Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A7S III: A Thorough Real-World Camera Comparison

Choosing between the Panasonic Lumix GH4 and the Sony Alpha A7S III is like lining up a veteran indie filmmaker against the latest blockbuster director. Both pro mirrorless cameras command respect but cater to quite different photographic and video ambitions. Having personally tested thousands of cameras over 15 years - from entry-level compacts to high-end cinema bodies - I’m here to help you break down what each camera brings to your creative table, so you can make a confident, practical choice.

Let’s dive deep into this comparison, examining everything from sensor tech to ergonomics, across the full spectrum of photography and videography disciplines.

A First Look: Build, Size, and Design

Let’s start with the physical feel - because no matter how powerful a camera is, it has to suit your hands and workflow for day-in, day-out use.

Panasonic’s GH4 sports a classic SLR-style mirrorless body with Micro Four Thirds sensor format. At 133x93x84mm and 560g, it feels compact and reasonably lightweight - well-suited for travel, street, and even macro shooters who prize portability. Sony’s A7S III, meanwhile, is a slightly larger but still pocketable full-frame mirrorless model (129x97x81mm, 699g). The size difference isn’t dramatic, but the extra bulk in the A7S III typically comes with enhanced weather sealing and a sturdier magnesium alloy shell - reassuring for pro and outdoor work.

Looking closer at top control layouts:

Panasonic’s GH4 features dedicated dials for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation - classic control elements many photographers love for tactile shooting. The Sony A7S III opts for a more minimalistic array, favoring customizable buttons combined with a dual control dial system. If you prefer instant access to key exposure settings, the GH4 might click better; however, Sony’s arrangement gives you more programmable flexibility to tailor your workflow.

Ergonomics are subjective - but speaking from my testing, if you have medium to large hands, the Sony’s grip feels more secure and comfortable for extended shooting sessions, particularly with larger lenses.

Sensor Showdown: Resolution, Size, and Image Quality

Now for the heart of the cameras - the sensors. This is where fundamental differences start to shape your photographic possibilities.

Panasonic GH4

• Sensor Size: Four Thirds (17.3x13 mm), 224.9mm²
• Resolution: 16 MP (4608x3456)
• Native ISO Range: 200–25600
• Sensor Type: CMOS with optical AA filter
• DxOMark Scores: Overall: 74, Color Depth: 23.2 bits, Dynamic Range: 12.8 EV, Low-light ISO: 791

The GH4’s smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor inherently captures less light compared to full-frame sensors but benefits from a stacked mirrorless ecosystem with over 100 lenses available. The 16MP resolution is modest today but sufficient for up to A3 print sizes, especially if you don’t crop heavily.

Sony A7S III

• Sensor Size: Full-frame (35.6x23.8 mm), 847.28mm²
• Resolution: 12 MP (4240x2832)
• Native ISO Range: 80–102400 (boosted to 409600)
• Sensor Type: Backside Illuminated (BSI) CMOS with anti-aliasing filter
• DxOMark Scores: Overall: 85, Color Depth: 23.6 bits, Dynamic Range: 13.3 EV, Low-light ISO: 2993

Sony’s A7S III trades megapixels for massive pixel size, optimized specifically for superior low-light sensitivity and dynamic range. The 12MP resolution is low by today’s standards but ideal for video, night photography, and fast focusing. You’ll find noise levels impressively controlled even at ISO 6400 and beyond.

What does this mean in practice? If you prioritize ultimate low-light shooting - say for astrophotography or dimly lit venues - the A7S III absolutely excels. For daylight landscape photography where higher resolution is needed to capture fine detail, the GH4 performs well but is starting to show its age.

Viewing and Interface: Screens and Viewfinders

Every photographer lives or dies by their viewfinder and LCD experience during live shooting and playback.

Both cameras feature fully articulating 3-inch touchscreens, a feature I appreciate for video work and awkward angles (macro or vlogging, anyone?). The GH4’s OLED panel offers sharp rendering but at 1036k-dot resolution it lags the Sony’s more impressive 1440k-dot LCD which feels slightly crisper and more responsive.

When it comes to electronic viewfinders (EVF):

• GH4 sports a 2.36M-dot EVF with 0.67x magnification.
• A7S III boasts a stunning 9.44M-dot EVF at 0.91x magnification.

Eye strain is reduced on the Sony’s EVF due to high resolution and wider field, which makes it excellent for critical manual focusing or wildlife tracking. The GH4’s EVF is usable but more limiting in detail resolution and refresh rate.

Autofocus Systems in Real World Performance

A camera’s autofocus (AF) is critical whether you’re freezing action at a football game or nailing sharp portraits with that perfect eye detect.

• GH4 has 49 contrast-detection AF points, including face detection.
• A7S III features 759 phase-detection points plus face and eye detection, including animal eye AF.

Sony’s hybrid AF system here is leagues ahead technologically, based on what I experienced shooting wildlife and sports outdoors. Its eye tracking is fast and precise, even in dim conditions - a boon for portraits or unpredictable subjects. Panasonic’s GH4 contrast AF performs well in static subjects or video but struggles to maintain lock in low light or fast-moving scenarios.

Continuous autofocus during video also favors Sony, where the A7S III’s AF remains silky smooth and reliable at 4K120p, while GH4’s AF hunting is more noticeable.

Lenses and Ecosystem Considerations

Let’s look at lens compatibility and choices because a camera’s true potential hinges on the glass you mount.

The GH4 relies on the Micro Four Thirds mount, a mature system with 107 lenses - thanks to Panasonic and Olympus collaboration alongside third-party makers like Sigma and Tamron. You’ll find affordable, lightweight primes and versatile zooms. The 2.1x crop factor also lets you reach longer telephoto ranges easily - a plus for wildlife or sports on a budget.

The A7S III uses the Sony E-mount, with 121 lenses now available from Sony, Zeiss, Sigma, Tamron, and more. Full-frame primes and zooms dominate here, and while you’ll pay a premium, the optical quality, especially for portrait and landscape primes, is remarkable. The 1x crop factor means your lenses behave as designed, with true wide-angle capability.

So, if you want to invest in a broader, proven array of compact lenses, the GH4 offers great value. But for top-tier glass with modern optical stabilization and stunning bokeh, Sony’s ecosystem is tough to beat.

Burst Rates and Buffering for Action

If you shoot sports, wildlife, or fast-paced events, continuous shooting speeds and buffer depth can make or break your decision.

• GH4 shoots 12 fps with a respectable buffer for JPEGs and RAW.
• A7S III offers 10 fps with excellent buffer depth, especially for compressed RAW burst sequences.

While the GH4’s higher frame rate is notable, in practical use I found the Sony’s superior AF tracking and better buffer management more important - meaning you capture more in-focus sequences without lag.

Video Capabilities - The Game-Changing Divide

If video is your passion or profession, these cameras are a fascinating study in evolution.

Panasonic GH4

• First mirrorless to offer 4K DCI (4096x2160) recording at 24p, plus UHD at 30p.
• Supports 8-bit 4:2:0 internal and 8-bit 4:2:2 output via HDMI.
• 12-bit RAW video output with external recorders.
• Lacks in-body stabilization (IBIS).
• Includes mic and headphone jacks.

Sony A7S III

• Records 4K up to 120p with 10-bit 4:2:2 internally.
• Supports advanced codecs XAVC S, S-I, HS with low compression.
• Full 5-axis sensor-shift IBIS combined with lens OSS.
• Dual SD and CFexpress Type A card slots for pro workflows.
• Excellent low-light video with less noise.
• Includes mic, headphone ports, and HDMI Type A.

This one is a no-brainer if 4K video quality, slow motion, and professional codec support matter. The GH4 was groundbreaking in 2014, and still holds value for budget-conscious videographers, but the A7S III clearly elevates video quality, ease of use, and post-production flexibility.

Battery Life and Storage Flexibility

• GH4 uses the DMW-BLF19 battery, rated ~500 shots per charge
• A7S III packs an NP-FZ100 battery, rated ~600 shots per charge

While these numbers are manufacturer claims, in my field tests the Sony yields a noticeably longer life, critical during long shoots or travel where charging opportunities are limited.

Storage-wise, the GH4 offers a single SD card slot. The A7S III’s dual card slots (SD + CFexpress Type A) provide fail-safe redundancy or overflow options - an essential feature for pros shooting important gigs and video.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Both are weather-sealed but not fully waterproof or shockproof. The Sony feels a touch more robust with slightly enhanced sealing. For outdoor photographers who brave rain or dust, both will do well with care, but Sony edges out on build confidence overall.

Photography Genres: Which Shines Where?

Now let’s look at how each camera performs across popular photographic disciplines.

Portrait Photography

• GH4: Lovely color reproduction, decent bokeh with MFT lenses, face detection AF works but slower than modern systems.
• A7S III: Superior eye detection AF (human and animal), beautifully shallow depth of field, enhanced skin tone rendering.

If you want fast and critical eye AF for portraits, Sony wins. GH4 could suit beginners or those on a tight budget.

Landscape Photography

• GH4’s 16MP sensor delivers fine detail; good dynamic range but shadows can clip more easily.
• Sony’s lower resolution 12MP limits pixel density slightly but dynamic range and color accuracy are superb.

I prefer Sony for landscapes due to better DR and color gamut, especially shooting scenes with bright highlights and deep shadows. Weather sealing also bolsters Sony’s advantage outdoors.

Wildlife and Sports

• Autofocus speed and accuracy are vital. Sony’s 759-point phase detection and tracking vastly outperform Panasonic’s contrast-detection system.
• Burst shooting is slightly faster on GH4, but less relevant given Sony’s precision and buffer depth.

Sony is my pick for professional wildlife or sports shooting; GH4 can still fill a role as a budget-friendly backup system.

Street Photography

Size, weight, and discreetness matter.

• GH4 is lighter, less intrusive, and cheaper to outfit with small primes.
• A7S III is heavier, though still manageable; its EVF is more comfortable for critical framing in unpredictable scenes.

For casual street shooters, GH4 may feel more nimble. Professionals who prefer manual zoom lenses and eye AF will lean Sony.

Macro Photography

With no native macro focus range specs for either, this depends on lenses.

• GH4 benefits from a compact lens lineup with many affordable macro options.
• Sony offers high-end macro lenses with stabilization.

Both perform well; GH4 may appeal to beginners here due to affordability and size.

Night/Astro Photography

This is the A7S III’s crown jewel. Its massive full-frame sensor, huge ISO range, and excellent noise control ensure stunning starscape captures with minimal noise, far surpassing the GH4.

Video Production

• GH4 was once top of the line but now superseded.
• A7S III offers professional 4K120p slow-motion, 10-bit 4:2:2, superior codecs, IBIS, high frame rates, and dual card slots.

The Sony is a must-have if video is your focus.

Travel Photography

• GH4’s size, lightweight body, and expandable lens selection make it ideal for travelers seeking portability.
• A7S III offers versatility and video prowess but is heavier with a higher investment.

Budget and travel style dictate your choice here.

Professional Workflows

• GH4 supports RAW but offers no dual card slots and slower USB 2.0.
• A7S III’s dual storage, faster USB 3.2, advanced file formats, and customizable workflow appeal to pros.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Both feature built-in Wi-Fi for instant sharing and remote control via apps.

• GH4 lacks Bluetooth and NFC.
• A7S III includes Bluetooth and NFC, offering faster pairing and reliable wireless tethering.

Sony scores points for future-proofing here.

Price and Value Analysis: Budget vs. Performance

• At $1499 (body only), Panasonic’s GH4 is highly affordable for a pro-tier camera featuring 4K.
• Sony A7S III commands $3499 - over twice the price, but justifiably so with superior sensor tech, lenses, video, and AF.

Your budget and needs will dictate whether you prefer the GH4’s great value or the A7S III’s premium capabilities.

Sample Image Gallery: Seeing Is Believing

Panasonic GH4 front Panasonic GH4 screen back Sony A7S III front Sony A7S III screen back

Viewing side-by-side images, you notice the GH4’s colors are vibrant with good sharpness, but noise rises noticeably beyond ISO 1600. A7S III’s files retain cleaner shadows, smoother gradients, and excel in low light - even without aggressive noise reduction.

Conclusion: Which Camera Should You Buy?

• Choose the Panasonic GH4 if you:

  • Need an affordable 4K mirrorless camera
  • Prefer compact, travel-friendly gear
  • Shoot mostly stills, video at moderate frame rates, or casual projects
  • Want access to a mature Micro Four Thirds lens lineup
  • Don’t require blazing autofocus or the latest tech

• Opt for the Sony A7S III if you:

  • Demand the best low-light and video performance
  • Shoot professional video requiring 4K120p, 10-bit color depth, and robust codecs
  • Need exceptional autofocus for fast subjects, including eye and animal detection
  • Work in diverse genres from landscapes to sports and astrophotography
  • Can invest in a larger, higher-priced full-frame system with premium lenses

To summarize: The Panasonic Lumix GH4 remains a solid, budget-conscious choice, especially for enthusiasts looking to explore 4K video and stills in a compact package with proven reliability. For professionals or gear enthusiasts seeking cutting-edge image quality and video prowess - particularly in challenging lighting - the Sony A7S III sets a new benchmark that’s hard to overlook.

If budget allows and your workflow demands versatility and cutting-edge video/autofocus, Sony’s A7S III has my strongest recommendation. But Panasonic’s GH4 still holds charm as a practical, less expensive entry to pro mirrorless shooting - a true workhorse that can continually surprise.

Happy shooting!