GH4vs A9
Lumix
GH4 (2014)
Starting from £349 new
Best for Video, independent filmmaking & documentary
View GH4
Sony
A9 (2017)
Starting from £1999 new
Best for Professional sports, wildlife & action photography
View A9
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.
Professional Sports, Wildlife & Action Photography — A9 (2017): The camera that changed professional photography — the A9's 20fps blackout-free burst and silent shutter proved mirrorless had definitively surpassed the DSLR.
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
A9 (2017)
- Sports photographers who want the original 20fps mirrorless at a lower used price than the A9 II
- Wildlife photographers who need blackout-free burst with fast, reliable tracking
- Sony FE system users who want a professional sports body
- Photographers interested in the camera that changed the industry
Quick take: The a9 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the gh4 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | GH4 (2014) | A9 (2017) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £349 | £1,999 |
| Sensor | 16.05MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS |
| Resolution | 16.1MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, C4K/24p (first consumer camera with 4K), 1080p/96fps | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect DFD AF, face detection | 693 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking |
| Stabilisation | None (no body IBIS) | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 12fps (AFS), 7fps (AFC) | 20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE) |
| Battery Life | ~500 shots (CIPA) | ~650 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 560g (with battery and card) | 673g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 133.2 × 93.4 × 83.0mm | 126.9 × 95.6 × 63.0mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.67× magnification | EVF, OLED 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification, 60fps refresh (blackout-free) |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC, 3.5mm mic jack, headphone jack, HDMI | USB, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, HDMI |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | GH4 | A9 |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Wildlife | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — |
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