Panasonic GH4 vs Canon EOS R

Cameras
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Panasonic GH4 vs Canon EOS R

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
30.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 40,000

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

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5
Compare GH4 vs GH5
Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Canon EOS R

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Differences

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Canon EOS R

Less expensive
$799* vs $2499
Save money for lenses or accessories
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 2.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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

530 vs 370 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
12.8 fps vs 8.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 126 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.8 fps vs 8.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Canon EOS R 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)
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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.
EOS R test data on DxO Mark GH4 test data on DxO Mark

2,742 vs 791 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Newer
6 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
2100k 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
30.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger RAW buffer
65 vs 21 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Both provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
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 GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

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Read GH4 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS R User Reviews

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Body Only

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Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm lens

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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

Very good overall image quality; Good dynamic range & very good high ISO performance; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF performance; Sharp native lenses; Great performance with adapted optics; Compact design; Fully articulating LCD.
Sensor performance lags behind competition; No In-Body Image Stabilization; Sluggish burst speed with C-AF; Mediocre battery life; No 4Kp60; 1.7x 4K crop; Ergonomics could be better.
Read our Canon EOS R Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3

$898
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$798
4/3

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic GH3

Canon EOS R

Panasonic GH3

$1583
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$798
4/3

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon EOS R vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1

$898
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1099
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Olympus E-M1

Canon EOS R

Olympus E-M1

$1583
35mm

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$1099
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS R vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic G7

$898
4/3

Fast startup
NFC

$498
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic G7

Canon EOS R

Panasonic G7

$1583
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$498
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon EOS R vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Nikon Z7

Panasonic GH4

Nikon Z7

$898
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2147
35mm

Larger sensor
Slower slow-motion

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Nikon Z7

Canon EOS R

Nikon Z7

$1583
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2147
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

Compare Canon EOS R vs Nikon Z7

Compared to Nikon Z6

Panasonic GH4

Nikon Z6

$898
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1797
35mm

Larger sensor
Slower slow-motion

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Nikon Z6

Canon EOS R

Nikon Z6

$1583
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

$1797
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS R vs Nikon Z6

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