Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 vs Sony a9 II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
84
WINNER
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Sony a9 II
82
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 and the Sony a9 II are both full-frame mirrorless cameras released in 2019, offering 24.2-megapixel resolution from CMOS sensors. That shared resolution gives neither a cropping or large-print edge, so the choice turns on speed and body size. The a9 II is the more compact camera to carry, measuring 129 x 96 x 76 mm and weighing 678 g against the S1's 149 x 110 x 97 mm and 899 g, so it packs smaller for travel. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2019 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 1, 2019 | October 3, 2019 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 149 x 110 x 97 mm | 129 x 96 x 76 mm |
| Camera weight | 899 g | 678 g |
| Optics | 78/100 | 82/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe a9 II is the stronger choice for fast action, shooting at 20 fps where the S1 reaches 9 fps. Its 693 autofocus points against 225 give far denser coverage for tracking, and its 1/32000-second shutter sets a much shorter exposure ceiling than the S1's 1/8000 for freezing bright-light action. The S1 answers at the viewfinder: its 5,760,000-dot electronic finder gives a much more detailed view than the a9 II's 3,686,400-dot panel for checking critical focus. Both offer in-body stabilisation and a native ISO range of 100 to 51200, expandable to 204800. | ||
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 | 20 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 | 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 | 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 | 3200080032000 |
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 | 6930300 |
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 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe S1 is the better pick for video, supporting frame rates up to 60 fps where the a9 II tops out at 30 fps, with both recording up to 4K. That higher frame rate gives smoother motion and more slow-motion room for sports and wildlife clips. The a9 II counters with a built-in interval timer for timelapse work, which the S1 does not offer, saving an external remote for sunset or construction projects. File formats differ too: the S1 records MP4, while the Sony offers XAVC S and AVCHD. | ||
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. |
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 | XAVC S, AVCHD |
| Features | 87/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe S1's rear screen is the more useful panel for reviewing images and judging focus, pairing a larger 3.2-inch, 2,100,000-dot LCD against the a9 II's 3-inch, 1,440,000-dot screen. Both offer touch control, a flipping screen and live view for awkward angles. The essentials are shared: both cameras are weather-sealed, offer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer and remote control, and support external flash while omitting built-in flash. Neither includes GPS, so location tagging needs a separate solution. | ||
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 | 79/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe a9 II holds the practical advantage for a long shooting day, rated at 690 shots per charge against the S1's 380-shot rating, and both support USB charging between sessions. Both have dual card slots, but the S1 accepts XQD alongside UHS-II-compatible SD, a second high-throughput card option, while the a9 II uses UHS-II-compatible SD only. | ||
| 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 | 690 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony a9 II for speed-driven work: 20 fps bursts, 693 focus points and a 1/32000-second shutter make it the natural fit for sports and birds in flight. Its 690-shot rating and lighter 678 g body are practical pluses for long days.
Choose the Lumix DC-S1 if video is central or you value a more detailed viewfinder. Its 60 fps video frame rate gives real slow-motion room, and the 5,760,000-dot finder and more detailed rear screen ease critical focusing. Both share 24.2-megapixel resolution and weather sealing.