Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16.05 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3
48
SCORE
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Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4
53
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 are both mirrorless cameras on the Micro Four Thirds system, so any Micro 4/3 lens fits either body. The GH3 arrived in 2012 and the GH4 followed in 2014. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2014 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 17, 2012 | February 7, 2014 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 133 x 93 x 82 mm | 133 x 93 x 84 mm |
| Camera weight | 550 g | 560 g |
| Optics | 44/100 | 45/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe GH3 is the stronger choice for burst shooting of fast action, at 20 frames per second against 12 on the GH4. That speed matters for a bird taking off or a sprinter crossing the line. Resolution is a near match: both use Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensors at 16.05 and 16 megapixels. The GH4 counters with 49 autofocus points against 23, giving more places to lock onto an off-centre subject. Its 1/8000 second top shutter allows wide apertures in bright light where the GH3 stops at 1/4000. The native ISO ceiling reaches 25600, twice the GH3's 12800, and the viewfinder resolves 2,359,000 dots against 1,744,000 for finer manual focus. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.05 MP050 | 16 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13 x 17.3 | 13 x 17.3 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
20 fps045 | 12 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Venus Engine VII FHD | Venus Engine IX |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
12530200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
230300 | 490300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 174400009900000 | 235900009900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe GH4 is the clear choice for 4K video work, recording at up to 4K where the GH3 tops out at Full HD. That extra resolution gives you room to crop and reframe a take in editing. The GH3 keeps one advantage for motion, recording at up to 60 frames per second where the GH4's maximum frame rate is 24 fps. Dancing guests and school races play back more smoothly, and 60 fps material can be slowed to half speed. Both include built-in timelapse, so interval work needs no external trigger. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD |  4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 4096 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 24 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV, MPEG | MOV, MP4, AVCHD |
| Features | 65/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesChecking focus on a tripod is easier on the GH4, whose 3 inch LCD packs 1,036,000 dots against 614,000 on the GH3's same size OLED panel. Both screens are touch sensitive and flip out, so overhead or waist-level framing works on either body. The rest of the everyday features match. Both offer built-in and external flash support, Wi-Fi transfer, live view and weather sealing. Neither has GPS, so neither can tag travel photos with location data. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | OLED | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
6140001150001500000 | 10360001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryDual SD card slots make the GH4 the better camera for a long mixed shoot. The GH3 has a single slot. With two cards loaded you can keep shooting when one fills, instead of swapping media mid event. Both take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, so your existing media carries over. The battery ratings sit close together, at 540 shots for the GH3 and 500 for the GH4. They use different batteries, a 1600 mAh Li-ion pack and the DMW-BLF19, so spares do not carry between bodies. Neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | No |  Yes |
| Battery type | Li-ion, 1600 mAh | DMW-BLF19 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
540 shots1505000 | 500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 is the better buy for hybrid shooters and video-led work. Its 4K recording, 49-point autofocus, 1/8000 second shutter and dual slots cover documentary assignments, wildlife stills and events in one body.
Choose the GH3 if burst rate drives your photography, such as birds in flight or club athletics, where 20 fps against 12 captures frames the GH4 misses. Otherwise the GH4's 4K resolution, wider focus coverage and dual slots make it the better buy.