GH4vs Pentax 17
Lumix
GH4 (2014)
Starting from £349 new
Best for Video, independent filmmaking & documentary
View GH4
Pentax
Pentax 17 (2024)
Starting from £400 new
Best for Film photography enthusiasts & diptych storytelling
View Pentax 17
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Video, Independent Filmmaking & Documentary — GH4 (2014): The world's first consumer 4K camera — the GH4 changed independent filmmaking and proved that broadcast-quality video didn't require a cinema camera budget.
Film Photography Enthusiasts & Diptych Storytelling — Pentax 17 (2024): The best new film camera of the decade — manual controls, a sharp lens, and a half-frame format that doubles your roll and forces a new way of seeing.
Who should buy what
GH4 (2014)
- Videographers and independent filmmakers who want the camera that started the consumer 4K era
- Content creators looking for a capable 4K body at the lowest entry price
- MFT system users who want the best video capability on a tight budget
- Photographers interested in camera history — the GH4 is a landmark piece
Quick take: The gh4 is the most affordable; only the gh4 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | GH4 (2014) | Pentax 17 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £349 | £400 |
| Sensor | 16.05MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 35mm half-frame (18 × 24mm) |
| Resolution | 16.1MP | — |
| Video | 4K/30p, C4K/24p (first consumer camera with 4K), 1080p/96fps | N/A — film camera |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect DFD AF, face detection | Zone focus (0.35m / 1m / 3m / ∞) |
| Stabilisation | None (no body IBIS) | N/A — film camera |
| Burst Rate | 12fps (AFS), 7fps (AFC) | Manual wind-on |
| Battery Life | ~500 shots (CIPA) | 2× CR2 lithium batteries |
| Weight | 560g (with battery and card) | ~165g (without batteries) |
| Dimensions | 133.2 × 93.4 × 83.0mm | 113 × 66 × 44mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.67× magnification | Optical viewfinder with half-frame framelines |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | N/A |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | 35mm film (ISO 25–3200 via DX coding + manual dial) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | 35mm 135-format film cartridge |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC, 3.5mm mic jack, headphone jack, HDMI | N/A |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | GH4 | Pentax 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Street | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Low Light | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history