agentlossing
Well-known
The GX85 is an enduring classic! I'd buy a used one to replace the one I mained for years, but they've never really reached a bargain price on the used market (for good reason).
The Pany GX's
- Thread starter kshapero
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Archiver
Veteran
A video by Spencer Whiteman about the GX85 from 2021. Used well, it's an excellent video camera.
dkreindler
Established
Massively underrated cameras, and system overall, though it appears that prices are rising on the used market. I have a GX7 with the 14-42 and the 14 f/2.5. I've never been let down by the image quality.
Toyota Origin by Derek Kreindler, on Flickr
Toyota Origin by Derek Kreindler, on Flickr
Disappointed_Horse
Well-known
I've been hoping used prices for the GX85 would drop but the last time I looked very good or better condition bodies were going for about $450–500 on MPB.
Archiver
Veteran
Don't let the smaller size fool you. The GX85 is equally at home with larger lenses like the Olympus f1.2 primes, although a little front heavy. Image quality is not compromised at all.
GX85 - Flowers in the Sun by Archiver, on Flickr
GX85 - Green II by Archiver, on Flickr
GX85 - Flowers in the Sun by Archiver, on FlickrGX85 - Green II by Archiver, on FlickrArchiver
Veteran
Now this is surprising. The GX85 was still in production as recently as 2024! Even though this camera was released in April 2016, making it nine years old, Panasonic were still making them in 2024.
https://www. reddit. com/r/M43/comments/1bba8hx/was_surprised_to_find_that_panasonic_is_still/
reddit user mmsketch writes:
I just bought myself a Lumix GX85 and I found this interesting. I assumed I was getting new old stock, but I was able to check the internal serial number which gives away the date of manufacture - January 9, 2024!
I was struggling to find something to replace my 14-year-old GF1, and in my modern smartphone refresh mentality, had narrowed my scope only to cameras released in the last few years. Finally I bit the bullet and went for some old tech with the features and form factor I wanted. I'm stoked to finally have an EVF and tilting screen in roughly the same package as my old camera. And the fact that there's still demand for this model makes me feel better about staying in the "dying" M43 ecosystem. Can't wait to get out and put it through its paces.
Incidentally, if you're wondering how to check the manufacture date on Lumix cameras, the easiest is just to look at the EXIF data on any image, which should show you a serial number in the format [###][YY][MM][DD][###]
e.g., XFR2401090032
You can also use a utility called ExifTool if you wanted to see it formatted a little nicer:
exiftool -InternalSerialNumber MYPHOTO.RW2
(XFR) 2024:01:09 no. 0032
Cheers!
===
The serial number of mine shows that it was the 205th camera made on the 13th July 2016, making it just on nine years old. I bought mine during the discontinuation sale of 2018, but it was already almost two years old at that time. It's a bit strange to think that this very usable and contemporary camera is nine years old. Mine is sitting on the desk in front of me with the Olympus 12mm f2 on it, and the Panasonic 12-35 v2, Olympus 25/1.8 and 17/1.8 beside it.
https://www. reddit. com/r/M43/comments/1bba8hx/was_surprised_to_find_that_panasonic_is_still/
reddit user mmsketch writes:
I just bought myself a Lumix GX85 and I found this interesting. I assumed I was getting new old stock, but I was able to check the internal serial number which gives away the date of manufacture - January 9, 2024!
I was struggling to find something to replace my 14-year-old GF1, and in my modern smartphone refresh mentality, had narrowed my scope only to cameras released in the last few years. Finally I bit the bullet and went for some old tech with the features and form factor I wanted. I'm stoked to finally have an EVF and tilting screen in roughly the same package as my old camera. And the fact that there's still demand for this model makes me feel better about staying in the "dying" M43 ecosystem. Can't wait to get out and put it through its paces.
Incidentally, if you're wondering how to check the manufacture date on Lumix cameras, the easiest is just to look at the EXIF data on any image, which should show you a serial number in the format [###][YY][MM][DD][###]
e.g., XFR2401090032
You can also use a utility called ExifTool if you wanted to see it formatted a little nicer:
exiftool -InternalSerialNumber MYPHOTO.RW2
(XFR) 2024:01:09 no. 0032
Cheers!
===
The serial number of mine shows that it was the 205th camera made on the 13th July 2016, making it just on nine years old. I bought mine during the discontinuation sale of 2018, but it was already almost two years old at that time. It's a bit strange to think that this very usable and contemporary camera is nine years old. Mine is sitting on the desk in front of me with the Olympus 12mm f2 on it, and the Panasonic 12-35 v2, Olympus 25/1.8 and 17/1.8 beside it.
Last edited:
Archiver
Veteran
There are a number of YouTube videos which call the GX85/GX9 a Fuji X100 alternative, and I kind of agree, and not. The X100 has the unique points of manual shutter speed dial, retro styling, aperture ring, and Fuji's film simulations. The GX85 has none of those things, unless you're using the occasional Panasonic lens with aperture ring like the Pana Leica 15mm f1.7.
Having said that, I use the GX85 in the same way as the X100, as an autofocus aperture priority camera with a fast lens. And for me, I use the GX85 way more than the original X100, due to the ability to change lenses, shoot excellent video, and it works with IBIS and stabilized lenses. It's even smaller than the X100, too.
Having said that, I use the GX85 in the same way as the X100, as an autofocus aperture priority camera with a fast lens. And for me, I use the GX85 way more than the original X100, due to the ability to change lenses, shoot excellent video, and it works with IBIS and stabilized lenses. It's even smaller than the X100, too.
aw614
Well-known
I've been really happy with my GX85, somehow during the middle of the pandemic, around 2021ish, I bought a body for 200 dollars in really good condition. I already had the 20mm and 14mm from my GF1. I really wanted to get a newer Olympus, but the prices of the Pen F was never going to go down, and I prefer the rangefinder style bodies over the SLR styled ones. Not to mention, I've had two Olympus bodies get the dreaded flashing IBIS indicator.
agentlossing
Well-known
I handled a used GX85 in a shop last week again. I forgot how small they are! I also forgot just how unimpressive the EVF is. But it's still one of the best Micro 4/3 cameras out there in terms of quality versus size. I almost bought it.
Archiver
Veteran
If you can afford it and will use it, get it. It's one of the best m43 cameras of that era, due to the small footprint, excellent image quality and IBIS. Sure, the EVF is small, but you only need that for composition, you're not watching movies on it, haha.
One of the huge benefits of these older 16mp m43 cameras is the file size and consequent storage ability. I just looked at my GX85 which has a 256GB card: the camera says it will hold about 11,900 raw images, 27,700 jpegs, or 5 hours 20 minutes of high quality 4K 25p video footage. That's more than enough for most trips for those who leave images on the card. It's moot for those who empty and back up their cards each night on a trip 🖐️ but is a great boon for those who want a simple storage solution.
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