Panasonic GH4 vs Canon 80D

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Panasonic GH4 vs Canon 80D

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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
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Canon 80D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 80D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 80D.
Compare Canon 80D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 80D conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5
Compare GH4 vs GH5

Succeeded by the Canon 90D
Compare 80D vs 90D

Compare PANASONIC GH5 vs CANON 90D

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Differences

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Canon 80D

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Less expensive
$799* vs $935
Save money for lenses or accessories
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
More viewfinder magnification
0.67x vs 0.59x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
12.8 fps vs 6.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 53 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
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Canon 80D 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.
80D test data on DxO Mark GH4 test data on DxO Mark

1,135 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

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

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
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

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Adorama
Read GH4 User Reviews

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Adorama
Read 80D User Reviews

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Kit with 18-135mm Lens
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

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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

Very good image quality; Better RAW high ISO performance than predecessor; Improved buffer depth; Very fast AF; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is excellent; f/8 AF support; 1080/60p video; Headphone jack; Very good battery life.
New kit lens isn't very sharp; No 4K video; No clean HDMI out; 29:59 minute video recording limit; Phase detect AF not as sensitive in low-light as expected (Dual Pixel AF is better in low-light).
Read our Canon 80D Review

The Competition

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 80D

Panasonic GH3

$935
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$798
4/3

More viewfinder magnification
Longer exposure

Compare Canon 80D vs Panasonic GH3

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 80D

Olympus E-M1

$935
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 80D vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to 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

Canon 80D

Nikon D7200

$935
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1016
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 80D vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic G7

$898
4/3

Fast startup
NFC

$498
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic G7

Canon 80D

Panasonic G7

$935
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$498
4/3

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Canon 80D vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Nikon D7500

Panasonic GH4

Nikon D7500

$898
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$797
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Nikon D7500

Canon 80D

Nikon D7500

$935
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
NFC

$797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Fast startup

Compare Canon 80D vs Nikon D7500

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