Lumix
GH4 2014
Best for Video, independent filmmaking & documentary
£149
used today at Wex Photo Video
Decision tools · Compare
GH4 vs A7R
Quick take: The A7R has the highest resolution at 36MP.
16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Verdictwhich should you buy?
GH4 — Video, Independent Filmmaking & Documentary: 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.
A7R — Studio, Tripod Landscape & Camera History: 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)
is the right camera for you if…
- 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)
is the right camera for you if…
- 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
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | GH4Lumix · 2014 | A7RSony · 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £149 usedBest | £1,999 |
| Sensor | 16.05MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) |
| Resolution | 16.0MP | 36.4MPBest |
| 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) | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 12fps (AFS), 7fps (AFC)Best | 4fps |
| Battery Life | ~500 shots (CIPA)Best | ~340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 560g (with battery and card) | 465g (with battery and card)Best |
| Dimensions | 133.2 × 93.4 × 83.0mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| 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" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots (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 |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
GH4
A7R
Portrait
4.7/10
5.8/10
Street
5.3/10
5.7/10
Travel
5.2/10
5.7/10
Wedding & Events
4.1/10
4.4/10
Vlogging & Video
4.2/10
—
Filmmaking
4.6/10
—
Documentary
5.1/10
4.9/10
Sports & Action
5.7/10
4.5/10
Landscape
4.6/10
6.3/10
Wildlife
6.1/10
5.4/10
Casual
3.8/10
3.7/10
Food
5.2/10
5.6/10
Macro
5.4/10
5.0/10
Architecture
4.4/10
6.1/10
Astrophotography
4.4/10
5.4/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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