Upgrade Guide
Lumix GH5 II→Lumix G85
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
→
Skip it
The G85 offers little measurable spec improvement over the GH5 II. Spend the money on glass instead.
Unchanged or similar
-
Resolution16MP (down from 20MP — optimised for low light)
-
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 | GH5 II | G85 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -0.8 | ||
| Street | +0.4 | ||
| Travel | +0.5 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -1.8 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | -1.0 | ||
| Filmmaking | -1.8 | ||
| Documentary | -1.4 | ||
| Sports & Action | -0.7 | ||
| Landscape | -0.4 | ||
| Wildlife | -0.3 | ||
| Casual | -0.7 | ||
| Food | -0.4 | ||
| Macro | -0.3 | ||
| Architecture | -0.6 | ||
| Astrophotography | -1.0 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | GH5 II | G85 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £899 | £350 | |
| Released | 2021 | 2016 | ↓ |
| Sensor | 20.3MP Four Thirds Live MOS | 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS (no low-pass filter) | |
| Resolution | 20MP | 16MP | ↓ |
| Video | Unlimited 6K/4K recording, 4K/60p, 10-bit 4:2:2, V-Log | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF with Depth-from-Defocus (225 areas), face/eye detection | Contrast-detect AF, DFD technology | |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS with Dual I.S. 2 | 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 (body + lens) | |
| Burst Rate | 9fps | 9fps | |
| Battery Life | 410 shots (CIPA) | ~330 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 727g (with battery and card) | 426g (body only) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | EVF | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification | |
| Screen | 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
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See GH5 II 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 GH5 II
Related buying guides