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Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A7

Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
88
Overall
67
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
 
Sony Alpha A7 front
Portability
78
Imaging
70
Features
80
Overall
74

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A7 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
  • Introduced February 2014
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GH3
  • Renewed by Panasonic GH5
Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Released January 2014
  • Renewed by Sony A7 II
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Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A7 Overview

Following is a complete review of the Panasonic GH4 versus Sony A7, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the GH4 (16MP) and A7 (24MP) and the GH4 (Four Thirds) and A7 (Full frame) use different sensor dimensions.

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The GH4 was revealed at a similar time to the A7 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the GH4 grades versus the A7 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Sony A7

 GH4 A7 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Panasonic GH4

 A7 GH4 
Display resolution1230k1036kSharper display (+194k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GH4 and Sony A7

 GH4 A7 
ReleasedFebruary 2014January 2014Same generation
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A7 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GH4 has exterior measurements of 133mm x 93mm x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") having a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) while the Sony A7 has proportions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic GH4 versus Sony A7 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that moment. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the GH4 vs the A7.

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A7 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the GH4 and A7 is 66 and 78 respectively.

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A7 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizes simply by viewing specifications. The image below may give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the GH4 and A7.

Plainly, both cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The GH4 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF trickier and the Sony A7 will provide you with more detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively.

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Portrait photography factors
Sony A7 Portrait photography factors
71
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
82
has manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Street photography advice
Sony A7 Street photography advice
71
screen articulates fully
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
features touch to focus
weather proof
lighter than average in class (560g)
good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
79
has a tilting screen
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
lighter than competition (474 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Sports photography highlights
Sony A7 Sports photography highlights
62
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
weather proof
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
66
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery power (340 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GH4
Travel photography with Sony A7
77
lighter than average in class (560g)
weather proof
features touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
69
lighter than competition (474g)
environment proofing
resolution is good (24MP)
not so great battery power (340 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Landscape photography info
Sony A7 Landscape photography info
72
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
does not have image stabilization
75
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery power (340 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GH4
Vlogging with Sony A7
71
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
has face detect focusing
high res video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
comes with microphone jack
lighter than average in class (560g)
does not have image stabilization
35
features face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone jack
lighter than competition (474 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
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Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH4 and Sony A7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4Sony Alpha A7
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Sony Alpha A7
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2014-02-07 2014-01-22
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IX Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 200 50
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 49 117
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,036k dot 1,230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech OLED Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dot 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x 0.71x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 12.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 17.00 m (at ISO 200) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, auto/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync/redeye reduction, forced off no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 560g (1.23 lbs) 474g (1.04 lbs)
Dimensions 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 74 90
DXO Color Depth score 23.2 24.8
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 14.2
DXO Low light score 791 2248
Other
Battery life 500 pictures 340 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model DMW-BLF19 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs (single or three-shot)) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $1,500 $798