-frame sensor (e.g. low-light performance, less depth of field) but the price differential, $697 on sale with a 12-60mm weather proof lens, rather than thousands for the bigger camera? It was a no brainer for me. Great ergonomics, custom setting modes that can be saved to allow up to 4 different set-ups, a very good and versatile kit lens (24-120mm 35mm equivalent focal length) all in a camera that I will take on day hikes. Go on Youtube and watch some videos about what this camera can do. You will see that it is still more than adequate for a hobby-enthusiast. It has rekindled my love of photography. Happy snapping!

Coming from heavy, bulky, noisy, expensive Nikon gear, I came to appreciate the many advantages of MFT mirrorless gear, and in particular, Panasonic MFT cameras and many of the lenses offered by Panasonic, Sigma, Tokina, Olympus, and several other makers. Among the several Panasonic bodies I've owned, my favorite had become the G7 (the predecessor to the G85) for its light weight, compactness, handling and grip, the many controls and their placement, and its customization options available. With some feature-upgrades (added IBIS, improved EVF, a metal front-plate, better mechanical shutter [although I generally use the electronic shutters in my cameras, since they are quiet and shake-free], etc.), and with an interesting lens included, I bought a G85 with the 12-60mm lens as a kit. Upon receipt, I checked for an early stabilization defect some people had noted with video - but my sample did not appear to have this problem (it's since been addressed with a firmware update for early G85 samples). I soon returned the kit for a refund for two reasons: with the G85, a very light G7 had become almost as heavy as my GH4 (which I recently sold, since I no longer shot much video with it, and I preferred the much lighter G7 for stills); and this second sample of the 12-60mm lens, which was much improved over the first sample of this lens that I tried, it was still not up to the image-quality of alternative lenses that I already owned - and it still had some evident asymmetrical image-softness problems. I've taken about 200,000 photographs in the last few years with this MFT gear, and I prefer light and compact cameras and lenses for most of what I do with it - and as a result, the very noticeably increased weight of the G85 was an issue for me that overwhelmed its functional advantages over the G7. The G85 is a very nice camera, with many excellent features - but it was not a good replacement for my G7s for me... --DR

I have been thinking of buying the OMD EM1 Mark 2. I am an enthusiast and take pictures of my family and for travel. Many years ago, I sold my Canon bodies/lenses to get into Micro 4/3’s. Like many, my investment in film lenses led me to Canon bodies in the electronic world. However, it became clear to me that the electronic world offered new opportunities as the technology improved. It looked like Micro 4/3 sensors would be the sweet spot for most photography in this new world. My first 4/3’s camera was a Panasonic. I loved it. Later I upgraded to the OMD EM5 Mark 2 for the better-quality sensor, better in-body stabilization system, and small size. The technology was advancing. Update: I have used the camera for some time now. There have been two firmware updates to improve stabilization and stabilization "hum" and I am using the Panasonic 100-400 with dual IS. I cannot say enough about how good this camera is, and at the price, it is a great value. I have added some pictures using the zoom lens and 12-60 lens for illustration. Time passed, looking for my next upgrade. It is not picture quality driving me, but 4K video and, frankly handling. Don’t like the size of the existing OMD camera for handling. Just a bit too small physically. Out comes the OMD EM1 Mark 2 for body only almost $2,000, but looks like better handling. Very professional features, especially fast focus and rapid fire. Also, higher pixel stills is interesting technology. But What. $2,000. I found the G85. I bought it despite the stability issue. I do not have a noise issue in video. Price is right. I am using it and it meets my needs. (I expect a firmware update, but camera is entirely usable for photography, which is my focus, pun intended. I have also made some video’s and they are passable. There is a little “jump” at the start of the pan, but for me, I could survive. I expect that Panasonic will fix this, as the GX85 does not exhibit this behavior.) Handling is much better with a larger size handle for holding and taking pictures. Still light and better than dslr’s for everyday picture taking. This is the next generation of Micro 4/3’s. Frankly, I like the on-off switches on the right side, and this does it. (You can set up the dual switch on EM2 2 to be the on-off switch but too expensive to buy just for this.) Picture quality is superb. Not the reason to upgrade or switch brands. I had forgotten, but I much prefer the Panasonic UI to the Olympus. I much prefer the Panasonic smartphone apps, in addition. Micro 4/3’s is really where the action is, as there is strong and vibrant competition. I wish all markets were like this. I expect features to improve and prices to fall.

I've been a huge photography nut for a few years now, but had been holding on to film for as long as possible. With that in mind, this camera has done an exceptional job at filling a spot I didn't know I needed to address! I love being able to have a camera that I can take on trips- it's weatherproofed and ruggedized body inspires lots of confidence, even if people are bumping into you. I also feel like it's a "cheap enough looking" camera, that people won't take notice like if you're traveling with a full frame DSLR/SLR. Pros: Takes unbelievably good quality photos - Even though it's a 16MP sensor- don't trust the haters, research for yourself that more MP is not always better Great kit lens- nice quality glass for what it is Stellar 4k footage w/ microphone hot shoe and 180 degree screen swivel makes Vlogging and recording 4k an absolute treat! Rugged and Weatherproof- Great option for those who don't stop shooting once it starts raining or snowing Cons: Not the best Autofocus in the industry UI is a little weird, just takes a little bit to get used to it Overall I've been really pleased with this camera. It's now become my Go-To travel option when I'm scouting photos. I'll still consider using something like a Full Frame Film SLR for print quality photos- but for typical Instagram/ Facebook uploads this has been an absolute pleasure! GO BUY ONE and you'll be more than overjoyed!

I've been using a Canon S3-IS for 10 or 15 years and a Canon AE-1 for many years before that. I was looking for a small, waterproof camera that would be suitable for travel. I had considered something like the GoPro but, frankly, at my age it would be overkill for the action. I decided a digital SLR would better suit my needs. Having always owned Canon I went with them first. Very capable but expensive and HEAVY! A little research led me to the micro four thirds format for weight and capability. It's also "weather resistant" which I had a chance to test on a recent trip to Isle Royal National Park. I've since gotten an Olympus 14-150 lens for it and I couldn't be happier! I can take long shots, short shots, portrait and anything in between. I love the ability to shoot panorama shots, the time lapse feature works flawlessly. Multi-shot and 4K video is on a quickly accessible dial which is important to me for taking pictures of my grandson. I'm still experimenting with the myriad features available and I seriously doubt I'll ever be able to master a small fraction of them. The pictures are a fairly close shot and a time lapse turned to video (it does that too!) of a Moonflower opening.