Just bought a G85 a few months ago, and couldn't be happier!!

Hey all,

I just want to share how happy I am after getting a brand new G85. I sold my GX7 which has already pretty high shutter count as well as some dings in the body, and I was looking for a new camera for both still and video.

I was mainly debating between GX85 and G85. They both have somewhat good in body stabilization for video, but I ended up with G85 because I need both the weather sealing(for extra peace of mind) and the mic input for my Youtube needs.

However, I was pretty surprised to find out that the camera is still extremely relevant today, a few years after it was debuted, and it was still a great all around camera. I was aware about the new wave of full frame mirrorless cameras, and was thinking about switching to a new system just to stay relevant. But boy oh boy, that G85 does everything so well and I am just happy with my decision to stay in the MFT world!

Any similar stories? Interested to hear what makes you stay in MFT so far

I did the exact same thing. Thought about getting an RP or maybe a Z6. Decided on a G85 instead. Switched to M43 a few years ago to get a smaller camera (GM5). Was recently feeling the need for better flash sync and some better ergonomics. Very happy with my choice. Of course, the extra money I didn’t spend makes me think of all sorts of lenses I can buy...

dwkyre wrote:

I did the exact same thing. Thought about getting an RP or maybe a Z6. Decided on a G85 instead. Switched to M43 a few years ago to get a smaller camera (GM5). Was recently feeling the need for better flash sync and some better ergonomics. Very happy with my choice. Of course, the extra money I didn’t spend makes me think of all sorts of lenses I can buy...

That's a really nice portrait! And she's very cute! I was also tempted by Z6, as well as EOS R, and Panasonic's very own S1, but I ended up with the G85 and didn't regret anything at all!

nevada5 wrote:

I bought a new car in 1999 and I still have it. I have others but it's still a daily driver. I don't know why it would become irrelevant as long as it continues to do what I bought it to do.

Same with cameras and many other things. I have a GX85 and I can't come up with a reason to replace it. My needs could change and perhaps it wouldn't be up to doing the new job(s) but barring that it will remain relevant. I have 3 older cameras that I use every week cause they keep on doing what I need.

Glad you're happy with your G85, it's a great camera.

That's very true! I don't really get why everyone has to get the latest and greatest when it comes to the tools that we use everyday. I agree with what you said, as long as it continues to do what I need it to do, then it is still relevant. Thank you

wiryawan wrote:

dwkyre wrote:

I did the exact same thing. Thought about getting an RP or maybe a Z6. Decided on a G85 instead. Switched to M43 a few years ago to get a smaller camera (GM5). Was recently feeling the need for better flash sync and some better ergonomics. Very happy with my choice. Of course, the extra money I didn’t spend makes me think of all sorts of lenses I can buy...

That's a really nice portrait! And she's very cute! I was also tempted by Z6, as well as EOS R, and Panasonic's very own S1, but I ended up with the G85 and didn't regret anything at all!

Thanks. It is a pretty big crop (changed orientation). The flash was on camera, and the angle would have been wrong if I held the camera sideways. Turns out, off camera flash is much harder for portraits when you need to chase a toddler around to take the picture...

The G85 flash sync is not amazing at 1/160, but it is good enough that I can take shots like this without adding a filter. The GM5 was limited to 1/50, which meant flash was really only useful for lighting up the dark. No daytime use, subject has to be very still. No high speed sync either. After I had a child for a bit, I felt I needed to up my portrait game a bit.

Since I got it, I have really appreciated the ergonomics too. It is good enough that I have felt comfortable shooting almost entirely in manual mode.

That being said, I really liked the feel of the RP when I tested it. It is light and compact, and the price was not as bad as it could be. But most of the lenses would be pretty big and the G85 beats it on a bunch of features I might appreciate as time goes on.

dwkyre wrote:

Thanks. It is a pretty big crop (changed orientation). The flash was on camera, and the angle would have been wrong if I held the camera sideways. Turns out, off camera flash is much harder for portraits when you need to chase a toddler around to take the picture...

The G85 flash sync is not amazing at 1/160, but it is good enough that I can take shots like this without adding a filter. The GM5 was limited to 1/50, which meant flash was really only useful for lighting up the dark. No daytime use, subject has to be very still. No high speed sync either. After I had a child for a bit, I felt I needed to up my portrait game a bit.

Since I got it, I have really appreciated the ergonomics too. It is good enough that I have felt comfortable shooting almost entirely in manual mode.

That being said, I really liked the feel of the RP when I tested it. It is light and compact, and the price was not as bad as it could be. But most of the lenses would be pretty big and the G85 beats it on a bunch of features I might appreciate as time goes on.

Thanks for the reply Dwkyre, one thing that caught my eyes is the flash sync, I tried shooting my off camera flash setup using the G85 to 1/320 sec and if I recall correctly I only got a very minor black bar on the very edge of my frame, which doesn't bother the subject at all at that time, but I will double check and get back to you on that, I might be wrong.

Yes, the RP with its full frame sensor will most probably end up being a bigger setup than the G85 with comparable lenses. Also, video capabilities are a bit limited compared to G85. Thanks

larsbc wrote:

wiryawan wrote:

Any similar stories? Interested to hear what makes you stay in MFT so far

Still enjoying my G85 that I bought a couple of years ago, used. It's a very comfortable camera to carry for long periods of time and it is very responsive. A few weeks ago I reinforced my commitment to the system by buying a new in open box GX9 and 12-60 kit.

I'm sticking with micro four thirds because it's the best balance of size, cost, quality, and lens options for my photography/video which is primarily done while traveling.

Even my 6 year old GX7 continues to produce images that I'm happy to put on my wall. I only bought the GX9 because I wanted IBIS similar to my G85 and that also worked without producing micro jitters when recording video with my 35-100/2.8 lens's OIS.

The 20mp sensor is nice in that it gives me a bit more cropping space but other than that, I haven't noticed any benefits to it, yet.

Hi Larsbc

Thanks for the reply I was thinking about the GX9 too, I already have the GX8 and still using it, but apart from IBIS, the GX8 has "more" features that I need compared to GX9, so I am still holding on to it right now.

I am however also impressed with the GX7, I got really amazing pictures out of it and I kinda miss it(sold it because shutter count already pretty high and lots of scratches in the body already). It was my first MFT camera and it broadened my perspective about camera in general.

Cheers

As my wife loves the newer GX85, I have GX7 as my current main camera and is looking to upgrade.

Had tested G95 a few days ago and was amazed by its CAF on 4K video in very dark environment. Focus hunting been highly improved from GX85.

However the recent high price been a major consideration mentally vs G85.

Might I ask how do you find the 4K CAF of G85? Under not ideal lighting condition, or when panning (at reasonably slow speed) or zoom in/out would the focus hunt very often?

alcelc wrote:

As my wife loves the newer GX85, I have GX7 as my current main camera and is looking to upgrade.

Had tested G95 a few days ago and was amazed by its CAF on 4K video in very dark environment. Focus hunting been highly improved from GX85.

However the recent high price been a major consideration mentally vs G85.

Might I ask how do you find the 4K CAF of G85?

Yes, I just found out a few weeks ago that Panasonic released the G95, which was a very compelling alternative to the G85. I bought the G85 before the announcement though, but no regrets *crossed fingers

4K CAF isn't that great to be honest. It's usable, but it's not fast. I am mostly using the 1 area focus system, and I used the older Pan 12-35 f/2.8 to test it out one day, and while it precisely focused to where I need the camera to focus at, it took a while for the camera and lens to get to focus correctly. At least a good few seconds.

And when you start to move around more than usual, the CAF suffers more, and it really takes a long time for the camera to nail the focus, especially if the focus area goes back and forth between short distance subject and near infinity subject.

Fortunately, nowadays I use Laowa 7.5mm f/2 manual lens for most of what I need to do with the G85, so I don't need to worry about focus. Plus with wide angle lens, the DOF is large enough so that it's easier to get more focus distance.

But shooting 1080p might somewhat improved the CAF focus speed when compared to 4K. I will get back to you on this, I haven't test it yet with my G85, but with my GX8 it does focus better at 1080p.

Cheers

wiryawan wrote:

dwkyre wrote:

The G85 flash sync is not amazing at 1/160, but it is good enough that I can take shots like this without adding a filter. The GM5 was limited to 1/50, which meant flash was really only useful for lighting up the dark. No daytime use, subject has to be very still. No high speed sync either. After I had a child for a bit, I felt I needed to up my portrait game a bit.

That being said, I really liked the feel of the RP when I tested it. It is light and compact, and the price was not as bad as it could be. But most of the lenses would be pretty big and the G85 beats it on a bunch of features I might appreciate as time goes on.

Thanks for the reply Dwkyre, one thing that caught my eyes is the flash sync, I tried shooting my off camera flash setup using the G85 to 1/320 sec and if I recall correctly I only got a very minor black bar on the very edge of my frame, which doesn't bother the subject at all at that time, but I will double check and get back to you on that, I might be wrong.

Yes, the RP with its full frame sensor will most probably end up being a bigger setup than the G85 with comparable lenses. Also, video capabilities are a bit limited compared to G85. Thanks

I think the Godox flash I am using would support HSS of camera, but I haven’t tried it. I have read about some people having trouble with this combo (off camera godox flash, G85, HSS). HSS does work on camera, but I do not favor it. It sounds like a good idea, but you become very power limited.

The RP would have given me a lower native ISO and a higher f number for a given depth of field/background blur, both of which are useful for daylight flash use like this. But I get by well enough. I can always throw an ND filter on, and my tiny portrait lens does make the whole thing feel compact. And I do like that my lens collection also works on my tiny GM5. I do not really do video, but the capabilities of my G85 make me feel like I should try more often.

larsbc wrote:

wiryawan wrote:

Any similar stories? Interested to hear what makes you stay in MFT so far

I'm sticking with micro four thirds because it's the best balance of size, cost, quality, and lens options for my photography/video which is primarily done while traveling.

Agreed. I've got a GX85 since release here in Australia. Probably would have got the G85 but it came out later.

As I've got fast moving kids, I've recently considered getting the Sony A6400 for its real time eye AF tracking (eye AF and subject tracking combined). However, it doesn't have IBIS and for the money the lenses aren't as fast, light and small compared with MFT.

Thank you for your info. 😊

dwkyre wrote:

I think the Godox flash I am using would support HSS of camera, but I haven’t tried it. I have read about some people having trouble with this combo (off camera godox flash, G85, HSS). HSS does work on camera, but I do not favor it. It sounds like a good idea, but you become very power limited.

The RP would have given me a lower native ISO and a higher f number for a given depth of field/background blur, both of which are useful for daylight flash use like this. But I get by well enough. I can always throw an ND filter on, and my tiny portrait lens does make the whole thing feel compact. And I do like that my lens collection also works on my tiny GM5. I do not really do video, but the capabilities of my G85 make me feel like I should try more often.

Back then I also tried Olympus Fl-600R for HSS and other kinds of flash goodness, but I also didn't find HSS to be powerful enough. Just like you, I also found out that slapping an ND and cranking up the flash power or shooting at larger aperture is a better way to get a daylight flash portrait, and I stick with that setup ever since. Alternatively, I also use the good old LX100 because it has leaf shutter mechanism, so I can shoot as high as 1/1000s without black bars appearing in the frame, and it is still my preferred dedicated strobist camera.

You should try to use the G85 more often, it's currently my Youtube camera, the best one yet so far! It packs all the important video things that I need in a reasonably priced body.

alcelc wrote:

Thank you for your info. 😊

You are very welcome alcelc!

tjmckay4 wrote:

Agreed. I've got a GX85 since release here in Australia. Probably would have got the G85 but it came out later.

As I've got fast moving kids, I've recently considered getting the Sony A6400 for its real time eye AF tracking (eye AF and subject tracking combined). However, it doesn't have IBIS and for the money the lenses aren't as fast, light and small compared with MFT.

The A6400 might be better when it comes to AF in video, and maybe Canon Dual Pixel AF system might be too. However, in my experience, for photography especially on single AF, Panasonic cameras are actually pretty fast, at least as fast as Sony or Canon(if not faster).

wiryawan wrote:

Hey all,

I was mainly debating between GX85 and G85. They both have somewhat good in body stabilization for video, but I ended up with G85 because I need both the weather sealing(for extra peace of mind) and the mic input for my Youtube needs.

However, I was pretty surprised to find out that the camera is still extremely relevant today, a few years after it was debuted, and it was still a great all around camera. I was aware about the new wave of full frame mirrorless cameras, and was thinking about switching to a new system just to stay relevant. But boy oh boy, that G85 does everything so well and I am just happy with my decision to stay in the MFT world!

Any similar stories? Interested to hear what makes you stay in MFT so far

That G85 has a pretty lousy useless auto-iso, I think the G90 does this much better, like my G9, I think.

If you have a good auto-iso, that makes photography so much easier ...

For the rest, that G85 is good.

Jozef.

Agreed. Not being able to set a minimum shutter speed in auto ISO on the G85 can be a pain. I believe the G95 has this feature.

I've enjoyed using it as a second camera to my Nikon D7200 though (purely for stills).

I’ve had one for a few years now and still love it. The G85 was my first MFT coming from Sony/Canon and have had no desire to switch back.  I’ve used it for just about everything from video to sports to family to portraits. Over 60,000 photos and still going strong. Have used it in the rain, snow, at the beach, and just about everywhere else. Never a hiccup or any overheating (even after 1.5 hours straight at 4K).