Panasonic Lumix G80 G85 review 

Excellent information Gordon is a walking encyclopedia of camera information - nobody on the web can touch him depth of knowledge on specs and general information. Gordon and Doug -good work!

What an excellent, knowledgeable review.. This is not just a review of a camera , it is imparting photography knowledge as well. Thank you

2 plus years later but still a relevant discussion guys as I wrap up my research before going out to get me a G85 tomorrow. Still a great camera today in Aug 2019 given what I’ve managed to learn from a few generous YTubers like yourselves and I do appreciate all the detailed info you provided. Sub’d.

I just bought one today and have owned them (mirrorless cameras) all and I discovered something positive and negative about this camera that I haven't seen in any reviews yet. The positive is that it has absolutely the most accurate focusing system when using an adapted manual focus lens I have ever used. I was about to give up messing with manual focus lenses and now I have been saved. The bad news is that if you like to keep your focus point in the middle of your screen and you hold your eye to the viewfinder the way I do, you will end up inadvertently moving the focus point to the left using your nose. I just had to lock off the touch screen feature, which I can live without. By the way, Gordon, you are by far the best reviewer out there.

I have learnt a lot about photography just by watching your video reviews. Keep up the fabulous job!

Just rewatching this review- I love the topics that come up during the videos like sensor sizes and how they compare and diffraction.. really informative! Thanks for making these hour long videos!

Gordon on fire! There is absolutely no other reviews as good as yours!

The G85 has marvelous output and as time passes; this camera will remain a gem.

I've been using the camera for about a week now with a 14-140. I've got the 7-14 coming plus a 25 1.7. In Camera has been downloaded............A new adventure begins. Fantastic reviews, thanks.

I always enjoy your reviews, Gordon and Doug!

Thank you Gordon! The G85 has lured me away from my Pentax kit and into the world of video shooting. I have paired it with the Mitakon 25mm f/0.95 and I am having some fun! This review has taught me a few things about my new camera.

What a pleasure to hear such a well informed and well expressed review…superb!

I replaced the G7x with the G8x last year, but I have been waiting for this review nontheless. Very detailed and I liked the colab with Doug, well done.

Finally long and complete reviews :D

In the last 18 months I've become a TOTAL convert to M43. I've been through several bodies - Panasonic AND Olympus - but have now settled on a pair of GX80s - GX85 in the US - which have the same image stabilisation. As you say, that moment when the stabilisation kicks in is an amazing experience...

I was was so impressed by this review, I've decided to take a leap of faith and explore the world , tech and 4K of M4/3, more so the Panasonic G80. I still have an A7ii with great glass but I sold my A6000. The G80 is due today............! Great work Gordon & Doug, thanks.

I have to say: Doug's voice is soooo relaxing :D

keep the good work up! I also like, that your "self-advertisment" is so honest and unforceful. Really good!

oh sorry about the caps, wasn't yelling. i appreciate your reviews...thanks again ...mike

Great review guys and your video quality is excellent. Gordon, thank you for the great explanation of the In-body IS of the G80 when compared to other models, and the clear demonstration of Post-focus and focus stacking from 4K video awesome!

Hi guys, Gordon and Doug! Very interesting talk! Thank you ! Just discovered you guys, as I research for the G85 (trying to buy it from US or Canada to avoid the video limit in recording that G80 has due to EU laws). Some questions if I may that will help me a lot: Different set than usual youtube reviews in your video here: full hour talk instead of few minutes, over skype instead of a set in a room as one man show etc. May I ask out of curiocity: 1. what camera are you both using? Are you connecting a good DSLR to you laptop, or you use an HD laptop camera? 2. Audio: again, audio is just too good for a Skype interview, even if you have top internet speeds. What are you using there? Lavaliers attached to the laptop directly, or something else? 3. Are you uploading the recording as is, or you post produce the video, and then you upload it? 4. Also one of the reason I want the G85 is 4K and slow motion, as I only own a Canon 70D which does not have both of them. Can I do slow motion with the G85 or not at all, and should go with a A6300 instead? If you have links, it will be very useful. Thank you and keep up!

Hi Gordon! It's already June 2020, and I'm very tempted to buy a Panny G85. Would you still recommend it?

I've been wanting someone to compare exactly this! I always thought the APSC bodies had an edge. I need the G80! Another feature to note is the focus bracketing which no other manufacturer does, apart from the MFT guys. Pretty amazing feature if you love macro. Thank you!

A great review. I find it interesting how your reviews have changed since this one. The more recent ones are even more info packed. No waffle and no time wasting. Great. The one drawback with this camera which annoys me is the lack of auto iso when shooting video in manual exposure mode (unless I have missed a setting somewhere). That is pretty much the only time I want to use auto iso and it's not there. Seems strange for a camera from a company with Panasonic's video track record.

Panasonic Lumix cameras took me away from Canon some years ago after buying one as an all-rounder for my daughter's college course. I find the G80 makes a good second angle to the GH5 and is always the camera I grab first at the weekend, as it has great stability and is slightly smaller/lighter. As already mentioned being aware of lighting is important with any sensor size but for me ease of use, reliability and flexibility has always been the key, they pack a lot of features in.

So excited! I've just won the bidding on Ebay for one of these puppies. Looks like a good upgrade from my EOS M3 for video.

Thanks for another GREAT review on the G80/85. I own the GX85 and love the camera. But I do miss the more DSLR grip and size. Great job!

The camera also has full resolution RAW file focus bracketing which works well. In post you can use files to focus stack (using stacking software) or just pick the shot which has the right focus for you.

Hi guys, thanks so much for this great in-depth review of this camera. You probably just saved me a couple of hundreds euros, so you definitely deserve the coffee :) Thanks so much once again and I´m subscribing right away! Ciao :D

Cheers guys, thank you!

HEY GORDON AND DOUG, THANKS FOR THE REVIEW ON THE LUMIX G85. I HAVE CURRENTLY ON ORDER THE LUMIX FZ2500 BUT ALSO WANTED A BACK UP CAMERA........WELL AFTER YOUR REVIEW, I FOUND IT...THE G85. THANKS GUYS. MIKE

Excellent review Gordon. much appreciated. what is your experience of dynamic range with G80? howz the noise in the shadow?

Thanks for the review guys! Gordon I was on Brighton seafront yesterday with the G80 & Pana-Leica summilux 25mm f1.4. Great upgrade from the GM1! Both purchased after reading your reviews. Cheers

That's the first time it's ever sunk in how I should be thinking about f number differently with smaller sensors. I kind of knew about it but really didn't appreciate how much wider I might need to go. We don't have those depth of field marks on the lenses any more... thanks Gordon!

Always an education, whatever my interests. Thanks for the continuing reviews guys!

Gordon, You probably already know this, but DxOMARK lens tests will confirm what you are saying about optimal f/stops for lenses they tested. I found that my Panasonic 14mm to 140mm lenses was optimal at f/4 for 14mm and f/8 at 140mm on an Olympus OMD EM1 Mark II. (They did not have a test for my GX8.) That was really valuable to know and it proves out.

Great video, and review gentlemen! Once again Gordon shows us all what makes a camera great, and what can make a camera fail. Love your comments Doug and your thoroughness Gordon with these reviews, thanks!

wonderful review as always guys! Gordon, just about to purchase the G80/G85, could you recommend a UHS-II SD card for the camera for purchasing here in the UK - seems to be some confusing on several blogs as to if compatible - many thanks again

Gordon, although it may sound silly, it would help if you could do more on camera demonstrations of specific features on cameras as you did with the Post-Focus and Focus-Stacking examples.

The Gx8 and G80 are the same price in the UK at the moment with the same kit lens. I don't do much video and want this for images only would you say the G80 is still better for this? Love your reviews, very in depths!! Where can I find the podcasts?

Hi Gordan Enjoy watching your in depth reviews with Doug. I'm currently a Canon user and want to invest in mirrorless system to eliminate weight and to carry on my Vespa. I primarily shoot birds and flowers. I tried the Panasonic G85 and 100-400 Leica lens and was impressed on how good my Osprey pictures turned out and I was hand holding. I am not interested in the video aspect of any camera. My question is should I buy this set up or

Yep. A good value proposition. 4K preburst photo mode also is schmick and very handy for us BIFfers.

Really enjoyed the video. Worth the wait! Great to get such solid expert knowledge from someone who knows the m43 system inside out. Nice team work with Doug! I was surprised to hear that the G80/85 IBIS is as good as that of the Olympus EM1 mII. Other reviewers say that Olympus still has the upper hand at IBIS. I shot 60mm at 0.2s and got sharp pictures and I think IBIS is one of the greatest assets of the camera. Thanks for the great work!

Hello Gordon. Love the details that are brought up in your reviews. I was wondering if the quality and reliability of the evf was tested in bright sunlight. As the sensor is located on top of the eyepiece, it would be good to know wether this would cause a problem with stray light. I used to own a Fuji Xe2s and the sensor would shut the evf off in sunlight. No way to test first hand a 4/3 camera as there's no market for them this part of the world. But I did meet a guy who had ordered an em1 mark 1 and I just loved that form factor! Compact with a good grip. Decent IQ and plenty of buttons and dials for ease of use. Thank you.

I so gringe when people say "micro fourthirds sensor" (m4/3 sensor) when the sensor is still the old 2003 released 4/3" sensor format. The 4/3 system was two things: 4/3" sensor and 4/3 mount. Together they build the "4/3" aka FT system with all the flashes, image stabilization technologies etc. And then m4/3 aka MFT was designed and it only really changed the mount and lens design by adding two additional electronic contacts to the lens mount. Same old 4/3" sensor (Four Thirds sensor) but new m4/3 mount (MFT mount). And this causes that people talk about the format as "Micro sensor" while the sensor is still same format as 110 film format was (17.3x13mm), on what Olympus based the 4/3" format, based empiric studies and research by Olympus and Kodak of required print sizes, quality, camera size, needed focal lengths and advances in the computer science about digital processing, electronics, software development etc. So at least people could call it as what it is "Four Thirds sensor" instead "Micro Four Thirds sensor".

Micro 4/3rds like light. Plain and simple. Speed adapters make sense to get light in. The GH4 video sweetheart for years is all about getting the light right! APC, and Full Frame is not going to do well either with improper lighting and techniques. I am considering my on the go Panasonic G85, and or the G7. Along with lighting for what I will be shooting video, I think these cameras are the most bang for the buck. Also when your DSLR viewfinder is useless in low light, the EVF is still hanging in there. I am basically done with the Mirror slap, and this bulky noisy mechanical boxes being replaced with more efficient packaged Mirrorless whether APS-c or 4/3rds, or Full Frame. The Sony a9 is making a strong argument that DLSR's days are numbered. As soon as fast long focal length glass becomes a reality at Sony, the a9 will not be scoffed at. Mind you I have been loving SLR's forever. Am I a pro? Absolutely not. I do know what I like. And being a person on the go, I don't want to carry around a "Tank" of a DSLR. Mirrorless offers me a great lens eco system, and a much smaller, and able package for the trade shows I will video. It follows the trend of the best camera for you is the one that is with you. A big DSLR will no longer be with me. What I don't do. I am not a pro, don't shoot sports. Don't Pixel Peep. Not drinking the Kool Aid of Megapixels B.S. or other Marketing speak. I think Mirrorless overall will change overall how many will enjoy taking pictures beyond their still wanting Smartphones. By the way, I can still shoot 4K UHD video with my Samsung S7. But I want more, in a smaller package. Thanks for being here gentlemen. I could care less about pointless patterns. When was the Last time I evaluated a camera on a test pattern anyway?? Let's see. Never! I love you gentlemen don't either. So while I cannot afford a GH5, the G85, or the G7 is just so compelling for a me who wants value, because I will still use an external recorder too, and it will be all in a cage. So it better be small, but big in performance, and more. Panasonic is getting it right. Well done Gentlemen.

I'm torn between the Lumix G85 and the Fujifilm TX20. I'd like a nice camera for traveling with a few good lenses and I would like to shoot video. If it was your money which would you go for? Are there any other options to consider? Please Help!!

Really good! I have one by the way and I’m very pleased with it.

Love your reviews, you two make a great double act. For 'action' stuff I prefer to stick to my Canon DSLRs and that may be as much because I am so used to them but a year ago because I wanted to play with 4k video and didn't want pay too much for the experiment, I bought a Lumix G7 and found it great fun especially as a travel camera. However, it was a bit 'plastic' so when the beefed up G80/85 came out, I did a trade in and upgraded. It is in this context that I thought your review was very balanced also because of its focusing aides, it is my favourite bit of kit for using my vintage FD lenses on and I thought your comments on lens technology were pretty interesting and 'illuminating'.

Like your reviews very much. Not much coming anywhere near to your in-depth-reviews out there. 2 little questions left: What about the Dual IS and what about the electromagnetic shutter mechanism? The latter should avoid any shutter-shock without the need to use thebelectronic shutter.

Subbed!! Great work guys

Thank you Gordon & Doug for this in-depth review on the Lumix G80/85. Even after all the advanced improvements and new features, is the G80/85 really still positioned behind the GX8? I'm almost tempted to say that it's on par or even slightly better than the GX8.

I bought the G80 this year (2019) because of its IBIS. I'm an old fart now and I have shaky hands so for me the G80 is a god send. Great review Gordon.

Hi Gordon! 👋 First off, I love the reviews! I’ve become an avid viewer these past months. Up until now I’ve only been shooting on film (I just really like the look), but want a convenient digital camera to take along on trips, do some good video with and the occasional small scale commercial work (I have a bachelor in the audiovisual arts even though I’m now in IT). I was wondering, with the GX80 currently half price compared to the G80 (this is with respective kit lenses included), which model would you recommend?

With years in photography... here's what I notice with sensor size. Image from the following: Micro Four thirds photos = the closest to real life image. Its what our eyes sees everyday. APS=C = poster like photos / prints on magazine FULL frame = dream like / 3d cartoonish Medium format = glorified FF

not mention here in Japan it is called Panasonic G8 because like what you said it is replacing the Panasonic g7 then they called it Panasonic G8 only

I´m astonished that most people don´t realize, that the 16 Mpix Mft sensor has roughly 2/3rd the size of an APS-C sensor and also has 2/3rd the pixels - so the pixel density should roughly be the same (comparing with the 24mP APS-C sensors). So there´s really no reason why the Mft cameras should not perform the same als APS-C cameras. The reason that they do perform a little different lays not in the sensor size ...

Why not do some of your CAF tests panning a moving subject as well as with it approaching? I find the G85 often fails to lock on a BIF in that situation when the bird is closer to a textured background than to me. There seems to be a programmed preference for the more distant object.

thanks gordon - now i'm even more determined to buy one - but, what's your take on the 14-140 mm lens as a general walkaround/travel lens ?

And with the naturally deeper DoF on m4/3...you can sometimes have an advantage in low light shooting if your subjects are fairly still. That's because if you NEED that extra DoF for your subject, with a larger sensor that has thinner DoF, you'll either have to slow down the shutter speed more (might not be able to if you're hand holding the shot) or increase the ISO to keep an acceptable shutter speed as you make your aperture (say going from f/4 to f/8 for example). Basically, what you said :-) Shame that most people don't mention this.

I was told the kit lens is not weather sealed 12-60 one ? By The London camera exchange.

I was wondering, Gordon, how is the long exposure noise performance of this camera with noise reduction disabled?

The fella in the hat is a breath of fresh air. I've just bought the g80/85 used (100 stills).. €350 ... absolute bargain

Thank you for a thorough and very informative video without irrelevant information....a question regarding the Lumix G80/G85 and its auto ISO capabilities; if there isn't a parameter to set auto ISO while identifying an ISO maximum and a minimum shutter speed; is anyone aware of a firmware update or a forthcoming firmware update to address this?

Those "fractional differences" between 16, 20 and 24 MP, are fractional only under the sun, low iso, still subjects. But let's go to high iso, low light, widest apertures and we will see no fraction but big differences. That ideal sunlit landscape is within Photography the real fractional situation. I am a m43 shooter.

Im trying to figure out how my local camera store could recommend me the E-M5 Mk II instead of the G80/85. What is really better with the Olympus (yes, the headphone jack on the grip) - but what more? Today I use the small E-M10, and Im trying to figure out if the image quality will be raised wit any of them - or if the reason the go with one of the should be something else, the grip, the video, faster AF? Cause the image quality is about the same I guess? =P

Gordon, will you be commenting on the G80 12-60mm 'kit' lens in your text review?

I'm curious about the storage abilities of a standard SD card to go in this. How many minutes of 4K/1080p footage would i get on a 128 gb SD Card.

Great video gents, as always! And the fps on Gordon has increased! Yay! ;-)

Can the stop motion videos be uploaded to Instagram Stories / FEED? I like this style of body and all the physical buttons.

Did you find that G80 have extra crop (comparing to G7) when internal stabilization is ON? Can you discover this more?

hi Gordon, maybe you could help me with 1 thing - I'm looking for a flash light to use with my G80, but i would like to use the High Speed Sync on camera and remotely off camera. Which flashes will work?

Hey Gordon I've seen your videos on Vimeo and I can't decide between 1232 and 1260 lenses. You've tried them both. Which of these would yu recommend me in therms of sharpeness?

I've been a long time user of Sony eng cameras. I needed a small cam urgently when the g85 was first introduced. I was impressed with the features & specs so I dove into it rapidly. image quality for closeup work is great but anything beyond especially facial detail is really disappointing. about as good as my Samsung smartphone. could it be the lens... I'm using the kit lens, do you guys feel their other more pricy lenses might improve image quality? BTW my eng camera imager was even smaller than micro 4-3 but image quality is way beyond the g85.

The link to the "verdict" page is broken on the website.

You forgot to mention a compelling part of the Fuji xt-20. That for 200 dollars more than the standard kit you get the 18 to 55 f2.8 to f4 stabilized lens. Then again, one could buy the g85 kit, sell the kit lens for 300, and get a used Oly 12 to 45 f2.8 lens and it'll come out to around 200 dollars more than the Fuji set up. For that money though, I'd get the Fuji due to better lowlight compensating for lack of IBIS and more importantly better AFC and tracking, not to mention you can come closer to affording one of their very nice prime lenses, or a used manual nikon 100 - 200 f4 with the left over money. The x t20 is extremely competitively priced so I'll be anticipating the review for that.

Do the gx80 and g80 have the same ibis? I mean is it as in the gx80 as the one in the g80?

Gordon if you had to pick between the sony 6400 and the G85 which one would you pick if stabilization was not a factor?

HEY GORDON , GOT YOUR EMAIL YESTERDAY , THANKS. I WANTED TO TELL YOU THAT SHOWING ME HOW TO USE POST FOCUS ON YOUR CAMERA WAS GREAT. YEA I READ THE MANUAL FOR MY FZ2500 WHICH WILL ARRIVE APR 2, BUT I WANTED A BACKUP CAMERA WHICH WILL BE THE G85. BUT SEEING THE POST FOCUS MADE IT SO MUCH EASIER TO UNDERSTAND. LIKE PIC STACKING , THATS ANOTHER ONE. I' LL EXPERIMENT ON THAT ONE....IT WILL BE FUN. BUT ANYWAY THE QUESTION I FORGOT TO ASK YOU...CAN YOU SET UP THE G85 AND THE FZ2500 TO BACK BUTTON FOCUS?? SOME CAMERAS CANNOT DO IT.........FOR EXAMPLE THE NIKON P1000......GREAT CAMERA BUT MY FRIENDS AND I CANNOT SET IT UP...NO CUSTOM SETTING THAT WE COULD FIND. BUT ANYWAY CAN YOU SET UP BBF ON G85 AND FZ2500??? WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE LET ME KNOW...OTHERWISE I'M THINKING I COULD THE AF TRACKING WHICH ON BOTH THE FZ2500 AND G85 IF WE CAN'T. THANKS FOR YOUR IMPUT. LASTLY BY THE WAY I BOUGHT YOUR BOOK VIA KINDLE, HAVEN'T HAD TIME TO READ, BUT I KNOW IT WILL BE GOOD. THANKS AGAIN GORDON... MIKE

Sold.

GX8 also has 1/8000 mec shutter, right?

Is there an audio podcast of this?

What an excellent review. Thank you both.

Fantastic discussion. Thanks Gordon

41:20 [focus pulling in video] - Is it possible on G85 to preset two positions and move between them without focus hunting, like on GH5? If not, has there been any indication from Panasonic that they might add that feature through firmware update to G85?

Doug seems to be obsessed with diffraction. Honestly, I've shot up to f/8 on m43 with good glass and the images still look great. I guess if I compared apertures side by side or shot test charts, I' notice diffraction but II've read some insane comments about not shooting past f/4. I

Thankyou a very honest review, I use mft and I enjoy my GX8, I have to found out that various people who use full frame or aps-c those who are leading a class for example are unaware of the diffraction issue.

Running late on this cameras, but how would compare the old EM1 mk1 against this G85 at the same price?

Btw: so you all know, when you order the grip, you will get a Panasonic spare battery free.

I am planning to buy G80 with 12-60 kit lens and 25 mm 1.7. However, I am unable to decide between 30 mm macro and 42.7 mm as my 3rd lens. I have started doing stock photography. Please recommend

Hello everyone, I just got my G80 in the mail today and have what might be a silly question. When I tilt the camera when it’s off I can feel an internal shift in weight and the faint sound of something. Is this the sensor that’s sort of loose due to the IBIS system, or might there be something wrong with my camera? Thanks in advance! J.S.

Panasonic's model naming is even more confusing: In Germany the G80/G85 is called G81.

are these shows still available in podcast format anywhere, i enjoy listening as much as watching. and i can listen on the train. thanks for all your content, i love it all.

Thankyou for the excellent review Gordon and Doug. I've learnt quite a lot from it, and also your 'In Camera' book.I have an older model m4/3 camera, the Lumix G5. Would the G80 be an improvement on that for stills, as it is still the same sized sensor, or would I be better waiting for the next model?

Thank You both! Like always perfekt!

can you please suggest a store in London to buy G80.. thanks in advance

Your review is the only one that discusses UHS-II SD card compatibility. Now I know my buying options. I wish other review sites state the battery model number so owners of previous Panasonic cameras with same battery type, need not purchase additional batteries. My current camera is Olympus, so batteries won't fit and I will buy extra BLC 12 battery. I'm now a better informed consumer. Thank you.

Can I install the G85's firmware on the G80 to unlock the 30 min recording limit? I don't see why that would fail. Has anyone tried that?

Great presentation. I learned a few things. Thanks.

Great Review. Thank You both for all the work. I have a G7 and just traded up to a G85. I believe Shutter shock is a real issue on the G7.Gordon, I know you disagree and you have more experience with cameras, but I felt it.. I found I was getting way too many soft photos on the G7. Tried the G85 with the same lens and it is very VERY much better. Can I say definitively that its not due to the stabilisation in the G85? No I can't, but you can feel the thump in your hands with the G7. It feels crude and clunky by comparison. Focus on the G85 is also faster. Both cameras offer a lot of bang for the buck, but the G85 is my new camera. They threw in the 12-60 kit lens for $2 more than the body alone!!! Boxing day special. The shop said Panasonic are clearing them out.