Panasonic Z85 vs Sony A90K: Which OLED 4K TV Delivers the Best Viewing Experience?

ApaHualpa

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Introduce​

Parameter
Panasonic Z85​
Sony A90K​
Picture​
PanasonicZ85.jpg
SonyA90K.jpg
Price​
$999.99
$1398
Model Year​
2024​
2022​
Specific Uses​
gaming, smart home integration​
Home Viewing​
Highlight​
Display Size: 55 inch
Panel Type: OLED
Processor: HCX Pro AI Processor MKII
HDR Support: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG, HDR10+ Adaptive, Dolby Vision IQ
Audio Technology: Theater Surround Pro, Dolby Atmos, built-in subwoofer
Gaming Features: Game Mode Extreme, HDMI 2.1, 120Hz refresh rate, VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium, NVIDIA G-SYNC
Special Features: Game Control Board for easy gaming settings access​
Picture Quality: XR OLED Contrast Pro, XR Triluminos Pro, Cognitive Processor XR, over a billion colors, intense contrast, pure blacks, lifelike brightness
Gaming Features: Designed for PS5, ultra-low input lag, 4K/120fps, VRR, ALLM, auto HDR tone mapping, genre picture switch, HDMI 2.1, dedicated Game Menu
Streaming Capabilities: Google TV, Google Assistant, supports Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, IMAX Enhanced movies via BRAVIA CORE
Audio Features: Acoustic Surface Audio+, Dolby Atmos support, hands-free voice control
Connectivity: Bluetooth, HDMI, USB ports​

Side-by-Side Comparison​

System​

Parameter
Panasonic Z85​
Sony A90K​
Operating System​
FireOS​
Google TV, Android​
Internet Applications​
Amazon Prime Video​
Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max​
Remote Control​
Bluetooth​
Bluetooth​
Controller Type​
Voice Control​
Voice Control​

Display​

Parameter
Panasonic Z85​
Sony A90K​
Aspect Ratio​
16:9​
-​
Display Technology​
OLED​
OLED​
Screen Finish​
Matte​
Flat​
Has Color Screen​
-​
Yes​
Resolution​
4K UHD 2160p​
4K​
Refresh Rate​
120 Hz​
120 Hz​
Response Time​
5 Milliseconds​
-​
HDR Format Supported​
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG​
Dolby Vision​
Maximum Display Brightness​
-​
-​
Display Backlight​
-​
-​
Display Backlight Setting​
-​
-​
Picture Quality Enhancement​
HCX Pro AI Processor MKII​
Cognitive Processor XR and XR OLED Contrast Pro​
Motion Enhancement​
-​
-​

Audio​

Parameter
Panasonic Z85​
Sony A90K​
Number of Audio Channels​
5.1​
-​
Audio Output Mode​
Surround​
Dolby Atmos​
Audio Input​
Bluetooth​
HDMI​
Speaker Description​
Built-in subwoofer, crystal-clear dialogues​
Acoustic Surface Audio+​

Connectivity​

Parameter
Panasonic Z85​
Sony A90K​
Connectivity Technology​
Bluetooth​
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, HDMI​
Bluetooth Version​
-​
5.0​
Screen Mirroring​
-​
Miracast​
Total Usb Ports​
4​
2​
Number of HDMI Ports​
4​
4​
Connector Type​
Bluetooth​
USB, HDMI​
Signal Format​
HDMI​
Digital​

Features​

Parameter
Panasonic Z85​
Sony A90K​
Video Encoding​
H.264, H.265 (HEVC), VP9, AV1​
-​
Compatible Devices​
Cellphones​
PlayStation 5​
Tuner Type​
ATSC​
ATSC 3.0​
Noteworthy Features​
Built-In Speaker​
Exclusive features for the PlayStation® 5, Google TV with Google Assistant, Movies included with BRAVIA CORE (10 credits/24months), Acoustic Multi-Audio, XR OLED Contrast Pro, XR Triluminos Pro, Multi-position stand, BRAVIA CAM compatible​

Measurements​

Parameter
Panasonic Z85​
Sony A90K​
Dimensions D x W x H​
11.93"D x 48.3"W x 30.12"H​
8.88"D x 42.13"W x 24.88"H​
Item Weight​
-​
36.4 Pounds​
Screen Size​
55 Inches​
48 Inches​

Conclusion​

Product
PROS AND CONS​
Panasonic Z85​
Pros
• Exceptional picture quality with crisp detail and fantastic contrast
• Superb upscaling of 1080p content
• Impressive 5.1 surround sound with Dolby Atmos, eliminating the need for a sound bar
• User-friendly interface, better than older models
• Comprehensive setting options for customization

Cons
• Initial setup was problematic, requiring multiple restarts
• Occasional system hang-ups and issues linking to sources
• Amazon Fire software has performance issues
• Excessive and wasteful packaging materials

Overall Impression
The Panasonic TV impresses with its outstanding picture quality and sound performance, making it a strong contender in the market. However, users may face challenges during the initial setup and with the Amazon Fire software. Despite these drawbacks, the overall experience is rewarding, particularly for those who prioritize visual and audio excellence.
Sony A90K​
Pros
• Exceptional OLED picture quality with deep blacks and vibrant colors
• Excellent response times for gaming on both console and PC
• Smart picture adjustments based on input usage
• Sleek remote design with aluminum finish
• Integrated Android TV for seamless streaming experience
• Impressive audio quality that enhances the viewing experience
• Good brightness levels suitable for various room sizes
• Premium build quality reflecting the price point

Cons
• Does not support Dolby Atmos for gaming
• Lacks advanced sync technologies like G-Sync and FreeSync
• Premium price may be a deterrent for some consumers

Overall Impression
This TV delivers on the high expectations set by its predecessor with outstanding OLED performance, particularly for gaming and viewing experience. While it comes at a premium price, the quality, design, and features justify the investment, making it a solid choice for both casual viewers and gamers—though hardcore gamers might find other options more tailored to their needs.
 
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