Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85: Tough Body and Electronic Shutter Window

In 2016, Panasonic released their newest camera. Namely, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85. This camera is equipped with features that are reliable in its time. Then, is this camera still good in 2019?. This series has a design that is almost the same as the DMC-G7. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 camera is a mirrorless camera.

However, it is similar to a DSLR camera. Panasonic equip this camera with sophisticated technology. Is this sophisticated technology still able to compete with the latest cameras? The following reviews about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 Body

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 has the same design as the previous series, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7. This camera body is tougher than the previous series. Even the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 is weatherproof and dustproof.

In terms of body size, the Lumix G85 is smaller than its predecessor’s camera. Its design resembles a DSLR, making this camera more solid to hold than other mirrorless cameras. Panasonic G85 has a good body balance so it is very easy to use with one hand.

For the outer layer of the body, the Panasonic Lumix G85 is covered with plastic material. But to make it tough against various weather, there is a magnesium plate on the front of the camera. With this plate, the Panasonic Lumix G85 can deal with dust and splashes of water well.

Featured

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 camera has a 16Mpx Digital Live MOS sensor. Whereas for ISO this camera can work up to 25.6000. So it has the ability to produce perfect photos and videos with low lighting conditions. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 has a new 2.36M dot electronic OLED viewfinder.

This means that the enlargement is greater than that of the G7. Besides supporting 4K photos and videos, this camera has a Dual Image Stabilizer (works when using a 5-axis OIS lens) on the camera body (BIS) and 2-axis on the lens (OIS), as well as waterproof and dust.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 adopts new technology with an electromagnetic shutter on the shutter unit and magnesium front panel so that it can suppress shutter shock up to 90% when shooting. Thanks to 4K Photo like the previous Lumix G85 camera series, it can do Post Focus, plus another new mode feature is Focus Stacking directly from the camera (without post processing) and a few more.

In my opinion the main advantage of the Lumix G series generally compared to other similar cameras is that it is located at 4K PHOTO and 4K Video in addition to its image quality, color and AF speed.

Image and Video Quality

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 supports the same movie recording capabilities as other newly released Panasonic cameras. Includes 4K recording at a frame size of 3840 x 2160 pixels with a choice of frame rates that include 30, 25 or 24 frames / sec (fps) and a bit rate of 100 Mbps. Full HD and HD recording are also available at frame rates of 60p, 50p, 30p and 25p.

Next, about Panasonic’s vidio. Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 video capabilities, it has the same 16-megapixel Four Thirds Sensor resolution as most other G-series cameras. However, a new chip has been paired with the latest Venus Engine IX quad-core processor. This new processor without low-fitting filter so that it can increase the resolution up to 10% (compared to G7) also increases the ability to track fast-moving subjects.

Ultra High Speed Focus

Thanks to DFD (Depth Of Defocus) technology that works directly calculates the distance to the subject by evaluating two images of different levels of sharpness. Ultra-fast AF 6-fps continuous shot with AF-C, and 9-fps continuous shot with AFS is very possible.

Compatibility with UHS-II SDXC / SDHC Memory Cards and increasing buffer memory increases the maximum number of recordable images in successive shots of up to 300 (JPEG) / 45 (RAW) or more.

Read too about Panasonic Lumix GF10: Mirroless Camera has a Size like a Pocket Camera

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 is priced starting at US $ 899 for the body only. The package is with a 12-60mm F3.5-5.6 Power O.I.S kit lens priced at US $ 999. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 is also capable of reliable video recording up to 4K resolution, has an LCD touch screen that can be folded and rotated, equipped with WiFi, and supported by DFD focus technology (Depth from Defocus).

To hone creativity, Panasonic added the L. Monochrome color effect for better black and white photos. The Focus Stacking function is also present here that allows you to adjust the focus area after the photo is taken.