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Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
88
Overall
67
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Panasonic GH4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • 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
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GH5
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Released July 2012
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Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ5, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are created by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the GH4 (16MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is relatively similar but the GH4 (Four Thirds) and SZ5 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The GH4 was unveiled 19 months later than the SZ5 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GH4 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a concise summation of how the GH4 grades vs the SZ5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Panasonic SZ5

 GH4 SZ5 
ReleasedFebruary 2014July 2012Fresher by 19 months
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1036k230kCrisper screen (+806k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Panasonic GH4

 SZ5 GH4 

Common features in the Panasonic GH4 and Panasonic SZ5

 GH4 SZ5 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GH4 enjoys exterior measurements of 133mm x 93mm x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ5 has measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the GH4 versus the SZ5.

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GH4 and SZ5 is 66 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by going over technical specs. The graphic below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the GH4 and SZ5.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The GH4 using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Panasonic GH4 will deliver greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The younger GH4 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
71
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
supports RAW formats
34
good resolution (14 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GH4
Street photography with Panasonic SZ5
71
screen articulates fully
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
features touch to focus
environment proofing
lighter than competition (560 grams)
above average ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (136g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography highlights
62
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Travel photography factors
Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography factors
77
lighter than competition (560 grams)
environment proofing
features touch to focus
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
70
lighter than competition (136 grams)
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
no Timelapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GH4
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ5
72
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
no image stabilization
42
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Vlogging factors
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging factors
71
display is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
features face detect focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
comes with microphone socket
lighter than competition (560g)
no image stabilization
32
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
lighter than competition (136g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone socket
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Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH4 and Panasonic SZ5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2014-02-07 2012-07-18
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 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 25600 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 49 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,036k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech OLED TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 12.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 200) 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, auto/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync/redeye reduction, forced off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 560g (1.23 pounds) 136g (0.30 pounds)
Physical dimensions 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 74 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 791 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 photographs 250 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DMW-BLF19 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs (single or three-shot)) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $1,500 $195