Panasonic GH4 vs Nikon Z6

Cameras
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Panasonic GH4 vs Nikon Z6

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 858.0mm²
24.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon Z6 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon Z6 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the Z6.
Compare Nikon Z6 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon Z6 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5
Compare GH4 vs GH5
Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Nikon Z6

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Differences

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Nikon Z6

Less expensive
$998* vs $1899
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 1.5 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 380 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
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 47 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon Z6 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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 5.94 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.
Z6 test data on DxO Mark GH4 test data on DxO Mark

3,299 vs 791 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
Z6 test data on DxO Mark GH4 test data on DxO Mark

14.3 vs 12.8 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
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
5 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
0.80x vs 0.67x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.5 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger RAW buffer
35 vs 21 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
204800 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
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 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

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH4 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Z6 User Reviews

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Buy the Panasonic GH4

Body Only

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Buy the Nikon Z6

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-70mm f/4 S lens
Kit with 24-70mm lens and FTZ adapter

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

Great image quality; Terrific high ISO performance; Fast AF speeds; Eye AF; Swift 12fps burst shooting; In-body image stabilization; High-quality 4K video; Robust build quality; Familiar Nikon design.
Single XQD card slot; Default high ISO NR a bit strong; No 4K 60p; 1/200s x-sync speed; Limited native lens selection (at this time).
Read our Nikon Z6 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

Nikon Z6

Panasonic GH3

$1797
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$798
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Nikon Z6 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

Nikon Z6

Olympus E-M1

$1797
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1099
4/3

Fast startup
Higher max flash sync

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Olympus E-M1

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

Nikon Z6

Panasonic G7

$1797
35mm

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$665
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Sony A7 III

Panasonic GH4

Sony A7 III

$998
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1865
35mm

Larger sensor
Slower slow-motion

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6

Sony A7 III

$1797
35mm

Top deck display
More dots on screen

$1865
35mm

NFC
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 III

Compared to Canon EOS R

Panasonic GH4

Canon EOS R

$998
4/3

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1583
35mm

Larger sensor
Slower slow-motion

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Canon EOS R

Nikon Z6

Canon EOS R

$1797
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1583
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Canon EOS R

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