Great companion for my Lumix G85

I got my GX8 a year or so before getting my G85.  I find they complement each other very well.

The control layouts are relatively similar, except for the awkward Fn button on the front of the GX8, which I find really hard to access by feel, and the exposure comp dial isn't as easy to use as the front command dial on the G85 which can be reprogrammed for that purpose.  Thankfully both cameras use the same batteries (bravo Panasonic for keeping the same batteries for my last several Lumixes).

Both cameras have IBIS, which is great for stills with lenses that lack OIS.  However,  the G85 IBIs works in works in 4K video, which the GX8's doesn't, so you don't get hybrid 5-axis IS in 4K with the latter.  And like the G7, the G85 uses Panasonic's much improved second-generation shotgun mike with automatic or manual focusing of the stereo sound; that mike won't work on the GX8 at all, and the GX8 lacks the sound focusing.  The battery grip for the G85 is really nice; the GX8 lacks that option.

On the plus side for the GX8, you get more sensor resolution, and to my eyes better IQ if you boost the ISO above 6400.  Most of all, the tilting viewfinder in a godsend when you want the camera at waist level or lower in bright sunlight which can make the LCD screen very hard to view when titled for that purpose (sunlight shining directly onto the screen, especially on a Cretan White-sand beach last month).  Also the GX8 has a couple of nifty features Pany didn't continue for the G85 for some reason, namely one-shot spot metering and one-shot RAW+JPG both of which can be programmed into Fn buttons if you might use those features often.

Both cameras have dust and splash resistant sealing and are equally well constructed (though the flash card access is more practical on the G85).  I always travel with two camera bodies when I go overseas; if a sole body malfunctions on a trip, all your photo gear changes instantly into a collection of  very expensive and  impractical paperweights.  When I go out locally with just one camera body, I'm generally happy to take  either body unless I'm planning on 4K video in which case the G85 is definitely the first choice.

grcolts wrote:

Ed, thanks for the comparisons.

Do you see much difference in image quality/noise between the two since one uses a 16 mp vs 20

Yes, a review like this, how both cameras compliment each other, should comment on any IQ differences

Sorry for the delay in replying, I don’t monitor these boards closely.  Re IQ comparisons between my GX8 and my G85 — in my chart and real-world tests, I think on balance the two cameras are very close if not identical.  In my experience the resolution (lpmm) difference in megapixel count isn’t noticeable until ISO 12800 or greater, when the GX8 gives better detail due I suspect to a better signal to noise ratio from the extra pixels.  On the other hand, from ISO 100-6400 the G85 looks “cleaner” in solid colours e.g. blue skies don’t show traces of “mottling” that I see sometimes with the GX8 and earlier models when zooming in on the image.  As a practical matter, for ISO levels I use outdoors in daylight  I have no preference except I much prefer the G85 with the battery grip for 4K video (more battery power)  and for use with the Panasonic Leica 100-400 (much better grip and hand-held ergonomics with that big, heavy lens).  There is no battery grip for the GX8.  In bright sunlight I otherwise prefer the GX8 for its more versatile viewfinder when  bright light would hit the LCD screen.  The two cameras really complement each other well IMO.