G85vs A7R
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.
Studio, Tripod Landscape & Camera History — A7R (2013): The world's first 36MP full-frame mirrorless — a landmark camera that launched the A7R series, despite contrast-detect AF and significant shutter shock limitations.
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
A7R (2013)
- Collectors and photographers interested in the camera that started the A7R lineage
- Studio photographers who work on a tripod and can manage contrast-detect AF
- Landscape photographers who prioritise resolution over autofocus performance
- Sony FE system users who want a historical body at a very low used price
Quick take: The a7r has the highest resolution at 36mp; the a7r is the most affordable; only the g85 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | G85 (2016) | A7R (2013) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £350 | £349 |
| Sensor | 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS (no low-pass filter) | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) |
| Resolution | 16.0MP | 36.4MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, DFD technology | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 (body + lens) | None |
| Burst Rate | 9fps | 4fps |
| Battery Life | ~330 shots (CIPA) | ~340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 426g (body only) | 465g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 128.4 × 89.2 × 74.3mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | G85 | A7R |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Street | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Sports & Action | ||
| Architecture | — |
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