Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A7 II

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Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A7 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.

35mm 855.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A7 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7 II.
Compare Sony A7 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5
Compare GH4 vs GH5

Succeeded by the Sony A7 III
Compare A7 II vs A7 III

Compare PANASONIC GH5 vs SONY A7 III

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Differences

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Sony A7 II

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$998* vs $1598
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
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
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 1.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
12.8 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 52 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.8 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Sony A7 II advantages over Panasonic GH4

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 vs 3.75 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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.
A7 II test data on DxO Mark GH4 test data on DxO Mark

2,449 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
Thinner
59 mm vs 83 mm
Thinner
More pixels
24.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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

Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH4 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7 II User Reviews

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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 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization; Sensor-shift IS brings stabilization to nearly any lens; Much-improved ergonomics and top-deck control layout; 'Mark II' maintains same impressive image quality, dynamic range and high ISO performance; XAVC S 50Mbps video format; Faster start-up time; Hybrid AF performs well with good continuous AF.
(Similar to A7): Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Battery life could be better; Low-light AF still not as good as most DSLRs; High ISO JPEGs look over-processed; Slow buffer clearing; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses (but it's getting better).
Read our Sony A7 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3

$998
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$798
4/3

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic GH3

Sony A7 II

Panasonic GH3

$1148
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$798
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Sony A7 II vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1

$998
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

Sony A7 II

Olympus E-M1

$1148
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1099
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 II vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Sony A7

Panasonic GH4

Sony A7

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$748
35mm

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A7

Sony A7 II

Sony A7

$1148
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization

$748
35mm

Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic G7

$998
4/3

Fast startup
NFC

$498
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic G7

Sony A7 II

Panasonic G7

$1148
35mm

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$498
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 II vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Sony A7 III

Panasonic GH4

Sony A7 III

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1531
35mm

Larger sensor
Slower slow-motion

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A7 III

Sony A7 II

Sony A7 III

$1148
35mm

In-camera panoramas

$1531
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7 III

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