Was gonna buy a G9 but just saw a used G85 in a camera shop for $280 bucks. What to do?

I don't print big and the main reason I wanted G9 was dual IS2 and nice viewfinder. Both of which G85 has. Image quality from my beloved GX7 are good enough, except for unfocused mf shots due to crappy viewfinder and possibly shutter shock (I have 2 of the infamous lenses for that). Rolling shutter in silent mode plus field sequential display is queezy-making on GX7.

I'd feel bad if I missed out on the $1000 deal on G9 which might represent the pinnacle of value for M43 though.

What to do?

Emsquared wrote:

I don't print big and the main reason I wanted G9 was dual IS2 and nice viewfinder. Both of which G85 has. Image quality from my beloved GX7 are good enough, except for unfocused mf shots due to crappy viewfinder and possibly shutter shock (I have 2 of the infamous lenses for that). Rolling shutter in silent mode plus field sequential display is queezy-making on GX7.

I'd feel bad if I missed out on the $1000 deal on G9 which might represent the pinnacle of value for M43 though.

What to do?

When i was planning my G9 purchase last year i had looked at quite a few bodies, including the G85. It's inferior in a whole lot of ways to the G9, those differences are what you need to look at here. The G9 has a higher burst rate, faster sensor readout (less rolling shutter), much bigger EVF than the G85, higher rated IBIS, super rez mode, and the best CAF Panasonic offers in MFT.

The G9 also has a really neat video IBIS feature called IS Lock which gives you tripod like IS for stationary shooting, which can be toggled on/off with a single button press (no menus needed). Way more buttons and customization, a full auto ISO system with SS minimums, and the slew of things added in FW2.0 like highlight metering and animal AF. Add in in-camera 10 bit HDR 4k video and the G85 isn't even close to the same league as the G9.

Now whether you need all those features instead of the cash you would save, that's up to you.

G9 is a whole different camera. I have both. Love the G85 and find it more quaint and easy to use.  The G9 has a lot more ergonomics (dials and buttons), many more menu choices and features, apparently better IBIS and of course the 20MP sensor.

I wish on the G9 that they did the dial like their other cameras (e.g. up is ISO, forward is white balance, down is drive, back is AF mode -- might have those slightly mixed). To me that is the biggest issue with the G9 is that ergonomically it is too different from their other cameras. My LUMIX point and shoots are more similar to my other Pan M43 bodies than the G9 is to my other Pan M43 bodies.  That said, I use the G9 all the time now and am getting used to where the buttons are.  I love the grip on it, better than the G85.  It's seems deeper and more "grippy" (I do have small hands so YMMV).

One thing I love of the G9 is the face/animal tracking feature that the G85 does not have.  If you shoot wildlife or birds, you may want the G9 just to have that.   I don't use the feature every time for critters but it does work well in many circumstances.

I think the G85 has a built in flash and G9 doesn't.  G9 is more "pro" and I guess they assume the user would be using speedlights and off camera flashes.

The G85 is a very nice camera, a big step up from the GX7.  Whether you need the extra capabilities of the G9 and are willing to put up with the bigger size, weight, and price tag is what you will need to decide.  But, seriously, if you don't need all the bells and whistles, you should be pleased with the G85, particularly in comparison to the GX7 (I have both the GX7 and the G9 and think each is great for what it is).

Emsquared wrote:

I don't print big and the main reason I wanted G9 was dual IS2 and nice viewfinder. Both of which G85 has. Image quality from my beloved GX7 are good enough, except for unfocused mf shots due to crappy viewfinder and possibly shutter shock (I have 2 of the infamous lenses for that). Rolling shutter in silent mode plus field sequential display is queezy-making on GX7.

I'd feel bad if I missed out on the $1000 deal on G9 which might represent the pinnacle of value for M43 though.

What to do?

All the other posts are of course valid ones but my point is : if it's too good to e true, there is is a catch somewhere. That price seems low, so I would look into the details of the camera before buying it...

And yes, the G9 is better in every way.

• Yeah i had to take a closer look. It's a reputable store (used to work for the chain)  and the cam is in great condition with box and manual and charger and original batts. Only 2000 shutter actuations. I bought it. The viewfinder and grip is perfect for me - small hands and wear glasses. The menu and buttons are exactly where I expect them to be from my gx7. Heading out for a walk while there's still a little light.

Jeeter001 wrote:

G9 is a whole different camera. I have both. Love the G85 and find it more quaint and easy to use. The G9 has a lot more ergonomics (dials and buttons), many more menu choices and features, apparently better IBIS and of course the 20MP sensor.

I wish on the G9 that they did the dial like their other cameras (e.g. up is ISO, forward is white balance, down is drive, back is AF mode -- might have those slightly mixed). To me that is the biggest issue with the G9 is that ergonomically it is too different from their other cameras. My LUMIX point and shoots are more similar to my other Pan M43 bodies than the G9 is to my other Pan M43 bodies. That said, I use the G9 all the time now and am getting used to where the buttons are. I love the grip on it, better than the G85. It's seems deeper and more "grippy" (I do have small hands so YMMV).

One thing I love of the G9 is the face/animal tracking feature that the G85 does not have. If you shoot wildlife or birds, you may want the G9 just to have that. I don't use the feature every time for critters but it does work well in many circumstances.

I think the G85 has a built in flash and G9 doesn't. G9 is more "pro" and I guess they assume the user would be using speedlights and off camera flashes.

So simply re-assign those features to the back dial. Just hold down the direction you want to change and choose it from the list.

I've had 4 panasonics and in all of them left is AF mode so I just reassigned that on the G9.

Cyvan wrote:

Jeeter001 wrote:

G9 is a whole different camera. I have both. Love the G85 and find it more quaint and easy to use. The G9 has a lot more ergonomics (dials and buttons), many more menu choices and features, apparently better IBIS and of course the 20MP sensor.

I wish on the G9 that they did the dial like their other cameras (e.g. up is ISO, forward is white balance, down is drive, back is AF mode -- might have those slightly mixed). To me that is the biggest issue with the G9 is that ergonomically it is too different from their other cameras. My LUMIX point and shoots are more similar to my other Pan M43 bodies than the G9 is to my other Pan M43 bodies. That said, I use the G9 all the time now and am getting used to where the buttons are. I love the grip on it, better than the G85. It's seems deeper and more "grippy" (I do have small hands so YMMV).

One thing I love of the G9 is the face/animal tracking feature that the G85 does not have. If you shoot wildlife or birds, you may want the G9 just to have that. I don't use the feature every time for critters but it does work well in many circumstances.

I think the G85 has a built in flash and G9 doesn't. G9 is more "pro" and I guess they assume the user would be using speedlights and off camera flashes.

So simply re-assign those features to the back dial. Just hold down the direction you want to change and choose it from the list.

I've had 4 panasonics and in all of them left is AF mode so I just reassigned that on the G9.

Yeah I figured there was probably a way to do that.  But then I feel I waste those buttons on the top.  Of course I imagine those can be re-assigned as well.  The G9 is FLUSH with buttons.

Good choice, G85 is a great little camera, its compact size is in my opinion a big plus.

Excellent evf and an eyecup that should be the design standard for all others, stuck to the body like poo to a blanket and will never fall off.

WhiteBeard wrote:

Emsquared wrote:

I don't print big and the main reason I wanted G9 was dual IS2 and nice viewfinder. Both of which G85 has. Image quality from my beloved GX7 are good enough, except for unfocused mf shots due to crappy viewfinder and possibly shutter shock (I have 2 of the infamous lenses for that). Rolling shutter in silent mode plus field sequential display is queezy-making on GX7.

I'd feel bad if I missed out on the $1000 deal on G9 which might represent the pinnacle of value for M43 though.

What to do?

All the other posts are of course valid ones but my point is : if it's too good to e true, there is is a catch somewhere. That price seems low, so I would look into the details of the camera before buying it...

And yes, the G9 is better in every way.

The price is even lower in the UK. So you are not making a valid point.

The G9 is good. But if it is too heavy for you, then also look at the G90. It uses the same sensor and has some other features that are not in the G9.

Enjoy.   I certainly like mine.  Maybe the G9 is "better in every way" except size, which is what drew me to m4/3 in the first place

Enjoy it.  You have little to lose and can always trade or sell it should an irresistible G9 deal come along later.  I have both.  Yes, the G9 is better in many ways and best for use with the 100-400mm but the G80/85 is completely good enough for everyday use and noticeably smaller/lighter.