Panasonic‘s newly announced GX85 packs most of the imaging power from the GX8, last year’s flagship update to the company’s line of mirrorless cameras, but in a more compact package. While the GX8 was the first to bump Micro Four Thirds (MFT) up to 20.3MP, the GX85 takes it back to 16MP, which is still really more than enough. Panasonic says that this particular MFT sensor is improved by as much as 10% compared to it’s 16MP predecessors in terms of resolving detail due to the removal of the low-pass AA filter.

The GX85 features Panasonic’s Dual IS system which uses both the in-lens stabilization and the camera’s own in-body stabilization to give you up to 4.5 stops of compensation, which works for both photos and video. Video, by the way, gets an upgrade to UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at either 30p or 24p. You can grab stills straight from your 4K video while shooting and the camera also takes advantage of recently added Panasonic features such as post focus.

Body-wise, the GX85 is closer in stature to the older GX7 than the GX8. The EVF is one of the highest resolution ones yet at 2.764m dots with a 0.7x magnification and the rear tilting 3″ LCD is a touchscreen. Unlike the GX8, the GX85 has a pop-up flash but lacks it’s big brother’s weather-sealing.

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GX85 will be available in May as a kit with a 12-32mm lens, with MSRP of $1099.99.

For more information, see the full Panasonic press release below:

PANASONIC CANADA ANNOUNCES THE LUMIX DMC-GX85

Capture Life on the Move with High Image Quality and Performance All Packed into a Compact Body

MISSISSAUGA, ON (April 5, 2016) – Panasonic Canada is proud to introduce the new LUMIX G Series DMC-GX85 (GX85), a Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera that delivers a lighter alternative to bulky DSLRs without compromising on intelligent design or industry-leading performance. Nearly half the size of most DSLRs, the LUMIX GX85 delivers impressive large sensor performance in the most compact camera system ever designed by Panasonic LUMIX. Thanks to the elimination of the low pass filter, its fine detail resolving power is boosted nearly 10% over previous 16-Megapixel sensors.

The LUMIX GX85 also incorporates a new 5-axis Dual I.S. (Image Stabilizer) for more effective suppression of blur. Combining an O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer, 2-axis) and a B.I.S.(Body Image Stabilizer, 5-axis), the 5-axis Dual I.S. compensates for a larger range of movement than ever before. Users can now enjoy blur-free photo/video shooting from wide to tele, even in low light situations.

The 16.0-megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor without a Low Pass filter and the new Venus Engine combine to achieve crisp, high-resolution images in detail with high contrast and impressive colour reproduction. The LUMIX GX85 adopts a new electromagnetic drive in the shutter unit whereby the shock caused by the movement of shutter diaphragm is dramatically reduced and the shutter sound is also minimized. The Contrast AF System features DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology and excels in both speed and accuracy by exchanging the digital signal between the camera and the lens at maximum 240 fps, resulting in ultra-fast auto focusing of approximately 0.07 seconds*. A variety of extensive AF functions including Face/Eye Detection AF, Pinpoint AF, One-shot AF and advanced Low Light AF enhance usability to comply with wide-ranging shooting situations.

The LUMIX GX85 integrates a LVF (Live View Finder) with 2764K-dot equivalent high resolution and approximately 100% color reproduction*. This 16:9 Wide Screen LVF boasts 1.39x / 0.7x (35mm camera equivalent) magnification and 100% field of view. The new 3.0-inch large, 1040K-dot high resolution static-type touch monitor with 100% of field of view tilts up by 80-degrees and down by 45-degrees which enables shooting at either high or low angle even easier.

For even more creative photography, the LUMIX GX85 integrates the new L.Monochrome mode in Photo Style that offers impressive monochrome capture with rich gradation comparable to that of B/W film. Focus Bracket and Aperture Bracket are also new additions to conventional Exposure Bracket and WB Brackets that allow users to choose the best shot later. Thanks to its Wi-Fi® connectivity, users can connect the camera to their smartphone / tablet to expand the flexibility in shooting, storing and sharing images.

4K capability brings the evolution to videography/photography
Taking advantage of the high speed signal readout capability of the sensor and high speed signal processing, the LUMIX GX85 is capable of recording 4K video. Despite its high performance, the camera boasts superior energy efficiency, and its size is kept compact for high mobility. The LUMIX GX85 records stunningly smooth, high-resolution 4K video in 3840 x 2160 at 30p or 24p in addition to the full-HD 1,920 x 1,080 60p (60 Hz) videos with practical full-time AF.

With this 4K technology, users can enjoy 4K PHOTO to capture the fleeting photo opportunities at 30 fps by extracting the most appealing frame. Three exclusive modes are available to choose from depending on the situation: 4K Burst, 4K Burst (Start/Stop) and 4K Pre-burst. All these function in 4K PHOTO enable saving pictures in 8-megapixel equivalent high resolution.

The LUMIX GX85 comes with the Post Focus function that enables users to select an in-focus area even after shooting. You can get multiple shots with different focus points with a single shutter release to choose from. It is helpful in situations such as macro shooting where severe focusing is required or for changing expressions by changing the focused subject. This function has been developed by combining the DFD (Depth From Defocus) auto focus technology that enables measuring the distance to the subject and the 4K technology. Operation is quite simple and easy – just shoot an image in a Post Focus mode and touch on the point where you want to set focus while playing it back.

In addition, the LUMIX GX85 incorporates the Light Composition function as a new option of 4K PHOTO mode. The camera synthesizes the images by choosing and saving a brighter pixel. This makes it possible to produce a more luxurious, dramatic image of situations such as fireworks or night scenery in camera with ease.

The LUMIX GX85 also enables 4K Live Cropping in video that yields stable panning or zooming while video recording. In panning shots, you can just set the viewing angle to start and end to get smooth panning imagery without using special equipment such as a slider. When zooming, you can set the after-zoomed viewing angle first, so that the subject can fit perfectly in the frame. With the digital operation, the imagery of zooming is smooth because it does not physically move the zoom lens.

New 5-Axis Dual I.S. (Image Stabilizer) to be free of blur
The LUMIX GX85 incorporates the new 5-axis Dual I.S.(Image Stabilizer) for more effective suppression of blur. Combining an O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer, 2-axis) and a B.I.S.(Body Image Stabilizer, 5-axis), the 5-axis Dual I.S. compensates for larger movement which was conventionally uncontrollable, making it possible to use 4-stop slower shutter speed1. By making the most of both O.I.S and B.I.S., it is highly beneficial not only in wide angle but also in telephoto and in the adverse situations such as at nighttime or with one-hand shooting. The 5-axis Dual I.S. works in both photo and motion picture recording including 4K video. Panasonic LUMIX G DSLM (Digital Single Lens Mirrorless) Cameras offer a wide variety of digital interchangeable lenses and most of them will comply with this 5-axis dual I.S. in LUMIX GX852 and the B.I.S. compensates for the camera movement even when a lens without O.I.S. is used.

High image-quality with real-to-life detail and impressive colour reproduction
The LUMIX GX85 lets users shoot vibrant, true-to-life high quality images with excellent resolution, high contrast and impressive colour reproduction. Removing the Low Pass Filter, the limiting resolution is improved by approximately10%* while detecting high frequency components to suppress generation of moiré by the Venus Engine. The Venus Engine reproduces vibrant, impressive colour, such as clear sky by dividing hue, saturation, and luminosity, and finely adjusts them separately. Taking advantage of this fine tuning capability, LUMIX GX85 enables users to choose a preset of contrast, sharpness, saturation and noise reduction as they choose according to the shooting subject in Photo Style. Notably, L. Monochrome is a new option added to the Photo Style, making it possible to shoot impressive monochrome photo with deep black and rich gradation like that of B/W film.

The combination of the Digital Live MOS Sensor and the Venus Engine achieves clear image rendering with minimum noise even in low-lit situations and at maximum ISO 25,600. The LUMIX GX85 adopts an electromagnetic drive in the shutter unit. The shock caused by the movement of shutter diaphragm is dramatically reduced by approximately 90% in comparison with a conventional spring-powered shutter unit.

High speed response and practical AF/MF options
The Contrast AF in the LUMIX GX85 achieves even higher speed and higher precision focusing with digital signal communication at maximum 240 fps. Furthermore, the DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology1 calculates the distance to the subject by evaluating 2 images with different sharpness level while consulting the data of optical characteristics of the current lens. As a result, the LUMIX GX85 achieves ultra-high speed AF of approx.0.07 sec2 and high speed burst shooting at 8 fps (AFS) / 6 fps (AFC) to capture fast moving subject in-focus.

The Low Light AF makes it possible to set focus on the subject more precisely even without AF assist lamp in extremely low-lit situations to -4EV, which is as dark as moonlight. Plus, the LUMIX GX85 integrates Starlight AF which allows users to shoot a star in the sky at night with auto focus. This can be achieved by accurate calculation of contrast value in a smaller AF zone. A total of 49 focus detection areas offer more flexible composition together with Custom Multi AF mode in which users can freely select the blocks to focus out of the 49 in the focusing area. In addition to the conventional Face Recognition AF, the LUMIX GX85 incorporates Face / Eye Detection AF which automatically sets focus right on the eye of human face. With the Pinpoint AF, users can magnify the target area to set precise focus.

Intuitive control for operational comfort
The LUMIX GX85 integrates a LVF (Live View Finder) with 2764K-dot equivalent high resolution and approximately100% colour reproduction*. This 16:9 Wide Screen LVF boasts approx.1.39x / 0.7x (35mm camera equiv.) magnification and 100% field of view. It comes with the Eye Sensor and the Eye Sensor AF and starts auto focusing by just looking into the LVF not to miss the shooting opportunity.

The 3.0-inch large, approx.1040K-dot high resolution static-type touch monitor has 100% field of view. It tilts up by 80-degrees and down by 45-degrees which enables shooting in either high or low angles even easier.

To further enhance the controllability, the LUMIX GX85 comes with a thick, solid grip for stable holding, even in one hand. The front/rear dual dial system enables direct setting – for example, users can adjust white balance with a front dial and set ISO with a rear dial while choosing the shutter speed or seeing the noise effect, which is helpful in complex lighting situations.

Other Features

• Exposure / WB / Focus / Aperture Bracket NEW
  • In the LUMIX GX85, Focus Bracket and Aperture Bracket are new additions to conventional Exposure Bracket and WB Brackets for users to choose the best shot later. In Focus Bracket, a maximum of 999 images can be shot with different focus points. The Aperture Bracket lets users have multiple shots with a different depth of field.
• Creative Control in P/A/S/M Mode
  • The LUMIX GX85 integrates a variety of artistic functions that adds fun to digital photography. The popular Creative Control mode features a total of 22 filter options. The effect parameter of each mode is also adjustable. Now it is possible to apply one of these filters even in P/A/S/M mode. Users can combine a favourable setting and filter to make specific effect. As well, the LUMIX GX85 is capable of taking pictures “with” and “without” filter effect simultaneously, so that users can compare them and choose later.
• Easy Wireless Connectivity via Wi-Fi® with Smartphones
  • The LUMIX GX85 integrates Wi-Fi® connectivity (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n) to offer a more flexible shooting experience and instant image sharing with easy operation. Once connected, the camera and smartphone/tablet installs Panasonic’s dedicated application software Panasonic Image App for iOS / Android, users can shoot / browse / share images remotely.
• RAW data development in Camera
• AC/USB Power Charging
• Silent Mode
• Multiple Exposure
• Time Lapse Shot / Stop Motion Animation

The LUMIX GX85 will be available at www.shopping.panasonic.ca and independent camera retailers at the end of May, in both silver and black versions. Body only $999.99 and with a 12-32mm kit lens, $1099.99.

* About motion picture recording / 4K Photo recording
– Use a card with SD Speed Class with “Class 4” or higher when recording motion pictures.
– Use a card with SD Speed Class with “UHS-I UHS Speed Class 3 (U3)” when recording motion pictures with [MP4] in [4K] or [4K PHOTO].
(SD speed class is the speed standard regarding continuous writing.)
– Recording stops when the continuous recording time exceeds 29 minutes and 59 seconds or the file size exceeds 4GB with [MP4] in [FHD] [HD] [VGA].
– MP4 motion pictures with [MP4] in [4K]:
– When using an SDHC memory card: You can continue recording without interruption even if the file size exceeds 4 GB, but the motion picture file will be divided and recorded/played back separately.
– When using an SDXC memory card: You can record a motion picture in a single file.
– When the ambient temperature is high or continuous recording is performed, the camera may stop the recording to protect itself. Wait until the camera cools down.

** For [4K] video output, use an HDMI cable that has the HDMI logo on it, and that is described as”4K compatible”.
1. Based on the CIPA standard [Yaw/Pitch direction: focusing distance f=32mm (35mm film camera equivalent f=64mm), when H-FS12032 is used.]
2. Firmware update is required for some lenses.

A subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, Panasonic Canada Inc. provides a broad line of digital and other electronics products and solutions to meet consumer, business and industrial needs. Consumers seeking more information on the company’s products can visit Panasonic’s home page at www.panasonic.com.