Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 vs Sony a7R III — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
84
WINNER
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 42.4 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Sony a7R III
83
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony a7R III and the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 are both full frame mirrorless cameras, but they suit different work. The a7R III arrived in 2017 as a high resolution body, while the S1 followed in 2019 as a larger model built around the Leica L mount, weighing 899 g against 657 g. The mount is the first practical decision. The S1 uses the Leica L mount and the a7R III uses Sony FE, so native lenses do not cross between them. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2017 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 1, 2019 | October 25, 2017 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 149 x 110 x 97 mm | 127 x 96 x 74 mm |
| Camera weight | 899 g | 657 g |
| Optics | 78/100 | 84/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe a7R III is the stronger choice when detail matters most, with 42.4 megapixels against 24.2 on the S1. That gives more room to crop a distant animal, print large, or reframe a landscape later. For online sharing and standard prints, 24.2 megapixels remain plenty. The a7R III also leads for action work, with 425 autofocus points against 225 and a 10 fps burst rating against the S1's 9. Both cameras have in body stabilisation for handheld shooting. The S1 counters at the viewfinder, where its 5,760,000 dot panel shows finer detail than the a7R III's 3,686,400 dots. It also reaches a higher expanded ISO ceiling of 204800 against 102400. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.2 MP050 | 42.4 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 | 7952 x 5304 |
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 | 24 x 35.9 |
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 | 10 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 | Sony FE |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Venus Engine | Bionz X |
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 | 320003003280000 |
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 | 1024003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 3044080 |
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 | 4250300 |
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 | 368640009900000 |
| Video | 69/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoSlow motion is where the S1 takes the lead, offering a maximum video frame rate of 60 fps against 30 fps on the a7R III, enough to play fast action back at half speed. Both cameras record video and share the same 4K maximum resolution. The file formats differ. The a7R III records XAVC S, AVCHD 2.0 and MP4, while the S1 records MP4, giving editors more format options. Neither camera has a built in intervalometer, so long timelapse sequences need external triggering. | ||
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 | 30 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | XAVC S, AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MP4 |
| Features | 87/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe S1 has the clearer rear screen, a larger 3.2 inch LCD with 2,100,000 dots against the a7R III's 3 inch, 1,440,000 dot panel. Both screens are touch capable and tilt for waist level and high angle framing. Connectivity and protection are shared strengths. Both offer Wi Fi and Bluetooth for image transfer, and both are weather sealed. Both accept an external flash, while neither has a built in flash or GPS for location tagging. | ||
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 | 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 | 14400001150001500000 |
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 | 65/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe a7R III is rated for 650 shots on its NP-FZ100 battery against 380 for the S1's DMW-BLJ31, under their respective test conditions, a lead that favours long days away from a charger. The S1 supports USB charging, so you can top up from a power bank between locations. Both cameras have dual card slots. The S1 also accepts XQD cards alongside its UHS II compatible SD support, while the a7R III takes SD cards only, which matters if you already own fast XQD cards. | ||
| 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 | NP-FZ100 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
380 shots1505000 | 650 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Sony a7R III is the pick for resolution driven work. Heavy wildlife crops, big landscape prints and client product shots all benefit from its 42.4 megapixels, and its higher rated battery count helps on full day shoots.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 when video matters, since its 60 fps maximum video frame rate doubles the a7R III's 30 fps for slow motion work. Its finer viewfinder, sharper rear screen and USB charging suit a hybrid workflow, if the Leica L mount lens range fits your plans.