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GH4vs Pentax 17

GearFrame · Updated March 2026

Lumix GH4 Lumix GH4 (2014) Starting from £349 new Best for Video, independent filmmaking & documentary View GH4
VS
Pentax Pentax 17 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.

↓ Full specifications below

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
Genre GH4Pentax 17
Vlogging & Video
9.0
Travel
7.0
9.0
Portrait
7.0
7.0
Wildlife
7.0
Sports & Action
7.0
Landscape
4.0
7.0
Street
9.0
Everyday
9.0
Low Light
4.0

GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →

⚡ Compare specs side by side GH4 prices → Pentax 17 prices →

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