• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Sony A77 II

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $799* vs $1798
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.8 fps vs 11.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 26 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Sony A77 II advantages over Panasonic GH4

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.67x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 16-50mm 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, especially lower ISOs; Improved high ISO performance when using RAW; Very good dynamic range; High-resolution images; Very fast single-shot autofocus; 12fps burst mode with C-AF; Good value for its class.

  • Lackluster continuous AF performance; Strong NR processing in high ISO JPEGs; Sluggish buffer clearing; Short battery life compared to most DSLRs; Joystick control easy to press accidentally.

  • Read our Sony A77 II 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

Sony A77 II
Panasonic GH3
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony A77 II 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

Sony A77 II
Olympus E-M1
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony A77 II vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Panasonic GH4
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Canon 7D Mark II

Sony A77 II
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A77 II vs Canon 7D Mark II

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

Sony A77 II
Nikon D7200
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A77 II 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

Sony A77 II
Panasonic G7
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A77 II vs Panasonic G7

Compare Other Cameras?