Panasonic Lumix GX85 is a high-performance 4K camera for $800
For years Panasonic's GH4 has been the go-to consumer camera to record high-quality 4K video. But with an MSRP of $1,500 for the camera body, it's still more than what many people are willing to spend.
Alongside the G7 and GX8 launched last year, Panasonic's got another more affordable 4K-capable Micro Four Thirds camera: the GX85. At $799.99 for the camera body, the GX85 is a little over half as much as the GH4.
You May Also Like
The GX85 is a 16-megapixel camera and is capable of 8 frames per second (fps) with single autofocus and 6 fps with continuous autofocus. The camera autofocuses in 0.07 seconds and has a maximum ISO of 25,600 for low-light shooting.
Panasonic says it's improved image quality by 10% over its previous 16-megapixel cameras by removing the low-pass filter, a filter that creates a moiré-free image at the expense of finer details.
The camera now has a new 5-axis in-body image stabilizer and a 2-axis optical image stabilizer to dramatically help reduce motion blur while taking photos and recording video.
With the GX85, users can capture 4K video at a 3,840 x ,2160 resolution at 30p or 24p (for that cinema look). The camera also records full HD video at 1,920 x 1,080 resolution at up to 60p.
On the back of the camera is a 3-inch touchscreen
On the back of the camera is a 3-inch touchscreen with 1.4 million dots that tilts up 80 degrees and down 45 degrees. Selfie junkies will be disappointed to hear the screen doesn't flip all the way around.
The GX85 comes with built-in Wi-Fi for photo transfer to smartphones and tablets running iOS and Android using the Panasonic Image App.
If you're in the market for a new camera with 4K recording, the GX85 looks like a solid option to consider. Eight hundred bucks gets you the camera in either silver or black with a 12-32mm kit lens when it comes out on shop.panasonic.com at the end of May.
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
BONUS: This 4K short film was shot completely on an iPhone 6S Plus
Topics Cameras
Raymond Wong is Mashable's Senior Tech Correspondent. He reviews gadgets and tech toys and analyzes the tech industry. Raymond's also a bit of a camera geek, gamer, and fine chocolate lover. Before arriving at Mashable, he was the Deputy Editor of NBC Universal's tech publication DVICE. His writing has appeared on G4TV, BGR, Yahoo and Ubergizmo, to name a few. You can follow Raymond on Twitter @raywongy or Instagram @sourlemons.
