G85vs A7 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.
Travel, Portrait — A7 II (2014): The camera that proved full-frame IBIS was possible in a compact body.
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
A7 II (2014)
- Photographers upgrading from APS-C who want full-frame on a budget
- Film shooters adapting vintage lenses (IBIS helps enormously)
Quick take: The a7 ii has the highest resolution at 24mp; the g85 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | G85 (2016) | A7 II (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £350 | £549 |
| Sensor | 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS (no low-pass filter) | Full-frame BSI CMOS 35mm |
| Resolution | 16.0MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | 1080p 60fps |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, DFD technology | 117-point phase-detect hybrid AF |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 (body + lens) | 5-axis IBIS, 4.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 9fps | 5fps |
| Battery Life | ~330 shots (CIPA) | 350 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 426g (body only) | 599g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 128.4 × 89.2 × 74.3mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification | EVF 0.71× 2.36M-dot |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.23M-dot |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E-Mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | SD / Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, Wi-Fi, NFC | Wi-Fi, NFC, Micro USB, Micro HDMI |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | G85 | A7 II |
|---|---|---|
| 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