Panasonic LUMIX G85 4K Digital Camera, 12-60mm Power O.I.S. Lens, 16 Megapixel Mirrorless Camera, 5 Axis In-Body Dual Image Stabilization, 3-Inch Tilt and Touch LCD, DMC-G85MK (Black)

I’ll begin by clarifying that I am a hobbyist seeking an entry-level, accessible option for starting out with photography. After doing a bunch of research I decided to order the G85 bundled with a 12-60mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens.From the get-go you can tell this is a well-built product. They used magnesium alloy plating in the top and front to counteract ‘shutter shock’ in this model’s predecessor, the G7, along with high quality plastic throughout. The grip is coated in quality rubber and feels very comfortable. Weather sealing (on the kit lens too!) is a great touch.I find the ergonomics of this camera to be intuitive and comfortable. The dials are useful, easy to use yet hard to accidentally toggle. The buttons feel nice and clicky, with a sensitive shutter button. I also love the viewfinder; extremely clear and no issue for someone with glasses like myself. The touch screen fully articulates and is also clear. Menu system works well and navigation is a breeze. On the software end, however, the wifi functions are finicky; transferring photos to my iPhone 14 Pro is a trial-and-error process with the Image App, which struggles to even establish a connection.I find the 12-60 kit lens to have good clarity compared to others I’ve tried, with a very useful zoom range of 24-120 FFE, and reasonably fast aperture. The OIS and IBIS work in tandem to make camera shake in video and photo modes a non-issue, no gimbal or tripod needed. I found the autofocus to be sluggish in low light conditions especially during 4k recording, though in well-lit areas it’s faster for photography and well-workable. Manage focus properly and invest in some quality glass and you have an amazing camera for the price.In summary, this is a great camera for beginners as well as experienced photographers. The flaws are minor in comparison to the ergonomics, build quality, features, amazing price and picture quality. This camera can tackle many types of photography along with videos and grow with you.

I bought the G85 to supplement/mostly replace my old D3300. In most respects it's a step up. I primarily needed a camera with better video. The D3300 was and still is an outstanding entry level DSLR for still photography, but it's very underwhelming for video, which what I find myself doing more off these days. The video autofocus on the D3300 is borderline unusable, it hunts relentlessly. When picking out a new camera. I was looking at the Cannon 80D (no 4k video), the 90D (very nice, but comparatively expensive), the Nikon Z50 (very good AF, but the lack of lens selection and the cost of the available lenses at the time of purchase scared me off), the G9 (pretty much everything I wanted , but more than I wanted to spend), and the G95 (killer V.log profile, but otherwise not much improvement over the G85.I went with the G85 since it was a proven commodity, and had widely available and affordable lenses. For still photography I think the lower MP sensor hurts it vs. the big sensor APS-C cameras, but it's still acceptable. The autofocus is quick, even when doing bursts. For video , which why I got it, it's impressive. Autofocus is very good, about on par with the Canons at 1080p and okay at 4k, ,the stabilization with both the OEM lenses and body is very nice. Build quality is above average for the price bracket. The wifi works very well too. The only negatives are that battery life isn't amazing, and there's no headphone jack (there is a mic jack). I feel like the G85 is a very good value for money. You're getting a lot camera for your dollar. The G9 is nicer in every way, but cost a few hundred more. The G95 is also somewhat more expensive, but I don't think you're getting much in return for the extra money spent.The G85 isn't perfect, if you want a camera primarily for still photography. I'd stick with a comparable APS-C DSLR for the same or less money. The 80D and D7500 are going to be superior to the G85 for that. But for video the G85 is hard to beat for the price.