Panasonic GH4 vs Olympus E-PL7

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Panasonic GH4 vs Olympus E-PL7

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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.

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

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-PL7 Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-PL7 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-PL7.
Compare Olympus E-PL7 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-PL7 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5
Compare GH4 vs GH5

Succeeded by the Olympus E-PL8
Compare E-PL7 vs E-PL8

Compare PANASONIC GH5 vs OLYMPUS E-PL8

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Differences

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Olympus E-PL7

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
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

530 vs 350 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
12.8 fps vs 8.7 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 24 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.8 fps vs 8.7 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus E-PL7 advantages over Panasonic GH4

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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.
E-PL7 test data on DxO Mark GH4 test data on DxO Mark

873 vs 791 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
38 mm vs 83 mm
Thinner

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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 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
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

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Adorama
Read E-PL7 User Reviews

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Kit with 14-42mm 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

Excellent image quality for its class including very good ISO performance; Improved performance and ergonomics over the E-PL5; LCD tilts 180 degree downward for easier selfies; Upgraded 3-axis IS system.
No built-in flash (but a small add-on flash is included); No built-in EVF; Default colors somewhat muted; Somewhat quirky menu system.
Read our Olympus E-PL7 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

Olympus E-PL7

Panasonic GH3

$399
4/3

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$798
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Olympus E-PL5

Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-PL5

$899
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$329
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Olympus E-PL5

Olympus E-PL7

Olympus E-PL5

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
Fast startup

$329
4/3

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Olympus E-PL5

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GF6

$899
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$400
4/3

In-camera panoramas
Thinner

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic GF6

Olympus E-PL7

Panasonic GF6

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$400
4/3

In-camera panoramas
NFC

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic GF6

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

Olympus E-PL7

Olympus E-M1

$399
4/3

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$1099
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Olympus E-M1

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

Olympus E-PL7

Panasonic G7

$399
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

$498
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic G7

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