G85vs Lumix S1
Lumix
Lumix S1 (2019)
Starting from £1499 new
Best for Landscape, studio & professional stills on L-mount
View Lumix S1
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.
Landscape, Studio & Professional Stills On L-Mount — Lumix S1 (2019): Built like a tank with one of the finest viewfinders ever made — the S1 is the choice for photographers who prioritise build quality and IBIS over AF speed.
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
Lumix S1 (2019)
- L-mount system photographers who want a rugged, weather-sealed full-frame body for demanding conditions
- Landscape and studio photographers who value exceptional IBIS and an outstanding EVF
- Video professionals who need V-Log and 4K/60p in a robust, weather-sealed body
- Leica SL users who want a more affordable second body on the same L-mount system
Quick take: The lumix s1 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the g85 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | G85 (2016) | Lumix S1 (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £350 | £1,499 |
| Sensor | 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS (no low-pass filter) | 24.2MP full-frame CMOS |
| Resolution | 16.0MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | 4K/60p (crop), 4K/30p (full-frame), 1080p/180p, V-Log (upgrade) |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, DFD technology | DFD contrast-detect AF — reliable but slower than phase-detect rivals |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 (body + lens) | 5-axis IBIS — 6 stops |
| Burst Rate | 9fps | 9fps continuous with AF/AE |
| Battery Life | ~330 shots (CIPA) | ~380 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 426g (body only) | 898g body only |
| Dimensions | 128.4 × 89.2 × 74.3mm | 148.9 × 110.0 × 96.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification | OLED EVF, 5.76M dots, 0.78× — one of the finest EVFs available |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.2" touchscreen, tilting |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | L-mount (Leica/Panasonic/Sigma) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic & headphone jacks |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | G85 | Lumix S1 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Street | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Sports | — |
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