Panasonic
Lumix GH4
Landmark MFT hybrid and the world's first mirrorless with internal 4K — 16MP sensor, C4K 24p / UHD 4K30, 12 fps burst, weather-sealed body, and pro video expandability.
$1,699
Launch priceReleased May 2014
Panasonic
Lumix S5 II
Phase-detect L-mount hybrid with 6K open gate and strong video tools.
$1,999
Launch priceReleased Jan 2023
Lumix S5 II is 8.7 years newer.
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Wins
Lumix GH4
Wins
Lumix S5 II
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BLumix S5 II has higher IBIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BLumix S5 II has higher AF points / zones (779 vs 49)
- BLumix S5 II has higher RAW buffer depth (200 frames vs 40 frames)
- BLumix S5 II has higher 1080p max frame rate (180 fps vs 60 fps)
- BLumix S5 II has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 12 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareLumix GH4
133 × 93 × 84 mm
560 g (1.23 lb / 19.75 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Lumix S5 II
134 × 102 × 90 mm
740 g (1.63 lb / 26.10 oz)
Lumix GH4 is 1mm narrower, 9mm shorter, and 6mm thinner than Lumix S5 II.
Lumix GH4 is 180 g lighter than Lumix S5 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 84mm Lumix GH4 · 90mm Lumix S5 II
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Lumix GH4
133 × 93 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Lumix S5 II
134 × 102 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Lumix GH4
133 × 84 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Lumix S5 II
134 × 90 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Lumix GH4
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
Lumix S5 II
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
3.8× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Lumix GH4
✓ more lensesMicro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
Lumix S5 II: mount data unavailable
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 GH4
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 132.9, 93.4, 83.9
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I U3
Burst (mechanical)
12 fps vs 9 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds AVCHD
Weight
560 g vs 740 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Lumix S5 II
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
IBIS effectiveness
5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134.3, 102.3, 90.1
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II, SD UHS-II
AF points / zones
779 vs 49 — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
200 frames vs 40 frames — higher is better
1080p max frame rate
180 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 12 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 100 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 200 Mbps
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Lumix GH4
Pros
- ✓Pioneer internal 4K / C4K recording
- ✓12 fps stills burst (AFS)
- ✓Weather-sealed magnesium body
- ✓Pro audio/video expandability (YAGH)
- ✓Fully articulating OLED touchscreen
Cons
- –No in-body stabilization
- –16MP stills by modern standards
- –Contrast AF only
- –Superseded by GH5/GH6/GH7
Lumix S5 II
Pros
- ✓Phase-detect AF finally
- ✓6K open gate
- ✓IBIS
- ✓Great value
Cons
- –24MP resolution
- –L-mount size
- –AF still behind Canon/Sony
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Lumix GH4 and Lumix S5 II at major authorized retailers.
Panasonic Lumix GH4
Panasonic Lumix S5 II
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, Lumix GH4 or Lumix S5 II?
Lumix S5 II scores 9.5/10 versus 4.0/10 for Lumix GH4 — 30fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the Lumix GH4 and Lumix S5 II?
Lumix GH4 is 16.05 MP and Lumix S5 II is 24.2 MP, so the Lumix S5 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Lumix GH4 and Lumix S5 II have in-body image stabilization?
Lumix GH4 does not have IBIS, while Lumix S5 II has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Lumix GH4 or the Lumix S5 II?
Lumix GH4 reaches 12 fps electronic. Lumix S5 II reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Lumix GH4 and Lumix S5 II?
Lumix GH4 weighs 560 g and Lumix S5 II weighs 740 g, so the Lumix GH4 is 180 g lighter.
Do the Lumix GH4 and Lumix S5 II record 4K video?
Lumix GH4: 4K up to 30p. Lumix S5 II: 6K Open Gate (max), 4K up to 60p.
Are the Lumix GH4 and Lumix S5 II weather sealed?
Lumix GH4: Yes. Lumix S5 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 350 shots (CIPA) for the Lumix GH4 and 370 shots for the Lumix S5 II, giving the Lumix S5 II the edge.
How much does each cost?
Lumix GH4 launched at $1,699 and Lumix S5 II at $1,999. The Lumix GH4 is $300 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Lumix GH4 vs Lumix S5 II vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Panasonic press materials.