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Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A9

Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
88
Overall
67
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A9 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
  • Launched February 2014
  • Previous Model is Panasonic GH3
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GH5
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Announced April 2017
  • Later Model is Sony A9 II
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Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A9 Overview

The following is a in-depth analysis of the Panasonic GH4 and Sony A9, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the GH4 (16MP) and A9 (24MP) and the GH4 (Four Thirds) and A9 (Full frame) have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The GH4 was announced 4 years prior to the A9 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise summation of how the GH4 grades against the A9 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Sony A9

 GH4 A9 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Panasonic GH4

 A9 GH4 
AnnouncedApril 2017February 2014Newer by 38 months
Screen resolution1440k1036kClearer screen (+404k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GH4 and Sony A9

 GH4 A9 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GH4 enjoys external measurements of 133mm x 93mm x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") along with a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) while the Sony A9 has dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GH4 and Sony A9 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the GH4 compared to the A9.

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GH4 and A9 is 66 and 65 respectively.

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading through technical specs. The pic below may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the GH4 and A9.

As you can tell, the two cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The GH4 using its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh harder and the Sony A9 will give extra detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged GH4 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GH4
Portrait photography with Sony A9
71
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
83
manual focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Street photography highlights
Sony A9 Street photography highlights
71
fully articulated screen
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
provides touch focus
weather sealing
lighter than others (560 grams)
great high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
79
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
boasts touch focus
environment proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Sports photography advice
Sony A9 Sports photography advice
62
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
no image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
86
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (20.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
great battery life (650 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GH4
Travel photography with Sony A9
77
lighter than others (560 grams)
weather sealing
provides touch focus
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
73
great battery life (650 per charge)
environment proofing
has bluetooth
boasts touch focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GH4
Landscape photography with Sony A9
72
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
no image stabilization
85
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
great battery life (650 per charge)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Vlogging features
Sony A9 Vlogging features
71
display is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
comes with face detection autofocus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
does have external microphone support
lighter than others (560g)
no image stabilization
36
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external mic port
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH4 and Sony A9
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Sony Alpha A9
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2014-02-07 2017-04-19
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine IX BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Highest enhanced ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 49 693
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Amount of lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,036k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology OLED -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dot 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 17.00 m (at ISO 200) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, auto/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync/redeye reduction, forced off Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) -
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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) 673g (1.48 lbs)
Physical dimensions 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 74 92
DXO Color Depth score 23.2 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 13.3
DXO Low light score 791 3517
Other
Battery life 500 photographs 650 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model DMW-BLF19 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs (single or three-shot)) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots One 2
Pricing at release $1,500 $4,498