G85vs Z7 II
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 / High-Resolution — Z7 II (2020): The Z7 II is a landscape and studio camera first, everything else second. 45.7MP with weather sealing and dual card slots is a compelling package. If you need resolution, it delivers. If you don't, the Z6 II is the smarter buy.
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
Z7 II (2020)
- Landscape photographers who print large or need to crop significantly
- Studio and commercial photographers requiring maximum resolution
- Architecture photographers where detail is non-negotiable
- Fine-art photographers who shoot primarily from a tripod
Quick take: The z7 ii has the highest resolution at 46mp; the g85 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | G85 (2016) | Z7 II (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £350 | £2,699 |
| Sensor | 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS (no low-pass filter) | 45.7MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 16.0MP | 45.7MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | 4K/60p, 4K/30p (oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, DFD technology | Phase-detect, 493 points, Eye AF, subject tracking |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 (body + lens) | 5-axis IBIS, 5 stops (up to 6 stops with VR lenses) |
| Burst Rate | 9fps | 10fps mechanical, 10fps electronic |
| Battery Life | ~330 shots (CIPA) | ~420 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 426g (body only) | 705g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 128.4 × 89.2 × 74.3mm | 134.0 × 100.5 × 69.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.1M dots |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Nikon Z-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual card: 1× CFexpress Type B / XQD + 1× SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | G85 | Z7 II |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Street | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Wildlife | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Video | — |
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