For a while, the Panasonic GH4 was the go-to choice for consumers interested in a professional-grade mirrorless camera that can handle 4K video. That has, of course, changed over the last year or two, with new 4K-capable shooters showing up one after another. They’re getting more affordable, too, with the Panasonic Lumix GX85 being the latest of the lot.
A mirrorless micro-four thirds camera, it brings the same 4K capabilities as Panasonic’s other recent releases, allowing it to record ultra-HD video at up to 30 fps. It comes with a selection of handy 4K features, too, including extracting 8 megapixel stills from 4K footage, 4K Post Focus (it shoots images at a range of focus points, then lets you choose the focus post-shoot), and shooting 4K images at 30fps bursts.
The Panasonic Lumix GX85 uses a 16 megapixel micro-four thirds image sensor, with a 5-axis in-body stabilizer and two-axis stabilized lenses ensuring any photos and videos you take look perfectly steady and shake-free. Quick-access thumbwheel controls and an eye-level electronic viewfinder should feel familiar to long-time photography enthusiasts, while the tilting 3-inch LCD enables you to shoot subjects from the most awkward angles.
Features include an ISO range of 200 to 25,600, high-speed autofocus, built-in WiFi (for instantly uploading images and remote control via an accompanying app), and 27 interchangeable lens options. Measuring just 4.8 x 2.8 x 1.7 inches, its bulk is close to half of some DSLRs in the market, making for quite the compact rig.
Slated to ship in May, the Panasonic Lumix GX85 is priced at $799.99.