• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 50.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Canon 5DS

  • Less expensive
    $998 vs $1299
    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
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    569g vs 946g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.19 vs 0.27 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • 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 4.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.8 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    21 vs 15 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 5DS advantages over Panasonic GH4

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 0.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,381 vs 791 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 530 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More pixels
    50.6 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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

  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance

User reviews

Buy From

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.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Panasonic GH4
Panasonic GH3
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $798
  • 4/3
Canon 5DS
Panasonic GH3
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

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 5DS
Olympus E-M1
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Panasonic GH4
Canon 5DS R
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
Canon 5DS
Canon 5DS R
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $1729
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH4
Panasonic G7
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Canon 5DS
Panasonic G7
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Pentax K-1

Panasonic GH4
Pentax K-1
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon 5DS
Pentax K-1
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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