Upgrade Guide
Lumix G9 II→Lumix G85
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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The G85 offers little measurable spec improvement over the G9 II. Spend the money on glass instead.
Unchanged or similar
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Resolution16MP (down from 25MP — optimised for low light)
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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 | G9 II | G85 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -2.5 | ||
| Street | -0.7 | ||
| Travel | -0.5 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -3.5 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | -2.2 | ||
| Filmmaking | -2.7 | ||
| Documentary | -2.8 | ||
| Sports & Action | -3.3 | ||
| Landscape | -1.5 | ||
| Wildlife | -2.6 | ||
| Casual | -1.4 | ||
| Food | -1.5 | ||
| Macro | -1.4 | ||
| Architecture | -2.0 | ||
| Astrophotography | -0.9 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | G9 II | G85 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,499 | £350 | |
| Released | 2023 | 2016 | ↓ |
| Sensor | 25.2MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS (no low-pass filter) | |
| Resolution | 25MP | 16MP | ↓ |
| Video | 5.8K/30p, 4K/120p, C4K/60p, V-Log | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF with subject/face/eye detection | Contrast-detect AF, DFD technology | |
| Stabilisation | 8-stop IBIS (with OIS lenses) | 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 (body + lens) | |
| Burst Rate | 25fps with AF / 75fps electronic (fixed focus) | 9fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | 680 shots (CIPA) | ~330 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 658g (body only) | 426g (body only) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | 0.76" OLED EVF, 3.68M dots | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification | |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M dots | |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II | Single SD UHS-I slot |
Compare side-by-side
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