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Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic S2

Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
88
Overall
67
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic S2 Key Specs

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
  • Released February 2014
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GH3
  • New Model is Panasonic GH5
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic S2 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic S2, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are offered by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the GH4 (16MP) and the S2 (14MP) is relatively close but the GH4 (Four Thirds) and S2 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizing.

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The GH4 was brought out 2 years after the S2 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH4 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise view of how the GH4 grades against the S2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Panasonic S2

 GH4 S2 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014January 2012Newer by 26 months
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1036k230kSharper screen (+806k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Panasonic GH4

 S2 GH4 

Common features in the Panasonic GH4 and Panasonic S2

 GH4 S2 

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic GH4 offers physical measurements of 133mm x 93mm x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) while the Panasonic S2 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

Check the Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic S2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the GH4 vs the S2.

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the GH4 and S2 is 66 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions just by viewing technical specs. The picture below should offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the GH4 and S2.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The GH4 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Panasonic GH4 will provide you with extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more modern GH4 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Portrait photography details
Panasonic S2 Portrait photography details
71
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
supports RAW files
33
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
features face detection focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Street photography highlights
Panasonic S2 Street photography highlights
71
fully articulated screen
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
comes with touch to focus
environment sealing
lighter than others (560g)
good high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (112g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GH4
Sports photography with Panasonic S2
62
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
good battery power (280 shots)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Travel photography details
Panasonic S2 Travel photography details
77
lighter than others (560g)
environment sealing
comes with touch to focus
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
70
good battery power (280 CIPA)
lighter than average (112 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Landscape photography features
Panasonic S2 Landscape photography features
72
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
lack of image stabilization
41
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
good battery power (280 per charge)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Vlogging factors
Panasonic S2 Vlogging factors
71
selfie friendly screen
touch screen
features face detect focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
does have microphone jack
lighter than others (560 grams)
lack of image stabilization
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
lighter than average (112g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone support
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Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH4 and Panasonic S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-02-07 2012-01-09
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine IX -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 49 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 1,036k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech OLED TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 12.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 17.00 m (at ISO 200) 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, auto/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync/redeye reduction, forced off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 560 gr (1.23 pounds) 112 gr (0.25 pounds)
Dimensions 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 74 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 791 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 pictures 280 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model DMW-BLF19 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs (single or three-shot)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $1,500 $109