Panasonic has been making Micro Four Thirds lens mount cameras for some time now. Panasonic GH3 was a great compact camera with interchangeable lenses.
The next generation, the Panasonic LUMIX GH4, is a camera that shoots well and comes with 4K video recording capabilities.
Lets get this straight, India has just adapted to High Definition (HD) videos and the world is already raving about 4K (four times the resolution of HD).
Companies in India are also rooting for 4K these days, you already have 4K TVs in the market but someone has to make the content for it. That someone could be you, if you have a Panasonic GH4.
Panasonic has made efforts to surpass the GH3, but surprisingly both the GH3 and GH4 have exactly the same pixel resolution of 16 megapixels (MP).
And guess what? The GH4 has a completely new sensor.
What’s Good?
The Panasonic GH4 has a 16MP Digital Live MOS sensor loaded with a Venus Engine IX processor.
4K video is very demanding for a compact camera and that’s why the Venus Engine IX is a quad-core processor.
The 4K video recording capabilities are tremendous on the Panasonic GH4.
There are options to shoot in HD with MOV, MP4, AVCHD Progressive (4K can be shot in MOV and MP4) formats at a range of frame rates.
It’s a true blue camera for 4K enthusiasts. And that is the USP of the camera. In single-AF mode the GH4 can shoot continuously at up to 12 Frames Per Second (FPS). That’s also quite fast for a micro four thirds camera.
The camera has a 49-area AF system that makes it very easy to use.
The high-resolution EVF (Electronic View Finder) is also precise and reproduces natural colours.
A vari-angle screen that’s touch-sensitive is responsive and good for capturing images at odd angles.
And the best part? The camera has a weather- and dust-proof body. It’s also capable of pairing up with your smartphone to share images quickly on social media via a Wi-Fi connection.
All this combined makes the Panasonic LUMIX GH4 a very sought after camera for serious photography enthusiasts.
What’s Bad?
Panasonic Lumix GH4 lacks style. The camera has a very bland look. It looks like just another ordinary camera.
The camera is not exactly a compact either. It’s a little bigger than many micro four-third’s cameras that you will find in the market.
Battery is another issue with the GH4. If you are shooting 4K videos the camera does not last more than 45 minutes. But it can last you up to 500 photo shots easily.
Getting hold of the Panasonic GH4 is not that easy. You will need to visit a few stores before you find one.
For 4K video recording the GH4 is not professional grade, but it’s a start nonetheless.
The range of lens options is also not that wide. The best one is a 35-100mm which we used in our testing.
Why Buy it?
Panasonic GH4 is not beginners camera. So if you’re looking to buy a camera to satisfy your amateur enthusiasm for photography, this is not the one for you.
It’s a serious camera, meant for professional photographers and video enthusiasts. At best, the Panasonic GH4 can work as a good secondary camera for a professional photographer.
For 4K enthusiasts it’s a no brainier. The only hitch is the price.
If your pockets run deep and you can shell out Rs 99,220 (Body Only), then sure, go ahead buy this one. It won’t disappoint you.
You will have to shell out even more for lens options though.
Key Specifications: Panasonic LUMIX GH4
Sensor Type: Live MOS
Sensor
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Effective Megapixels: 16.1
Sensor Format: 4/3
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm)
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), MPO, RAW, RAW + JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (Audio format LPCM), MP4 (Audio format LPCM / AAC 2ch), AVCHD (Audio format: Dolby Digital 2ch)
Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds
Viewfinder: EVF (Electronic View Finder)
Maximum ISO: 25600
Minimum ISO: 200
Shutter Speed Range: 60 - 1/8000
Bulb Mode: Yes
Self Timer: 2, 10, 3 shots after 10 seconds
Built-in Flash: Yes
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC
Built-In Wi-Fi: Yes
Battery Types: Lithium-ion Rechargeable
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