• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GX85 advantages over Panasonic FZ2500

  • Less expensive
    $598 vs $898*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 2.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 134 mm
    Thinner
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 100 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic FZ2500 advantages over Panasonic GX85

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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 Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Panasonic GX85

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent build-quality; Good ergonomics for its size; Built-in 5-axis Dual IS, Built-in EVF; Tilting LCD touchscreen monitor; Competitive still image quality; Excellent 4K video quality; Fast autofocus and burst modes; Generous buffers; Tons of advanced features; Built-in Wi-Fi.

  • EVF could be better; Sluggish RAW and RAW+JPEG buffer clearing; No external mic and headphone jacks; Slow x-sync speed; Mediocre battery life.

  • Rugged camera body with many physical controls; Generally excellent image quality & high ISO performance for its class; Versatile zoom lens; Fast and accurate autofocus; Unlimited 4K video recording; Fast full-res burst mode with generous buffers.

  • Continuous autofocus performance struggles at telephoto end; Slow buffer clearing (no UHS-II support); Lens produces soft corners at most focal lengths.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic FZ1000

Panasonic GX85
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • NFC
Panasonic FZ2500
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $931
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Panasonic GX85
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1199
  • 1 inch
  • External Mic Jack
  • Higher max flash sync
Panasonic FZ2500
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $931
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $1199
  • 1 inch

Compared to Olympus E-M10 II

Panasonic GX85
Olympus E-M10 II
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More telephoto lens reach
Panasonic FZ2500
Olympus E-M10 II
  • $931
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Panasonic GX85
Olympus E-PL8
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach
Panasonic FZ2500
Olympus E-PL8
  • $931
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Panasonic GX85
Olympus E-PL9
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
Panasonic FZ2500
Olympus E-PL9
  • $931
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
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