My only gripe with the GH4 is that the stereo mics are located on the top as opposed to the front. It’s not a problem that is by any means exclusive to this particular camera; a lot are made this way; but it’s an illogical design. The direction of the mics should coincide with the lens. As is, the subject of the video isn’t necessarily reflected as such in the audio. That means if someone holding the camera is interviewing someone it’s pointed at, for example, the voice of the person holding it is more dominant. A simple solution is to add an external mic that points forward; which, depending on the mic, will probably improve the sound quality anyway; but that, of course, adds to the overall cost, bulk and weight.
The GH4 is excellent nonetheless, especially for those of us who use it more for video than photography. I, for one, use it for video exclusively. It comes with a host of advanced features and settings normally reserved for (expensive) pro-level cameras, but the main draw is that its resolution goes all the way up to 4K; “4096×2160” Cinema 4K; which makes the details clearer and crisper than most of what you’re used to seeing on TV and Youtube, even when its 4K images are downsized in post to be viewed in standard “1080p”. With the right lenses and audio equipment; let’s hope the mic thing is fixed in the GH5; a talented videographer could literally make a Hollywood movie with this one camera alone.
my rating : 5 of 5
2014