Canon 70D vs Panasonic GH4

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Canon 70D vs Panasonic GH4

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APS-C 337.5mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon 70D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 70D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 70D.
Compare Canon 70D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 70D conclusion.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH4 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GH4 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GH4.
Compare Panasonic GH4 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GH4 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon 80D
Compare 70D vs 80D

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5
Compare GH4 vs GH5

Compare CANON 80D vs PANASONIC GH5

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Differences

Canon 70D advantages over Panasonic GH4

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
70D test data on DxO Mark GH4 test data on DxO Mark

926 vs 791 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

920 vs 530 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Canon 70D

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Less expensive
$799* vs $999
Save money for lenses or accessories
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
GH4 test data on DxO Mark 70D test data on DxO Mark

12.8 vs 11.6 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
More viewfinder magnification
0.67x vs 0.59x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
12.8 fps vs 6.7 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 65 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.8 fps vs 6.7 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
21 vs 14 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Tilt-swivel screen
Both provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 70D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH4 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Dual Pixel CMOS AF delivers full-time continuous autofocus (with phase detect at every pixel in framing area) for video and Live View still shooting; Full HD (1080p) video recording with pro-level features and quality; Improved resolution and good high ISO performance; Excellent Wi-Fi remote shooting with full exposure controls; 3-inch articulating LCD touchscreen.
Image quality only improved slightly over 60D; Dynamic range still lags behind competing models; May not feature enough upgrades to convince people to step up from 60D.
Read our Canon 70D Review

Excellent still image quality for its class; Fantastic, highly-detailed video quality; Superior video recording chops with 4K video (both Cinema 4K and Ultra HD); Responsive all-around performer with great AF performance and burst shooting; Rolling shutter is minimal with 60p and 30p video; Splash- and dust-proof magnesium alloy body; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.
High ISO performance not as good as some APS-C models (IQ drops quickly past ISO 3200); Overall still image quality not significantly better than the GH3; Sluggish buffer clearing with RAW files; Rolling shutter noticeable on 4K video; Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras.
Read our Panasonic GH4 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Canon 70D

Nikon D7100

$1149
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$745
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Canon 70D vs Nikon D7100

Panasonic GH4

Nikon D7100

$898
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$745
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Canon 70D

Panasonic GH3

$1149
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

$798
4/3

More viewfinder magnification
Headphone jack

Compare Canon 70D vs Panasonic GH3

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3

$898
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$798
4/3

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Canon 70D

Olympus E-M1

$1149
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 70D vs Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1

$898
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$1099
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Sony A77 II

Canon 70D

Sony A77 II

$1149
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 70D vs Sony A77 II

Panasonic GH4

Sony A77 II

$898
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1198
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A77 II

Compared to Nikon D7200

Canon 70D

Nikon D7200

$1149
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1016
APS-C

Fast startup
NFC

Compare Canon 70D vs Nikon D7200

Panasonic GH4

Nikon D7200

$898
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1016
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Nikon D7200

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