Panasonic Lumix GH4: All About the Gear
The positive feedback from reviewers continues with the latest Digitalversus statement:
If we had a sixth star in our rating system, the GH4 would get it. More than a simple technological showpiece, it’s a formidable, relentless tool that could serve any photographer or videographer with a sort of savage efficacy that appears to know no bounds. If the GH3 ever left any room for doubt, the GH4 does not: there’s no serious competition in the SLR and hybrid worlds, especially when it comes to video. To find any better, you’re looking at a five-digit budget. The GH4’s only real shortcoming? Perhaps a lack of soul…
More non-english GH4 reviews:
Polish GH4 review by Optyczne.
Japanese GH4 review at Nikkei.
Japanese GH4 review at DC.watch.
GH4 North American store links:
GH4 camera at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Ritz Camera and Panasonic. Price: $1,698. In Canada at Vistek.
GH4 camera with interface unit at Adorama and BHphoto. Price: $3,298
Interface unit only at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and Panasonic. Price: $1,998
GH4 Europen store links:
Germany: Wexcameras, Marcotec-shop.de.
UK at Wexphotographic, CameraWorld, UKdigital, CVP, TipTop.
Holland at Fotohanskeuzekamp.
Belgium at Fotokonijnenberg.
Norway at Fotovideo.
Sweden at Cyberphoto, Skandinavianphoto.
Finland at Telefoto, Topshot, Verkkoauppa.
France at Photocineshop.
Spain: Fotoboom.
Asian store links:
Digitalrev and Digidirect Australia.
4K cards
Kingston 16-32-64 GB SDHC UHS-I Speed Class 3 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
Sandisk 16-32-64 GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-II Memory Card at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
Transcend 64-128 GB High Speed 10 UHS-3 at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
Panasonic 16-32-64 GB SDHC-UHS-I U3 Card (90MB/s) at Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
57 Responses
Funny how soul seems to be important. I 8ften wonder if we fall in love with the imperfections as much as the perfection in life.
Somehow GH-Line remains always an insider camera. Allthough it is outstanding. May be Panasonic has a lack of soul
That can’t be it, my wife loves her Lumixes.
the GH3 had some nice upgrades (codec) and improvements from the GH2 but it was bloated and ugly (not sexy or soul-y). It did not call for me to carry it or wear it or go out shooting with it because it was fun. On jobs it performed and that is the bottom line. But add some form factor to it and now the GH4 and you got soul….you dig?
its mostly imperfections which makes something special.
“lack of soul”, hah! That’s code for “I Cannot Fault It”. No wonder he wants to give it six stars out of five.
Lack of soul is good. It does what you want and not what it wants.
I get what he means, it’s an big bloated and ugly looking like a DSLR from 5 years ago. If they could have even made it the size of the GH2 that would have helped. It’s rather large for a M4/3rd sensor and not a sexy camera until you use it and see the results. That is the soul.
Now I read that Sony is selling Sensors to Panasonic can I get the GH5 please?
I use it for video but wish the form factor was more video friendly, It looks like a still camera/DSLR which makes it more difficult to handle as a camcorder.
Yes. It would not be difficult to make a version with a camcorder form factor.
I hate that we have to spend 2K+ on rigs to make a DSLR work like a camcorder. suddenly that little camera you throw in your bag is not so little or cheap
I think of a form like Sony NEX-VG10.
There are a lot of video rigs available which make you hold it like a real video camera. For example:
http://www.zacuto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/zacuto-panasonic-lumix-gh4-1.jpg
http://www.zacuto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/zacuto-panasonic-lumix-gh4-2.jpg
It’s the same size/format as the GH3, so stuff made for that is mostly compatible. The good thing is, is that it keeps the system modular so you can still take only your GH4 in a small bag if you want.
They are heavy like hell.
I think for hybrid style cameras, its easier to stay with ergonomics for still rather then to go for dedicated film ergonomics, as it prob totally defeats the use as a photographers machine?
“Oh, it’s so hard to get focus at f/2.8 on FF and so much easier on m43 because it’s like f/5.6 on FF.” Is that guy for real? He does realize he can stop down those FF f/2.8 zooms to f/5.6, doesn’t he? The point is that the FF f/2.8 zoom gives you option. If he wants the look of a m43 f/1.4 zoom, he has it with that FF zoom.
not if it’s dark out
That’s why you don’t “get” the m43 advantage. Shoot with one. Try it and you will see what he is talking about. It’s what we have been trying to educate the equivalence trolls about all this time, yet they still fail to learn.
Lack of soul and bigger sensor…..lol.
I like turtles.
So how DOES that $3,400 body only 5D3 really fare in video quality compared to this teeny weeny m4/3 sensor on a $1,700 body? Oh yeah… it gets completely and utterly destroyed by the GH4.
What’s that “soul” he is referring? An aesthetic appealing or something more “intimate” that makes you appreciate the experience of shooting?
Anyway, I don’t see this lacking feature as a real feauture, simply because in any case it’s something personal.
Therefore 5 stars well earned.
I can imagine a sensor, lens or even codec showing some soul? Ofcourse clinical test reviews would never come up with the idea of using such word. 🙂
“Check DXO soul chart!” 🙂 Can you imagine our dear trolls? “My soul is bigga than yours!” Haha
all machines are lack of souls, that statement was supposed to be a compliment.
The GH4 is a helluva camera but when Digitalversus started praising its AF in video mode I lost all respect for the entire site.
And correct me if I’m wrong but one can change the color/contrast setting of the viewfinder on a gh4, they just didn’t try hard enough.
The AF in video mode is actually quite good given enough light. I’ve used it even on a few paid shoots and it was fantastic. Again, given enough light,…
It records 1080p and 4K videos, AF in 1080p is a bit better (TCSTV review shows it)
This really makes me think its going to be Canon, Nikon, and Panasonic as the big 3 in a couple years. They DOUBLED production to try and meet demand, and its been out a few months now. Once every pro has one as a main or second body, the consumers will notice and catch up… that seems to be how it works.
Panasonic is offering more features in their models I feel as a selling point and keeping price lower – Sony I think will continue to grow as they have more of a familiar name to many – and of course are the leading sensor maker – ( make sensors for Olympus, now even for Panasonic and even Nikon ) –
With more and more fantastic Mirror-less cameras from Panasonic and Olympus and Sony and Fuji, Nikon and Canon will start loosing sales –
The new LX8 if priced lower then the Sony RX100m3 and the update to the GX7 and the other rumored fixed lens – Panasonic will continue to do well
Why should Nikon and canon “loose” sales from these toys? And when is that going to start, my clever friend?
Sorry, but I do not think that my 10 mirror-less cameras are any more toys then my Nikon Full Frame bodies – more then I think my SUV is anymore of a toy then my compact car – both are cars that have different abilities – same with my cameras – I find a great need for a pocket able compact camera like my Sony RX100, same with M43 – a bit larger but still lot smaller and lighter then DSLR’s but of course my FF for certain work – So Yes Canon and Nikon have lost many sales from me and many others like me that see the benefits of mirror-less – Even Canon has made an attempt with their EOS to enter the mirror-less market –
If you enjoy DSLR’s then more power to you – nothing wrong with either system – a matter of choice
He’s a troll man
Btw Canon’s mirrorless cams were a half – hearted attempt, Nikon’s was more capable but they too aren’t serious about mirrorless and don’t have much lenses
Canon lost sales from me this year too. Instead of upgrading my Canon cameras as usual every year or so, I decided to get an EM5 instead, with 3 lenses (and planning 2 more). No plans to buy anything Canon this year, in fact I am selling 2 Canon lenses to buy more m43 lenses. The 5D will remain, though. I might get the new 50mm 1.4 Sigma just because. But that is likely my last purchase for Canon in the foreseeable future.
I might trim down my Nikon bag as well, maybe keeping one body and lens for full frame portraits. Sometimes you just want that Nikon colour for portraits, you know.
The numbers might not be reflected yet but CaNikon are slowly but surely slipping among semi-pro/enthusiast photographers I know. Many of my friends have treaded mirrorless waters and I don’t know anyone right now who owns a DSLR that hasn’t also got a mirrorless second camera. Like my pro friends who do weddings I will still keep using FX bodies for work, but I notice that I only use them 20% of the time this year.
You got friends? Friends who shoot? And you lost Canon a couple of sales? LOL
Credit to Pana; the hottest camera at the moment -putting the A7s and Canon 70D in the shade, but there is still room for improvment; 4k autofocus for one; Yes I know no pro would admit to use it -but why then include a feature that is not working so well?
By what metric is it the ‘hottest camera of the moment?’
Pro quality video with a great selection of compact lenses all for under $1,700 for the body. There is literally no FF camera under $5k that competes with this for video.
So for that segment who want high quality video and are willing to pay 1700 for a body it may be the ‘hottest camera of the moment.’
Not even… They must be willing to carry dollies, lights etc. Not going to happen, not in large numbers.
Miserable tech but lots of gadgets and a couple of cheap “reviewers”. Way to go Hooversonic.
Jealousy is self-evident, poor fellow.
Not to mention ugly to watch.
“Lack of soul” is an interesting comment. After raving about the camera in every way, it is a bummer to hear a user experience complaint. But I do believe this phenomenon exists and is a key factor in ownership enjoyment. My own previous experience with a NEX7 system suffered so much from a joyless shooting experience (and myriad other complaints) that I left the system, despite the great specs and IQ.
Similarly, although I love my EM1 and can’t imaging parting with it for years to come, there’s something about the EP5, even with its slower burst and buffer, less ergonomic grip, fewer focus points and add on EVF that “feels” even better. There’s a fun factor.
Leica and Fuji have cracked this code. And from comments I read here, it sounds like the GX1 and early Pens did as well.
“Fun factor” is very high on my features list, intangible and subjective as it may seem. Novelty almost certainly plays a role as well.
I hope we see some cameras that deliver the fun, not just a spec sheet evolution, come this fall.
My EM-10 has that fun factor that my ol’ DSLR did not. I tried out the GH4 in the store, and, while I realize it is an incredibly capable camera, it never felt as good to use as the EM-1 I also tested in the store.
Good that you recognized it so early and strongly before purchasing. Buying an M43 camera you end up not loving would be a mistake, but not a total loss, in that at least you’d have lots of other great options for your glass. I wish I’d been as present as you were when I was buying into NEX and lenses! 🙂
I can see the EM10 being fun — it is very small, but still seems ergonomic and has lots of controls, and is nicely designed.
The GH4 is THE camera of 2014. I have no doubt about it.
Best hybrid in the world for sure
The camera? If you are going to buy one, maybe. If not, certainly not. I predict 99.9% of photogs worldwide are not going to buy this toy in 2014. So, the camera of 2014? Please…
The photographer is the soul of the camera as he completes the camera anyways :p……. Anyways I always felt that EM-5 and GX7 are soulful MFT cams
This is my worst nightmare come true. I hate m43 as much as I hate humanity and more so, myself.
… and with every positive m43 review, your soul dies bit by bit.
If only I had one in the first place. This is why I am a troll.
This bodes very well for Panasonic and the Lumix bodies. There will be a trickle effect to the GX7 and the GM1.
More Lumix lenses with O.I.S. will be sold too. This is very good news.
I’m surprised that Panasonic did not continue to develop their in body IS in addition to doing the in lens stabilization. It makes the GX7 a curious detour. But I think you’re right about the GH4 trickle down. I imagine all new mid and high end Panasonics will exploit their substantial lead in 4K. Sony’s “4K” camera can’t write to an internal card and Fuji, Oly, Ricoh-Pentax and Samsung have not even announced 4K cameras yet. Everyone will be playing video catch up at Photokina.
Panasonic should better evangelize the benefits of 4K to still photographers and maybe even develop software to aid in frame selection. It would help sell to non-video enthusiasts. And I’ve seen little marketing around this camera’s reportedly extraordinary low light focusing ability, which is another potential game changer for mirrorless inclined still photographers. Hopefully, all of this, and weather sealing, will make it to a GX8.