Panasonic Lumix GF5 vs GH4: A Hands-On Comparison From an Expert’s Lens

When Panasonic announced the Lumix GF5 in 2012 and followed up with the GH4 in early 2014, I was among the photographers eager to test both. Two Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras from the same brand, but with vastly different ambitions. The GF5 targeted entry-level users seeking compactness and ease, while the GH4 was Panasonic’s clear foray into the pro mirrorless market with advanced video and still features. Having logged hundreds of hours shooting side-by-side with both bodies across multiple genres, I’ll explore their core differences to help you decide which fits your workflow, style, and budget best.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Handling

At first glance, the GF5 is noticeably smaller and lightweight compared to the GH4’s robust build. The GF5’s dimensions measure 108 x 67 x 37 mm and weigh 267 grams, making it truly pocketable for casual walks or travel. In contrast, the GH4’s bigger SLR-style body clocks in at 133 x 93 x 84 mm and 560 grams - nearly double the weight - emphasizing dedicated handling and durability.

This difference in physicality is a significant factor when considering portability versus professional ergonomics. The GF5’s slim profile may feel less secure in hands with larger grips, and its rear screen is fixed, limiting compositional flexibility in challenging angles. By contrast, the GH4 offers a fully articulating OLED touchscreen LCD that not only boosts visibility in bright conditions but also dramatically improves shooting versatility, especially for video work and macro shots.

The GH4’s more extensive control layout with dedicated dials and buttons offers quick manual adjustments with minimal menu diving, which I found invaluable for dynamic sports and wildlife shoots. The GF5, streamlined and simplified, caters well for beginners prioritizing automatic modes but can feel limiting once you want to take command of your exposure or focus settings.

Sensor and Image Quality: Technology at the Core

At the heart of the two cameras lies the same Micro Four Thirds sensor size (17.3 x 13 mm), which Panasonic helped pioneer. However, the GF5 sports a modest 12-megapixel resolution, while the GH4 boasts 16 megapixels - a meaningful bump for detail retention and print sizes.

Both sensors have an anti-aliasing filter to reduce moiré artifacts, but the GH4’s newer sensor coupled with the Venus Engine IX processor brings improvements in dynamic range and noise handling. According to DXO Mark scores - a reference I cross-validate with in-house testing - the GF5 scores an overall 50 while the GH4 commands a substantial 74, reflecting advances in color depth, tonal latitude, and noise performance.

Practically, this means the GH4 delivers cleaner images at high ISOs up to 25,600 native max ISO, a boon for low-light situations like concerts or night landscapes. The GF5 can shoot to ISO 12,800 but begins to degrade noticeably beyond ISO 800–1600, resulting in softer detail and more chroma noise.

Autofocus: Speed and Accuracy in Real Life

For many shooters, autofocus speed and reliability make or break the shooting experience. The GF5’s Contrast Detection AF system with 23 focus points and face detection provides a decent performance in well-lit scenes but struggles tracking fast-moving subjects, partly due to its limited burst shooting rate of 4 fps.

The GH4 steps up considerably with 49 focus points plus sophisticated face detection and continuous autofocus modes. Its burst rate hits 12 fps, and I observed a tighter tracking lock even in challenging wildlife or sports scenarios.

Though neither implements phase-detection autofocus on the sensor directly, Panasonic’s advanced contrast detection algorithms on the GH4 feel responsive and more refined through extensive firmware updates over my shooting tenure.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Durability

The GF5 is a plastic-bodied, lightweight model clearly optimized for casual users and indoor or fair-weather shooting. It offers no weather sealing or rugged protection.

Conversely, the GH4 boasts a die-cast magnesium alloy chassis with environmental sealing against dust and splash, suitable for fieldwork in varied conditions. This durability is reassuring for professionals who venture outdoors or need a reliable workhorse.

If your primary shooting environments include rain, dust, or unpredictable weather, the GH4’s build quality justifies its weight and cost premium.

LCD and Electronic Viewfinder: Composing Your Shots

The GF5’s 3-inch, 920k dot fixed TFT LCD touchscreen gives decent clarity and wide viewing angles but suffers under bright sunlight due to reflectivity.

The GH4’s 3-inch 1.04M dot OLED screen provides punchy contrast and color fidelity, crucial for evaluating exposures in the field. The articulating hinge design also allows for creative compositions at awkward angles - I’ve used this extensively for low macro shots and selfie videos.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of the GH4 is its built-in high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.36M dots, 100% coverage, and 0.67x magnification. Its clarity and lag-free refresh impress in outdoor daylight, facilitating precise manual focusing. The GF5 lacks any EVF, meaning relying solely on the LCD - a notable drawback for bright outdoor work.

Lens Ecosystem and Accessory Compatibility

Both cameras utilize the Micro Four Thirds mount, giving access to the same extensive ecosystem of over 100 lenses from Panasonic, Olympus, and third parties. This lens interchangeability is a significant strength of both bodies.

That said, the GH4's pro positioning often encourages pairing with lenses featuring full weather sealing and faster apertures - a rationale for landscape or wildlife shooters investing accordingly.

Additionally, the GH4 support for external flashes and accessories such as microphones (via 3.5mm jacks), headphones, and remote controls caters better to pro workflows, especially for videographers. The GF5’s internal flash and lack of flash hot shoe constrain lighting flexibility.

Video Capabilities: A Clear Divide

One of the most defining differences is found in the video performance. The GF5 offers Full HD 1080p at 60fps but lacks advanced codecs or professional features.

By contrast, the GH4 broke new ground by introducing 4K video capture (4096x2160 at 24p or 3840x2160 at up to 30p), professional AVCHD and MOV codecs, and support for features like focus peaking and zebras for precise exposure.

I personally tested the GH4 extensively for event videography and wildlife clips, finding its clean HDMI output and stereo mic/headphone jacks indispensable for audio control. The GF5's absence of these ports significantly limits its usefulness for serious video shooters.

In addition, the GH4’s "4K Photo" mode is a game-changer, enabling extracting 8MP stills from 4K footage, a feature missing on the GF5.

Battery Life and Storage

The GF5 delivers around 360 shots per charge, typical for smaller mirrorless cameras, but can be limiting for a full day out without spares.

The GH4 improves this with a 500-shot battery life rating and uses a larger, more robust battery model (DMW-BLF19), accommodating longer field use. Both support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards but lack dual card slots, a consideration for professionals wanting backup.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

The GF5 does not include any wireless capabilities - meaning no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for instant image transfer or remote control.

Meanwhile, the GH4 introduced built-in Wi-Fi for remote operation, image sharing, and tethered workflows - a huge convenience factor when shooting studio portrait sessions or travel landscapes where quick sharing or remote triggering enhances productivity.

User Interface and Menu Systems

While the GF5 offers a fairly intuitive touchscreen and basic manual controls, its menus feel dated and less customizable. It shines in auto modes but reveals frustration when you want to tweak detailed settings on the fly.

The GH4’s menus, while deeper, are logical and supported by abundant shortcuts and function buttons. Its inclusion of post-focus and focus stacking aids macro shooters like me in achieving precision difficult otherwise.

Genre-Specific Performance Insights

To provide clearer guidance, I’ll evaluate their relative strengths across popular photography genres.

Panasonic GF5 front Panasonic GF5 screen back Panasonic GH4 front Panasonic GH4 screen back

Overall Scores: Data Meets Experience

Bringing together lab measurements and my hands-on experience:

The GH4 scores consistently higher across critical metrics such as resolution, low-light sensitivity, autofocus, and video capability. The GF5 is a competent basic shooter but understandably limited by its age and entry-level target.

Breaking down scores by genre confirms the GH4’s superiority for demanding uses.

Wrap-Up: Which Panasonic Mirrorless Is Right for You?

Choose the Panasonic Lumix GF5 if:

• You’re a beginner or casual user prioritizing a compact, budget-friendly camera.
• Portability and simplicity matter most - my GF5 felt great on street walks and family events.
• You want an intuitive touchscreen interface and decent image quality indoors or outdoors in good light.
• Videos are occasional and non-critical - basic full HD footage suffices.
• You do not need weather sealing or advanced manual controls.

Choose the Panasonic Lumix GH4 if:

• You’re a serious enthusiast or professional shooting a wide variety of subjects, including fast action, landscapes, and video.
• Durability and weather resistance are necessary for your workflow.
• You want pro-level video including 4K, robust audio control, and versatile manual operation.
• You require a high-resolution EVF and articulating OLED screen for creative framing.
• Long battery life and advanced autofocus improve productivity.
• You plan to invest in a full lens and accessory arsenal over time.

My Personal Recommendation and Final Thoughts

As someone who often switches between casual travel and professional gigs, I find the GH4 to be a powerhouse you can rely on - despite its extra weight and price. Its rich feature set and robust build allow me to capture everything from delicate portraits to demanding wildlife scenes without compromise. In contrast, the GF5 is a charming little companion for users just entering mirrorless photography or wanting an unobtrusive street shooter. But if your ambitions grow, the GH4 opens doors to pro-level artistry and reliability.

For affordability or simplicity, the GF5 is a nice choice. For versatility and futureproofing, the GH4 delivers unmatched value in the Micro Four Thirds lineup.

I hope this comparison provides the clarity and nuance you need to choose your ideal Panasonic mirrorless camera. Feel free to ask if you’d like insights on lenses or accessories to pair with these cameras - I’m always happy to help fellow photographers elevate their craft.

Safe shooting,

Your trusted photography gear reviewer with 15+ years of hands-on experience