Upgrade Guide
Lumix G7→Lumix G85
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
→
Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the G7. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the G85
-
Weather sealingAdded — fully sealed body
-
Generation1 year newer (2016 vs 2015)
Unchanged or similar
-
ResolutionSimilar (16MP)
-
StabilisationIBIS not present in new body
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | G7 | G85 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +0.2 | ||
| Street | -0.2 | ||
| Travel | +0.4 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +0.7 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | -0.1 | ||
| Filmmaking | +0.3 | ||
| Documentary | +0.9 | ||
| Sports & Action | +0.8 | ||
| Landscape | +0.7 | ||
| Wildlife | +0.9 | ||
| Casual | — | ||
| Food | +0.5 | ||
| Macro | +2.3 | ||
| Architecture | +0.1 | ||
| Astrophotography | -0.1 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | G7 | G85 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £176 | £350 | |
| Released | 2015 | 2016 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS | 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS (no low-pass filter) | |
| Resolution | 16MP | 16MP | |
| Video | 4K/30p, Full HD 1080p/60 | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | |
| Autofocus | 49-area contrast AF with DFD, face and eye detection, touch AF | Contrast-detect AF, DFD technology | |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 (body + lens) | |
| Burst Rate | 8fps (6fps with continuous AF) | 9fps | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~360 shots (CIPA) | ~330 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 410g (with battery) | 426g (body only) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Yes | ↑ |
| Viewfinder | OLED EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.7x (35mm equiv.) | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification | |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M dots | |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See G7 and G85 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
Run the upgrade checker →
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the G85 against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the G7
Related buying guides
Camera family history