• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 30.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Canon 5D Mark IV

  • Less expensive
    $998* vs $3249
    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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    569g vs 890g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.8 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.8 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Canon 5D Mark IV 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
    ~ 5.36 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 0.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,995 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 900 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 pixels
    30.4 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 5D Mark IV

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.

  • Superb image quality from RAW files; Improved dynamic range; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 7fps burst rate with unlimited JPEG buffer; High-quality cinema 4K video; Built-in Wi-Fi; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is very good.

  • JPEG files look soft at default settings; 1/200s flash sync; 4K video codec is cumbersome; 29:59 continuous video recording limit.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Panasonic GH4
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D810

Panasonic GH4
Nikon D810
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2346
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon 5D Mark IV
Nikon D810
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $2346
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Panasonic GH4
Panasonic GH3
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $798
  • 4/3
Canon 5D Mark IV
Panasonic GH3
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Internal flash

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
Canon 5D Mark IV
Olympus E-M1
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH4
Panasonic G7
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
  • $665
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Canon 5D Mark IV
Panasonic G7
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $665
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
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