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Panasonic S1 vs Sony A9

Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Launched February 2019
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Announced April 2017
  • Updated by Sony A9 II
Photography Glossary

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A9 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Panasonic S1 vs Sony A9, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the S1 (24MP) and the A9 (24MP) is relatively similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The S1 was released 22 months after the A9 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short overview of how the S1 grades against the A9 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Sony A9

 S1 A9 
AnnouncedFebruary 2019April 2017More modern by 22 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k1440kSharper screen (+660k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Panasonic S1

 A9 S1 

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Sony A9

 S1 A9 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic S1 enjoys outer measurements of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") accompanied by a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs) while the Sony A9 has specifications of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Check the Panasonic S1 vs Sony A9 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at the time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the S1 against the A9.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S1 and A9 is 54 and 65 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizes merely by reading specs. The image underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the S1 and A9.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same MP so you can expect similar quality of images though you would want to take the launch date of the products into consideration. The younger S1 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 Portrait photography information
Sony A9 Portrait photography information
85
you can focus manually
above average flash sync (1/320s)
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW files
83
focusing manually
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S1 Street photography features
Sony A9 Street photography features
70
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
features touch focus
weather sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competition in class (1,021 grams)
79
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
environment proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1 Sports photography information
Sony A9 Sports photography information
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
terrible battery power (380 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
86
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (20.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
good battery life (650 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S1
Travel photography with Sony A9
59
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
features touch focus
decent MP (24 megapixels)
terrible battery power (380 per charge)
more heavy than competition in class (1,021g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
73
good battery life (650 per charge)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
MP count decent (24MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic S1
Landscape photography with Sony A9
81
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
great high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
2 card slots
terrible battery power (380 per charge)
85
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
good battery life (650 CIPA)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 Vlogging advice
Sony A9 Vlogging advice
32
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with microphone support
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competition in class (1,021g)
36
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic port
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic S1 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Sony A9
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 Sony Alpha A9
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2019-02-01 2017-04-19
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 51200 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 225 693
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Sony E
Number of lenses 30 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 2,100 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dot 3,686 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 9.0 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/320 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1021 gr (2.25 lb) 673 gr (1.48 lb)
Physical dimensions 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 95 92
DXO Color Depth rating 25.2 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.5 13.3
DXO Low light rating 3333 3517
Other
Battery life 380 shots 650 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage - Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 2 2
Pricing at release $2,498 $4,498