Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 vs Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
84
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
79
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 and Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 are both full-frame mirrorless cameras on the Leica L mount, so any L mount lens you own fits either body without an adapter. The 2019 S1 is the larger body at 149 x 110 x 97 mm, while the 2021 S5 is a smaller 133 x 97 x 82 mm. The S1 weighs 899 g against the S5's 714 g, a 185 g difference that makes the S5 the lighter camera for travel and hiking. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2021 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 1, 2019 | February 9, 2021 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 149 x 110 x 97 mm | 133 x 97 x 82 mm |
| Camera weight | 899 g | 714 g |
| Optics | 78/100 | 78/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe S1 is the better pick for fast action. Its maximum burst rate is 9 fps against 7 fps on the S5, giving you more frames of a sprinting athlete or a bird taking off. Its 5,760,000-dot viewfinder also beats the S5's 2,360,000, easing manual focus checks. The core stills specifications are shared. Both pair a 24.2 MP full-frame CMOS sensor with 225 autofocus points, in-body stabilisation for steadier handheld shots and a native ISO range of 100 to 51200. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.2 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. |
6000 x 4000 | 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. |
23.8 x 35.6 | 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. |
9 fps045 | 7 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. |
Leica L | Leica L |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Venus Engine | 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. |
6044080 | 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. |
2250300 | 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 | 576000009900000 | 236000009900000 |
| Video | 69/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe S5 is the more convenient camera for video workflow. It offers a built-in interval timer for timelapse and records in MOV as well as MP4, while the S1 offers MP4 only and no built-in timelapse mode. Both top out at 4K video resolution, and each supports frame rates up to 60 fps. | ||
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. |
No |  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. |
MP4 | MP4, MOV |
| Features | 87/100 | 85/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe S1 has the bigger, sharper rear screen for reviewing images and checking focus. Its 3.2 inches and 2,100,000 dots beat the S5's 3 inches and 1,840,000, a useful advantage when judging critical detail. Both screens are touch-enabled and articulating. Weather sealing is present on both bodies, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on each support wireless transfer and remote control. Neither has GPS or a built-in flash, so geotagging and fill light rely on external accessories. | ||
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 | LCD | TFT 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" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
21000001150001500000 | 18400001150001500000 |
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 | 68/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe S1 offers more card choice. It supports XQD cards alongside UHS-II SD media, while the S5 takes SD cards at the same UHS-II speed, and both bodies have dual slots. Existing XQD cards keep working in the S1. Battery life favours the S5 in its rated test mode, at 440 shots against 380 for the S1. The batteries differ, a DMW-BLK22 in the S5 and a DMW-BLJ31 in the S1, so spares do not interchange. Both support USB charging from a laptop or power bank. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible), XQD | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | DMW-BLJ31 | DMW-BLK22 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
380 shots1505000 | 440 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the S1 for action and field review. Its 9 fps maximum burst, 5,760,000-dot viewfinder and larger rear screen suit sports, wildlife and any shoot where you review frames in the field.
Choose the S5 if portability and endurance matter more. It is 185 g lighter and smaller for travel, its 440-shot rating outlasts the S1's 380, and its built-in timelapse and MOV recording help video creators. Either body covers general stills and hybrid work on the shared resolution and mount.