Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R vs Sony a9 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 47.3 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R
83
WINNER
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Sony a9
80
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R, released in 2019, is a high-resolution mirrorless camera, while the Sony a9 from 2017 is built around shooting speed. Both share the mirrorless body design, so the choice is about priorities, not format. This is a difference in physical scale: the S1R measures 149 x 110 x 97 mm and weighs 1020 g, against 127 x 96 x 63 mm and 673 g for the a9. The a9 is the smaller and lighter body of the two by a wide margin. | ||
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 | April 19, 2017 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 149 x 110 x 97 mm | 127 x 96 x 63 mm |
| Camera weight | 1020 g | 673 g |
| Optics | 83/100 | 81/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe S1R is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and large prints, with 47.3 megapixels against 24.2 on the a9. A distant bird or architectural detail can be cropped much harder while keeping usable detail. Both use full-frame CMOS sensors and offer in-body stabilisation for handheld work at slower shutter speeds. The a9 is the clear winner for fast action, shooting at up to 20 fps versus 9 fps on the S1R, with 693 autofocus points against 225 for tracking erratic subjects. Each uses its own native system, Leica L versus Sony FE, so existing lenses may settle the mount question first. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
47.3 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. |
8368 x 5584 | 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. |
24 x 36 | 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. |
256003003280000 | 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. |
512003003280000 | 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. |
1600080032000 | 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 | 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 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoSlow-motion work favours the S1R, whose maximum video frame rate reaches 60 fps against 30 fps on the a9, so fast sport or wildlife can play back at half speed. Both cap out at 4K resolution, so neither offers a resolution edge. Recording format is where the a9 offers more choice: it records in XAVC S, AVCHD Ver. 2.0 and MP4, while the S1R records in MP4 alone. That gives editors more format options on the Sony. | ||
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 ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing and wireless control are shared strengths. Both bodies are weather sealed and pair with a phone over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and both offer a flipping screen, touch control and an external flash shoe. Neither includes a built-in flash or GPS. The S1R has the better rear screen for checking critical focus on location. Its 3.2-inch LCD carries 2,100,000 dots against a 3-inch, 1,440,000-dot panel on the a9, giving finer detail when reviewing a shot before moving on. | ||
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 a9 carries the stronger rated battery life, at 650 shots against 360 for the S1R. Both have dual memory card slots, so a second card sits in the body ready when the first fills. The S1R takes SD cards alongside Compact Flash and charges over USB, while the a9 takes UHS-II compatible SD cards and has no USB charging. That lets the Panasonic top up its battery from a laptop or USB power source. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Compact Flash | 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. |
360 shots1505000 | 650 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose by subject rather than brand. For landscape, architecture and work built on fine detail or heavy cropping, the S1R's 47.3 megapixels make it the better tool. For sports, wildlife and events where timing matters, the a9's 20 fps burst, 693 autofocus points and 650-shot battery rating are decisive.
Check the lens mount first, because the S1R uses Leica L glass and the a9 uses Sony FE, and native lenses from one will not fit the other. A lens collection you already own will usually settle the choice first.