G85vs ZV-1 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.
Pocket Vlogging — ZV-1 II (2023): The best pocket vlogging camera — 1-inch sensor, ultrawide zoom, flip screen, and real-time Eye AF in a shirt pocket.
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
ZV-1 II (2023)
- Vloggers and content creators who want a pocketable fixed-lens camera
- Travellers who want 4K video and a flip screen in a jacket-pocket size
- ZV-1 owners who want a wider lens and improved subject tracking
- Beginners who want a simple, capable vlogging camera without changing lenses
Quick take: The zv-1 ii has the highest resolution at 20mp; the g85 is the most affordable; only the g85 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | G85 (2016) | ZV-1 II (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £350 | £649 |
| Sensor | 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS (no low-pass filter) | 20.1MP 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS |
| Resolution | 16.0MP | 20.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, DFD technology | Phase-detect + contrast, 315 points, Real-time Eye AF |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 (body + lens) | Optical SteadyShot (OIS) |
| Burst Rate | 9fps | 15fps |
| Battery Life | ~330 shots (CIPA) | ~260 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 426g (body only) | 292g |
| Dimensions | 128.4 × 89.2 × 74.3mm | 105.5 × 60.0 × 43.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification | None |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" fully tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Fixed zoom — 18–50mm f/1.8–4.0 equiv |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, Wi-Fi, NFC | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | G85 | ZV-1 II |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Street | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Family & Everyday | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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