Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 vs Sony a9 III — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
79
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 24.6 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Sony a9 III
81
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 and the Sony a9 III are both full-frame mirrorless cameras, released in 2021 and 2024 respectively. Their bodies are close in size and weight: the S5 measures 133 x 97 x 82 mm and 714 g, while the a9 III is 99 x 133 x 83 mm and 700 g, a difference of just 14 g. Their lens mounts differ, which shapes the whole purchase: the S5 uses the Leica L mount and the a9 III uses Sony E, so each camera draws on its own native lens system. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2021 | 2024 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 9, 2021 | August 2, 2024 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 133 x 97 x 82 mm | 99 x 133 x 83 mm |
| Camera weight | 714 g | 700 g |
| Optics | 78/100 | 80/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony a9 III is the decisive camera for fast action. It shoots at 120 fps against 7 fps from the S5, surrounding a decisive moment with many more frames to choose from. Its 759 autofocus points cover far more of the frame than the S5's 225, and its 1/80000 second shutter allows exposures ten times shorter than the S5's 1/8000 for freezing rapid motion. For general photography, the sensors are close: both are full-frame CMOS designs with nearly identical resolution, 24.6 MP against 24.2 MP, so cropping room and large prints are comparable. Both offer in-body stabilisation. The a9 III's viewfinder is far sharper, with 9,437,184 dots against 2,360,000, which helps when tracking a small subject. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.2 MP050 | 24.6 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 | 35.6 x 23.9 |
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. |
7 fps045 | 120 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 E |
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 XR |
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 |  4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 25030200 |
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 | 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. |
5030200 | 12530200 |
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 | 512003003280000 |
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 | 8000080032000 |
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 | 7590300 |
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 | 236000009900000 | 943718409900000 |
| Video | 83/100 | 77/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoSlow motion favours the a9 III: its maximum recording frame rate reaches 120 fps while the S5 tops out at 60 fps, and both cameras cap recording resolution at 4K. For timelapse the choice reverses, because the S5 has a built-in timelapse mode and the a9 III does not. | ||
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 | 120 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. |
MP4, MOV | MPEG-A |
| Features | 85/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe a9 III gives you a slightly larger, sharper monitor: its 3.2-inch screen resolves 2,095,104 dots against the S5's 3 inches and 1,840,000 dots, making fine detail easier to check on playback. Beyond that, the working features are shared: both have weather sealing, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, touch input, a flip-out screen, and an external flash shoe. Neither offers GPS or a built-in flash. | ||
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 | 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" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
18400001150001500000 | 20951041150001500000 |
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 | 71/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe a9 III carries the higher battery rating, 530 shots against 440 for the S5, using its NP-FZ100 pack in place of the S5's DMW-BLK22. Storage choices differ: both have dual card slots, but the S5 uses SD UHS-II cards while the a9 III pairs an SD slot with CFexpress. Both charge over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) | SD/CFExpress |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | DMW-BLK22 | NP-FZ100 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
440 shots1505000 | 530 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For sports, birds in flight, and any subject where the peak of the action decides the frame, the Sony a9 III is the clear choice: its 120 fps burst, 759 AF points, and 1/80000 second shutter suit exactly those situations.
For landscapes, portraits, and general full-frame photography, the Lumix DC-S5 matches the sensor format, offers near-identical resolution, in-body stabilisation, and a built-in timelapse mode. Choose by subject speed first, then by the lens system, Leica L or Sony E, you want to build around.