You don’t need an expensive camera to take great photos because Panasonic GX85 Vs Sony a6300 are both affordable and ideal for casuals and enthusiasts alike. These cameras come with different sensors, are easy to use, and are reliable for common photo shooting purposes. For those who wonder which camera is worth buying, let’s see what they can offer here.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- Why Buying a Dedicated Camera
- What are Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300
- How are the Cameras of Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300
- How are the Specs of Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300
- How are the Image Qualities of Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300
- How is the AF Systems in Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300
- How are the Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300 for Recording Video
- Panasonic GX85 vs Sony a6300
Buying a Dedicated Camera
Smartphones nowadays are impressive, and if you have a flagship phone, the camera can also take excellent photos. However, some people may still want to buy a dedicated camera because the smartphone can’t offer what they want. Here are some reasons you want to have another camera aside from the one on the phone.
- The smartphone camera relies on the hardware and software that improves the phone’s ability to take amazing photos. On the other hand, the camera relies mainly on the hardware. Sensors and lenses are essential in a dedicated camera. While the software is competent, it is still hard to beat the skills of capturing light with the proper equipment for your shooting condition. Interchangeable lenses are one of the common reasons why you want a real camera.
- The zoom function in a smartphone is mainly done by cropping the image. Today, Flagship phones did a great job interpolating data and adjusting exposure value automatically, but it is still cropping, which makes you lose details. On the other hand, Dedicated cameras utilize a dedicated lens to help the object appear closer, and the initial result will usually look better or sharp compared to the extensive cropping. Of course, technology will improve, and smartphones can be better in the future.
- For those taking action photography, a dedicated camera is even more necessary. Sure the smartphone can lock focus on an object, but you will need to be pretty close to it. A dedicated camera is usually better for action photography or wildlife because they have an advanced tracking system to keep your subject sharp while moving around.
| Panasonic GX85 | Sony a6300 | |
|---|---|---|
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| Product Dimensions | 1.73 x 4.8 x 2.78 inches | 6.2 x 5.7 x 5.2 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 1.09 pounds | 1.55 pounds |
| Shop now at Amazon | Check price | Check price |
About Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300
The decision is all yours because not everyone will need the same device, and for most people, the smartphone is already enough. Those who need a dedicated camera also want something from the device and most likely want to improve their photography skill or are interested in the hobby. If you are here, you are interested in buying a dedicated camera. It doesn’t need to be a new or expensive model because there are many affordable options to consider.
If you want something that can improve the smartphone’s picture quality, many affordable cameras like Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300 are some of the best choices that won’t hurt your wallet. These cameras are not cheap but more in the mid-range, and they are perfect for those who want to get into the hobby or have more to spend to achieve a better image quality. These cameras are also travel-friendly, so we think most people will be able to carry them during their adventures.
Both Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300 are your typical mirrorless camera and have an interchangeable lens system so that we can fit different lenses depending on the situation. The main difference between Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300 is their ability when it comes to tracking. We all know that Sony’s cameras excel in fast and accurate tracking, making the a6300 an ideal choice for those who wish to shoot moving subjects. Does it make the GX85 a wrong choice?
We don’t think GX85 is a bad choice at all. This is an all-rounded camera that will fit many people. It is surely lacking in track compared to a6300 as it only has contrast detection, but it is ideal for most applications, including video recording. Both cameras are capable of shooting at 4K. Read also: Panasonic Lumix GX85 vs Sony a6000 here.
Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300 Unit
The Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300 are very compact, and we think they are comfortable to handle. The two are almost identical in terms of dimension, but a6300 has a slightly thicker grip which is great to improve handling. But, being compact means the buttons or controls are pretty close to each other, and those with larger hands may find the two a bit fiddly. The feel of these buttons on both cameras is very similar, plasticky, and somehow not as robust.
We don’t want to complain about GX85 as it is more affordable, but a6300 is not cheap. There is a flash on top of the camera, and the viewfinder placement is the same. The rear display is surprisingly similar as well. They are tilting type meaning the screen can tilt flat to the camera or extend a bit lower. The a6300’s bottom tilt exceeds the camera’s body which may hinder its application with some tripods. The side panel houses micro-USB, HDMI, and a 3.5mm port in Sony or HDMI and USB on GX85.
Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300 Specs
Now let’s see what the Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300 can offer, starting from the general specs first. They use different sensors because one is a micro four-third, and the latter is an APS-C. The resolution is also other because Panasonic has a 16MP sensor while Sony gives a6300 a 24MP sensor. The ISO range of Sony is from 100 to 51200, and Panasonic is from 200 to 25600. You can shoot in JPEG or RAW with these cameras, and for the JPEG, there are three options from a6300 and two options from GX85.
Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300 Image Quality
The image quality of Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300 are as different as the specs. Being higher in pixel improved the clarity of your picture, and in comparison, the a6300 looks better without any editing required. More pixel produces better clarity, especially when you zoom or crop the image. There is also a color difference between the results from both cameras because a6300 creates a more contrast or more saturated color. On the other hand, the GX85 is more laid back.
As for the details, there is also a noticeable difference, especially when capturing fine subjects like a human’s face. The eyebrows or hair will be more detailed from up close, but it may not be as noticeable for an uncropped or zoomed photo. Due to the pixel count and sensor difference, the a6300 also looks better at higher ISO; it has one ISO level higher than GX85.
Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300 AF System
Next, we want to talk about one of the most important differences: autofocus. The GX85 comes with a 49-point contrast-detect AF system and uses DFD when you choose to use Panasonic lenses. The DFD is good because it works in conjunction with the lens profile to understand hot out-of-focus objects are rendered in front or behind the focus plane of the lens. It is overall helping the camera to understand how to drive the focus element forward or backward to achieve focus.
Performance-wise it is impressive and can track the subject well. When the face is detected, there will be a yellow box that appears on the screen along with a green box when it can confirm a focus. Like most cameras, when several people are in the frame, it will focus on the one closer to the lens.
Sony cameras always excel in AF, and a6300 comes with several focus area modes. It utilizes contrast and on-sensor phase-detection for depth awareness. The performance is similarly amazing to the GX85 with its DFD technology. Sony is even faster because it can shoot at 8fps than Panasonic at 6fps. What to note is that while Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300 are great for single subject tracking, they may suffer when in real life where you have many moving people in the same space and wearing the same color.
Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300 for Video
Lastly is for the video recording ability of Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300. As mentioned above, the two can record 4K at 30p or 24p; the lower resolutions are also available. However, due to the difference in sensor, the image quality from a6300 will be sharper and more detailed than GX85. Sony can be slightly oversharpened, but the difference in resolution is significant. They record in MPEG-4 and AVCHD, but Sony also records in XAVS S and H.264. The a6300 provides external mic input for better audio.
Panasonic GX85 vs Sony a6300
There are many good cameras to improve and develop your skills. The Panasonic GX85 and Sony a6300 are similar but slightly different. The latter is more expensive, and you are paying for the bigger sensor and more pixels. The bigger sensor allows it to perform better at low light and have a higher ISO level but also helps its image clarity and details, especially when you want to crop or zoom into the picture. The AF system is equally good, but Sony is faster. The video looks better on a6300 because of the sensor.
Conclusion
Both are good options, and you may want to shop based on which is more important. We recommend a6300 if you wish for extra clarity because the extra pixels introduce more details to the picture and video. But if you are on a budget and don’t crop or often zoom, the GX85 is an impressive choice, especially when paired with Panasonic glass.