Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 II vs Sony a9 III — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 24 MP · Full Frame · 6K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 II
76
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 II and the Sony a9 III are full-frame mirrorless cameras with different strengths. The 2024 a9 III is the speed-focused action body, while the 2023 S5 II leans toward hybrid stills-and-video work. Their Leica L and Sony E mounts differ, so lenses do not carry across. The bodies are close in scale. The a9 III measures 99 x 133 x 83 mm and weighs 700 g, against 134 x 102 x 90 mm and 740 g for the S5 II. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2023 | 2024 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 4, 2023 | August 2, 2024 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 134 x 102 x 90 mm | 99 x 133 x 83 mm |
| Camera weight | 740 g | 700 g |
| Optics | 73/100 | 80/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe a9 III is the stronger choice for freezing fast action. It shoots at up to 120 fps against 9 fps on the S5 II, and its 1/80000-second top shutter gives far shorter exposures than the S5 II's 1/8000. That helps at wide apertures in bright light. Both are full-frame CMOS sensors with close resolution, 24 MP against 24.6 MP, so neither offers a useful cropping advantage. Both include in-body stabilisation for handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds. The a9 III's 9,437,184-dot viewfinder gives a crisper view than the S5 II's 3,680,000 dots. The S5 II's standard ISO range is wider, 100 to 51200 against 250 to 25600. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24 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. |
35.6 x 23.8 | 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. |
9 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. |
Unspecified | 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. |
7790300 | 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 | 368000009900000 | 943718409900000 |
| Video | 96/100 | 77/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe S5 II is the better camera for high-resolution video work, recording up to 6K against 4K on the a9 III. Extra capture resolution leaves room to crop or reframe when you deliver in 4K. Both offer a 120 fps maximum video frame rate, so slow-motion playback is available from either. The S5 II also offers a built-in timelapse mode for interval shooting without an external timer, which the a9 III does not have. That saves a step for regular time-lapse creators. | ||
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. |
 6K |  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. |
5952 x 3968 | 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. |
120 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. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MPEG-A |
| Features | 85/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe S5 II's rear screen resolves finer detail, with 2,360,000 dots on its 3-inch LCD against 2,095,104 dots on the a9 III's larger 3.2-inch panel. Both screens fully articulate for vlogging and overhead angles, and both respond to touch for focusing and menu control. Several conveniences are shared. Both bodies have weather sealing for outdoor work, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer, and a hot shoe for external flash. Neither camera has GPS for location tagging, and neither includes 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 | 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. |
23600001150001500000 | 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 | 68/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe a9 III's battery rating is longer, at 530 shots against 370 for the S5 II under their respective test conditions. Both cameras charge over USB between shoots. Both cameras have dual card slots, but the formats differ. The a9 III pairs an SD slot with a CFexpress slot, while the S5 II uses SD cards in both slots. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD/CFExpress |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | Rechargeable Li-ion | NP-FZ100 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
370 shots1505000 | 530 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Buy the Sony a9 III if your photography is built around speed. Sports, birds in flight and news work benefit directly from its 120 fps burst, 1/80000-second shutter and 9,437,184-dot viewfinder.
Buy the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 II if video leads your work. Its 6K capture, built-in timelapse and articulating screen serve solo creators, and its 100 ISO base suits wide apertures in bright light. Weigh the lens line you want, because the Leica L and Sony E mounts differ.