Sony FDR-AX100 vs. GH4 shoot out

Duke M.

Duke M.

Veteran
The nice thing about this video is its an actual side by side comparison where the framing is at least nearly the same.

I thought the GH4 would look more cinematic and the AX100 the sharper of the two. Both look impressive, but surprisingly I think the AX100 looks a little more cinematic in certain shots.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL7KRTk7C38

 
Great comparison. I too have both cameras and often have a hard time picking which I like better. So I just don't think about it too much and pick the one that feels right for the situation. At first I was concerned about the limited picture controls on the AX100 but after a few times out with the camera and seeing the footage it really didn't concern me too much. The camera does deliver a strong and very detailed image. I actually find myself de-sharpening the image from time to time. The strong suit of the AX100 is that it's a great run and gun walk around camera. The Gh4 is great too. I really like working with the camera and the image is awesome. It just takes more dialing in controls to get what I want from it were as the AX100 out of the box just seems to always please. The lens on the AX100 is defiantly world class. Just love the optics on it. The microphone on the AX100 is really top notch too for being built in.

Look at me, rambling on about the AX100 more than the Gh4? It's because while the AX100 is considered a Handycam and in fact has limited image controls, as I said it delivers a great image, period. There is just no fuss about the camera. Turn it on, set exposure and shoot. I think it's good to have both cameras if you can. I'm glad I do...
 
dustylense said:
Great comparison. I too have both cameras and often have a hard time picking which I like better. So I just don't think about it too much and pick the one that feels right for the situation. At first I was concerned about the limited picture controls on the AX100 but after a few times out with the camera and seeing the footage it really didn't concern me too much. The camera does deliver a strong and very detailed image. I actually find myself de-sharpening the image from time to time. The strong suit of the AX100 is that it's a great run and gun walk around camera. The Gh4 is great too. I really like working with the camera and the image is awesome. It just takes more dialing in controls to get what I want from it were as the AX100 out of the box just seems to always please. The lens on the AX100 is defiantly world class. Just love the optics on it. The microphone on the AX100 is really top notch too for being built in.

Look at me, rambling on about the AX100 more than the Gh4? It's because while the AX100 is considered a Handycam and in fact has limited image controls, as I said it delivers a great image, period. There is just no fuss about the camera. Turn it on, set exposure and shoot. I think it's good to have both cameras if you can. I'm glad I do...
Click to expand...

Thank you for this report on the AX100 Chris. Very helpful.
 
Great images from both, again. Can someone do a comparison of faces for skin tones and roll off of the edges. That's the one important thing I haven't seen yet. Even a couple of frame grabs would help if its the same lighting, same subject and nearly the same angle. Please.
 
markr041 said:
Here is another video comparison, with the frames the same (no stills) and a better Lumix lens on the GH4 (12-35mm f2.8):

https://vimeo.com/96854363

Both 4K 30p, 180 angle, shutter priority. GH4 first in each scene. Original 4K video downloadable f you want a serious look.

Youtube version:

http://youtu.be/tMcfXpqXOlg
Click to expand...

Thanks for the links! I was reading the comments of the vimeo version and they re saying GH4 seems to have more DR, but personally I didnt see it!
But if you look at the viideo Duke linked in the first post https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL7KRTk7C38 especially at 3:32 you can see that AX100 has clearly much more detail in the shadows than GH4...
 
Panasonic GH4 and Sony FDR AX100 Low-Light Comparison in 4K: Streets at Night

Panasonic GH4 and Sony FDR AX100 Low-Light Comparison in 4K: Streets at Night

https://vimeo.com/97288660

4K comparison video of street scenes and buildings at night. Both cameras mounted on a (lightweight) tripod. Both in Standard Picture Mode. Auto WB, shutter priority at 1/60th (180 degree shutter). Zebras used. Both lenses at f2.8. OIS was disabled.
The lens on the Panasonic was the Lumix 12-35mm f2.8. The scenes were matched in composition and exposure.
Edited in Sony Vegas Pro 13, rendering as 4K XAVC S at over 100 Mbps.
The first clip in each scene is the Panasonic.
 
It seems like a real low light test comparison of the same scene at the same low light level is almost nowhere to be found. Or is the low light sensitivity capability not really that important even to mention??
I shoot weddings and yes, low light is paramount and is what will be one of the key factors that will make my decision on these cameras.
I just want to see the GH4 at around 25K ASA (iso) compare with the AX100.
How about the GH4 vs the A7s at 25K iso ???
 
Norman99 said:
It seems like a real low light test comparison of the same scene at the same low light level is almost nowhere to be found. Or is the low light sensitivity capability not really that important even to mention??
I shoot weddings and yes, low light is paramount and is what will be one of the key factors that will make my decision on these cameras.
I just want to see the GH4 at around 25K ASA (iso) compare with the AX100.
How about the GH4 vs the A7s at 25K iso ???
Click to expand...

I am surprised by this comment. In a post just before I provided a link to a video comparing for the same exact night scene the GH4 and the AX100. Here is the link:
https://vimeo.com/97288660

The upshot: in dark areas the GH4 clips are noisy and mushy compared with those from the AX100. You can see this in post when you push the dark areas. The video is downloadable.
 
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Look in the dark areas of the back lit portions of the first video around 3:33. Details are still discernible in the AX100 footage.
 
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