Sony a6300 Vs GH4 Video – Which Should You Get?

So you hear this question commonly asked, “the Sony a6300 vs GH4 video, which is better?” And loads of people have said loads of stuff on the issue. But today, we are here to lay the arguments to rest once and for all. There’s only one clear winner here and y’all are about to find out just who that winner is.

As you can see from our topic – Sony a6300 vs GH4 video, we are here to compare the video quality of these cameras. So, this review might seem somewhat skewed towards shooting videos rather than shooting stills. Because of our photographer-readers out there, we will still try to cover a bit about the still quality of these guys. But just as a heads up, this is a Sony a6300 vs GH4 video comparison.

Click here to buy the Sony a6300 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Panasonic Lumix GH4 on Amazon now.

Now, if you didn’t know, the GH4 is a Panasonic product. Even though Panasonic can hardly be regarded as one of the biggest players in the industry, its GH4 (and GH5) camera is sure stealing hearts. If you’ve never used or seen this camera before, you might not understand what we’re saying. But you can count on us to clear it all out as our article unfolds.

This article is going to be a pretty lengthy one but we’ve also got you covered if you don’t have the time. The “Comparison Overview” which begins from the next section to the part where we discuss what camera is better for what situation, gives you the gist of the entire article. Leggo!

Table of Contents

Comparison Overview — Sony a6300 Vs GH4 Video

The lengthy Sony a6300 vs GH4 video review is summarized in the following subsections. Check them out if you don’t have the time to go through the entire article.

Where Both Cameras Get It Right — Sony a6300 Vs GH4 Video

These cameras both shoot in 4K and the quality is quite good. They also both come with nice viewfinders and are weather-sealed to ensure the durability of the camera.

You’d also like the fact that they both offer wireless connection. This means that you’d be able to transfer files quickly and easily without cables. And then these two cameras also come with fast USB ports great for charging the battery of your camera easily.

Lastly, although the GH4 has a video bit rate that is twice that of the Sony a6300, it’s still safe to say that both cameras have high video bit rates.

Where The Sony a6300 Does It Better — Sony a6300 Vs GH4 Video

Strictly comparing bodies, the Sony a6300 is smaller. It also has a fantastic autofocus ability going on for it when shooting video.

With a larger sensor, the Sony a6300 has a better image quality both for stills and for video. The 6k sensor downscales to 4K which gives the image quality in 4K video a slight edge over the Panasonic GH4.

Plus, the larger sensor also contributes to the Sony a6300’s awesome low light capability. It’s the camera you want to reach for when shooting for weddings, concerts, dinners. Basically any event that occurs in low light.

Furthermore, the Sony a6300 has a really impressive 120 frames per second frame rate. So, achieving slow motion is going to be really amazing.

Lastly, the camera comes with NFC which also makes wireless, contactless transfer of files much easier.

Where The Panasonic GH4 Does Better — Sony a6300 Vs GH4 Video

The Panasonic GH4 is a great camera for a number of reasons. First off, the camera is a better camera overall in video in comparison to the Sony a6300.

Second, this camera has better ergonomics than the Sony a6300 and allows you travel lighter since you don’t need as many as accessories to work with the camera.

Next, the screen fully articulates, unlike the Sony a6300 which only tilts a little. Plus, it is touch sensitive as well.

Plus, the GH4 has a better battery life, no rolling shutter effect, and does not overheat as well. So, it’s great for shooting intense movements, and can record for long periods at a time. In fact, it keeps recording until the SD card is full.

Its video bitrate is twice as fast as that of the Sony a6300 at 200 megabits per second. So, it’s great for intense graphic work, color grading, and green screen.

It only records at 96 frames per second but it conforms for slow motion which means that you have your file ready to go as you shoot. Once you’re done with shooting, you can watch the slow motion file on the back screen of your camera.

Lastly, this camera comes with a headphone jack which is great for monitoring audio.

Where They Both Get It Wrong — Sony a6300 Vs GH4 Video

Both of these cameras lack image stabilization. You’d want to ensure to either shoot on a tripod or get IS lenses.

For these two cameras, the options for image stabilization lenses are not many. There are only about 20 to 23 image stabilization lenses on either of the cameras.

Also, of course, you know the limitations with using IS lenses. One is that, they are a little expensive and the other is that it increases your gear. But then again, there are times when that is just unavoidable. Keep that in mind, though.

Which has a better price-value ratio: Sony a6300 or Panasonic GH4?

Both the Sony a6300 and the Panasonic Lumix GH4 are relatively inexpensive. The Sony a6300 sells for about seven hundred bucks while the GH4 sells for about that price or slightly higher depending on where you’re buying from. But if you’re getting this strictly for video, our advice would be to go for the GH4 over the Sony a6300. The price/value ratio is much more worth it.

Generally, we’d say that these two cameras have a good price/value ratio. Because even though the GH4 does better in the video department, the Sony a6300 is the clear winner in the stills department. So, whether or not you get value would depend on why you’re buying.

However, if we’re talking strictly Sony a6300 vs GH4 video comparison, then the GH4 gives you better value for money. Although both cameras clock in at about the same price, the GH4 gives you more features relative to price than the Sony a6300.

Comparative Brand Strengths — Sony a6300 Vs GH4 Video

One thing these two brands have in common is that they are both Japanese brands. In fact, most of the camera brands we know and love are Japanese brands but that’s besides the point.

In the market, these brands fare pretty well, although it’s easy to see that Sony is the bigger brand by a significant margin. But even at that, Panasonic is still doing pretty good for itself. The brand’s GH4 and GH5 cameras have really caught on especially in videography circles. But the brand still seems to be experiencing a bit of a struggle in the stills community.

This is not to say, though, that the brand is resting on its oars. There are a few cameras we’ve seen from Panasonic with pretty impressive stills. So, fingers are crossed for other cameras from Panasonic.

But that said, “stills” is a sector where Sony dominates. With a penchant for full frame, mirrorless cameras, Sony makes cameras with some of the best sensors in the industry, period. And, especially if you get any of the cameras in the alpha R series, you can triply sure of amazing video resolution.

Another area where Sony dominates is in low light shooting. It’s the stronger brand in this respect as well.

Click here to buy the Sony a6300 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Panasonic Lumix GH4 on Amazon now.

Comparison Table Of Major Specs And Features — Sony a6300 Vs GH4

 

Sony a6300

Panasonic GH4

Announcement Date 3rd February, 2016 7th February, 2014
Sensor Size APS-C CMOS Sensor Micro Four Thirds
Sensor Resolution 24 Megapixels 16 Megapixels
Touch Sensitivity No Yes
LCD Screen Resolution 922k dots 1.036k dots
ISO 100 – 25600 100 – 25600
Mount Sony E Mount Micro Four Thirds Mount
Screen 3 inch Tilting Screen 3 Inch Fully Articulated
Continuous Shooting 11 Frames Per Second 12 Frames Per Second
Video Resolution 3840 x 2160 pixels 4096 x 2160 pixels
Focus Points 425 49
Color Depth 24.4 23.2
Dynamic Range 13.7 12.8
Low Light ISO 1437 791
Sensor Pixel Area 15.28µm2 14.12µm2
Max Shutter Speed 1/4000 second 1/8000 second
Headphone Port No Yes
Flash Coverage 6.0 meters 17.0 meters
Flash Sync Port No Yes
4K Photo Mode No Yes
Post Focus Mode No Yes
Max Video Bit Rate 100 Megabytes per Second 200 Megabytes per Second
Frames Per Second 120 Frames per Second in 1080 pixels 96 Frames per Second
AE Bracketing ±5 EV ±3 EV
Dimensions 120 x 67 x 49 millimeters 133 x 93 x 84 millimeters
Weight 404 grams 560 grams

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

What Situation Is Each Camera Best For — Sony a6300 Vs GH4 ?

Sony a6300

Panasonic GH4

Alright, in what video shooting situation would we recommend the Sony a6300?  

The Sony a6300 is a great camera and we would waste no heartbeat in recommending it if you need to do a lot of autofocus work. The autofocus on this camera is just incredible and that’s an aspect where the GH4 does not do as well.  

Also, if you need a camera for low light, then, of course, the Sony a6300 is your best buddy. Sony is well known for fantastic low light cameras anyway and the Sony a6300 is no exception.  

Now, this camera is really small and nicely weighted camera. So, generally, it’s great and easy to carry around.   But then again, two things.  

The first is for when you need to do a shoot with serious audio work. Since there’s no headphone jack, you’d have to consider bringing an external audio monitor along. That’s some gear.  

Also, because the battery does not last as long, you’d have to ensure that you have an alternative means to keep your battery charged for a seamless shooting.  

Plus, it overheats in long shooting. So, be warned. You want to limit this to usage indoors.  

Finally, this camera is great for videographers who like to do a lot of slow mo work. There’s 120 frames per second in 1080 pixel to enjoy. However, its rolling shutter issue is really bad. So, this isn’t great for shooting intense movements.
The Panasonic GH4, on the other hand, is a larger camera. So, while it might not be as convenient the Sony a6300 (body only), it’s got a far better feel and grip.  

Plus, it needs fewer accessories to travel with than the Sony a63000. So, in the end, it might be the better option for videographers who need something to travel easy with.  

You won’t be needing the extra gear for monitoring audio since the camera comes with a headphone jack. Battery life is also great as well.  

We don’t recommend the GH4 if you need to do a lot of focus work. Also, if you’d be shooting in low or unpredictable lighting, don’t take the GH4 along.  

But do take it along for all your fast video shooting, intense movements and all of that. There’s next to rolling shutter effect so it’s really cool and all of that.  

If you’re looking for a real flexible camera, between the Sony a6300 and the GH4, the GH4 is the way to go. The screen fully articulates and it is also touch sensitive as well. So, generally, it’s a lot easier to use for fast adjustments on the fly in comparison to the Sony a6300.  

It also makes the GH4 a better camera for one-man vloggers and Youtubers who don’t have any help. Plus, videographers that like being able to make changes quickly and on the fly, would prefer the GH4.  

The GH4 also makes a great camera for slow mo as well even though it’s not as great as the Sony a6300. But the good thing is that it conforms.
Click here to buy the Sony a6300 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Panasonic Lumix GH4 on Amazon now.

Which Features Do They Have In Common — Sony a6300 Vs GH4?

Here are things the Sony a6300 and the Panasonic Lumix GH4 have in common:

i. ISO range

ii. Articulating screen

iii. Dynamic range

iv. Electronic viewfinder

v. No image stabilization

vi. 4k video mode

vii. Weather sealing

viii. Wireless connection

We will now look at each of these features in detail…

ISO Range

We all know what ISO is about. It tells us just how sensitive your camera is to light. if the range is wide enough, it generally means that your camera would be able to function better in low light than if it wasn’t as wide.

Of course, in practice, we’ve also learned that the higher you go in ISO levels, the worse it gets for your images. The notorious grain which every photographer avoids for obvious reasons could show up and mess up your photos. In some cases, you’d be able to fix the noise in post but not always. So, it’s best avoided from the start.

Now, the question is between the Sony a6300 and the Panasonic GH4, which is the better camera in low light? In essence we are comparing the Sony a6300 vs GH4 low light video.

In that case, it’s pretty much well-known that Sony is the go-to brand for excellent low light cameras. And if you want, you could even go for their specialist cameras, the alpha S cameras which are specially made for low light situations.

But even though the Sony a6300 isn’t in the alpha S line, it still makes a great camera in low or unpredictable lighting situations. Like, in low light situations, just a small ISO adjustment and the GH4 is already displaying noise unlike the Sony a6300 which holds its own.

So, seeing as these cameras practically have the same ISO range, you might wonder why this is so. Well, for one, the a6300 is a Sony camera. Secondly, the Sony a6300 has a larger sensor and larger sensor pixel area. This means that it can take in more light than the Panasonic GH4 which gives it a competitive edge in low light in comparison to the GH4.

So, if low light settings are more your scene: weddings, concerts, indoors shooting, the likes, then go for the Sony a6300.

Articulating Screen

Of course, you need expect to see a screen on your camera. But these screens can come in different forms depending on the camera in question.

Initially, screens were fixed which was quite inconvenient. There are still cameras that come with fixed screens but those are usually old generation cameras and are super inconvenient to use.

Thankfully, these days, there are now options. Screens now tilt. And there are different levels to the tilting. Some only tilt while others fully articulate. In this case, the Sony a6300 comes with the tilting screen while the GH4 comes with a fully articulated screen. So, it’s pretty easy to see which would be the more convenient camera to use.

With the Sony a6300, you can only tilt the screen upwards and then downwards to close the screen. Although more convenient than the fixed screen, this limits the videographer in a number of ways.

The GH4, on the other hand, comes with a fully articulated screen. This means that you can turn the screen around, even to the side which is just really amazing. It makes the GH4 really selfie-friendly and a great recommendation for one-man vlogging or Youtubing.

Another advantage of the GH4 over the Sony a6300 is that its screen is touch sensitive. This makes it way easier and more convenient as well to make adjustments to your settings and the likes. So, if you’re on field, you’d probably enjoy using the GH4 more than you’d enjoy using the Sony a6300 because it would much smoother as well as more intuitive to work with the GH4.

Dynamic Range

Why is dynamic range important when discussing video? Well, it’s especially important when it comes to shooting outdoors in a very backlit background. That is, when the sun is up and shining.

If a camera does not come with a good enough dynamic range, it becomes difficult for that camera to perform well in such settings. This will then lead to the loss of details especially with the highlights and shadows.

On a good day, a camera has a dynamic range of, at least, 12 stops. In very good situations, the dynamic range of a camera can range from go up to just under 15 stops. Of course, that’s a very good number and would mean that the camera would perform really well in super bright circumstances.

In the Sony a6300 vs GH4 video comparison, we found that both cameras perform great in the sunlight. And that’s not surprising with dynamic ranges of 13.7 and 12.8 respectively.

Electronic Viewfinder

So, this makes it quite obvious that the Sony a6300 and the GH4 are mirrorless cameras. This means that they are not DSLRs, further meaning that they lack mirrors which makes them more compact and more lightweight. But there’s more, mirrorless cameras also come with electronic viewfinders as against the mirrorless cameras of DSLRs.

Electronic viewfinders have the advantage of showing you your image as it will it appear after you’ve taken the photo. In essence, the viewfinder sees as the camera’s lens sees while the optical viewfinder sees as the eyes see. Often, in the end, what you see through the optical viewfinder differs from what you eventually get when the photo is taken.

Plus, electronic viewfinders make your camera much easier to interact with than with the optical viewfinder. This is because they display information about your image that the optical viewfinder cannot like dynamic range, and such information.

However, the electronic viewfinder also has a few disadvantages which the viewfinders of the Sony a6300 and the GH4 also suffer. For one, they aren’t your best bet in bright light because it is more difficult to see the screen due to the reflection of the sun.

For your viewfinder to make video shooting easier for you, it’s going to have to be large enough. That way, it’s easier to compose and frame your scenes even if you’re going to be shooting stills.

Between the Sony a6300 and the GH4, it’s easy to see which camera takes the cake in this department. The Sony a6300 is a small camera and so, its viewfinder is small as well although it’s not so bad.

The GH4, on the other hand, is a larger camera and, therefore, has a larger viewfinder with cups to make the viewfinder even more comfortable to use.

And then lastly on the viewfinder is the resolution of the screens. The viewfinder of the GH4 is much sharper than that of the Sony a6300 even though it would be unfair to say that the EVF of the Sony a6300 is not sharp.

Click here to buy the Sony a6300 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Panasonic Lumix GH4 on Amazon now.

No Image Stabilization

It’s sad to note that neither of these cameras comes with image stabilization. That’s quite a disadvantage because it could make for blurry pictures especially when you’re shooting handheld. You need that image stabilization system to be ensure that with the inevitable involuntary camera shakes your camera experiences, your images remain upright.

That said, usually, Sony would use a sensor-shift image stabilization which is a really affordable and convenient form of image stabilization. With this method, since the image stabilization is built in, you can use whatever kind of glass you want and the image stabilization would work.

However, now that neither of these cameras has image stabilization, there are two ways you could go about working with them. One is to work with a tripod. It’s actually probably your best bet. But there’s also the option of getting IS lenses. Sure, it’s a more expensive way to go not to forget that it would translate to carrying around more gear as well. But hey you got to do what you got to do, right?

4K Video Mode

So, we’re still comparing the Sony a6300 vs GH4 video capabilities. And this moment brings us to the meat of the matter. We are discussing the video modes of these cameras and there’s a whole lot to talk about.

But before we go into the nitty gritty of that conversation, first things first. These cameras both shoot in 4K even though the specs look different. The Sony a6300, on the one hand, comes with the regular 3840 x 2160 pixels while the GH4 comes with 4096 x 2160. It does give the GH4 a small advantage but not so much.

Anyway, let’s go into the comparison of these cameras based on their video resolution. We dare say this is the main Sony a6300 vs GH4 video comparison.

Sony a6300

Panasonic GH4
The Sony a6300 shoots in 4K as we already said, and it’s amazing at it. In fact, the camera shoots with a 6K sensor downscaling to 4K. So, in comparison to the GH4, the Sony a6300 gives details that a little sharper than those of the Panasonic GH4.  

Besides that, the Sony a6300 is also a fantastic camera for doing jobs that require you to do precise focusing. The autofocusing on the Sony a6300 is simply amazing. So, if you’re a sucker for fantastic autofocus, then the Sony a6300 is your go-to.  

In low light, we see the Sony a6300 doing a terrific job as well. The GH4 is no match whatsoever for the Sony a6300, not in any regard. Sony easily takes the crown in that aspect.  

Thankfully, the Sony a6300 comes with a microphone port. This means that you can get good quality, clean audio. Problem, however, is that you don’t get a headphone port so audio monitoring could be cumbersome.  

For videos where audio is supposed to be super crucial, you’re going to have to bring along an external monitor. This isn’t great since you’d be dealing with the inconvenience of extra gear.  

Now, for slow mo lovers, the Sony a6300 records in 120 frames per second which means great news for you. The only thing is that the Sony a6300 does not conform. So, it records in 120 frames per second in 1080 pixels and if you want the 24 frames per second slow mo, you’re going to have to do that yourself in post.  

As is with CMOS sensors, the Sony a6300 suffers badly from the rolling shutter effect. It’s really bad. So, keep that in mind, and refrain from using this for super fast sequences or shoots that involve a lot of intense movement.  

Also, keep in mind that this camera overheats especially if you’re recording outdoors. It’s quite bad but if you’re recording indoors, it gets better. You’ll be able to get over an hour of recording without overheating.  

Finally, another thing you need know about the video mode of the Sony a6300 is that it can record for 30 minutes and then stops. So, you’d have to manually restart the camera to continue the camera.
Although the camera with the smaller sensor, the GH4 still does a pretty decent job when it comes to image quality in 4K. With an APS-C sensor, the Sony a6300 definitely does better. However, the difference is only quite small.  

It records in amazing ultra HD/DCI quality 4K internally. This eliminates the need for an external HDMI recorder which also translates to less gear. But here’s the thing.  

Your GH4 would record continuously until the SD card is full unlike the Sony a6300 which records in 30 minute bursts. However, what the GH4 does is that it breaks those videos into 4 GB files.  

The small ish though is that you could probably lose a frame in the middle of all of that. If this will mess things up a whole lot, then you could avoid all of that, you could just record with an external recorder instead.  

But besides that, there are many cool reasons to choose to shoot with the GH4. In fact, generally when it comes to the Sony a6300 vs GH4 video mode, the GH4 might be the winner for all-round video.  

It records at 200 megabits per second which means that you have more than enough to work with in post. Whether it’s green screen, intense graphic work, or color grading, the GH4 is great.  

It’s also great for slow motion even though it only records at 96 frames per second as against the Sony a6300’s 120 frames per second. But it does conform which means that if you choose to record at 24 frames per second slow motion when shooting at 96 frames per second, you’d have your file ready to go and you can view it on the back screen when you’re done.  

In the autofocus and low light departments, the Panasonic GH4 is just an average performer and if that’s your specialty, then maybe you’d be better off with the Sony a6300. Don’t even think of augmenting with faster glass or a speed booster. Sure it helps a bit but with those, you’d still observe that your video is noisy even at a low ISO of 3200 especially in full HD.  

The GH4 comes with a headphone jack. So, it’s quite easy to monitor audio. Plus, it does no suffer the overheating or poor battery life problem that the Sony a6300 suffers. This allows you to enjoy a more seamless shooting for longer periods at a time than when compared to the Sony a6300.  

Finally, with the GH4, there’s no rolling shutter effect at all. This means that it’s great for recording at really fast speeds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5rxEhBvYZU

Weather Sealing

So, this is great news. These two cameras come weather-sealed. This means that your camera is safe wherever you decide to use it – indoors or outdoors. Please, note that weather sealing is not the same as water proofing. So, be careful.

Generally though, in the face of unpredictable weather, dust, moisture, and continued use, the Sony a6300 and GH4 will be able to hold their own without any problems.

Wireless Connection

Wireless connection is always a welcome improvement when talking about cameras. Of course, these cameras come with USB ports which are pretty fast too, if we might add. However, we all know how using wires can get pretty cluttered and then what happens when you forget to take it along with you?

A wireless connection eliminates the need for wires which is great. You simply set up WiFi and you can easily transfer the files from the camera to your computer or your smartphone pretty quickly and conveniently as well.

Click here to buy the Sony a6300 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Panasonic Lumix GH4 on Amazon now.

Unique Features — Sony a6300 Vs GH4

Which has the larger sensor: Sony a6300 or Panasonic GH4?

The Sony a6300 comes with a 24 mega pixel APS-C CMOS sensor, while the Panasonic GH4 has a 16 mega pixel Four Thirds CMOS sensor. The Sony a6300 has the larger sensor. This means that it does better in image quality even though you might not really notice it when shooting in 4K. For stills and 1080 pixels, though, the Sony a6300 emerges as the clear winner.

The larger sensor size of the Sony a6300 also gives it an edge over the GH4 in low light. That added to the fact that Sony is already known to make some of the best low light cameras.

With a sensor resolution of 24 megapixels, you could say that the Sony a6300 is a high resolution camera. Sony does have cameras that have sensor resolutions that are nearly twice that of the Sony a6300. Nonetheless, while that is true, 24 megapixels is more than enough megapixels to do everything you want to do with a high resolution camera.

We know the review today is strictly video but it doesn’t mean we’re totally banned from talking about stills.

Being a high resolution camera, the Sony a6300 does better when it comes to image sharpness and all of that. However, in shooting video, especially in 4K, the difference isn’t gaping. When shooting stills though, then you begin to notice the difference. The Sony a6300 does much better in image quality and also gives great photos for aggressive cropping, downsampling, and large printing.

Which has more focus points: Sony a6300 or Panasonic GH4?

The Sony a6300 has 425 focus points. There’s a lot you can achieve with the many focus points of the Sony a6300 especially when shooting stills of subjects that won’t stay in a place. This is one reason we’d recommend the Sony a6300 to kid or pet photographers. Seeing as those subjects are not known for sitting still, the numerous focus points of the Sony a6300 give it an advantage for such kinds of photography.

Which allows for one touch wireless connection: Sony a6300 or Panasonic GH4?

The Sony a6300 comes with near field communication. NFC is a modern method of file transfer that’s pretty similar to transferring via WiFi. It works pretty much like NFC works on your smartphone and other such devices that use such technology. So, the camera and the receiving device just has to be within 4 inches of each other and you can have a contactless transfer of files. Super convenient!

Which has a micro four thirds sensor: Sony a6300 or Panasonic GH4?

The Panasonic GH4 uses a micro four thirds sensor size which is quite significantly smaller than the APS-C sensor. Of course, it affects a number of things.For one, it affects image quality especially for shooting stills. In shooting videos, the GH4 and the Sony a6300 do almost the same in image quality although the Sony a6300 is slightly better.

In summary, if you’re looking to do stills as well as shoot video with the camera you end up with, then don’t go the way of the Lumix GH4. Instead, go for the Sony a6300. It has fantastic stills and overall image quality.

Furthermore, with a sensor resolution of 16 megapixels, the Panasonic Lumix GH4 is just an average camera when it comes to image resolution. Just like we already mentioned, this difference is only slightly pronounced when comparing these cameras in video. For stills, the GH4 does not meet up to the Sony a6300.

This brings us to another reason we won’t be eager to suggest this as a camera to someone also looking to shoot stills with this camera. With 16 megapixels, you won’t be able to print in super large sizes. Also, aggressive cropping will affect the quality of your resulting images as well.

Which has post focus mode: Sony a6300 or Panasonic GH4?

What the GH4 lacks in fast autofocus, it compensates for with this fantastic post focus mode. This means that you can adjust your focus just right after you’ve taken your photo. Pretty amazing, right?

Click here to buy the Sony a6300 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Panasonic Lumix GH4 on Amazon now.

Unique Pros — Sony a6300 Vs GH4 Video

Unique Pros Of The Sony a6300

  • The Sony a6300 has the larger sensor size so it’s great for image quality.
  • It has way more focus points than the GH4. Its autofocus mode is also way better than what you have on the GH4.
  • It’s a smaller and lighter camera which makes the camera easier and more convenient to carry around.
  • The Sony a6300 is the better choice for low light or unpredictable lighting situations.
  • Produces better images in 4K thanks to sharper sensor.
  • Also, 6K sensor downscaling to 4K, so the details on the Sony a6300 is sharper.
  • Shoots at 120 frames per second at 1080 pixels. Great for slow motion.
  • Comes with the NFC feature as well.

Unique Pros Of The Panasonic GH4

  • Although larger and heavier than the Sony a6300, the Panasonic GH4 has a better feel and grip.
  • The screen fully articulates and is also touch sensitive.
  • Records at 200 megabits per second which is great in post as you have more than enough material for green screen, intense graphic work or color grading.
  • LCD screen is much sharper than on the GH4.
  • Battery life is better so you get to record for longer periods at a time.
  • Headphone jack makes it easier to monitor audio without needing external monitors.
  • Although it records at 96 frames per second and also records slow motion, it has an advantage in that it conforms. So, it prepares your file for you on the go and you can view your slow motion on the back screen of your camera when you’re done. On the Sony a6300, you’d have to do the slow motion effect yourself in post.
  • It does not produce rolling shutter effect at all, so it’s great for shooting intense movements or sports.
  • Keeps recording continuously until the SD card is full.
  • 4K video resolution is 4096 x 2160 pixels.
  • Max video rate is 200 megabits per second as against the Sony a6300’s 100 megabits per second.
  • The viewfinder is easier to use as it is larger and the cups make it more comfortable to use as well.
Click here to buy the Sony a6300 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Panasonic Lumix GH4 on Amazon now.

Unique Cons — Sony a6300 Vs GH Video

Unique Cons Of The Sony a6300

  • The Sony a6300 does not have a great grip and it’s a little awkward reaching the small record button.
  • Also, position of the SD card is right next to the battery so it’s a little troublesome getting it out and inserting it.
  • It lacks a headphone jack so it’s not easy to monitor audio. In some cases, you might need an external monitor.
  • Battery life is quite poor which means it’s not great for shooting for long periods at a time.
  • Then there’s also the problem with overheating which the Sony a6300 experiences.
  • Also, the Sony a6300 can only shoot for 30 minutes at a time before it shuts off and you have to restart it manually.
  • This camera has it bad with the rolling shutter effect.
  • Although it shoots at 120 frames per second and is great for slow motion, it does not conform. This means that you’d have to do the slow motion effect yourself in post.
  • The LCD screen isn’t touch sensitive and is only limitedly articulated.
  • Although smaller in body size, the Sony a6300 requires more accessories to travel with than the GH4 from audio monitors to external powering.

Unique Cons Of The Panasonic GH4

  • The GH4 is larger and heavier.
  • Image quality in stills and video are not quite as good as that of the Sony a6300, thanks to the tiny micro four thirds sensor.
  • Even with speed boosters and faster glass, the GH4 does not do great in low light.
  • Autofocus system on this camera is not great and we do not recommend it if you need your focus to be excellent.
  • Although the camera records till the SD card is full, please keep in mind that it breaks the resulting video into 4GB files. You can string these up in post but the problem is they sometimes, you tend to lose a frame or two in the midst of all that breaking up. Of course, you can avoid that by using an external recorder.

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Common Pros — Sony a6300 Vs GH4

Sony a6300

Panasonic GH4

This camera comes with wireless connection which makes it easier for you to transfer files. Also comes with wireless connection.
Comes with an articulating screen although it does not articulate fully like the GH4. Screen is fully articulated with touch sensitivity.
Comes with a viewfinder. Also comes with a viewfinder
Supports both RAW and JPEG formats. Also supports RAW and JPEG.
Comes with face detection focus. Same goes for the GH4.
Comes with a microphone port to accommodate an external mic which gives better audio quality. Also applies to the GH4.
Video bit rate is great at 100 megabits per second. Video bit rate is even better at 200 megabits per second.
Comes with smartphone remote control. Same goes for the GH4
This camera comes weather-sealed. Also comes weather-sealed.
Click here to buy the Sony a6300 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Panasonic Lumix GH4 on Amazon now.

Common Cons — Sony a6300 Vs GH4 Video

Sony a6300

Panasonic GH4

This camera does not come with image stabilization. Also lacks image stabilization.

General Feeling Among Users — Sony a6300 Vs GH4 Video

Okay, so here’s what customers had to say about the Sony a6300 vs GH4 video comparison.

Sony a6300

Panasonic GH4

The Sony a6300 got a lot of kudos from customers who were impressed by the camera. Whether in the stills department or in the video department, Sony apparently did a fantastic job on the Sony a6300 and it shows.  

So, talking about video quality. We think that, mostly, people were impressed by the Sony a6300. Its 4K video capability got a lot of good reviews for many of the reasons we have already highlighted above.  

The autofocus experience was an amazing one for many. 425 focus points meant that they had more than enough focus points to shoot moving objects and to get precise focus in next to no time when shooting video.  

Customers also enjoyed the fact that the shutter was truly silent. No one likes to hear a noisy shutter while shooting videos, after all. So, even though the camera did have challenges with aggressive panning and sudden movements thanks to the rolling shutter effect, it was a little forgivable.  

Another plus for the Sony a6300 in most customers’ books is its high frame rate. You’re getting 120 frames per second here and many customers relished the thought of being able to record slow motion videos.  
Now, we get to the bad.  

A number of customers found the record button to be in an unnatural position. So, it kinda took a while to get used to camera.  

Also, the overheating thing was a problem as well. Not forgetting that the camera automatically turns off itself after shooting continuously for 30 minutes. And then battery life too was another challenge.  

Altogether, we’d say it was mostly good reviews. We did not see any comment from any customer bashing the Sony a6300’s video outright. Opinions mostly ranged from “love it!” to “not bad.”
Panasonic really need be proud of their work on the GH4. Indeed, they got a lot of happy campers with the Panasonic Lumix GH4.  

So, here’s the summary of everything most people had to say about the Lumix GH4.  

The light weight and compactness of the Panasonic GH4 made it a real sweetheart for many. The fact, that it’s mostly an all-in-one camera also makes it even sweeter to carry. No need for too many extra accessories and all of that.  

Another thing that attracted customers to this camera was its versatility. The mount of this camera has to be one of the most flexible you’d ever come across. We saw a customer use all the Nikon glass they had after simply getting a fairly inexpensive adapter and that’s just really cool.  

Of course, it was nothing but good reviews for the video mode of this camera. Many users were mind blown by the 4K video quality of the Lumix GH4.  

It was also amazing for them that they got to shoot for as long as possible even in 4K. This is a feat the Sony a6300 is unable to achieve but from the reports, the GH4 seems to be doing a great job at that.  

Now, to the bad.  

Autofocus was not great in video mode at all, although we would admit that it was different in still mode. Autofocus seemed even excellent. So, that was one small drawback.  

Low light capability, as well, was another issue. It was a unanimous agreement that the GH4 wasn’t made for low light and they were right.  

In summary, this made a fantastic bang for the buck for most customers. And, overall, this camera performed well in video barring its few letdowns. So, yeah, the GH4 obviously won many hearts over.
Click here to buy the Sony a6300 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Panasonic Lumix GH4 on Amazon now.

Conclusion — Sony a6300 Vs GH4 Video

Let’s start with the Sony a6300.

We like how Sony tried to make the camera smaller in order to make it easier to transport. But we think they kinda sabotaged that plan in a way because the camera is, indeed small, but to do any serious video shooting with it, you’d need a couple of accessories which leads back to the heavy gear that Sony was trying to avoid.

And then for video, well, great job in the autofocus department, Sony. But Sony still hasn’t fixed the rolling shutter effect we’ve known it for. Also, the poor battery life, and automatic turn off after 30 minutes is kinda annoying.

Plus, even though Sony improved the firmware, overheating is still very much a problem. You can’t use this outdoors for a long time especially when the sun is up.

So, yes, overall, great camera especially for mild, not-too-serious video.

That said, our pick would be the Panasonic GH4 for a few reasons which we will highlight.

It’s got a great body with fantastic ergonomics. The mount is also more flexible than that of the Sony a6300 as well. This camera does fantastic video in 4K and has a great battery life which allows you to record for long periods at a stretch. And it also keeps recording till the SD card is full which is just great even though it breaks the files into smaller 4GB files.

Now, it sucks in the low light and autofocus department and its frame rate isn’t as high as that of the Sony a6300. It only does 96 while Sony a6300 does 120. But then again, when it comes to slow motion effect, it conforms while the Sony a6300 doesn’t.

Plus, image quality isn’t as good as it gets on the Sony a6300 due to its tiny sensor even though it’s not that bad.

In the end, these two cameras both have their setbacks but, if we were to pick, we guess we can live with the compromises of the GH4 better than the Sony a6300, for video. If the tables were turned and it was stills we were talking about, we won’t skip a beat in going for the Sony a6300.

Click here to buy the Sony a6300 on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Panasonic Lumix GH4 on Amazon now.

Sony a6300 Vs GH4 Video — FAQs

Is the Sony a6300 good for video?

The Sony a6300 is great for video. This camera shoots 4K, so, you already know that you will be getting amazing video quality recording with this camera. It also has an external microphone jack, so, you are able to improve on the audio quality just by getting a good microphone.

More so, this camera comes with the interesting remote control function which enables you record videos without actually holding your camera in your hands. And of course, not to forget the tilting screen which allows you record from different angles.

Is the GH4 good for video?

The Panasonic Lumix GH4 is great for recording videos. As a matter of fact, it is actually one of the best Panasonic cameras in video mode, and can perhaps even compete with some professional DSLR cameras. This camera records up to 200Mbps bit rates, shoots 4K (4096 by 2160), has video stabilization, and is compatible with a wide range of external microphones.

The GH4 also allows you use headphones to give you a better audio recording experience. And not to forget its fully articulated LCD screen that makes it possible and very convenient for you to self-record.

So, not only is the Panasonic Lumix GH4 good for video, it is amazing at it.

Does the Sony a6300 have a touch screen?

The LCD screen of the Sony a6300 is not touch sensitive. This take away that feeling of using your camera like you would your smartphone. Now, of course, a touch sensitive screen would have made this camera much easier to use, it has to be said that the a6300 does pretty well in the area of user friendliness. And well, if you really know your way around a camera, you might not be missing the touch screen so much.

Is the Lumix GH4 selfie-friendly?

The Panasonic Lumix GH4 is a selfie-friendly camera. It comes with a fully articulated screen which can be tilted and rotated to varying angles. So, what this means is that you can easily tilt the screen upwards to to the side to take pictures of yourself by yourself.

This is one feature that makes the Lumix GH4 great for solo tourist visits and hikes. You can easily take those high quality photos of yourself without having to bother anybody.

Is the Lumix GH4 a good vlogging camera?

The Panasonic Lumix GH4 is an excellent camera option for vlogging. Not only does it offer you the best video quality (4096 by 2160 maximum video resolution), it also comes with a fully articulated screen which allows you self-record.

The GH4 is also really easy to use, which is surely good news for vloggers who are not professional photographers. Plus, you can get creative with your videos, thanks to the in-camera time-lapse feature it comes with.

Also, remember that you can use external microphones with this one, so, your audio quality does not suffer.

Does the Lumix GH4 shoot 4k?

The Panasonic Lumix shoots 4K, and well, it gets more interesting; it shoots DCI 4K. Now, most of the time, when you see a camera that shoots 4K, the maximum video resolution of that camera is 3840 x 2160. What this means is that that camera shoots Ultra HD (UHD) — which is a level higher than full HD. However, what you get with the GH4 is 4096 x 2160, which means it shoots Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) — which has a wider aspect ratio than UHD.

Basically, if you want to shoot a film that will end up on the big screen (cinemas or theaters), you will be better off shooting with a DCI camera like the Panasonic Lumix GH4.