Panasonic GH4 vs Canon 7D Mark II

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Panasonic GH4 vs Canon 7D Mark II

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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.

APS-C 337.5mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Canon 7D Mark II Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 7D Mark II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 7D Mark II.
Compare Canon 7D Mark II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 7D Mark II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5
Compare GH4 vs GH5
Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Canon 7D Mark II

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Differences

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Canon 7D Mark II

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Less expensive
$799* vs $1799
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
12.8 fps vs 9.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 103 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.8 fps vs 9.5 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Canon 7D Mark II advantages over Panasonic GH4

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 0.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
7D Mark II test data on DxO Mark GH4 test data on DxO Mark

1,082 vs 791 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
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

670 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
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
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

User reviews

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Buy the Canon 7D Mark II

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Body Only
Body with W-E1 Wi-Fi Adapter
Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-135mm Lens and Wi-Fi Adapter

All 7D Mark II Deals

Review Excerpt

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

Excellent image quality; High ISO performance improved over predecessor; Excellent burst speeds (up to 10fps); Significantly improved buffer depths; 65-pt AF system; Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Can focus down to f/8 (great for teleconverters); 1080/60p video; Headphone and mic jacks; Rugged build quality.
Autofocus speed (AF shutter lag) slower than 7D and 70D; Mediocre battery life for a pro DSLR; Dynamic range at low to moderate ISOs not as good as competitors; Phase-detect AF did not perform as well as expected in our low-light AF tests; No built-in Wi-Fi; No autofocus for 1080/60p video.
Read our Canon 7D Mark II Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 7D

Panasonic GH4

Canon 7D

$898
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Canon 7D

Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 7D

$1597
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

$1499
APS-C

Less expensive
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 7D

Compared to Canon 6D

Panasonic GH4

Canon 6D

$898
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1499
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 6D

$1597
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
More telephoto lens reach

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 6D

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3

$898
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$798
4/3

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic GH3

Canon 7D Mark II

Panasonic GH3

$1597
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$798
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Canon 70D

Panasonic GH4

Canon 70D

$898
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1149
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Canon 70D

Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 70D

$1597
APS-C

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$1149
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Canon 70D

Compared to 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

Canon 7D Mark II

Olympus E-M1

$1597
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 7D Mark II vs Olympus E-M1

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