Panasonic GH4 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Panasonic GH4 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH4 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GH4 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GH4.
Compare Panasonic GH4 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GH4 conclusion.

35mm 864.0mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Canon 1DX Mark II Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 1DX Mark II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 1DX Mark II.
Compare Canon 1DX Mark II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 1DX Mark II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5
Compare GH4 vs GH5

Succeeded by the Canon 1DX Mark III
Compare 1DX Mark II vs 1DX Mark III

Compare PANASONIC GH5 vs CANON 1DX MARK III

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Canon 1DX Mark II

Less expensive
$998 vs $2999
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Lighter weight
569g vs 1544g
Lighter weight
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots

Canon 1DX Mark II advantages over Panasonic GH4

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Slower slow-motion
120 fps vs 96 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
Bigger pixels
~ 6.58 vs 3.75 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.
1DX Mark II test data on DxO Mark GH4 test data on DxO Mark

3,207 vs 791 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1210 vs 530 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More dots on screen
1620k vs 1037k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More viewfinder magnification
0.76x vs 0.67x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Faster RAW shooting
14.1 fps vs 11.8 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 21 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
409600 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH4 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GH4

Body Only

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 1DX Mark II

Body Only

Body Only
Premium Kit

All 1DX Mark II Deals

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 from RAWs; Fantastic high ISO performance; Fast autofocus with great tracking performance; 14fps burst rate; Amazing buffer capacity; 4K 60p video; Robust build quality.
Very heavy, bulky and expensive; Dual memory card slots use different formats; 29:59 continuous video recording limit; Touchscreen feels underutilized.
Read our Canon 1DX Mark II Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3

$998
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$798
4/3

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic GH3

Canon 1DX Mark II

Panasonic GH3

$2999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$798
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1

$998
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

Canon 1DX Mark II

Olympus E-M1

$2999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Nikon D4S

Panasonic GH4

Nikon D4S

$998
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$5999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Nikon D4S

Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D4S

$2999
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$5999
35mm

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic G7

$998
4/3

Fast startup
NFC

$665
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic G7

Canon 1DX Mark II

Panasonic G7

$2999
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$665
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Nikon D5

Panasonic GH4

Nikon D5

$998
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$5143
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Nikon D5

Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D5

$2999
35mm

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$5143
35mm

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Nikon D5

Compare Other Cameras?