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Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
88
Overall
67
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ8 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
  • Released February 2014
  • Superseded the Panasonic GH3
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GH5
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Launched January 2014
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Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ8, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are manufactured by Panasonic. The image resolution of the GH4 (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is fairly comparable but the GH4 (Four Thirds) and SZ8 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The GH4 was launched 2 months after the SZ8 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GH4 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the GH4 grades versus the SZ8 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Panasonic SZ8

 GH4 SZ8 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1036k460kSharper display (+576k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic GH4

 SZ8 GH4 

Common features in the Panasonic GH4 and Panasonic SZ8

 GH4 SZ8 
LaunchedFebruary 2014January 2014Same generation
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic GH4 offers 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) and the Panasonic SZ8 has specifications of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ8 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the GH4 and the SZ8.

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GH4 and SZ8 is 66 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to see the difference in sensor sizes simply by checking out specifications. The pic underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GH4 and SZ8.

Plainly, the two cameras feature the identical megapixels but not the same sensor sizes. The GH4 has the larger sensor which should make getting shallow depth of field less difficult.

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Portrait photography details
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography details
71
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
35
decent MP (16MP)
has face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
71
screen can move to multiple angles
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
has touch to focus
environment proof
lighter than competition in class (560 grams)
very good high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (159g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Sports photography factors
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography factors
62
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
34
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Travel photography info
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography info
77
lighter than competition in class (560 grams)
environment proof
has touch to focus
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
67
lighter than average in class (159g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery power (200 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography highlights
72
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
42
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GH4
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ8
71
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has mic port
lighter than competition in class (560g)
lack of image stabilization
32
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (159 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
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Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH4 and Panasonic SZ8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2014-02-07 2014-01-06
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IX Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 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 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 25600 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 49 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-288mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-6.3
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,036 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology OLED TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 12.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 200) 5.20 m
Flash options Auto, auto/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync/redeye reduction, forced off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 560 grams (1.23 lb) 159 grams (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 images 200 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DMW-BLF19 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs (single or three-shot)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $1,500 $275