G85vs GH7
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Travel & Video — G85 (2016): The G85 is the definitive enthusiast MFT package — combining 4K/30p, Dual I.S. 2 stabilisation, and weather sealing in an affordable, well-built body. It lacks phase-detect AF (contrast-detect only) but covers travel, landscape, and casual video effectively. One of the best-value used-market MFT cameras available — a practical, capable companion for photographers who want reliability over cutting-edge specs.
Video & Documentary — GH7 (2024): The GH7 is the GH series at its peak — phase-detect AF finally arrived, alongside 5.7K/60p open-gate, C4K/60p 10-bit 4:2:2, and ProRes RAW. A landmark video camera in the Micro Four Thirds format, and the most complete GH Panasonic has ever built.
Who should buy what
G85 (2016)
- Travel photographers who want weather sealing on a budget
- Vloggers and hybrid shooters
- MFT system users stepping up from entry-level
GH7 (2024)
- Video professionals who want the best MFT camera ever made
- Documentary and event videographers who need reliable AF and great stabilisation
- Hybrid photographers who want high burst rates and serious video in one body
- GH5/GH6 owners ready for a major upgrade
Quick take: The gh7 has the highest resolution at 25mp; the g85 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | G85 (2016) | GH7 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £350 | £1,700 |
| Sensor | 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS (no low-pass filter) | 25.2MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds |
| Resolution | 16.0MP | 25.2MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | 5.7K/60p (open gate), C4K/60p 10-bit 4:2:2, ProRes RAW via HDMI |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, DFD technology | Phase-detect + contrast-detect AF with subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 (body + lens) | 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 (body + lens) |
| Burst Rate | 9fps | 75fps (electronic), 14fps (mechanical) |
| Battery Life | ~330 shots (CIPA) | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 426g (body only) | 535g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 128.4 × 89.2 × 74.3mm | 138.4 × 102.3 × 91.6mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification | Electronic, 3.68M dots, 0.76× |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.84M dots |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual slot: CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | G85 | GH7 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Street | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Wildlife | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Wedding & Events | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history