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Panasonic S1 vs Sony A850

Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost 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 A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Announced April 2010
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Panasonic S1 vs Sony A850 Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Panasonic S1 versus Sony A850, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the S1 (24MP) and the A850 (25MP) is fairly close and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The S1 was introduced 8 years after the A850 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic S1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple overview of how the S1 scores vs the A850 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Sony A850

 S1 A850 
AnnouncedFebruary 2019April 2010More modern by 108 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k922kSharper display (+1178k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Panasonic S1

 A850 S1 

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Sony A850

 S1 A850 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S1 offers external measurements of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") along with a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs) whilst the Sony A850 has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") and a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic S1 versus Sony A850 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is a front view scale comparison of the S1 against the A850.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S1 and A850 is 54 and 54 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes only by viewing a spec sheet. The picture underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the S1 and A850.

Clearly, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Sony A850 to result in more detail using its extra 1MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The newer S1 is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A850 as a Portrait photography camera
85
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/320 seconds)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
72
manual focus
fantastic megapixels (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Street photography camera
Sony A850 as a Street photography camera
70
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
environment proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than others (1,021 grams)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A850 as a Sports photography camera
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
terrible battery power (380 shots)
has no phase detect AF
71
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic megapixels (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
no liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S1
Travel photography with Sony A850
59
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
terrible battery power (380 CIPA)
more heavy than others (1,021g)
display is not selfie friendly
55
weather proofing
fantastic megapixels (25MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A850 as a Landscape photography camera
81
has manual focus
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
terrible battery power (380 per charge)
73
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic megapixels (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
no liveview
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic S1
Vlogging with Sony A850
32
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than others (1,021g)
9
lack of video recording
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Panasonic S1 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Sony A850
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2019-02-01 2010-04-15
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 6048 x 4032
Max native ISO 51200 3200
Max enhanced ISO 204800 6400
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 225 9
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 30 143
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2" 3"
Display resolution 2,100k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 5,760k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed 1/8000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/320 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM -
Max video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1021 grams (2.25 lbs) 895 grams (1.97 lbs)
Physical dimensions 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 95 79
DXO Color Depth rating 25.2 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.5 12.2
DXO Low light rating 3333 1415
Other
Battery life 380 pictures 880 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type - Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots Two Two
Pricing at release $2,498 $0