Terrific GH4 vs A7s Shootout from Learning Cameras - and a Wakeup Call for Canon

This is the best comparison of the Panasonic GH4 and the Sony A7s I have seen to date, with insightful observations on features, ergonomics, lens selection and the importance of 4K in a 1080p world.

Here's the review:



As readers of this blog know, we are partial to the GH4 - but to be fair to the A7s, Dan doesn't mention the advantages of using the Metabones  EF to NEX Smart Adapter with the Sony. The Smart Adapter mitigates the A7s' lens selection challenge somewhat by opening up the possibility of using fast, wide Canon glass with image stabilization and auto-aperture.

He also leaves out any mention of the Sony's APS-C crop mode as a partial solution to the A7s' jello problem.

But these are minor nits.  Overall, I agree completely with his bottom line - at $1700 for a compact handheld 4K solution, the GH4 is the clear winner.

But beyond the competition between the two new kings of the mirrorless world, there is a deeper message from this shootout.

Two of Dan's quotes stand out as particularly bad news for a company whose cameras aren't seen in the video - Canon.  Dan says:

"Honestly, [4K] is making it tough to go back to 1080p", and

"Both of these cameras have redefined my view of what video should look like from cameras in this price range - they have just both stomped on [emphasis added] my Canon 5D3 and 70D so hard that it will be nearly impossible for me to pick them up and begin video shooting after seeing the quality these cameras were able to generate."

That's pretty tough language from someone who has thousands of dollars invested in Canon bodies and glass.

In my view, as more and more shooters get their hands on these cameras, quotes like these will start to become the conventional wisdom - and it will become more and more difficult to sell 8-bit 1080p mirror-box DSLRs for serious professional or enthusiast film-making.

DSLRs Smaller, Lighter and Sometimes Less Expensive Than Mirrorless

Not to Scale

The pictures above represent another example of the traditional DSLR outcompeting a mirrorless camera manufacturer. The new mirrorless Sony A3000, with its DSLR-styling and DSLR-sized sensor, is actually larger and heavier than the 'world's smallest DSLR', the Canon SL-1.

Even with the weight and bulk of the SL-1's reflex mirror and mechanism, Canon engineers have done a terrific job of packaging this camera.

And so, despite what ought to be the mirrorless camera's natural size advantage, Sony cannot claim that the A3000 mirrorless is 'smaller than a DSLR'.

That said, at least the A3000 is competitively priced and doesn't stray too far from DSLR design norms.

Sadly, Nikon's mirrorless cameras have not been competitively priced and do stray pretty far from DSLR design norms.  I have railed about this before, but it bears repeating:  the strange looking Nikon 1 V2 is a great camera, but it is not worth $100 more than the D5200, which is the superior camera in just about every way, except size.

Bottom line?  As Canon gradually address the DSLR's weaknesses (e.g., size and bulk with the SL-1 and video autofocus performance with the 70D), the case for mirrorless becomes weaker and weaker.

If mirrorless manufacturers can't (or won't) produce cameras that compete on features, sensor size, camera size, image quality, and price - then the reports of the DSLR's 'imminent demise' that we've heard for the past few years may have indeed been premature.

If this helps with your decision to buy one of the cameras referenced here, please click on one of the links above or display ads below.  It won't cost you anything extra and will help to keep posts like this coming.

NEW Canon 70D - Great Premiere Video - "Handmade"

Canon's new autofocus system, upgraded DIGIC 5+ processor and built-in wifi make this new camera a worthy entrant to the hybrid still/video market.  For Rebel shooters with a significant investment in Canon glass, but who can't afford a 5D Mark III, this camera may be the perfect upgrade.

Here is what it can do (in the hands of cinematographer Noboyuki Yanagibashi):



And here is the "making of" - narrated by Yanagibashi-san himself: Very impressive performance, and I expect Canon to sell a lot of them.  If you're ready to upgrade to the best crop sensor Canon for video, and you don't need a headphone jack or 1080/60p, you can pre-order your new 70D body for $1199 at Amazon or Adorama.
And, for the latest 70D videos, please subscribe to my new Canon EOS 70D group on Vimeo.