Which would you prefer: GX7 or GX85?

Lloyd B wrote:

If you have a GX7, will you let it go for the GX85? Which of the two would you prefer? Any advantages of the GX7 over GX85 and vise versa?

I'm struggling to decide between upgrading to a G85 or a GX85. I already have a GX7 (and an EM5 II) so here's what I like about my GX7 vs the GX85:

• Tilting EVF: this is something I really like on my GX7. It's great for discreet street photography. Especially in lower light or if you need to use reading glasses (both of which make using the rear screen less desirable).
• 1080p video: GX7 has better 1080 codec which is important to me for a few reasons. First, I primarily output to 1080 anyway, so it's less CPU intensive to edit and render 1080 video vs 4K. Second, I often shoot at 60fps which is not an option at 4K on the GX85. So with the GX85, I'd either have lower quality 1080p video at 60fps, or higher 4K video but only at 30fps. 1080 video on the GX85 not only looks worse than the GX7 video (which produces very nice 1080p), but even worse than from my EM5 II which has, IMO, just passable 1080p video.
• AF/MF switch: GX7 has this switch where as the GX85 does not. Since I use this control, I will have to map it to one of the Func buttons which means the GX85 has one less available Func button than my GX7.
• Flash RC commander: Removing this feature was a very petty thing for Panasonic to do on the GX85. For me it was a powerful feature to have.

Things I like about the GX85:

• IBIS: Much, much better image stabilization which also works with video. This is the primary reason I am even considering buying this camera.
• Lens compatibility: my GX7 + 35-100/2.8 combo suffers from micro jitters when recording video with OIS enabled. I am hoping/expecting that the GX85 does not have this problem with that lens. Panasonic released lens/camera firmware updates to address this problem but only for the GH3/GH4 bodies.
• 4K video: A nice, future-proof-ish feature. The only drawback is that it only allows a max fps of 30. If I want to shoot at 60fps I'd have to use 1080p which is worse quality than from my GX7.
• USB in-camera charging: A very convenient feature and back-up option for impromptu charging.
• Improved shutter: Softer and quieter; means I wouldn't have to use e-shutter as often. 

Misc:

• 4K Photo Mode: I'm not particularly interested in this feature because I shoot raw mode only.

If I bought a GX85, I think I would probably sell off my EM5 II and keep my GX7 because of two main reasons:

1. Tilting EVF on the GX7.
2. GX7 records better quality video than the EM5 II.
3. I prefer the menus and general operation of the GX7 over the EM5 II.

But right now, I'm leaning towards the G85 because:

• It records 1080p video that is just as good as the GX7.
• It is weatherproof.
• It has a larger battery and a more aggressive power saving feature.
• Its built-in flash has RC commander mode.
• It has more physical controls.
• I hope the successor to the GX85 will be better suited for me. If nothing else, it will have 60fps in 4K mode, and a more aggressive power saving feature like the G85. In the meantime, I will stick to my GX7 as my RF-style body.