• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D3400 advantages over Panasonic G85

  • Less expensive
    $497 vs $698
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 0.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,192 vs 656 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 12.5 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1200 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Panasonic G85 advantages over Nikon D3400

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 83 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.74x vs 0.57x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.4 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 100 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.6 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    50 vs 12 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3400

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic G85

Review Excerpt

  • Compact DSLR camera body; Excellent image quality; Reliable single-shot autofocus; Good continuous JPEG shooting performance; New kit lens has improved AF; Great value at current prices.

  • SnapBridge is slow and limited; Poor continuous autofocus; No built-in Wi-Fi; Mediocre video features.

  • Very good image quality; Very good high ISO performance and dynamic range; Fast and accurate autofocus; Excellent 4K video recording quality and features.

  • OLPF-less sensor is prone to moiré; Electronic viewfinder struggles in low light; Continuous autofocus is limited to 6fps shooting; Below average battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Canon T6i

Nikon D3400
Canon T6i
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic G85
Canon T6i
  • $831
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D5500

Nikon D3400
Nikon D5500
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic G85
Nikon D5500
  • $831
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Nikon D3400
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1324
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic G85
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $831
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1324
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Canon SL2

Nikon D3400
Canon SL2
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic G85
Canon SL2
  • $831
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon T7

Nikon D3400
Canon T7
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $464
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Panasonic G85
Canon T7
  • $831
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $464
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
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