Let me start by stating that the camera division of Panasonic are a collection of clear thinking, creative geniuses working with very capable engineers to realize these Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras packed with so many features; truly, a creative photographer’s dream come true.
[caption id="attachment_3444" align="alignnone" width="731"]
Credit: Ralph Elliott Starkweather[/caption]
There are so many practical bells and whistles:
Viewfinder resolution and size increased; so, a very pleasant experience through the viewfinder (the first thing I noticed).
Credit: Ralph Elliott Starkweather[/caption]
Now I must confess, I used the G85 with the 12-60mm for one of my re-occuring commercial jobs for Red Bull documenting their giant wall art on the side of a building in DownTown Los Angeles. The client and various people associated loved the look and sharpness I achieved with this camera using the “everything” kit lens 24mm to 120mm.
[caption id="attachment_3442" align="alignnone" width="716"]
Credit: Ralph Elliott Starkweather[/caption]
The feel of this camera is so sturdy and so well balanced in my hand with the kit lens, and has a very generous range that can cover it all. The buttons are in the right place, with mode dial on the right side and the other dial on the left side: single shot, multiple shot drive, 4K stills, Post Focus , and 2 and 10-second self-timers.
We had a few days of well-needed rain recently so I took advantage of this to shoot in the rain without an umbrella. To be honest, after 45 years of shooting, since I was a kid I had to put it under my jacket. I have always protected my camera in rain. So, I failed on this test. I have seen videos of this camera getting a major dousing with little to no effects. I’ll take their word on this.
One thing I love to do is to shoot in art museums and we have so many here in the Southern California area. I love testing cameras in these environments.
For this, I chose the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena filled with many treasures of art. A quiet camera is a must and this one is very quiet; so, I used ISO 3200. We used to be limited to ISO 400, sometimes ISO 800 with film in the old days so 3200 and that revolutionary 5 Axis stabilizer allows you to shoot in very low light at lower ISOs without camera shake.
[caption id="attachment_3441" align="alignnone" width="705"]
Credit: Ralph Elliott Starkweather[/caption]
One negative is if you keep your LCD on full time, you will drain the small battery that comes with it in a short period of time. But, I learned if you use a power save feature you can double or triple your battery life. But I say to you, buy 2 more batteries: no big deal.
I have to mention this which makes Panasonic the great thinking and design company they are: they moved the SD card slot to the side so if you have your camera on a tripod, you can access your SD card easily rather than taking it off the tripod to remove the card. I can go on and on, but there are so many videos and reviews out there. Please check my photos to see what I could do with the wondrous Panasonic G85 camera.
[caption id="attachment_3445" align="alignnone" width="730"]
Credit: Ralph Elliott Starkweather[/caption]
Would I like to own this camera? I might consider doing so. It is so small, lightweight and produces very sharp images because of the fact there is no AA filter; not to mention a very pleasing color palette. I could see packing just that one camera with the “everything” 12-60mm Kit Lens. You also have 27 other Panasonic lenses to choose from to meet your style of photography. I can see taking off for a week’s shoot someplace exotic and colorful (let’s say India) and be confident I would come back with enough images for a large exhibition with the GX85 and 12mm - 60mm lens. I am a big fan of Panasonic cameras and lenses, especially this G85!
Credit: Ralph Elliott Starkweather[/caption]
There are so many practical bells and whistles:
Viewfinder resolution and size increased; so, a very pleasant experience through the viewfinder (the first thing I noticed).
- In camera 5 axis stabilization
- AA filter removed for maximum sharpness
- Great range and sharp kit lens (12-60mm/24-120mm)
- Weather sealed (splash proof and dust proof)
- New delicate electronic shutter prevents further-camera shake
- 1/16,000 shutter speed (no, not a typo…crazy)
- 4K 30 fps 8 mp stills for capturing the perfect action frame
- 9 fps drive 45
- 45 frame raw buffer
- Lightning fast 49 point focus
- Face Recognition
Credit: Ralph Elliott Starkweather[/caption]
Now I must confess, I used the G85 with the 12-60mm for one of my re-occuring commercial jobs for Red Bull documenting their giant wall art on the side of a building in DownTown Los Angeles. The client and various people associated loved the look and sharpness I achieved with this camera using the “everything” kit lens 24mm to 120mm.
[caption id="attachment_3442" align="alignnone" width="716"] Credit: Ralph Elliott Starkweather[/caption]
The feel of this camera is so sturdy and so well balanced in my hand with the kit lens, and has a very generous range that can cover it all. The buttons are in the right place, with mode dial on the right side and the other dial on the left side: single shot, multiple shot drive, 4K stills, Post Focus , and 2 and 10-second self-timers.
We had a few days of well-needed rain recently so I took advantage of this to shoot in the rain without an umbrella. To be honest, after 45 years of shooting, since I was a kid I had to put it under my jacket. I have always protected my camera in rain. So, I failed on this test. I have seen videos of this camera getting a major dousing with little to no effects. I’ll take their word on this.
One thing I love to do is to shoot in art museums and we have so many here in the Southern California area. I love testing cameras in these environments.
For this, I chose the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena filled with many treasures of art. A quiet camera is a must and this one is very quiet; so, I used ISO 3200. We used to be limited to ISO 400, sometimes ISO 800 with film in the old days so 3200 and that revolutionary 5 Axis stabilizer allows you to shoot in very low light at lower ISOs without camera shake.
[caption id="attachment_3441" align="alignnone" width="705"] Credit: Ralph Elliott Starkweather[/caption]
One negative is if you keep your LCD on full time, you will drain the small battery that comes with it in a short period of time. But, I learned if you use a power save feature you can double or triple your battery life. But I say to you, buy 2 more batteries: no big deal.
I have to mention this which makes Panasonic the great thinking and design company they are: they moved the SD card slot to the side so if you have your camera on a tripod, you can access your SD card easily rather than taking it off the tripod to remove the card. I can go on and on, but there are so many videos and reviews out there. Please check my photos to see what I could do with the wondrous Panasonic G85 camera.
[caption id="attachment_3445" align="alignnone" width="730"] Credit: Ralph Elliott Starkweather[/caption]
Would I like to own this camera? I might consider doing so. It is so small, lightweight and produces very sharp images because of the fact there is no AA filter; not to mention a very pleasing color palette. I could see packing just that one camera with the “everything” 12-60mm Kit Lens. You also have 27 other Panasonic lenses to choose from to meet your style of photography. I can see taking off for a week’s shoot someplace exotic and colorful (let’s say India) and be confident I would come back with enough images for a large exhibition with the GX85 and 12mm - 60mm lens. I am a big fan of Panasonic cameras and lenses, especially this G85!
