Panasonic
Lumix GM5
Tiny Micro Four Thirds body with built-in EVF and interchangeable lenses.
$899
Released Sep 2014
Sony
Alpha 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Released Oct 2021
Alpha 7 IV is 7.1 years newer.
Wins
Lumix GM5
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
1 categories tied
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TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher IBIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 7 frames)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 23)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 28 Mbps)
- ALumix GM5 has higher Burst (electronic) (40 fps vs 10 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Lumix GM5
99 × 60 × 36 mm
211 g (0.47 lb / 7.44 oz)
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
Lumix GM5 is 33mm narrower, 37mm shorter, and 44mm thinner than Alpha 7 IV.
Lumix GM5 is 447 g lighter than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 36mm Lumix GM5 · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Sensor size, to scale
Lumix GM5
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 GM5
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 GM5
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 98.5, 59.5, 36.1
Card types
Adds microSD
Burst (electronic)
40 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Weight
211 g vs 658 g — lower is better
Codecs
Adds MP4, AVCHD
Subject recognition
Adds Face, Eye
AF frame coverage
100 % vs 94 % — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 IV
IBIS effectiveness
5.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
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 7 frames — higher is better
AF points / zones
759 vs 23 — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 28 Mbps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
EVF resolution
3,686,400 vs 1,166,000 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Lumix GM5
Pros
- ✓Ultra compact
- ✓Built-in EVF
- ✓MFT lens mount
Cons
- –No 4K
- –Small battery
- –No IBIS
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 GM5 and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.
Panasonic Lumix GM5
Sony Alpha 7 IV
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, Lumix GM5 or Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 7 IV scores 7.5/10 versus 0.0/10 for Lumix GM5 — 33MP — ample resolution.
What's the resolution difference between the Lumix GM5 and Alpha 7 IV?
Lumix GM5 is 16 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Lumix GM5 and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
Lumix GM5 does not have IBIS, while alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Lumix GM5 or the Alpha 7 IV?
Lumix GM5 reaches 40 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Lumix GM5 and Alpha 7 IV?
Lumix GM5 weighs 211 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Lumix GM5 is 447 g lighter.
Do the Lumix GM5 and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
Lumix GM5: Full HD. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Lumix GM5 and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
Lumix GM5: No. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 220 shots (CIPA) for the Lumix GM5 and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Alpha 7 IV the edge.
How much does each cost?
Lumix GM5 launched at $899 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Lumix GM5 is $1,600 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Panasonic and Sony press materials.