GH4vs A7R
Lumix
GH4 (2014)
Starting from £349 new
Best for Video, independent filmmaking & documentary
View GH4
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.
Studio, Tripod Landscape & Camera History — A7R (2013): The world's first 36MP full-frame mirrorless — a landmark camera that launched the A7R series, despite contrast-detect AF and significant shutter shock limitations.
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
A7R (2013)
- Collectors and photographers interested in the camera that started the A7R lineage
- Studio photographers who work on a tripod and can manage contrast-detect AF
- Landscape photographers who prioritise resolution over autofocus performance
- Sony FE system users who want a historical body at a very low used price
Quick take: The a7r has the highest resolution at 36mp; only the gh4 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | GH4 (2014) | A7R (2013) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £349 | £349 |
| Sensor | 16.05MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) |
| Resolution | 16.1MP | 36.4MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, C4K/24p (first consumer camera with 4K), 1080p/96fps | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect DFD AF, face detection | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) |
| Stabilisation | None (no body IBIS) | None |
| Burst Rate | 12fps (AFS), 7fps (AFC) | 4fps |
| Battery Life | ~500 shots (CIPA) | ~340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 560g (with battery and card) | 465g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 133.2 × 93.4 × 83.0mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.67× magnification | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC, 3.5mm mic jack, headphone jack, HDMI | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | GH4 | A7R |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Sports & Action | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Architecture | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
More comparisons with GH4
Camera family history