Nikon Z6 II vs Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · Mirrorless · 24.5 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Nikon Z6 II
83
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 24 MP · Full Frame · 6K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H
77
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon Z6 II and the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H are both mirrorless cameras with full-frame sensors, released in 2020 and 2019 respectively. The Z6 II is the smaller and lighter body at 705 g and 134 x 101 x 70 mm, while the S1H measures 151 x 114 x 110 mm and weighs 1052 g. Their lens mounts differ, Nikon Z against Leica L, so lens choice follows the camera. The S1H is 347 g heavier, 49.2 percent more, a gap that matters for travel and carrying. | ||
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 | August 20, 2019 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 134 x 101 x 70 mm | 151 x 114 x 110 mm |
| Camera weight | 705 g | 1052 g |
| Optics | 83/100 | 74/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Z6 II is the stronger pick for fast action, offering 14 fps continuous shooting against the S1H's 9 fps. It also has 273 autofocus points to the S1H's 225, giving more focus positions. Resolution is a near tie for cropping, at 24.5 MP against 24 MP. The S1H's electronic viewfinder carries 56.1 percent more dots than the Z6 II's, 5,760,000 against 3,690,000, for a finer eye-level view. They also match on sensor format and type at full-frame CMOS, in-body stabilisation, the 1/8000-second maximum shutter and the native ISO range of 100 to 51200. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.5 MP050 | 24 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 | 35.6 x 23.8 |
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 | 96/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe S1H is the clear choice for video-led work, recording up to 6K while the Z6 II tops out at 4K. That extra resolution lets an editor crop and reframe, or deliver 4K from a wider frame. Both have a 120 fps maximum video frame rate, a separate limit from maximum resolution. Both offer built-in timelapse recording, useful for condensing a sunset or a construction project into seconds. File formats differ, the Nikon writing MOV and MP4 and the Panasonic MPEG-4 and MOV. | ||
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 |  6K |
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 | 5952 x 3988 |
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 | 120 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 | Yes |
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 | MPEG-4, MOV |
| Features | 87/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe S1H's flip screen lets a solo filmmaker frame themselves or compose from low angles, an option the Z6 II does not offer. The S1H's rear display also carries 11 percent more dots, 2,330,000 against 2,100,000, for checking focus on the panel. Connectivity and protection match, with both offering Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a 3.2-inch touchscreen, live view, weather sealing and external flash support. Neither has GPS or a built-in flash, so neither geotags on its own. | ||
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 | 23300001150001500000 |
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 | 71/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Z6 II accepts a card format the S1H does not take, pairing an SD slot with a CFexpress Type B / XQD slot. The S1H uses UHS-II-compatible SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, and both bodies have two slots. Battery ratings sit close, at 410 shots for the Z6 II and 400 for the S1H, and each charges over USB. They use different battery types, EN-EL15c and DMW-BLJ31, so spares do not cross between bodies. | ||
| Memory card | SD, CFexpress Type B / XQD (UHS-II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
| 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 | 400 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H if video is central to your work, whether documentary filming, client productions, or vlogs framed on its flip screen. Its 6K recording, 5,760,000-dot viewfinder and more detailed rear display serve that production workflow.
Choose the Nikon Z6 II for stills-led shooting, especially wildlife, sports or events where its 14 fps burst and 273 autofocus points help capture the decisive moment. It is also the lighter body at 705 g against 1052 g.