GH4vs A7S II
Lumix
GH4 (2014)
Starting from £349 new
Best for Video, independent filmmaking & documentary
View GH4
Sony
A7S II (2015)
Starting from £799 new
Best for Low-light video, documentary & available-light filmmaking
View A7S II
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.
Low-Light Video, Documentary & Available-Light Filmmaking — A7S II (2015): A landmark in mirrorless history — the first Sony with IBIS and internal 4K, its low-light video capability still impresses today at a used-market price.
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
A7S II (2015)
- Filmmakers and videographers who want legendary low-light performance at a used-price discount
- Documentary shooters working in unpredictable available light conditions
- A7S III shooters who want a second Sony FE body for backup or B-camera use
- Budget-conscious video producers who want full-frame 4K with S-Log at an accessible price
Quick take: The gh4 has the highest resolution at 16mp; the gh4 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | GH4 (2014) | A7S II (2015) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £349 | £799 |
| Sensor | 16.05MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 16.1MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, C4K/24p (first consumer camera with 4K), 1080p/96fps | 4K/30p internal (full sensor readout), 1080p/120p, S-Log2/S-Log3 |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect DFD AF, face detection | 169 phase-detect + 25 contrast AF — limited by modern standards |
| Stabilisation | None (no body IBIS) | 5-axis IBIS — 4.5 stops (first Sony mirrorless with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 12fps (AFS), 7fps (AFC) | 5fps continuous |
| Battery Life | ~500 shots (CIPA) | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 560g (with battery and card) | 584g body only |
| Dimensions | 133.2 × 93.4 × 83.0mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.67× magnification | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual SD UHS-I slots |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC, 3.5mm mic jack, headphone jack, HDMI | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth (via app), Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | GH4 | A7S II |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Travel | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Wedding | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Sports | — |
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