Panasonic FZ1000 vs GH4 with 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 (5): winners and losers

Panasonic GH4 covers most of my needs but on top of that offers plenty of features I will never use, so effectively there is about 60-70% overlap. FZ1000 specifications sugested that this overlap could be increased (simply speaking I would have better use of what it offers), making it more sensible choice, provided it meets baseline in departments that need to be tested in field: image quality beight the most important factor. On top of that there is financial aspect: at about half of the price of compared body+lens combination, with plenty of GH4 value being wasted (not to mention its bigger depreciation), the hybrid had a great potential for exceptional value for money.

I compared the most important (for me) aspects of both sets: handling, controls, image quality and video capabilities. Since both cameras share many ideas (and I believe also many components), that made the contest easier to jusge and more fair as well. Because of my personal approach, this cannot be treated as independent review, but I include as much data obtained as possible to be analysed independently.

Quick recap before summary:

Handling
Heavy lens of FZ1000 forced Panasonic designers to adapt body shape and the result is excellent. I wish that could be used for future G/GH series cameras. Number and location of controls is good good on both cameras. Not very good, as there are little niggles, but not something that is a show stopper though.

Controls
GH4 wins with more direct buttons (especially focus point position), and touch screen. Menus are virtually identical and perfect for advance user, but in my opinion lacking a bit for professional (in case of GH4)

Image quality
Combination of lens and sensor of FZ1000 won in all the tests. The difference ususally wasn't huge, but definitely noticable. FZ1000 is more flexible due to 16x zoom range, both are poor in close-ups, with slight edge of hybrid again.

Video
GH4 rules, but only in proper setup. Handheld, with 14-140mm lens, apart from more potential for better output (settings), it doesn't rise above FZ1000. The latter on the other hand suffers from heavy cropping in 4K mode, but HD is great thanks to full sensor readout.

WINNERS

Panasonic FZ1000
Quite surprisingly it exceeded my expectations (=you get what you pay for) in all tests, for my use being better all-around camera than GH4 with 14-140 mm lens. Keeper!

Panasonic GH4
Since FZ1000 confirmed 90% of value for 50% of price, the opposite must be true: 10% of extra for twice the price. And indeed that is the reality: in chase of perfection, returns on investments are diminishing. This camera body offers many features that can be deal-breaker (lens mount, with large family of native and adapted lenses), dust&splash resistance (with proper lens), video (settings and external outputs) as well as many other, that combined show where the money goes: display (with touch control and colour calibration), EVF (very good optics, colour calibration), better battery life etc.

Panasonic 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6
That is a small, light and flexible lens, very good for stills, makes very good all-round combo with Panasonic MFT bodies.

LOSERS

GH4 with 14-140 mm lens
The lens is not bad, but got beaten by Leica branded optics of FZ1000, dragging GH4 behind. Especially for videos it offers all the opposites to what one would expect: average stabilisation, poor zoom control, terrible autofocus when zooming. I wonder why that is the only GH4 kit option in the UK. Also current GH4 body price means that next season value for money of this setup is going to be much better.