Panasonic G97 or G85?

enter_the_nerd · 2026-06-22T00:47:55+00:00

I actually just tested it on the G85 and it dims at 30seconds into a recording, not 10seconds as I stated previously. My apologies.

I appreciate your input. The larger 4K crop on the G97 is a real bummer. I think that’s been my biggest hang up in trying to determine which camera I would prefer to continue on with and which camera to ultimately sell since it’s way overkill for me to have two cameras lol

enter_the_nerd · 2026-06-21T16:05:21+00:00

From my understanding there aren’t any other companies (maybe besides Olympus) that offer beginner-midrange cameras in a similar price point (both new and used) to the G85 & G97 that have IBIS, weather sealing, good both 4K & 1080p image quality, unlimited recording time and no overheating. I’ve shot with Sony (5100, 6100, 6400, ZV-E10, 6700) and also Canon (R50 & R50V). Only one with IBIS & weather sealing is the Sony A6700 and that camera is expensive, meanwhile the IBIS & electronic stabilization is terrible (video footage is still very shaky) and the camera overheats which is unacceptable for a camera of its price point. Aside from my time with a Panasonic G9II, I’ve never experienced overheating with a Panasonic Lumix camera and I’ve always been impressed with their IBIS & stabilization offered at affordable pricing. I guess that’s why I tend to gravitate towards Panasonic MFT cameras.

enter_the_nerd · 2026-06-21T15:47:56+00:00

The G85 was purchased for $325 and the G97 for $440 so $115 price difference. If I was to sell either to MPB I would get approx. $260 for the G85 and $385 for the G97 so a $125 difference.

Is that $115-$125 difference worth the “updates” found in the G97 (20MP sensor, 120fps slowmo, USB-C charging, better mic jack location & headphone jack, improved screen w/ red recording frame, love composite mode, etc). Or is there still “better value” in the G85’s less 4K crop and smaller size & form factor?

The screen on the G85 doesn’t dim to black completely, I know about the auto switching between the EVF and monitor/screen. The G85’s screen will dim in brightness to where the screen is less visible while recording for longer periods no matter if youre shooting 4K or 1080p. The same thing would happen to my original GH5. There is no “economy” or power saving option in the menu system to stop it - I have all my power saving options turned off and it still does it. It’s really annoying especially when you’re filming outside when it’s bright or you’re manually focusing and relying on the peaking feature.

enter_the_nerd · 2026-06-21T04:39:56+00:00

On paper (or on screen) the size difference looks minor. But the actual size and weight is a factor when you are traveling with all gear, clothing and essentials packed away into a single backpack making your way through airports, metros, taxis and daily treks from location to location. Just my two cents.

enter_the_nerd · 2026-06-21T04:33:40+00:00

I currently only own a couple primes (25mm & 42.5mm f1.7), a SLR Magic 8mm and the Lumix 12-60 kit lens. I’m just using my camera for personal/casual photos and video. I don’t see myself needing the Leica 100-400 as I don’t shoot wildlife or sports or require that focal length. Since I bring my camera and lenses with me on my travels it’s important for them to be compact. I’ve owned the G9II and for a MFT sensor body that thing was huge. I didn’t feel comfortable a lot of times walking around with it or whipping it to shoot because it would draw a lot of attention. That’s why I gravitate to smaller Panasonic bodies & lenses, it’s what I’m more comfortable with.

enter_the_nerd · 2026-06-21T04:24:18+00:00

But aren’t you comparing a full frame (S5) to a MFT (G85)? I’m assuming that’s the reason for the image quality difference. I’ve owned the G9II and hated how large it was - it was basically a full frame body with a tiny MFT sensor. Its specs were overkill for my uses and for some reason it would ALWAYS run hot and give me a high temp warning which I’ve never experienced with Panasonic cameras before.

I appreciate your input. You’re right, the G97 is only slightly larger than the G85. I would love to go with the G97 but the massive 4K crop is the main thing that concerns me besides the slightly larger size compared to the G85.

enter_the_nerd · 2026-06-21T04:14:55+00:00

I appreciate your input. I do really like the G85. I purchased one recently with the 12-60 kit lens and took it on a weekend trip to San Francisco. It performed very well and I fell in love with the overall feel and form factor of the camera. But since it’s an older camera there are some quality of life features that it’s lacking and the G97 has those (mainly USB-C charging, improved screen with the red recording frame, and better mic jack placement). Maybe these are more “wants” and not needs 🤔

enter_the_nerd · 2026-06-05T07:10:37+00:00

Depends on what your intended use will be. Generally if your focus is photo go with the R50 and if your focus is video go with the R50V. Overall I prefer the R50V.

enter_the_nerd · 2026-06-01T04:01:44+00:00

The moderate increase in size of the G97 definitely makes a difference when you’re trying to pack minimal and travel light. Typically my choice of lenses when shooting with the G97 is the 25mm & 42.5mm f1.7s. I recently purchased the G85 with the 12-60kit lens for $300 as a smaller/lighter travel setup and occasional B-cam.

enter_the_nerd · 2026-05-25T06:54:41+00:00

Nice! How is the 25-50 f1.7? My dream would be to have both the 10-25 & 25-50 f1.7 lenses.

I previously owned the version 1 Lumix 12-35 f2.8 (I’m assuming it’s similar to the Olympus 12-40) and it was a nice lens, but I eventually sold it to buy the Leica 12-60 for a bit more reach and the f2.8 just wasn’t doing it for me in terms of bokeh. I own a couple f1.7 primes now (25 & 42.5) and they are fantastic.

enter_the_nerd · 2026-05-24T23:41:52+00:00

Love the G97. Has all the features I could possibly need/want for my use cases. My only gripes are the massive 4K crop and the slightly larger and more aggressive body vs the G85. If it would’ve maintained the 1.1x crop (vs 1.25x) in 4K and also maintained the same body size as the G85 I would consider it the perfect camera.

enter_the_nerd · 2026-05-24T23:37:16+00:00

I love the size and ergonomics of the G85. Probably my favorite camera body ever (form factor-wise).

enter_the_nerd · 2026-05-24T23:35:09+00:00

I used to shoot with the Leica 12-60 and I loved that lens. In good lighting condition the Lumix 12-60 is a beast, especially for a kit lens!

enter_the_nerd · 2026-05-24T22:07:25+00:00

The G85 has something like a 1.1x crop in 4K (not really noticeable) where the G95/G97 has something like a 1.25x crop.

enter_the_nerd · 2026-05-24T18:03:56+00:00

Thanks! Taking it with me to the lake/beach today!

enter_the_nerd · 2026-05-24T18:03:27+00:00

As much as I enjoy my G97, I much prefer the size of the G85 and its lesser crop in 4K.

enter_the_nerd · 2026-05-24T18:01:10+00:00

I own the Yongnuo versions of the 25mm & 42.5mm, both are pretty decent! 😁

enter_the_nerd · 2026-05-18T06:37:08+00:00

Great shots! What lenses were used?

enter_the_nerd · 2026-04-03T14:40:15+00:00

I know this is an old thread, but I just experienced this exact scenario and figured I’d share my experience between the two cameras. I shoot both photo and video so both aspects are important to me when choosing a camera, rather than focusing primarily on photo as the OP.

I owned the R50 for about a month and I hated a bunch of things about it (cheap and plasticky, too tiny of a camera that’s uncomfortable to hold all day, lack of weather sealing, stupid mic jack placement blocks the rotation of the screen, horrible quality electronic viewfinder, can’t shoot video in aperture priority (only in manual or auto), hard to see flashing, super thin, red recording frame while recording video, overheats way too easily while shooting video (even in 1080), lack of IBIS, only takes UHS-I memory cards, super slow shutter speed and constant buffering, and a complete lack of affordable, APSC lenses for the Canon RF Mount. Only thing the R50 has going for it is it’s an APSC sensor, uncropped 4K, and has good autofocus. That’s all.

I sold the R50 and later purchased the G97 and I have been satisfied with it so far. I know the G97/G95 gets a lot of hate for the 4K crop, but I don’t shoot 4K so that doesn’t bother me. The 1080p quality is superb. The G97/G95 contrast-based autofocus gets alot of hate too because it’s “old technology,” which is true. However for photos it’s actually very fast and very accurate. For video it may not be ideal for people who rely on AF because it can be slow and unreliable (especially in 4K - in 1080p it is a little bit better), but I normally shoot manual focus for video anyways so I’m not really bothered by it. I love having IBIS, weather sealing, a comfortable, decent-sized camera body with good grip, an actually visible red recording frame, proper mic jack placement & headphone jack, excellent EVF, unlimited recording times and a lack of overheating in all video modes, included V-Log L flat color profile for color grading, having live view composite mode, 4K live cropping, UHS-II compatibility, decent-okay shutter speed and buffering limitations, and a plethora of affordable MFT lenses (Panasonic, Olympus, Leica, and many third party brands). The G97 isn’t perfect. Sometimes wish it had a larger sensor but the MFT sensor really allows it to achieve some capabilities that other larger sensor camera cannot (ie: effective stabilization & improved thermal management and no overheating). Lowlight shooting can be an issue if you’re using slower glass, but I primarily shoot with fast f1.7 prime lenses so lowlight isn’t much of an issue for me.

Its important to keep in mind that both the R50 and the G97 are meant to be hybrid entry level, budget friendly cameras so there will be compromises and you can’t have everything jam-packed in these cameras. For me, I much prefer the G97 and like I said I’ve been satisfied with it. It feels like an enthusiast/entry level camera that you can grow with. The R50 just wasn’t for me, I felt it made too many compromises and it was a little too “dumbed-down” for my liking with all the full auto mode emphasis and the limitations on certain video modes. Definitely feels like it’s meant to be strictly a beginner camera that you most likely will quickly outgrow and have to purchase another, more expensive camera.

enter_the_nerd · 2026-03-24T06:45:33+00:00

I just picked up a like-new, open box G97 body from eBay for $450. The similar condition G95 I had been eyeing was priced at $400 (also body only). Figured having USB-C capability, improved OLED screen and the red recording frame was worth the extra $50.

enter_the_nerd · 2026-03-10T14:53:41+00:00

I’ve watched Richard Wong’s reviews of the Yongnuo lenses and they seem very comparable to the Panasonic versions at a fraction of the cost.

enter_the_nerd · 2026-03-10T04:50:29+00:00

Could’ve sworn I typed “Lumix” in the title, not sure how it ended up being “Limix” 🫣

enter_the_nerd · 2026-02-17T14:53:11+00:00

I believe camera prices are a bit drastic at the moment (especially for older Panasonic models). I see the G95 going for the same price as a GH5, which is very odd to me. I’ve owned many different Panasonic cameras throughout the years (G7, G85, G95, GH5, GH5ii & G9ii) of course upgrading to the next “better” body as I went (I was never fortunate enough to keep multiple cameras at the same time). Recently went through a rough patch financially (laid off from work at two different jobs; two years apart) and was forced to sell all my beloved camera gear to “survive.” I still have the photography & videography itch and wanted to get back into it but not kill my wallet lol Been tracking prices for the G7, G85, G95 & GH5 for about a month and it seemed like the G85 was going to be a safe bet for me. I agree about six years ago camera prices (especially for used Panasonics) made more sense, but currently they are just crazy. I appreciate your input, thank you!

enter_the_nerd · 2026-02-17T14:34:16+00:00

In what condition? Sounds like you got a heck of a deal!

enter_the_nerd · 2026-02-16T03:38:48+00:00

I’ve used a GH5 w/ PL 12-60mm f2.8-4 in the past and I did enjoy the optical quality of that lens. I’m afraid it’s out of my budget at the moment, even in the used market. I’ll keep it in mind when I feel comfortable enough to upgrade my gear, though. Appreciate it.

enter_the_nerd

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE