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Panasonic

Lumix GH5

Landmark Micro Four Thirds video camera with internal 4K 60p, 10-bit options, IBIS, and dual card slots.

$1,999

Launch price

Released Jan 2017

vs
Alpha 7 IV

Sony

Alpha 7 IV

33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.

$2,499

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

Alpha 7 IV is 4.8 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

Lumix GH5

VloggingSports & Action

Wins

11categories

Alpha 7 IV

PortraitWildlife

4 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Lumix GH5 wins 0 categories·Alpha 7 IV wins 5 categories
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 60 frames)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 225)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has lower ISO min (native) (100 vs 200)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher Resolution (33 MP vs 20.3 MP)

Key specs at a glance

Lumix GH5Alpha 7 IV
Resolution20.3 MP33 MP
SensorMFTFull Frame
ISO max25,60051,200
Burst12 fps10 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBIS5-stop5.5-stop
Weight725 g658 g
Battery410 shots580 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Lumix GH5

139 × 98 × 87 mm

725 g (1.60 lb / 25.57 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

Alpha 7 IV front view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 96 × 80 mm

658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)

Lumix GH5 is 7mm wider, 2mm taller, and 8mm thicker than Alpha 7 IV.

Lumix GH5 is 67 g heavier than Alpha 7 IV.

Depth (front-to-back): 87mm Lumix GH5 · 80mm Alpha 7 IV

Back view, to scale

Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.

Lumix GH5

139 × 98 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 7 IV back view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 96 mm

Top view, to scale

Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.

Lumix GH5

139 × 87 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 7 IV top view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 80 mm

Sensor size, to scale

Lumix GH5

17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds

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 GH5

Micro Four Thirds

130+

native lenses available

60 first-party70 third-party

Alpha 7 IV

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

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

Use caseLumix GH5Alpha 7 IV
Portrait
5.0Fair
9.0Excellent✓ wins
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good
7.5Good✓ wins
Landscape
3.5Limited
7.5Good✓ wins
Travel
6.0Good
7.0Good✓ wins
Wildlife
4.5Fair
8.0Excellent✓ wins
Vlogging
8.0Excellent
8.0Excellent

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Lumix GH5

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 138.5, 98.1, 87.4

  • Codecs

    Adds MOV, MP4, AVCHD

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Face, Eye

  • Burst (mechanical)

    12 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better

  • Burst (electronic)

    12 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better

  • AF frame coverage

    100 % vs 94 % — higher is better

Reasons to choose

Alpha 7 IV

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8

  • RAW buffer depth

    828 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better

  • AF points / zones

    759 vs 225 — higher is better

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Bird, Insect, Car/Train…

  • Codecs

    Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I

  • AA filter

    Only Alpha 7 IV supports it

  • ISO min (native)

    100 vs 200 — lower is better

  • ISO max (native)

    51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • 4K max frame rateBoth 60 fps
  • In-body stabilization (IBIS)Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
  • Weather sealingBoth support weather sealing
  • Card slotsBoth 2

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

Lumix GH5

Pros

  • 4K 60p video
  • Dual SD UHS-II slots
  • Strong IBIS
  • Rugged body

Cons

  • Older contrast AF
  • MFT sensor
  • Superseded by GH6/GH7

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 GH5 and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

Lumix GH5
Alpha 7 IV
Resolution
20.3 MP
33 MP+63%
Sensor type
Four Thirds Live MOS
Full Frame Exmor R CMOS
Sensor size
17.3 x 13.0 mm
35.9 × 23.9 mm
AA filter
No
Yes
Lumix GH5
Alpha 7 IV
Processor
Venus Engine
BIONZ XR
Lumix GH5
Alpha 7 IV
ISO min (native)
200
100−100 less
ISO max (native)
25,600
51,200+1 stop
ISO max (expanded)
25,600
204,800
Lumix GH5
Alpha 7 IV
Shutter type
Focal-plane mechanical + electronic shutter
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/8000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for portraits, Lumix GH5 or Alpha 7 IV?

Alpha 7 IV scores 9.0/10 versus 5.0/10 for Lumix GH5 — 33MP — ample resolution for portraits.

What's the resolution difference between the Lumix GH5 and Alpha 7 IV?

Lumix GH5 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 GH5 and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?

Lumix GH5 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 GH5 or the Alpha 7 IV?

Lumix GH5 reaches 12 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Lumix GH5 and Alpha 7 IV?

Lumix GH5 weighs 725 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Alpha 7 IV is 67 g lighter.

Do the Lumix GH5 and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?

Lumix GH5: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.

Are the Lumix GH5 and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?

Lumix GH5: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 410 shots (CIPA) for the Lumix GH5 and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Alpha 7 IV the edge.

How much does each cost?

Lumix GH5 launched at $1,999 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Lumix GH5 is $500 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way Lumix GH5 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.