Panasonic Z95 vs Z85: Which OLED 4K Model is Worth Your Investment?

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Introduce​

Parameter
Panasonic Z95​
Panasonic Z85​
Picture​
PanasonicZ95.jpg
PanasonicZ85.jpg
Price​
$2499.99
$1099.99
Model Year​
2024​
2024​
Specific Uses​
gaming, smart home integration​
Gaming, Smart Home Integration​
Highlight​
Display Size: 65-inch OLED
Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Gaming Features: Game Mode Extreme, HDMI 2.1, 144Hz refresh rate, VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium, NVIDIA G-SYNC
Audio Technology: Dolby Atmos, front-array, upward and side-firing speakers
Smart TV Platform: Fire TV built-in, voice controls, personalized recommendations
Screen Size: 65 inches
Display Type: OLED
Resolution: 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160)
Processor: HCX Pro AI Processor MKII
HDR Support: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG
Audio Features: Theater Surround Pro, Dolby Atmos
Gaming Features: Game Mode Extreme, HDMI 2.1, 120Hz refresh rate, VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium, NVIDIA G-SYNC
Control: Dedicated Game Control Board

Side-by-Side Comparison​

System​

Parameter
Panasonic Z95​
Panasonic Z85​
Operating System​
FireOS​
FireOS​
Internet Applications​
Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, YouTube, Browser​
Amazon Prime Video​
Remote Control​
Bluetooth​
-​
Controller Type​
Remote Control​
Voice Control​

Display​

Parameter
Panasonic Z95​
Panasonic Z85​
Aspect Ratio​
16:9​
16:9​
Display Technology​
OLED​
OLED​
Screen Finish​
Anti-Glare​
Glossy​
Color Screen​
Yes​
Yes​
Resolution​
4K​
4K​
Refresh Rate​
144 Hz​
120 Hz​
HDR Supported​
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG​
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG​
Backlight Technology​
Self-Luminous​
Self-Luminous​
Picture Enhancement​
Dolby Vision IQ​
HCX Pro AI Processor MKII​
Motion Enhancement​
144Hz refresh rate​
-​

Audio​

Parameter
Panasonic Z95​
Panasonic Z85​
Audio Channels​
5.1​
5.1​
Audio Output​
Dolby Atmos​
Dolby Atmos, Bluetooth​
Audio Input​
Bluetooth​
HDMI​
Speaker Description​
2.1 channel speakers with front-array, upward and side-firing speakers, supporting Dolby Atmos technology​
Theater Surround Pro with Dolby Atmos​
Sound Format​
Dolby Atmos​
Dolby Atmos​

Connectivity​

Parameter
Panasonic Z95​
Panasonic Z85​
Connectivity Technology​
Bluetooth​
Bluetooth​
Bluetooth Version​
5.3​
-​
Screen Mirroring​
Fire TV Screen Mirroring​
Google Cast (Chromecast)​
Total Usb Ports​
3​
2​
Total HDMI Ports​
4​
4​
Connector Type​
HDMI, Audio Jack​
HDMI, Bluetooth​
Signal Format​
ATSC​
HDMI, ATSC​

Features​

Parameter
Panasonic Z95​
Panasonic Z85​
Video Encoding​
H.264, H.265 (HEVC), VP9​
H.264, H.265 (HEVC)​
Water Resistance​
Not Water Resistant​
-​
Compatible Devices​
Headphone​
[POSSIBLE] Bluetooth-enabled devices​
Tuner Type​
ATSC​
ATSC​
Voltage​
1E+2 Volts (AC)​
1.1E+2 Volts (AC)​
Other Features​
Built-In Speaker​
HDR10+ Adaptive, Dolby Vision IQ, Theater Surround Pro with Atmos, Game Mode Extreme, Fire TV built-in​

Measurements​

Parameter
Panasonic Z95​
Panasonic Z85​
D x W x H​
57"D x 35"W x 2.7"H​
57"D x 33"W x 2.7"H​
Screen Size​
65 Inches​
65 Inches​

Conclusion​

Product
PROS AND CONS​
Panasonic Z95​
Pros
• Amazing picture quality
• Very smooth motion (though default settings may be aggressive for some content)
• Excellent sound system, surpassing most sound bars
• Audio calibration using mic in the remote, similar to Yamaha YPAO
• Competitive price compared to other high-end models
• 4 HDMI ports
• Supports 4K at 144Hz
• Easy setup process
• Alexa integration for basic functions
• Hands-free Alexa mic can be disabled

Cons
• High-quality audio may be unnecessary for users with mid to high-end sound systems
• Remote control feels underwhelming for the price range
• Built-in WiFi is good, but gigabit Ethernet would be preferable
• Upscaling quality may not impress for non-4K content
• Power cord is attached and ungrounded, which feels like a cheap adaptation

Overall Impression
The Z95 offers stunning picture quality and a robust sound system, making it a great choice for those looking to step into the OLED world. Its features, such as Alexa integration and multiple HDMI ports, enhance usability. However, some may find the built-in audio superfluous if they have existing sound systems, and the remote could be more impressive given the price. The overall experience seems to be excellent, though potential issues like upscaling and the power cord design may detract from its otherwise stellar performance.
Panasonic Z85​
Pros
• Excellent picture quality with crisp display and fantastic contrast
• Superb upscaling of 1080p content
• Great for watching movies in dark rooms
• Good user interface, better than older models
• Handles gaming well with a 120hz refresh rate
• 5.1 surround sound with Dolby Atmos is impressive
• Tons of setting options for customization

Cons
• Built-in speakers are subpar, requiring a soundbar for better sound quality
• Initial setup can be frustrating with software issues
• Occasional hanging and source linking problems
• Wasteful packaging with excessive plastic and styrofoam

Overall Impression
This Panasonic TV delivers outstanding picture quality and impressive sound capabilities, especially for movie enthusiasts and gamers. While it has some initial setup challenges and less-than-ideal built-in audio, the overall performance and features make it a great value for those seeking a high-quality viewing experience.
 
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