Panasonic Lumix GX85 (GX80)
Announced April 5, 2016
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Panasonic Lumix GX85 is a capable, compact mirrorless camera that balances strong 4K video and stills performance with a well-built, portable design. While it lacks some professional conveniences like a microphone input and weather sealing, it remains a highly regarded, budget-friendly option for street and travel photography.
Weighted from 29 reviewer scores
Pros
- Versatile 5-axis in-body image stabilization
- High-quality 4K video and photo capture
- Fast and responsive autofocus system
- Compact, ergonomic, and well-built body
- Detailed images from sensor without low-pass filter
Cons
- Absence of microphone and headphone ports
- Mediocre electronic viewfinder performance
- Limited battery life and lack of included charger
- Screen lacks full articulation for vlogging or selfies
- No weather sealing
- Launch price $799.99 (USD)
- Sensor 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS
- Video 4K 30p
- Stabilization In-body IS
- Burst 40 fps electronic 8 fps mechanical
What the Reviewers Say
All 29 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
Is this product missing a reputable review? Share a link to a review article or YouTube video for consideration.
- DPReview 82/100
The GX85 is a sound choice for those seeking a lightweight interchangeable lens camera offering excellent stills and video quality, good ergonomics and solid autofocus.
-
The Panasonic GX85 comes close to offering the ideal blend of image quality, functionality, speed and size in our book, packing a ton of advanced features and performance into a compact, well-built body, all at a fair price.
-
I think this is a great stills camera, and I use Micro Four Thirds myself, even though for the same price point you can get Sonys and Fujis with bigger sensors, better low-light performance, yada-yada-yada.
- WIRED 7/10
Even with the flawed EVF, you're still getting a lot of camera for $700. In fact the GX85, despite a couple shortcomings, is one of the year's best Micro Four Thirds camera releases. Its smaller design makes it a good choice for travel and street photography.
-
The Panasonic Lumix GX80 offers a compelling set of features and shows that Panasonic are continuing to innovate in the digital camera market, with a new shutter unit designed to reduce shutter vibration as well as reduce shutter sound.
-
[T]he GX80 represents excellent value for money because it has an extensive feature set, great image quality, and its in a more portable and arguably more attractive body that the GX8, being as it is more similar to the popular old GX7.
-
The GX80 is a great compact system camera, with a small body, good handling and a huge range of interchangeable lenses.
-
In terms of bang for your buck, the Panasonic was a good deal when it was first launched seven years ago.
-
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 is a compact mirrorless camera with quick autofocus, strong image quality, and 4K video capture.
-
The Panasonic GX80 consistently performs to a high level. It's compact in size but with an excellent EVF and tilting screen, is packed with useful and fun-to-use features and is extremely well specified.
-
Broadly speaking the Panasonic Lumix GX80 uses the same viewfinder and screen as the older GX7, with the main difference being that the EVF no longer tilts upwards.
-
[T]hose are minor gripes and aside from that I think as a stills camera I think this is an incredible bang for your buck if you're looking to get into a Micro Four Thirds system this is an excellent starting point.
- CNET 8.2/10
[I]t’s one of the better cameras in its price class, especially if you want the advantages a mirrorless confers over a similarly priced dSLR: it’s smaller, as fast or faster, has a more advanced autofocus system and a boatload more features including 4K video.
-
The Panasonic GX80 is one of the best deals on a micro four thirds cameras, or even a mirrorless camera that you can find today.
- Photo Review 9/10
Resolution-wise there’s not much difference between them (16MP vs 20MP), so if you’re looking for an enthusiast-orientated, compact, interchangeable-lens camera with 4K support the GX85 is an attractive option.
-
I love the Panasonic GX85.
-
Just because it's smaller and more affordable than its bigger brother doesn't mean it's scrimped on the features front at all - indeed it's added many that other Lumix G-series models lack.
-
There’s nothing particularly radical about the GX80, but I often find that it’s mid-range models like this that provide the best value.
-
[Y]ou’re getting a lot for your money.
-
Altogether, Panasonic made a really capable camera in a tiny package. What I think stands out is overall simplicity of use.
-
[A] very, very good camera. There's not really one groundbreaking feature in it, but it's a small, well-built camera with a ton of features.
-
With its compact form factor and extensive feature set, the Panasonic Lumix GX85 is a multi-purpose camera that will serve its owner well in almost all situations, especially when you want a discreet shooter for street or other candid work.
-
I think that Panasonic have got the balance just about right with the Panasonic Lumix GX85 (GX80). I think it's a superb camera.
-
Add the eagerness of the state-of-the-art focusing performance, the compact dimensions, and stunningly sharp micro four/ third image quality and a notably reasonable price, and you have a compelling camera, period.
-
This is a very cheap camera actually, it's quite the budget camera, but you can see in my videos what it is actually capable of.
-
I'd say it's still a great value in that $400 to $500 range.
-
I do take others, but the main one I take is the Panasonic Lumix GX85 (GX80), and I can highly recommend this camera for anyone who wants a nice discreet camera but something you can use for other purposes as well.
-
For travellers I’d recommend the Panasonic Lumix GX80 as an excellent all-round camera. It will help you take better photographs when you need something that’s a step up from your camera phone.
-
Lumix GX80 is definitely my favourite small camera. And I hope this review is going to make your decision on buying your perfect camera easier.
Compare
See how the Panasonic Lumix GX85 (GX80) stacks up against other cameras.
Pick Your Own
