G85vs A7 IV
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.
Portrait & Wedding Photography — A7 IV (2021): The full-frame portrait benchmark — 33MP, AI Eye AF, and exceptional skin-tone rendering in a pro-grade hybrid 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 IV (2021)
- Working photographers who want a reliable full-frame all-rounder
- Portrait, wedding, and event photographers needing 33MP and fast AF
- A7 III owners ready for a major upgrade in resolution, AF, and video
- Hybrid shooters who want 4K/60p and 33MP stills in one dependable body
Quick take: The a7 iv has the highest resolution at 33mp; the g85 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | G85 (2016) | A7 IV (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £350 | £2,299 |
| Sensor | 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS (no low-pass filter) | 33MP Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 16.0MP | 33.0MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | 4K/60p oversampled, 10-bit internal, S-Log3, S-Cinetone |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, DFD technology | 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 (body + lens) | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 9fps | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic |
| Battery Life | ~330 shots (CIPA) | ~580 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 426g (body only) | 659g body only |
| Dimensions | 128.4 × 89.2 × 74.3mm | 131.3 × 96.4 × 79.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual slots: CFexpress Type A + SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | G85 | A7 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Street | — | |
| Portrait | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Sports & Action | ||
| Studio Portraits | — | |
| Outdoor Portraits | — | |
| 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