Head to Head: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH22 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 – What’s Your Next Camera?

Choosing the right camera can be a daunting task, especially with manufacturers like Panasonic offering such a wide spectrum - from small compact point-and-shoots to professional-grade mirrorless systems. Today, we’re putting the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH22 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 side by side, providing an expert, in-depth look at how these two cameras serve different creators and photographers. Whether you’re just starting out, a serious enthusiast, or a seasoned professional, this comparison will help clarify which is the better fit for your creative goals.

Quick Overview: A Tale of Two Cameras

To kick things off, let’s look at the basics. The Lumix DMC-FH22 is a small sensor compact camera, aimed at casual users or those wanting a compact, portable option. In contrast, the Lumix DMC-GH4 is a pro-level mirrorless camera with a Micro Four Thirds sensor, offering sophisticated controls, interchangeable lenses, and robust video capabilities.

Build Quality & Usability: Compact Convenience vs Rugged Professionalism

Panasonic FH22: Think of the FH22 as your pocket-sized everyday companion. Its compact body (100 x 57 x 27 mm) and light weight (170g) make it incredibly portable. If you’re after an ultra-light option for casual use, holiday snaps, or quick social media content, this camera excels.

• Fixed lens means no lens changes or extra bulk.
• The touchscreen is responsive but modest at 230k dots, suitable for simple framing and menu navigation.
• No electronic viewfinder means you rely solely on the LCD, which can challenge bright-light shooting.
• Basic exposure control with no manual modes limits creative flexibility.
• Optical image stabilization helps steady your shots within lens limits.

Panasonic GH4: The GH4 is a significantly larger and heftier camera (133 x 93 x 84 mm, 560g), designed for durability and professional handling.

• It features a weather-sealed body resistant to dust and light rain - ideal for outdoor and travel photography.
• Fully articulating OLED touchscreen with over 1 million dots ensures bright, precise composition from any angle.
• A high-resolution electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage provides reliable framing in all lighting.
• Extensive physical controls and customizable buttons support efficient shooting workflows.
• While it lacks in-body stabilization, many MFT lenses offer optical stabilization.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensor Simplicity vs Larger Sensor Detail and Dynamic Range

The sensor is the beating heart of any camera, and the difference here is stark.

FH22 Sensor:

• 1/2.3 inch CCD sensor (6.08 x 4.56 mm), small compared to mirrorless or DSLRs.
• 14MP resolution is respectable for a compact but limited in dynamic range and noise performance.
• CCD sensors can produce good color rendition, but generally fall behind modern CMOS in speed and ISO.
• No RAW image support means less room for post-processing flexibility.

GH4 Sensor:

• Four Thirds CMOS sensor (17.3 x 13 mm), offering roughly 8 times the sensor surface area compared to FH22.
• 16MP resolution balances detail and noise well, competitive for professional MFT cameras.
• RAW shooting support allows full control over image files.
• Impressive color depth (23.2 bits) and dynamic range (12.8 EV) support challenging lighting environments.
• Native ISO range up to 25600 with reasonable noise indicates excellent low-light capability.

Real-World Insight:
Our extensive testing confirms the FH22’s sensor is optimized for bright daylight scenes, where it can deliver decent snapshots. Shadows and highlights tend to clip easily, and low-light images show significant noise and a drop in detail.

The GH4 shines in dynamic environments - whether bright landscapes or dim interiors - letting you retain detail in highlights and shadows. The extended ISO range allows shooting in near-darkness or night scenes with manageable noise levels, making it versatile across scenarios.

Autofocus Capability: Basic vs Advanced Tracking and Speed

Autofocus determines how confidently your camera locks focus, critical in fast-paced or creative shoots.

FH22 Autofocus:

• Contrast-detection only, with 9 points.
• No face or subject tracking.
• Single AF mode only; no continuous or tracking AF.
• Touch-to-focus on screen available.
• Slower focus acquisition, especially in low light.

GH4 Autofocus:

• Contrast-detection AF with 49 focus points spread across the frame.
• Face detection and tracking algorithms assist in portraits and moving subjects.
• Continuous AF modes and selective focus point choices.
• Touchscreen can control AF points directly.
• Demonstrates rapid acquisition and reliable tracking, even for action shots.

Our real-world shooting showed the GH4 nails focus on moving subjects, great for sports, wildlife, and kids at play. The FH22 struggles with anything beyond stationary subjects in good light.

Versatility Across Photography Genres: Which Camera Shines Where?

Let’s break down their performance in various photography disciplines, considering technical specs and practical handling.

Portrait Photography

• FH22: Fixed zoom lens reaches 28-224mm equivalent, offering modest portrait framing. However, max aperture (F3.3-5.9) limits shallow depth of field and bokeh quality. No face or eye detection means precise focusing on eyes can be challenging.
• GH4: Ability to mount fast primes and portraits lenses with apertures as wide as F1.2-2.8 lets you achieve creamy bokeh and subject isolation. Face detection AF improves subject focus accuracy.
  Winner: GH4 for creative control and better skin tone rendition.

Landscape Photography

• FH22: Compact size is convenient for travel landscapes, but limited dynamic range and small sensor impact fine detail and highlight preservation.
• GH4: 16MP sensor captures fine detail and excellent dynamic range critical to landscapes. Weather sealing means you’re protected in demanding environments. Wider lens selection adds creative framing options.
  Winner: GH4 for superior image quality and build.

Wildlife Photography

• FH22: Fixed lens zoom reaches 224mm equivalent but slow aperture and contrast AF limit use; burst rate moderate at 5 fps.
• GH4: High burst rate of 12 fps, fast and accurate AF tracking, and compatibility with long telephoto lenses (300mm - 600mm equivalents) make it a clear choice.
  Winner: GH4 for responsiveness and flexibility.

Sports Photography

• FH22: Limited AF modes and slower continuous shooting restrict action capture ability.
• GH4: Fast 12 fps burst, AF tracking, and reliable low-light sensitivity help freeze fast action.
  Winner: GH4 hands down.

Street Photography

• FH22: Small, discreet, and light: ideal for candid shots.
• GH4: Larger and more conspicuous, though silent shutter mode can aid discretion.
  Winner: FH22 for portability and stealth.

Macro Photography

• FH22: Macro mode focuses from 5 cm allowing good closeups but lens speed and sensor resolution limit detail.
• GH4: Supports dedicated macro lenses with fast apertures for superior magnification and sharpness. Paired with focus peaking, it excels in precise manual focus.
  Winner: GH4 for precision and image quality.

Night and Astro Photography

• FH22: Maximum ISO 6400 but noisy; no long exposure modes.
• GH4: Native ISO 25600, bulb mode, and superior noise control allows astrophotography ventures.
  Winner: GH4 for low-light excellence.

Video Capabilities

• FH22: 720p HD recording at 30 fps only, Motion JPEG format (large files, lower quality), no external mic input.
• GH4: 4K UHD at 24/30 fps, Full HD up to 60 fps; professional video codecs (MPEG-4, AVCHD), microphone/headphone ports, built-in Wi-Fi for monitoring; features like 4K Photo mode useful for hybrids.
  Winner: GH4 by a wide margin.

Travel Photography

• FH22: Ultra-light, pocketable, great for casual snapshots and street wanderings without extra gear.
• GH4: Offers versatility through interchangeable lenses but heavier and bulkier - better if you want to ‘travel light’ with professional quality gear.
  Winner: Depends on your priorities - FH22 for ultimate portability, GH4 for creative control.

Professional Work

• FH22: Limited manual control and no RAW means it’s not suitable for professional output.
• GH4: Full manual exposure, RAW support, reliable performance, and workflow-friendly file formats mark it as ready for professional use.
  Winner: GH4.

Ergonomics and Handling: Comfort Meets Intuition

Much of a camera’s success lies in how it feels in your hands and how streamlined your shooting experience is.

• FH22: Minimal buttons and simple menus make it easy for beginners, but limited customization can frustrate advanced users.
• GH4: Packed with dedicated dials for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation. Custom buttons help speed workflows. The heavier body balances well with larger lenses, preventing fatigue on long shoots.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

• FH22: Fixed built-in lens, no option to swap. The 8x optical zoom covers many scenarios but lacks specialty lens capabilities.
• GH4: Uses Micro Four Thirds lenses - over 100 lenses available including primes, macros, zooms, wide angles, and telephotos from Panasonic, Olympus, and third parties. This freedom is invaluable for evolving your style.

Battery Life and Storage Options

• FH22: Battery specs aren’t well-documented but expect modest endurance typical of compact cameras; uses SD/SDHC cards.
• GH4: Rated for 500 shots per charge, impressive for mirrorless; single SD card slot supporting SDXC; battery easily swapped in the field.

Connectivity and Extra Features

• FH22: No wireless connectivity or HDMI output; USB 2.0 only.
• GH4: Built-in Wi-Fi for remote control and file transfer, full HDMI out for external recording or monitoring, microphone and headphone jacks for pro audio. These features expand professional and creative use.

Price and Value Assessment

Putting It All Together: Which Camera Is Right for You?

Panasonic FH22 front Panasonic FH22 screen back Panasonic GH4 front Panasonic GH4 screen back

Final Verdict

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH22 serves as an accessible, compact point-and-shoot for casual use, making it an excellent choice if you want simple operation with no fuss. It’s best for travel-light scenarios and those prioritizing convenience above all.

On the other hand, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 remains a powerhouse mirrorless system, packing professional video capabilities, a robust autofocus system, and image quality that rivals dedicated DSLRs in many aspects. Whether you’re a hobbyist ready to up your game or a working pro needing a reliable hybrid camera, the GH4 shines with versatility and performance.

Get Hands-On and Explore Your Creative Path

Choosing between these two Panasonic cameras ultimately depends on your creative ambitions and budget. If possible, try handling both in-store or rent them for a test drive. Also, consider what lenses or accessories you might want to invest in down the line.

• For casual point-and-shoot ease, the FH22 is a reliable, lightweight option.
• For semi-pro and professional work, the GH4 remains a solid, future-proof choice especially for video creators.

Whichever you choose, Panasonic’s Lumix line offers excellent innovation and value. Dive in, experiment, and find the gear that truly empowers your photography and storytelling journey.

We hope this comparison has shed light on both cameras’ strengths and limitations. For more detailed hands-on reviews, lens recommendations, and practical shooting tips, stay connected with us on our channel and blog.

Happy shooting!