Both Panasonic GX85 and Panasonic GH4 have Four Thirds sized 16.0 MP resolution sensors so sensor size and resolution is not a differentiator between these two cameras.
Another difference between these two cameras is that Panasonic GX85's sensor lacks anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moiré occurring in certain scenes.
Below you can see the GX85 and GH4 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Panasonic GX85 and Panasonic GH4 Cameras
Panasonic GX85 and Panasonic GH4 have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
DxOMark is a benchmark that scientifically assesses image quality of camera sensors. It scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Panasonic GX85 and Panasonic GH4 sensors have been tested by DxO and the results show that GH4 has a better overall score of 74, 3 points higher compared to GX85's score of 71.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Panasonic GX85
71
22.9 bits
12.6 Evs
662 ISO
Panasonic GH4
74
23.2 bits
12.8 Evs
791 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Panasonic GX85
or the
Panasonic GH4 ,
including hyperfocal distance.