Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 vs Panasonic Lumix GH5S — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4
58
SCORE
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Panasonic · Mirrorless · 10 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix GH5S
62
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 and Panasonic Lumix GH5S are both Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, so they draw on the same native lens catalogue. Panasonic released the GH4 in 2014 and the GH5S in 2017, three years later. The GH4 is the smaller and lighter body, measuring 133 x 93 x 84 mm and weighing 560 g. The GH5S measures 139 x 98 x 87 mm and weighs 660 g, which is 100 g more. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2014 | 2017 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 7, 2014 | January 8, 2017 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 133 x 93 x 84 mm | 139 x 98 x 87 mm |
| Camera weight | 560 g | 660 g |
| Optics | 52/100 | 53/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe GH4 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping thanks to its 16 MP sensor, against 10 MP in the GH5S. A wildlife or sports photographer who trims a distant subject gains more pixels to work with, though the GH5S pairs its lower resolution with a native ISO range that reaches 51200, double the GH4's 25600 ceiling. Autofocus coverage is a clear difference: the GH5S offers 225 autofocus points against 49 on the GH4, giving more placement options for off-centre subjects. The GH5S viewfinder shows 3,680,000 dots against 2,359,000 on the GH4. Neither body has in-body stabilisation, so steady handheld work relies on stabilised lenses. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 10 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 | 3680 x 2760 |
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 | 19.2 x 13 |
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. |
12 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 IX | Venus Engine 10 |
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 | 16030200 |
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. |
256003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
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. |
10030200 | 8030200 |
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 | 2048003003280000 |
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. |
800080032000 | 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. |
490300 | 2250300 |
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 | 235900009900000 | 368000009900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 69/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe GH5S is the stronger pick for slow motion: its maximum video frame rate reaches 60 fps, against 24 fps for the GH4, so fast action stretches further in the edit. Both cameras record video, and both top out at 4K resolution. One convenience difference favours the GH4: it has built-in timelapse, which the GH5S omits. Filmmakers who regularly produce interval sequences on location save carrying a separate intervalometer with the GH4. | ||
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. |
 4K | 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. |
4096 x 2160 | 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. |
24 fps | 60 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 | No |
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, MP4, AVCHD | MPEG-4, MOV |
| Features | 70/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe GH4 is the only one of the two with a built-in flash, useful as instant fill light for casual indoor portraits when no speedlight is packed. The GH5S adds Bluetooth alongside the Wi-Fi both cameras offer. Both accept external flash units. The GH5S gives a finer rear-screen view, with a 3.2 inch TFT LCD at 1,620,000 dots against the GH4's 3 inch screen at 1,036,000 dots. Both screens are touch-enabled and articulating, and both bodies are weather sealed. Neither includes GPS for in-camera location tagging. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | No |
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 | LCD | TFT 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" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10360001150001500000 | 16200001150001500000 |
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. |
No |  Yes |
| Storage & battery | 60/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras carry dual SD card slots and run on the same DMW-BLF19 battery. Neither charges over USB, so a dedicated charger stays in the bag for both. The GH5S accepts UHS-II SD cards, supporting faster write speeds with a matching card. On battery ratings, the GH4 is ahead at 500 shots against 440 for the GH5S. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | DMW-BLF19 | DMW-BLF19 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 440 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the GH5S if video leads your work: its 60 fps maximum video frame rate gives more slow-motion room, its 225 autofocus points help track a moving subject across the frame, and its 3.68-million-dot viewfinder shows finer detail while filming. UHS-II card support helps when long clips and bursts generate data quickly.
Choose the GH4 if stills dominate: its 16 MP sensor leaves more room to crop a distant bird or athlete, its built-in flash fills shadows without extra gear, and its built-in timelapse records interval sequences without a separate device. Both share the Micro Four Thirds mount, so either body works with the same lenses.