Panasonic has announced May availability at $1099 (body only) Lumix DMC-GX85, featuring 5-axis image stabilisation, an advanced sensor and 4K video.
The GX85 has a smaller and lighter body than the GX8, but similar styling. It will available in all-black and silver and black, with a textured look to the body. The front and rear dial system is crafted in high-quality aluminium while the solid grip is stable and comfortable to hold.
It boasts a re-engineered 16 megapixel Digital Live MOS sensor with no Low Pass Filter, which Panasonic claims improves resolution by roughly 10 percent. Panasonic says its latest Venus Engine suppresses moiré to ensure sharper images with natural colour rendition for still photos and movie clips. The new shutter mechanism is electromagnetically driven instead of spring driven, reducing shutter noise and virtually eliminating shutter shock. It has also contributed to the smaller camera profile.
Panasonic’s 49 focus point contrast-based AF system offers AF of approx. 0.07 sec, and high-speed burst shooting at 8 fps (AFS) / 6 fps (AFC). Low-light AF supports autofocusing down to -4EV, while Starlight AF is available for capturing subjects like stars in the sky at night using autofocus. (Wouldn’t the infinity setting do the trick?) Other advanced AF features include Custom Multi AF, Face/Eye Detection AF and Pinpoint AF.
The 5-axis in-body stabilisation operates during in photo and video capture. Users of any of the 13 compatible Panasonic lenses, including the recently-released Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f4.0-6.3 ASPH Power OIS, can also take advantage of Dual IS, combining the new 5-axis in-body stabilisation with the original 2-axis optical stabilisation in the lens.
‘Focus Bracketing’ adjusts the focus point while maintaining depth of field, a useful tool for macro shots. Panasonic’s 4K feature suite includes 4K Live Cropping for stable panning and zooming during recording. 4K Photo modes include 4K Pre-burst mode which records 30 frames per second before and after the shutter is released, and Post Focus, which allows the user to choose the focal point of an image after the shot has been taken.
The tilting EVF has a resolution of 2.77 million dots and supports 0.7x magnification (35mm camera equivalent). An Eye Sensor switches automatically between the EVF and the 3-inch 1.04 million-dot, tilting LCD monitor.
Other features include:
– Creative Control with 22 filter options that can be applied in P/A/S/M mode;
– ‘L Monochrome’ profile with rich gradation reminiscent of classic black and white film;
– Wi-Fi connectivity using the Panasonic Image App;
– New optional External Flash DMW-FL200L (GN20) which can also be used as an LED light in video recording and features wireless shooting.
The DMC-GX85 will be available in Australia in late May. The body only price is $1099; the single-lens kit with 12-32mm lens is $1199; the twin lens kit with 12-32mm and 45-150mm lenses will sell for $1449; and the zoom lens kit with 14-140mm lens is $1699.
Full press release: LUMIX DMC-GX85
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