Nikon Z6 II vs Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · Mirrorless · 24.5 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Nikon Z6 II
83
SCORE
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
84
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon Z6 II and the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 are both mirrorless cameras, and the Z6 II is the lighter one to carry. It weighs 705 g against the S1's 899 g. Its 134 x 101 x 70 mm body is more compact than the S1's 149 x 110 x 97 mm. The Z6 II was announced in October 2020, the S1 in February 2019. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2020 | 2019 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 14, 2020 | February 1, 2019 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 134 x 101 x 70 mm | 149 x 110 x 97 mm |
| Camera weight | 705 g | 899 g |
| Optics | 83/100 | 78/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Z6 II is the better pick for fast action, shooting at up to 14 fps against 9 fps on the S1. Its 273 autofocus points outnumber the S1's 225, giving more freedom over focus placement when tracking a moving subject. Resolution differs only marginally, at 24.5 versus 24.2 megapixels, so neither offers meaningful extra cropping room. Both use a full-frame CMOS sensor. The S1 counters with a sharper viewfinder, 5,760,000 dots against the Z6 II's 3,690,000, making fine detail easier to judge while composing. Both offer in-body stabilisation and the same 1/8000 second top shutter speed. The mounts differ, so each camera draws on its own Nikon Z or Leica L lens range. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.5 MP050 | 24.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6048 x 4024 | 6000 x 4000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
35.9 x 23.9 | 23.8 x 35.6 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
14 fps045 | 9 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon Z | Leica L |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Dual Expeed 6 | Venus Engine |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
512003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
2048003003280000 | 2048003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
2730300 | 2250300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 369000009900000 | 576000009900000 |
| Video | 91/100 | 69/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoSlow motion is where the Z6 II has the clear edge. Its maximum video frame rate reaches 120 fps, double the S1's 60 fps, so quick action such as a bird taking off can be stretched much further in playback. Both cameras top out at 4K resolution. The Z6 II also offers a built-in timelapse mode and records in both MOV and MP4. The S1 records MP4 files only and has no built-in timelapse. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
120 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV, MP4 | MP4 |
| Features | 87/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Lumix DC-S1 is the camera for awkward angles, because its rear screen flips out and rotates for low ground-level work or self-framed video. The Z6 II's screen is fixed, so framing is limited to the positions the body itself allows. The Z6 II's screen is a TFT LCD and the S1's is an LCD, both 3.2-inch, 2,100,000-dot touch panels. Both bodies have weather sealing, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Neither has GPS or a built-in flash, so location tagging and fill light need add-ons on either camera. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
21000001150001500000 | 21000001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 71/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe two cameras take different card combinations, with the Z6 II accepting SD alongside CFexpress Type B or XQD, and the S1 pairing SD with XQD only. Both have dual card slots for separating stills and video or overflow, and both charge over USB. The Z6 II is rated for 410 shots per charge against 380 for the S1. | ||
| Memory card | SD, CFexpress Type B / XQD (UHS-II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible), XQD |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | EN-EL15c | DMW-BLJ31 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
410 shots1505000 | 380 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Z6 II for moving subjects, stronger slow motion and timelapse work, which its 14 fps burst, 120 fps video limit and built-in interval mode cover. Choose the S1 for odd-angle framing, backed by its rotating screen, or for the sharpest viewfinder at 5,760,000 dots.
Both share stabilisation, weather sealing and dual card slots, and each camera opens its own Nikon Z or Leica L lens system.