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Panasonic GH4 vs Sony a1

Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
88
Overall
67
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
82
Features
93
Overall
86

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Panasonic GH4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 560g - 133 x 93 x 84mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic GH3
  • New Model is Panasonic GH5
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Expand to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Launched January 2021
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Panasonic GH4 vs Sony a1 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Panasonic GH4 versus Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the GH4 (16MP) and a1 (50MP) and the GH4 (Four Thirds) and a1 (Full frame) have different sensor measurements.

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The GH4 was unveiled 8 years prior to the a1 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a quick summary of how the GH4 grades vs the a1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Sony a1

 GH4 a1 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Panasonic GH4

 a1 GH4 
LaunchedJanuary 2021February 2014Fresher by 84 months
Screen resolution1440k1036kCrisper screen (+404k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GH4 and Sony a1

 GH4 a1 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic GH4 has physical measurements 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 a1 has specifications of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic GH4 versus Sony a1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the GH4 and the a1.

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the GH4 and a1 is 66 and 61 respectively.

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizing simply by reading through a spec sheet. The photograph here will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the GH4 and a1.

Clearly, both the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The GH4 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh tougher and the Sony a1 will give greater detail having an extra 34MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The older GH4 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH4 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a1 as a Portrait photography camera
71
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
89
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/400s)
great resolution (50 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Street photography factors
Sony a1 Street photography factors
71
screen articulates
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
features focus via touch
environment proof
lighter than competition (560 grams)
very good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
79
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
comes with touch focus
environment proof
great high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Sports photography highlights
Sony a1 Sports photography highlights
62
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
91
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
high max fps (30.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great resolution (50 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
better than average battery pack (530 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GH4
Travel photography with Sony a1
77
lighter than competition (560g)
environment proof
features focus via touch
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
74
better than average battery pack (530 per charge)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
comes with touch focus
great resolution (50MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GH4
Landscape photography with Sony a1
72
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
88
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great resolution (50 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (32,000)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
better than average battery pack (530 per charge)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Vlogging factors
Sony a1 Vlogging factors
71
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
has face detect autofocus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
comes with mic port
lighter than competition (560 grams)
lack of image stabilization
37
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
high video quality (7680 x 4320 resolution)
does have external mic support
display is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic GH4 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH4 and Sony a1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Sony Alpha a1
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2014-02-07 2021-01-26
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IX -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 50 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 8640 x 5760
Maximum native ISO 25600 32000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 49 759
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 133
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,036k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology OLED -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots 9,437k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x 0.9x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter rate 12.0fps 30.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 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
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s 1/400s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 7680x4320
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 560 grams (1.23 lb) 737 grams (1.62 lb)
Physical dimensions 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 74 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 791 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 photographs 530 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DMW-BLF19 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs (single or three-shot)) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Single 2
Retail price $1,500 $6,498