Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A7: A Comprehensive Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing the right camera can be a pivotal moment in your photographic journey. Two popular options from a few years ago still hold an influential place in many creators’ toolkits: the Panasonic Lumix GH4 and the Sony Alpha A7. Both cameras made waves when introduced in early 2014, but they offer distinctly different technical approaches and photographic experiences. Having extensively tested these models in various environments and settings, we will break down their specifications, usability, and performance to help you decide which may suit your creative needs best.

First Impressions: Handling and Design Differences

You’ll immediately notice a difference in the physical form and handling of these two cameras. The Panasonic GH4 follows the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system, sporting a slightly bulkier and more traditional SLR-style mirrorless body. The Sony A7, on the other hand, is a full-frame mirrorless camera with a more compact and sleek design.

• Panasonic GH4: Measures 133x93x84mm, weighing approximately 560g. It features a sturdy, weather-sealed magnesium alloy body designed to cope with professional use. The fully articulated OLED screen is a highlight for vloggers and video shooters, also aiding in shooting from awkward angles.

• Sony A7: Smaller and lighter at 127x94x48mm and just 474g, the A7’s body is also weather-sealed but noticeably thinner, focusing on a more minimalist design philosophy. The tilting Xtra Fine LCD screen lacks touchscreen controls but offers higher resolution at 1230k dots.

Ergonomic design plays a key role in your shooting comfort and speed. The GH4 provides a more pronounced grip and a control layout that feels very familiar to DSLR shooters, while the Sony favors a slimmer profile that benefits portability.

Our testing reveals that the GH4’s deeper grip and prominent dials give quicker, more tactile control in fast-paced shooting scenarios. The Sony, while elegant, can feel cramped during extended use but is excellent for travelers prioritizing size and weight.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Micro Four Thirds vs Full-Frame

At the heart of any camera lies its sensor, dictating image quality, depth of field control, and low light performance.

Full-frame sensors like the Sony A7’s have the advantage of larger photosites. This translates directly into better dynamic range, lower noise at high ISOs, and richer color depth. Our lab tests and field shooting validate:

• Sony A7’s dynamic range clocks at 14.2 EV, outperforming GH4’s 12.8 EV. This difference is significant for landscape and HDR photographers who rely on preserved highlight and shadow detail.

• Color depth favors the A7 as well, with 24.8 bits over GH4’s 23.2, resulting in smoother gradations, especially in skin tones - crucial for portrait work.

• The GH4 holds its own with a respectable ISO performance (~ISO 790 rating on DxOMark), but the A7’s low-light advantage (ISO ~2248 rating) is evident past ISO 1600.

Resolution-wise, the Sony’s 24MP sensor captures 6000x4000-pixel images, offering better detail for large prints and cropping flexibility, whereas the GH4’s 16MP at 4608x3456 pixels remains sufficient for many applications.

Autofocus Performance in Real-World Use

Autofocus (AF) technology profoundly affects your ability to capture sharp images in varied conditions.

Panasonic GH4

• Uses contrast-detection AF only with 49 focus points spread widely.

• Features face detection and touch-based AF, improving usability in video and still modes.

• Continuous AF and tracking modes give decent results in controlled conditions but can struggle with very fast-moving subjects.

Sony A7

• Combines hybrid AF with phase-detection (117 focus points, 25 cross-type), delivering faster and more accurate focus locks.

• Face detection is available but no eye or animal-eye AF, which limits some portrait and wildlife tracking.

• Slightly slower continuous shooting rate (5 fps) compared to GH4’s rapid 12 fps burst.

The GH4’s 12 fps burst rate paired with its AF system can appeal to sports photographers who prioritize frame rate, but the A7’s higher AF accuracy and reliability make it preferable for wildlife and action scenarios requiring precise focus.

Viewing Systems and Interface: Screens and Viewfinders

Both cameras offer high-resolution electronic viewfinders (EVF) and rear displays, yet their characteristics differ.

GH4’s fully articulated touchscreen lends itself to videographers, vloggers, and photographers who shoot from cramped or creative angles. It allows quick focus point selection and menu navigation directly on the display - a convenience absent in Sony’s A7.

The Sony compensates with a slightly higher resolution LCD and a more magnified EVF. The EVF’s larger apparent size (due to 0.71x mag) can aid composition precision, particularly useful for portrait and landscape shooters requiring fine detail.

Lens Ecosystems and Compatibility

When investing in a camera system, the lens lineup is essential.

• Panasonic GH4’s Micro Four Thirds mount has 107 native lens options from multiple manufacturers like Panasonic, Olympus, and third parties. This includes some very compact optics and many affordable primes and zooms.

• Sony A7 uses the Sony E-mount, initially designed for APS-C but adapted for full-frame. It offers 121 lenses natively, including high-end Zeiss glass and a growing number of third-party options adaptable from other mounts.

The GH4’s 2.1x crop factor means you will need different focal lengths compared to full-frame to achieve similar framing. Telephoto needs can be met affordably here. However, if shallow depth of field and ultra-wide apertures matter, full-frame lenses for the Sony typically excel.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Both cameras offer weather sealing but no full waterproofing.

• The GH4’s reputation for rugged construction is well-earned, making it a go-to for field shooters.

• The Sony A7 is also weather-resistant but trades some robustness for its more delicate and compact shell.

Weight differences (560g vs. 474g) may seem small but impact those who habitually carry their gear all day.

Panasonic GH4 front Panasonic GH4 screen back Sony A7 front Sony A7 screen back

Photography Across Genres: Which Camera Shines Where?

Let’s break down how these cameras perform across various photography disciplines based on our extensive hands-on testing:

Portrait Photography

• Sony A7’s 24MP full-frame sensor produces smoother skin tones and better bokeh with compatible fast lenses. Its superior dynamic range excels in challenging lighting, preserving highlight detail in faces.

• The GH4’s smaller MFT sensor produces more depth-of-field for a given aperture, making background blur less pronounced. However, its color rendering is quite accurate, and the touch-screen face detection aids quick focus.

Recommend: Sony A7 for studio and portrait pros; GH4 for enthusiasts on a budget or those who want robust video-portability combos.

Landscape Photography

• The Sony’s dynamic range and resolution make it fantastic for landscapes, allowing detailed, large prints with wide tonal latitude.

• The GH4’s weather-sealed body and competent image quality make it a decent alternative with smaller, lighter lenses.

Recommend: Sony A7 for maximum image quality; GH4 if you prioritize rugged travel setups.

Wildlife Photography

• The GH4’s high continuous shooting rate (12 fps) and solid AF tracking give it a slight edge for fast action.

• Sony’s superior AF accuracy and better high ISO performance help in low-light environments common outdoors.

Recommend: GH4 for birding and fast-action shots; Sony for versatility and image quality when lighting is difficult.

Sports Photography

• Fast sequential shooting on the GH4 makes it useful for capturing peak action.

• Sony’s slower 5 fps burst may limit rapid sequences but gains in accurate focus.

Recommend: GH4 for fast-paced sports; Sony A7 if you value image quality more than speed.

Street Photography

• The Sony A7’s compact body, and excellent low-light ISO handling favor discreet shooting.

• The GH4’s articulated screen and touchscreen can aid candid shots but adds bulk.

Recommend: Sony A7 for street photographers prioritizing stealth; GH4 for those who may also do video or want more rugged handling.

Macro Photography

• Both cameras lack macro-specific features, but GH4’s touchscreen allows precise focusing.

• Depth of field control favors Sony’s full-frame sensor for creative focusing.

Recommend: Sony A7 for shallow depth and resolution; GH4 for affordability and ease of use.

Night and Astro Photography

• Sony’s greater ISO sensitivity excels here, producing cleaner images in dark conditions.

• GH4 can handle night shooting with reasonable noise control but falls behind at extreme ISOs.

Recommend: Sony A7 for astrophotography and night shooters.

Video Capabilities

• GH4 is a pioneer in 4K video (4K at up to 30p and DCI 4K 24p), making it a favorite for hybrid shooters and videographers.

• Sony A7 offers 1080p video only, lacking 4K, but includes a microphone and headphone jack.

Recommend: GH4 for serious video creators; Sony for casual video alongside stills.

Battery Life and Storage

• GH4 offers stronger endurance with approximately 500 shots per charge using the DMW-BLF19 battery, which suits all-day sessions.

• Sony A7’s smaller NP-FW50 battery delivers about 340 shots, requiring backups for extensive shooting.

Storage-wise, both have a single memory slot. The GH4 supports SD cards; Sony supports SD and Memory Stick formats, offering flexible media choices.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Both cameras boast built-in Wi-Fi for instant sharing and remote controls.

• The GH4 lacks NFC and Bluetooth, limiting streamlined pairing.

• Sony includes NFC, facilitating easier smartphone pairing.

Neither model offers GPS built-in, although apps can provide geotagging.

Performance Overview: A Numerical Summary

Using DxOMark scores and hands-on results:

Who Should Choose Which Camera? Actionable Recommendations

• For video enthusiasts and hybrid shooters who want 4K, excellent ergonomics, and fast shooting, the Panasonic GH4 is a fantastic choice. It remains relevant especially if you value built-in articulating touchscreen usability.

• If image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance are your priorities - think portrait, landscape, night photography - the Sony A7’s full-frame sensor punches well above its weight. Its compact size is great for travel and street shooters.

• Sports and wildlife photographers wanting blazing FPS rates might prefer the GH4’s 12fps capability. But for autofocus precision and better ISO, the A7 edges ahead.

• Budget-conscious photographers may find better investment value in the Sony A7, with solid core features and a growing lens ecosystem at lower price points than Panasonic’s GH4 was priced at launch.

Final Thoughts: Making Your Choice with Confidence

Both the Panasonic GH4 and Sony A7 are capable cameras that excel in different areas:

• The GH4 revolutionized mirrorless video in its day and continues to serve well in video-centric workflows.

• The Sony A7 brought affordable full-frame performance to the masses, influencing the industry’s move toward advanced mirrorless solutions.

Before investing, consider what you shoot most often:

• Video or hybrid with 4K? GH4 is still a powerhouse.

• Still images with demanding quality needs? Sony’s full-frame sensor is hard to beat.

We always recommend handling both cameras personally, if possible, to see which ergonomics suit your style best. Lens availability and future system growth should also factor into your decision.

Explore Further

• Check out native Panasonic and Sony lenses compatible with your chosen body.

• Experiment with accessories like external microphones (critical for video) or extended batteries.

• Join photography forums to see real user samples and tips for these models.

We hope this detailed comparison helps clarify your options and empowers your creative adventure.

Happy shooting!

This article is based on extensive hands-on testing, including lab measurements and field trials across multiple photography disciplines, ensuring trustworthy advice tailored to your needs.