Clicky

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GH4

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
88
Overall
67

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GH4 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FZ45
Panasonic GH4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 560g - 133 x 93 x 84mm
  • Revealed February 2014
  • Older Model is Panasonic GH3
  • Renewed by Panasonic GH5
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GH4 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GH4, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless and both are offered by Panasonic. The resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the GH4 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the FZ40 (1/2.3") and GH4 (Four Thirds) posses totally different sensor measurements.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The FZ40 was unveiled 4 years earlier than the GH4 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic GH4 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the FZ40 scores against the GH4 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Panasonic GH4

 FZ40 GH4 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Panasonic FZ40

 GH4 FZ40 
RevealedFebruary 2014July 2010Fresher by 43 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1036k230kSharper screen (+806k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic GH4

 FZ40 GH4 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GH4 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic FZ40 has got external dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") and a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) while the Panasonic GH4 has sizing of 133mm x 93mm x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") along with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GH4 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the FZ40 and the GH4.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GH4 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FZ40 and GH4 is 68 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GH4 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GH4 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading through a spec sheet. The photograph below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the FZ40 and GH4.

As you can see, each of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The FZ40 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Panasonic GH4 will give you more detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The older FZ40 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GH4 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GH4 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GH4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic GH4 Portrait photography factors
46
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
71
you can focus manually
decent MP (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Street photography advice
Panasonic GH4 Street photography advice
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than others in class (494g)
71
screen articulates fully
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
provides touch focus
weather proof
lighter than competitors (560g)
above average ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography features
Panasonic GH4 Sports photography features
43
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
62
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
decent MP (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography factors
Panasonic GH4 Travel photography factors
54
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (494 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
77
lighter than competitors (560 grams)
weather proof
provides touch focus
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic GH4 Landscape photography advice
51
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse function
72
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
decent MP (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
lack of image stabilization
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging details
Panasonic GH4 Vlogging details
23
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic socket
heavier than others in class (494g)
71
selfie friendly display
touchscreen enabled
features face detection autofocus
high video quality (4096 x 2160 resolution)
does have external microphone socket
lighter than competitors (560 grams)
lack of image stabilization
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GH4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic GH4
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4
Other name Lumix DMC-FZ45 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Released 2010-07-21 2014-02-07
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II Venus Engine IX
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 49
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.2 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.9 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 1,036 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - OLED
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.67x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.50 m 17.00 m (at ISO 200)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, auto/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync/redeye reduction, forced off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (24p, 25p, 30p), 1920 x 1080 (24p, 25p, 30p, 50p, 60p), 1280 x 720 (24p, 25p, 30p), 640 x 480 (25p, 30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 4096x2160
Video format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 494 gr (1.09 lb) 560 gr (1.23 lb)
Physical dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 74
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 791
Other
Battery life - 500 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - DMW-BLF19
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 secs (single or three-shot))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at release $420 $1,500