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Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A230

Portability
66
Imaging
52
Features
88
Overall
66
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
49
Features
40
Overall
45

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Panasonic GH4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 560g - 133 x 93 x 84mm
  • Revealed February 2014
  • Old Model is Panasonic GH3
  • New Model is Panasonic GH5
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Previous Model is Sony A200
  • Updated by Sony A290
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Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A230 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A230, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the GH4 (16MP) and A230 (10MP) and the GH4 (Four Thirds) and A230 (APS-C) possess different sensor size.

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The GH4 was revealed 4 years after the A230 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GH4 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a quick summary of how the GH4 matches up vs the A230 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Sony A230

 GH4 A230 
LaunchedFebruary 2014May 2009Newer by 58 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1036k230kClearer display (+806k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Panasonic GH4

 A230 GH4 

Common features in the Panasonic GH4 and Sony A230

 GH4 A230 
Manual focus Very exact focus

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GH4 enjoys physical dimensions of 133mm x 93mm x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") having a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A230 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the GH4 vs the A230.

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GH4 and A230 is 66 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions just by viewing technical specs. The picture underneath may offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the GH4 and A230.

As you have seen, both cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The GH4 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Panasonic GH4 will result in extra detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The younger GH4 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Portrait photography details
Sony A230 Portrait photography details
71
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW files
53
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Street photography camera
Sony A230 as a Street photography camera
71
screen articulates
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
supports touch focus
environment proofing
lighter than competition in class (560g)
great high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Sports photography information
Sony A230 Sports photography information
61
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
terrible battery life (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GH4
Travel photography with Sony A230
76
lighter than competition in class (560 grams)
environment proofing
supports touch focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
45
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Landscape photography factors
Sony A230 Landscape photography factors
71
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
does not have image stabilization
51
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no liveview
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
terrible battery life (230 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Vlogging advice
Sony A230 Vlogging advice
71
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
provides face detection focusing
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external microphone support
lighter than competition in class (560 grams)
does not have image stabilization
9
no video
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Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH4 and Sony A230
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2014-02-07 2009-05-18
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IX Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 49 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 107 143
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 1,036 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology OLED -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 17.00 m (at ISO 200) 10.00 m
Flash options Auto, auto/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync/redeye reduction, forced off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) -
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 None
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 560 gr (1.23 lbs) 490 gr (1.08 lbs)
Dimensions 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 74 63
DXO Color Depth score 23.2 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 11.4
DXO Low light score 791 531
Other
Battery life 500 shots 230 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model DMW-BLF19 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs (single or three-shot)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $1,500 $569