Panasonic GH4 vs Nikon D500

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Panasonic GH4 vs Nikon D500

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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 369.0mm²
20.9 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D500.
Compare Nikon D500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D500 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5
Compare GH4 vs GH5
Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Nikon D500

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Differences

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Nikon D500

Less expensive
$800* vs $1597
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Lighter weight
569g vs 856g
Lighter weight
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
12.8 fps vs 10.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 200 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.8 fps vs 10.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Nikon D500 advantages over Panasonic GH4

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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.
D500 test data on DxO Mark GH4 test data on DxO Mark

1,324 vs 791 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

1240 vs 530 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More dots on screen
2359k vs 1037k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
20.9 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 21 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
1638400 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
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
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
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 GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH4 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D500 User Reviews

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Body Only
Body Only 100th Anniversary Edition
Kit with 16-80mm f/2.8-4 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

Superb image quality; Great high ISO performance; Rugged, comfortable camera body; Sharp articulating touchscreen display; Excellent AF point frame coverage; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K UHD video; Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth.
Somewhat large for an APS-C camera; Expensive for a DX camera; 4K UHD video doesn't offer full DX field-of-view; No built-in flash; Still uses contrast-detect for Live View AF; Dual slots use two different card types (XQD and SD).
Read our Nikon D500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3

$899
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$798
4/3

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic GH3

Nikon D500

Panasonic GH3

$1598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

$798
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Internal flash

Compare Nikon D500 vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1099
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Olympus E-M1

Nikon D500

Olympus E-M1

$1598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon D500 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Panasonic GH4

Pentax K-3 II

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$830
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D500

Pentax K-3 II

$1598
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic G7

$899
4/3

Fast startup
NFC

$498
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic G7

Nikon D500

Panasonic G7

$1598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$498
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D500 vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Sony A68

Panasonic GH4

Sony A68

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A68

Nikon D500

Sony A68

$1598
APS-C

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Sony A68

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