Panasonic
Lumix G97
Updated Micro Four Thirds hybrid with 20.3MP sensor, V-Log L, 5-axis Dual I.S. 2, and 4K video.
$849
Launch priceReleased Dec 2024
Sony
Alpha 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
Lumix G97 is 3.2 years newer.
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Wins
Lumix G97
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 30 frames)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 49)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 100 Mbps)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 29.97 fps)
- BAlpha 7 IV has lower ISO min (native) (100 vs 200)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
Lumix G97
130 × 94 × 77 mm
530 g (1.17 lb / 18.70 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
Lumix G97 is 1mm narrower, 3mm shorter, and 2mm thinner than Alpha 7 IV.
Lumix G97 is 128 g lighter than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 77mm Lumix G97 · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Lumix G97
130 × 94 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Lumix G97
130 × 77 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 80 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Lumix G97
17.3 × 13 mm · Compact / large-type
225 mm² area
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
3.8× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Lumix G97
Micro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
Alpha 7 IV
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Lumix G97
Codecs
Adds MP4, AVCHD
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 130.4, 93.5, 77.4
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC
Subject recognition
Adds Face, Eye
Weight
530 g vs 658 g — lower is better
AF frame coverage
100 % vs 94 % — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 IV
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II
RAW buffer depth
828 frames vs 30 frames — higher is better
AF points / zones
759 vs 49 — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 100 Mbps — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Insect, Car/Train…
4K max frame rate
60 fps vs 29.97 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Lumix G97
Pros
- ✓20.3MP MFT sensor
- ✓V-Log L
- ✓5-axis Dual I.S. 2
- ✓Weather resistant
Cons
- –Contrast AF
- –Single card slot
- –MFT sensor
Alpha 7 IV
Pros
- ✓33MP — more detail for cropping and print
- ✓10-bit 4K 60p (Super35 crop) / 4K 30p full-frame
- ✓Full-size HDMI port
- ✓759 phase-detect AF points
Cons
- –4K 60p requires Super35 crop
- –10fps burst lags behind R6 II at 40fps
- –Complex menu system
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Lumix G97 and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.
Panasonic Lumix G97
Sony Alpha 7 IV
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for portraits, Lumix G97 or Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 7 IV scores 9.0/10 versus 4.0/10 for Lumix G97 — 33MP — ample resolution for portraits.
What's the resolution difference between the Lumix G97 and Alpha 7 IV?
Lumix G97 is 20.3 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Lumix G97 and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
Lumix G97 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Lumix G97 or the Alpha 7 IV?
Lumix G97 reaches 9 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Lumix G97 and Alpha 7 IV?
Lumix G97 weighs 530 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Lumix G97 is 128 g lighter.
Do the Lumix G97 and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
Lumix G97: 4K up to 29.97p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Lumix G97 and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
Lumix G97: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 290 shots (CIPA) for the Lumix G97 and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Alpha 7 IV the edge.
How much does each cost?
Lumix G97 launched at $849 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Lumix G97 is $1,650 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Lumix G97 vs Alpha 7 IV vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Panasonic and Sony press materials.