Nikon Z7 vs Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · Mirrorless · 45.7 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Nikon Z7
82
SCORE
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 47.3 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R
83
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon Z7 and the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R are mirrorless cameras released in 2018 and 2019 respectively. The Z7 is the lighter carry by a wide margin, at 675 g against 1020 g for the S1R. It is also the more compact body, measuring 134 x 101 x 68 mm beside the S1R's 149 x 110 x 97 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2018 | 2019 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 23, 2018 | February 1, 2019 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 134 x 101 x 68 mm | 149 x 110 x 97 mm |
| Camera weight | 675 g | 1020 g |
| Optics | 86/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe S1R holds a slight edge for heavy cropping, with 47.3 megapixels against 45.7 on the Z7. That extra 1.6 MP gives a little more room to enlarge or crop a distant landscape. The S1R also offers a shorter exposure limit of 1/16000 second, against 1/8000 on the Z7, which helps hold wide apertures in strong daylight. The Z7 counters with 493 autofocus points against 225 on the S1R, giving wider coverage for off-centre subjects. Its expanded ISO ceiling of 102400 also reaches beyond the S1R's 51200. The two share 9 fps shooting, in-body stabilisation and a native maximum of 25600 ISO. They use different lens mounts, Nikon Z and Leica L, so native lenses cannot transfer between the bodies. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
45.7 MP050 | 47.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
8256 x 5504 | 8368 x 5584 |
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. |
23.9 x 35.9 | 24 x 36 |
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. |
9 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. |
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. |
6430200 | 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. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
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. |
3230200 | 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. |
1024003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
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 | 1600080032000 |
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. |
4930300 | 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 | 83/100 | 69/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras offer 4K video, and both have a maximum video frame rate of 60 fps, so fast action, smooth pans and standard editing workflows are equally open to either body. The useful split is timelapse work: the Z7 has a built-in interval timer, while the S1R does not, so the Z7 can run a sequence without extra gear. The Z7 also writes both MOV and MP4 files, giving more flexibility in post than the S1R's MP4-only output. | ||
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. |
60 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 ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing on both bodies makes either a reasonable partner for landscape work in drizzle or dust. They also share a 3.2-inch, 2,100,000-dot touch screen that tilts, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer and remote control. External flash works on both, though neither has a built-in flash or GPS, so location tagging needs a phone or add-on on either system. | ||
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. |
 Yes | 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 | 35/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryDual card slots make the S1R the better fit for long event days, since it accepts SD and Compact Flash cards together while the Z7 has a single XQD slot. Its battery is also rated for 360 shots, a little ahead of the Z7's 330. Both support USB charging, which simplifies topping up from a laptop or power bank on the road. | ||
| Memory card | XQD | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Compact Flash |
| Dual memory card slots | No |  Yes |
| Battery type | EN-EL15b | DMW-BLJ31 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
330 shots1505000 | 360 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Nikon Z7 if you want a lighter body for travel and hiking, wider autofocus coverage for compositions away from the centre, and a built-in interval timer for timelapse sequences. Its higher expanded ISO ceiling also gives more setting room for night work.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R if your priorities are maximum resolution for large prints, dual card slots for irreplaceable coverage, and the finer 5,760,000-dot viewfinder. Its shorter 1/16000 second exposure limit and slightly higher rated battery life add further margin. Because one uses Nikon Z mount lenses and the other Leica L, the native line-up you prefer should carry real weight in the decision.