With 4K video and advanced stabilization, the $800 Lumix GX85 hits a sweet spot

The GX85, shown here with the new DMW-FL200L flash and video light.

Lori Grunin/CNET

If the Panasonic Lumix GX85 is an update to any camera currently in the company's mirrorless-interchangeable lineup, it's really the G7, even though that model is still current and less than a year old. But with an $800 price for the kit, an electronic viewfinder, fast continuous shooting and 4K video, it fits right into that camera's demographic: an enthusiast-friendly model with a feature set that should also appeal to families and travelers at a reasonable price. Plus, it has a more attractive design.

I don't yet have prices for Australia or the UK, but its US price with the 12-32mm f3.5-5.6 power-zoom lens directly converts to £560 and AU$1,050. Keep in mind that Panasonic rarely offer the consumer models as body-only in the US, but frequently does in other regions. That lens is compact, especially for its 24-64mm equivalent focal length, and essentially turns the camera into an oversized point-and-shoot. It's slated to ship at th e end of May.

Panasonic also announced a new flash, the $230 DMW-FL200L (GN20), which has a tilting head for bouncing light, and an LCD array for continuous video lighting. It also supports wireless control and triggering. The back has a retro design, all dials rather than an LCD; it's basic, but easy to understand.

In addition to some hardware that Panasonic debuts in the GX85, it incorporates all the latest Panasonic features, including 4K burst modes and post focus as implemented in the ZS100.

What's new

Sensor. Although it's still 16 megapixels, not the new 20.3MP sensor that's in the GX8, it's a new version of the Four Thirds-size sensor that forgoes an antialiasing filter (aka OLPF). Cameras use them to blur edges slightly, which removes some color artifacts (moire and false color) that would normally appear, but you sacrifice sharpness. The new version of the company's Venus image-processing engine which is in the GX85 has moire-reduction built in to comp ensate.

Stabilization. This model uses hybrid stabilization, a combination of 5-axis sensor-shift (which Panasonic calls BIS, for Body Image Stabilizer) plus optical stabilization if a supporting lens is attached (similar to Olympus' Sync IS). It's definitely a useful feature. Unlike Olympus' implementation, though, Panasonic lenses with OIS will be able to support it via a firmware update.

Vibration-reduced shutter. Panasonic claims its new electromagnetic shutter mechanism, which swaps springs for electronics and is made of lighterweight carbon fiber, reduces shutter shock by about 10 percent. In practice, that should mean sharper photos at slower shutter speeds.

Wi-Fi update. With this camera, Panasonic introduces password-free connection between the camera and your mobile devices.

My take

Overall, it sounds like a solid mix of features and performance specs, though there are some potential pitfalls. First, the battery life: it's rated at 290 shots, which is low even by ILC standards. The sensor is also a wildcard, since it's the first AA-filter free one for Micro Four Thirds. And I suspect some potential buyers of this camera would prefer a flip-up display for selfies and groupies. Still, not compared with similarly priced direct competitors like the Olympus E-M10 Mark II.

Panasonic's marketing will stress the video aspects of the camera, which makes sense given that it's the only ILC in its price range with full 4K video support; the Samsung NX500 does and is still available, but it lacks a viewfinder. Plus no one knows what's up with Samsung's camera division these days.

Comparative specs Fujifilm X-T10 Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 Pansonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Sensor effective resolution 16.3MP X-Trans CMOS II 16.1MP Live MOS 16MP Live MOS 16MP Live MOS Sensor size 23.6 x 15.8mm 17.3mm x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm 17.3mm x 13mm Focal-length multiplier 1.5x 2.0x 2.0x 2.0x OLPF No Yes Yes No Sensitivity range ISO 100 (exp)/200 - ISO 6400/51200 (exp) ISO 100 (exp)/ISO 200 - ISO 25600 ISO 100 (exp)/ISO 200 - ISO 25600 ISO 100 (exp)/ISO 200 - ISO 25600 Burst shooting 8fps8 JPEG/n/a raw 4fpsunlimited JPEG/raw(8.5fps with focus and exposure fixed on the first frame and no IS) 6fps 100 JPEG/13 raw(8fps with focus fixed on first frame) 6fps at least 100 JPEG/13 raw (10fps with electronic shutter and focus fixed on the first frame) Viewfinder (mag/ effective mag) EVF0.4-inch/10mm 2.4m dots100% coverage0.93x/0.62x EVF100% coverage2.4m dots1.08-1.23x/0.59-0.63x OLED EVF100% coverage2.4m dots1.4x/0.7x EVF100% coverage2.8m dots1.4x/0.7x Hot shoe Yes Yes Yes Yes Autofocus 77-point phase-detection AF49-area Contrast AF 81-areaContrast AF 49-area DFD Contrast AF 49-area DFD Contrast AF AF sensitivity n/a n/a -4 - 18 EV -4 - 18 EV Shutter speed 30-1/4,000 sec.; bulb to 60 min; 1/180 x-sync (electronic shutter to 1/32,000 sec) 60-1/4,000 sec (1/16,000 sec electronic shutter); bulb; 1/250 sec x-sync (1/200 with external flash) 1/4,000 to 60 secs (up to 1/16,000 with electronic shutter); bulb to 2 minutes; 1/160 sec x-sync 60 -1/4,000 sec; max 1/16,000 sec with electronic shutter; 1/160 sec x-sync; bulb to 2 minutes Shutter durability n/a n/a n/a n/a Metering 256 zones 324 area 1,728 zone 1,728 zone Metering sensitivity n/a -2 - 20 EV 0 - 18 EV 0 - 18 EV Best video H.264 QuickTime MOV 1080/60p H.264 QuickTime MOV 1080/30p @ 77Mbps; 1080/60p @ 52Mbps H.264 QuickTime MOVUHD/30p, 25p, 24p @ 100Mbps; 1080/60p, 50p, 25p, 24p @ 28Mbps H.264 QuickTime MOV4K UHD/30p, 25p, 24p @ 100Mbps; 1080/60p, 50p, 25p, 24p @ 200Mbps Audio Stereo Stereo Stereo; mic input Stereo Manual aperture and sh utter in video n/a Yes Yes Yes Maximum best-quality recording time per clip 14 minutes 29 minutes 29:59 mins 4GB/29:59 minutes IS Optical Sensor shift5 axis Optical Hybrid optical, sensor shift5 axis LCD 3 in/7.5 cmTilting920,000 dots 3-inch/7.5cmTilting touchscreen1.04m dots 3 in/7.5cmArticulated touchscreen1.04m dots 3-inch/7.5 cmTilting touchscreen1.04 million dots Memory slots 1 x SDXC 1 x SDXC 1 x SDXC 1 x SDXC Wireless connection Wi-Fi Wi-Fi Wi-Fi Wi-Fi Flash Yes Yes Yes Yes Wireless flash Yes Yes No Yes Battery life (CIPA rating) 350 shots(1,120 mAh) 320 shots(1,175 mAh) 360 shots(1,200mAh) 290 shots (LCD); 270 shots (EVF) (1,025 mAh) Size (WHD) 4.7 x 3.3 x 1.6 in118.4 x 82.8 x 40.8 mm 4.7x3.3x1.8 in120x83x47mm 4.9 x 3.4 x 3.1 in124.9 x 86.2 x 77.4 mm 4.8 x 2.8 x 1.7 in122 x 71 x 44 mm Body operatin g weight 13.4 oz (est.)381 g (est.) 14.1 oz400 g 14.7 oz418 g 15 oz (est.)426g (est.) Primary kit $750 (est.)£550 (est.)AU$1,000 (est.)(with 16-50mm lens) $700£650AU$800 (est.)(with 14-42mm EZ lens) $800£500 (est.)AU$900(with 14-42mm lens) $800(with 12-32mm lens) Release date June 2015 September 2015 June 2015 May 2016
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