Panasonic GX1 vs Nikon J4

Cameras
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Panasonic GX1 vs Nikon J4

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4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels
ISO 160 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the GX1.

1 inch 116.2mm²
18.4 megapixels
ISO 160 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon J4 Review.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX7
Compare GX1 vs GX7

Succeeded by the Nikon J5
Compare J4 vs J5

Compare PANASONIC GX7 vs NIKON J5

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Differences

Panasonic GX1 advantages over Nikon J4

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.77 vs 2.52 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
GX1 test data on DxO Mark J4 test data on DxO Mark

703 vs 426 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Higher max flash sync
1/160 vs 1/60 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots

Nikon J4 advantages over Panasonic GX1

Less expensive
$650 vs $950 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
28 mm vs 39 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
317g vs 420g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
1037k vs 460k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
60.0 fps vs 4.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Buy the Panasonic GX1

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Buy the Nikon J4

Nikon J4

Review Excerpt

Appealing design; Good grip; Very good image quality; Fast autofocus; Built-in Level Gauge.
Small rear buttons; Below-average battery life; Weak flash; Orange and yellow can have greenish cast in JPEGs; Shutter-induced motion blur with 14-42mm X Vario kit lens.
Read our Panasonic GX1 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Nikon J4, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Nikon J4 First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Panasonic GX1

Olympus E-P3

$950
4/3

Focus peaking
Higher effective ISO

$561
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Olympus E-P3

Nikon J4

Olympus E-P3

$350
1 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$561
4/3

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J4 vs Olympus E-P3

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GX1

Olympus E-PL3

$950
4/3

Focus peaking
Fast startup

$700
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Olympus E-PL3

Nikon J4

Olympus E-PL3

$350
1 inch

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

$700
4/3

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J4 vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Panasonic GX1

Panasonic GF6

$950
4/3

Focus peaking
Higher effective ISO

$400
4/3

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic GF6

Nikon J4

Panasonic GF6

$350
1 inch

On-sensor phase detect
Thinner

$400
4/3

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J4 vs Panasonic GF6

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Panasonic GX1

Samsung NX Mini

$950
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$600
1 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Samsung NX Mini

Nikon J4

Samsung NX Mini

$350
1 inch

On-sensor phase detect
Higher-res screen

$600
1 inch

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon J4 vs Samsung NX Mini

Compared to Nikon J5

Panasonic GX1

Nikon J5

$950
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Nikon J5

Nikon J4

Nikon J5

$350
1 inch

Longer stills battery life

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon J4 vs Nikon J5

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