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Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ7

Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
88
Overall
67
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ7 Key Specs

Panasonic GH4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 560g - 133 x 93 x 84mm
  • Launched February 2014
  • Superseded the Panasonic GH3
  • Later Model is Panasonic GH5
Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2012
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Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ7 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Panasonic GH4 versus Panasonic SZ7, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both designed by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the GH4 (16MP) and the SZ7 (14MP) is relatively similar but the GH4 (Four Thirds) and SZ7 (1/2.3") have different sensor size.

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The GH4 was announced 2 years later than the SZ7 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GH4 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ7 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise summary of how the GH4 grades vs the SZ7 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Panasonic SZ7

 GH4 SZ7 
ReleasedFebruary 2014January 2012More recent by 26 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1036k460kClearer screen (+576k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Panasonic GH4

 SZ7 GH4 

Common features in the Panasonic GH4 and Panasonic SZ7

 GH4 SZ7 
Screen size3"3"Same screen size

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ7 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic GH4 enjoys physical dimensions of 133mm x 93mm x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") and a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ7 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic GH4 versus Panasonic SZ7 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the GH4 versus the SZ7.

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ7 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GH4 and SZ7 is 66 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ7 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to picture the gap between sensor measurements simply by reading specs. The graphic underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the GH4 and SZ7.

All in all, both the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The GH4 using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh simpler and the Panasonic GH4 will offer more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more recent GH4 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GH4
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ7
71
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
saves RAW files
33
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Street photography camera
71
fully articulated screen
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
provides touch focus
weather proofing
lighter than competition (560g)
above average high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (133g)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Sports photography camera
62
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Travel photography advice
Panasonic SZ7 Travel photography advice
77
lighter than competition (560g)
weather proofing
provides touch focus
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
70
lighter than others in class (133 grams)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic SZ7 Landscape photography advice
72
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
does not have image stabilization
42
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Vlogging camera
71
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
supports face detection focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
does have external mic socket
lighter than competition (560 grams)
does not have image stabilization
35
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (133 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic jack
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Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH4 and Panasonic SZ7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-02-07 2012-01-09
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IX -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 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 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 49 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range - 4cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,036k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology OLED TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 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 reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 secs -
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 560 grams (1.23 lbs) 133 grams (0.29 lbs)
Physical dimensions 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photos 220 photos
Style of battery 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 media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $1,500 $199