• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony A77 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • 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

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Sony A77

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $800* vs $1899
    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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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 11.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 17 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    21 vs 14 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 16000 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
  • 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
  • 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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Buy the Panasonic GH4
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Review Excerpt

  • Very fast top frame rate; full-time phase-detect autofocus; Full 60p HD video; Excellent kit lens; Very good high-resolution sensor.

  • Heavy; EVF appears dim when used in bright light; AF tracking in Movie mode was unreliable in our testing.

  • Read our Sony A77 Full Review

  • 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

The Competition

Compared to Canon 7D

Sony A77
Canon 7D
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A77 vs Canon 7D

Panasonic GH4
Canon 7D
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Canon 7D

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Sony A77
Panasonic GH3
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony A77 vs Panasonic GH3

Panasonic GH4
Panasonic GH3
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $798
  • 4/3

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Canon 70D

Sony A77
Canon 70D
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A77 vs Canon 70D

Panasonic GH4
Canon 70D
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Canon 70D

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Sony A77
Olympus E-M1
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A77 vs 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

Compared to Sony A77 II

Sony A77
Sony A77 II
  • $1899
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Sony A77 vs Sony A77 II

Panasonic GH4
Sony A77 II
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A77 II

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