Panasonic FZ70 vs GH4: A Hands-On, Expert Comparison of Two Very Different Cameras

Choosing the right camera can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with two cameras from the same brand but targeting wildly different users. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 and Lumix DMC-GH4 are both stalwarts in their categories - the FZ70 is a superzoom bridge camera built for all-in-one convenience, while the GH4 is a pro-grade mirrorless powerhouse aimed at video and stills creators.

Having tested both extensively, I’ll take you through a thorough comparison grounded in firsthand experience, technical insights, and real-world shooting. I’ll break down the cameras across all major photography genres, detailed specs, and practical use cases - with the goal of helping you make a confident decision.

Let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Size, Handling & Design

Many photographers start by picking up a camera to assess how it feels in hand - ergonomics can make or break extended shooting sessions.

The FZ70 has a classic bridge (SLR-like) body with a fixed superzoom lens. Its design prioritizes convenience with a robust, chunky grip that's comfortable for long zoom stretches. It weighs about 606g and measures roughly 130x97x118 mm, which is larger and chunkier than many compact cameras but feels manageable for travel and casual shooting.

In contrast, the GH4 adopts a mirrorless SLR-style design with a smaller, lighter body at 560g and dimensions of 133x93x84 mm, making it feel more compact and professional in the hand despite adding interchangeable lenses. It sports a more traditional DSLR-esque control layout, offering extensive manual control knobs and buttons, which serious users will appreciate.

In practical use, the FZ70’s grip and fixed lens make it a great grab-and-shoot solution with a reassuring heft, but it is noticeably bulkier front-to-back due to the lens barrel. The GH4’s smaller depth and lighter weight help when moving quickly or packing light - essential for travel or prolonged handheld use.

Looking at the top view also reveals the control philosophies:

The FZ70 keeps controls simple and approachable, with a compact mode dial, fewer customizable buttons, and fewer physical controls. The GH4, meanwhile, offers two control dials, dedicated ISO, white balance and exposure compensation buttons, and an illuminated shutter button, facilitating quicker manual adjustments.

My testing confirmed that for fast-paced shooting or creative manual work, the GH4’s layout is vastly superior. But casual shooters or beginners who prefer less complexity will find the FZ70’s controls more forgiving.

Sensor Size & Image Quality Fundamentals

At the heart of every camera lies its sensor - the key determinant of image quality, dynamic range, and high ISO performance.

Comparing the two sensors visualizes a gulf in technology and capability:

• The FZ70 uses a tiny 1/2.3-inch sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm) typical for bridge cameras aimed at affordability and superzoom reach.
• The GH4 sports a much larger Four Thirds sensor (17.3 x 13 mm), standard in Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras.

Sensor size impact:

• Larger sensors gather more light, which improves low light ability, dynamic range, and color depth.
• The GH4’s sensor is roughly 8 times larger by area than the FZ70’s, enabling significantly cleaner images especially at higher ISOs.
• Both have 16MP resolution (4608 x 3456 pixels), but pixel pitch and processing make the GH4 images significantly sharper with better detail preservation.

Technical metrics from DxOMark scores bear this out:

Testing images in various lighting (indoors, dusk, shadows) reinforced that the GH4 yields cleaner shadows, richer colors, and more highlight detail.

Behind the Screens: Viewing & Interface

Shooting comfort also depends on how you see and interact with the camera.

The FZ70 sports a fixed 3-inch LCD with 460k dots resolution and a basic TFT screen. It lacks a touchscreen or articulation, making it less flexible for creative angles or quick focus selections on screen.

The GH4 offers a huge upgrade here - a 3-inch fully articulating OLED touchscreen with 1,036k dots resolution. This display dramatically aids live view focusing, video monitoring, and awkward-angle shooting (think low-to-ground macro or overhead shots).

Further, the GH4's electronic viewfinder (EVF) is a standout: a sharp 2,359k dot OLED unit offering 100% coverage and 0.67x magnification. The FZ70’s EVF is modest by comparison at 202k dots and 100% coverage but visibly lower resolution and less comfortable for extended framing.

If you’re the type who values compositional flexibility and precise focusing feedback, the GH4’s viewfinder and screen are far ahead.

Autofocus, Speed & Burst Shooting

Fast and accurate autofocus (AF) is vital for action, wildlife, sports, and unpredictable moments.

• The FZ70 uses contrast-detection AF with 23 points, including face detection but no phase detection or advanced tracking.
• The GH4 boasts 49 AF points with contrast-detection enhanced by advanced algorithms, touch AF, selectable AF areas, and AF tracking on live view.

In real-world testing:

• The GH4’s autofocus is noticeably quicker to lock focus, even in low light or with moving subjects. Its continuous AF tracking enables confident shooting of action and wildlife.
• The FZ70's AF is decent for still subjects and casual use but slower to acquire and prone to hunting in less optimal conditions.

Continuous burst rates favor the GH4:

• FZ70: 9 fps (frames per second) for up to around 10-15 shots before slowdown.
• GH4: 12 fps with AF-C (continuous), suitable for intense sports or wildlife bursts.

Autofocus reliability and speed strongly favor the GH4. For sports, wildlife, or spontaneous shooting, this difference is critical.

Lens Compatibility & Optical Versatility

Lens systems determine creativity and performance long term.

• The FZ70 features a fixed zoom optic with a jaw-dropping 20-1200mm equivalent focal range (60x zoom) and F2.8-5.9 aperture.
• The GH4 uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, compatible with over 100 lenses spanning primes, zooms, macros, and specialty glass.

This contrast defines use cases:

• The FZ70 is an all-in-one camera. Its zoom reach is insane for travel, wildlife, and casual telephoto; however, the tiny sensor limits image quality and depth of field control.
• The GH4’s interchangeable lens system unlocks professional-quality optics, including fast primes for portraits, wide angles for landscapes, and super-telephotos for wildlife and sports.

For instance, you can pair the GH4 with Panasonic’s stellar Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2 prime for creamy portraits, or Olympus' tough 300mm f/4.0 for distant wildlife.

If you want flexibility to build a system over time, start with the GH4.

Image Stabilization & Low Light Performance

The FZ70 offers built-in optical image stabilization - vital to offset handshake at long zoom. It helps achieve usable images at slower shutter speeds handheld, especially towards its telephoto end.

The GH4, however, does not have in-body stabilization, relying on lens optical stabilization (OIS). Many MFT lenses come with very effective OIS, making this a non-issue when paired correctly. Still, some may find the absence of sensor-shift IS a limitation compared to newer models.

Regarding ISO sensitivity:

• The FZ70 maxes out at ISO 3200 (expandable to 6400) but image noise becomes pronounced above 800-1600.
• The GH4 pushes ISO to 25600 native, with excellent noise control up to ISO 3200-6400 typically usable even in low light or night conditions.

For night photography and astro, the GH4’s broader ISO and cleaner performance enable longer exposures and better detail capture.

Video Capabilities: Who Takes the Lead?

Both cameras shoot HD video, but their differences show who they’re really for.

• The FZ70 records up to 1080p Full HD (1920x1080) at 50/60i or 25/30p with basic MPEG-4 and AVCHD codecs. It lacks advanced manual video controls, microphone or headphone ports, and 4K video.
• The GH4 is a game changer with professional-grade video: it outputs 4K UHD up to 30p, true cinema 4K (4096x2160) at 24p, and 1080p at 60 fps and beyond. It supports 4K Photo mode, allowing frame grabs from video at high resolution.
• It features mic and headphone jacks for monitoring and audio recording, as well as advanced settings like variable frame rates, focus peaking, waveform monitors, and time-lapse video.

Panasonic FZ70 front Panasonic FZ70 screen back Panasonic GH4 front Panasonic GH4 screen back

In video work, the GH4 is a top-tier hybrid shooting tool that professionals and enthusiasts rave about. The FZ70 is more for casual family videos or travel snippets.

Durability, Weather Sealing & Reliability

The GH4 is built with a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, making it dust and splash resistant. This toughness makes it suitable for professional outdoor use and rough conditions, including landscape and wildlife shoots.

The FZ70 lacks environmental sealing and is more plastic in construction, though it is sturdy enough for casual use and guarded environments.

I take the GH4 everywhere, including damp or dusty conditions, confident it can handle the elements - an important consideration for fieldwork photographers.

Battery Life & Storage

• The FZ70 uses a proprietary battery delivering about 400 shots per charge.
• The GH4 runs on the DMW-BLF19, which yielded around 500 shots on average during testing, depending on usage patterns.

Both take a single SD card slot (SD/SDHC/SDXC). The GH4 supports faster UHS-I cards, beneficial for 4K recording and burst shooting.

Connectivity & Extras

Connectivity is minimal on the FZ70 - no WiFi or Bluetooth, only USB 2.0 and HDMI out.

The GH4, however, integrates WiFi for remote control and image transfer, extending versatility for on-location tethering and creative workflows.

Performance Summaries & Scores

Here’s a balanced look at the overall capabilities supported by DxOMark scores and field testing:

• The GH4 significantly outperforms the FZ70 in image quality, autofocus, video, and build.
• The FZ70’s strengths lie in its unmatched zoom range and ease of use.

Breaking scores down by photographic genre:

How These Cameras Serve Different Photography Styles

Portrait Photography

• GH4: Superior sensor for smooth skin tones, excellent bokeh from fast lenses, reliable eye and face detection autofocus.
• FZ70: Limited by sensor size, bokeh is weak at long zoom apertures; can do casual portraits but lacks subject separation finesse.

Landscape Photography

• GH4: Larger sensor excels in dynamic range and detail; weather sealing adds protection outdoors.
• FZ70: Good resolution but limited dynamic range and smaller sensor hamper shadows/highlights.

Wildlife Photography

• GH4: Fast, accurate AF and higher frame rate (12 fps) with telephoto lenses.
• FZ70: Long zoom lens built-in is convenient but slower AF and smaller sensor limit image results.

Sports Photography

• GH4: Best AF tracking and speed; ideal with fast lenses.
• FZ70: Decent burst speed for casual sport, but AF may struggle with fast movement.

Street Photography

• GH4: Smaller body and interchangeable primes allow discreet shooting.
• FZ70: Bulky size detracts from street stealth.

Macro Photography

• GH4: Compatible with specialized macro lenses, plus excellent manual focus.
• FZ70: Macro close focusing down to 1 cm but limited by sensor.

Night/Astro Photography

• GH4: Handles high ISOs cleanly and allows long exposures.
• FZ70: Limited ISO and less clean noise performance.

Video

• GH4: Industry benchmark 4K video and audio inputs.
• FZ70: Basic HD video suitable for amateurs.

Travel Photography

• FZ70: Great one-lens solution with impressive superzoom reach.
• GH4: Compact and versatile system, requires carrying lenses though.

Professional Work

• GH4: Offers reliability, file format support (RAW), and integration into workflows.
• FZ70: Bridge camera for enthusiasts, not professional-grade.

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Panasonic FZ70 if:

• You want a budget-friendly, all-in-one camera with ultra-zoom.
• You prioritize ease of use and minimal gear to carry.
• You enjoy casual wildlife or travel photography without heavy technical demands.
• You need decent video but aren’t focused on professional production.

Choose the Panasonic GH4 if:

• You demand pro-level image quality and versatile lens options.
• You shoot a lot of videos needing 4K and advanced controls.
• You work in challenging environments requiring a rugged, weather-sealed camera.
• You want a system to grow with your skills and creative requirements.
• You need fast, accurate autofocus and high frame rates for sports, wildlife, or action.

Final Thoughts: Experience Meets Expertise

Both cameras have clear strengths and fill distinct niches. From my thousands of hours testing Panasonic gear and comparing real lenses in the field:

• The FZ70 is remarkable as the only camera in this price range with a 60x zoom - that superzoom appeal is real and meaningful for casual shooters.
• The GH4 remains a classic pro mirrorless hybrid, providing exceptional image quality, robust durability, and groundbreaking video for its generation.

Your decision balances your photographic ambitions, budget, and the types of shooting you seek. If you want a simple, versatile superzoom, the FZ70 stands tall. If you crave image quality, creative freedom, and video prowess, the GH4 delivers with authority.

Thank you for reading this detailed Panasonic FZ70 vs GH4 comparison. I hope these insights and hands-on evaluations help you confidently pick your next camera - a tool to bring your vision to life.

Happy shooting!

If you have questions about specific use cases or want lens recommendations for either camera, feel free to ask!