Upgrade Guide
Lumix S5 IIX→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 S5 IIX. Spend the money on glass instead.
Unchanged or similar
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Resolution16MP (down from 24MP — 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 | S5 IIX | G85 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -3.3 | ||
| Street | -0.7 | ||
| Travel | -0.5 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -3.9 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | -2.4 | ||
| Filmmaking | -3.9 | ||
| Documentary | -3.1 | ||
| Sports & Action | -2.7 | ||
| Landscape | -2.2 | ||
| Wildlife | -1.9 | ||
| Casual | -1.2 | ||
| Food | -1.7 | ||
| Macro | -1.1 | ||
| Architecture | -2.7 | ||
| Astrophotography | -3.1 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | S5 IIX | G85 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,399 | £350 | |
| Released | 2023 | 2016 | ↓ |
| Sensor | 24.2MP full-frame CMOS | 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS (no low-pass filter) | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 16MP | ↓ |
| Video | 6K/30p Open Gate, 4K/60p 10-bit, ProRes RAW via HDMI — V-Log, LUT support | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p | |
| Autofocus | Phase-hybrid AF — improved over S5 with subject recognition | Contrast-detect AF, DFD technology | |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS — 6.5 stops | 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 (body + lens) | |
| Burst Rate | 9fps mechanical, 30fps electronic (6MP crop) | 9fps | |
| Battery Life | ~370 shots (CIPA) | ~330 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 740g (body only) | 426g (body only) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | OLED EVF, 3.68M-dot, 0.78× | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification | |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.84M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M dots | |
| Mount | L-mount (Leica/Panasonic/Sigma) | Micro Four Thirds | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD UHS-I slot |
Compare side-by-side
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