Upgrade Guide
Lumix GH4→Lumix G85
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Situational
One clear hardware improvement over the GH4. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.
What's new in the G85
-
Generation2 years newer (2016 vs 2014)
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 | GH4 | G85 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +0.2 | ||
| Street | +0.3 | ||
| Travel | +0.3 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -0.1 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — | ||
| Filmmaking | -0.3 | ||
| Documentary | -0.3 | ||
| Sports & Action | -0.4 | ||
| Landscape | +0.1 | ||
| Wildlife | -0.1 | ||
| Casual | +0.4 | ||
| Food | +0.6 | ||
| Macro | +1.6 | ||
| Architecture | +0.1 | ||
| Astrophotography | -0.2 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | GH4 | G85 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £149 used | £176 used | |
| Released | 2014 | 2016 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 16.05MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS (no low-pass filter) | |
| Resolution | 16MP | 16MP | |
| Video | 4K/30p, C4K/24p (first consumer camera with 4K), 1080p/96fps | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect DFD AF, face detection | Contrast-detect AF, DFD technology | |
| Stabilisation | None (no body IBIS) | 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 (body + lens) | |
| Burst Rate | 12fps (AFS), 7fps (AFC) | 9fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~500 shots (CIPA) | ~330 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 560g (with battery and card) | 426g (body only) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.67× magnification | 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 | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
Compare side-by-side
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Get a personalised upgrade score
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the G85 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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