Hands on review: Panasonic GH4

First there was the Point and Shoot, and then came the Bridge Camera. A few years ago camera manufacturers like Panasonic and Olympus unearthed another category when they dispensed the DSLR’s optical viewing assembly but retained the large sensor and interchangeable lenses. It shed the bulk of the DSLRs and yet didn’t compromise too much on the image quality, sparking off a new wave of cameras. Compact System Cameras (CSC) have carved a niche for themselves at a time when point and shoots and Bridge cams seem to be under threat from the ever improving mobile shooters. Compact System Cameras have also been referred to as Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens camera or EVIL – Electronic Viewfinder, Interchangeable Lens. Panasonic’s G1 was one on the pioneers in this category.

The GH4 adds 4K video capture capabilities to this evolving line of CSC cams. If you’re familiar with this series of Panasonic’s cameras you will not notice a big difference between the GH4 and its predecessor – the GH3. The magnesium alloy body is dust-proof and splash resistant. There’s a 3-inch 1,036,000-dot LCD screen that doesn’t just offer a clear view of images but allows you to access image settings (Like AF points) with its responsive touch screen. If you’d rather not use the touch screen, you are more than covered with a plethora of physical keys and controls on the device. The GH4’s combination of physical and on-screen controls is clearly one of its key strengths.   

We like the thoughtful lock on the mode dial and the roomy eye cup that offers some respite when you are shooting in bright sunlight. A wide flap located on the left hand corner conceals two ports – HDMI and AV out digital while two smaller flaps have a 3.5mm audio port and a Microphone slot nestled under them. There are also a trio of conveniently located buttons that allow you to quickly modify White Balance, ISO and Exposure Value levels.

The GH4 sports the newly developed 16.05MP Digital Live MOS Sensor and is a more than capable shooter delivering great still images in all types of shooting scenarios. If there’s one crib it is the slight lack of fine detail or micro contrast (only if you zoom in 100%). Some of the controls and settings can be overwhelming for users making the jump from a point and shoot.

The GH4’s calling card is the ability to shoot 4K videos. It is a big deal, because the GH4 effectively allows you to shoot broadcast quality images. The video results are quite spectacular. The GH4 brings the capabilities of a professional video camera to a more compact sized device with an eye on the avid photography buff. However this also triggers another relevant question – who is this camera for? Panasonic has one eye on hybrid photography enthusiasts who combine images, videos and audio. However at a price tag of 1.73 lakh (with the 1235mm F2.8 HD lens) it is clearly a micro-niche that this product will appeal to.

The GH4 is another great advert for the growing prowess of the category of CSC's. Can this category wean away DSLR users looking to shed the bulk while simultaneously offer the high quality jump (coupled with the ease of operation) that point and shoot users are seeking. DSLR cams are certainly better kitted for action photography but the results on the GH4 suggest that CSC cams are fast catching up with DSLRs on other fronts. The GH4’s price tag is obviously a limiting factor but will appeal to photography enthusiasts (who don’t mind the stiff price tag) looking to capture key memories and milestones in 4K quality.