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Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Launched February 2019
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-5N
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5T
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Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-5R, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the S1 (24MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the S1 (Full frame) and NEX-5R (APS-C) possess different sensor measurements.

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The S1 was launched 6 years after the NEX-5R which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic S1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the S1 scores against the NEX-5R with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Sony NEX-5R

 S1 NEX-5R 
RevealedFebruary 2019August 2012More modern by 79 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k920kCrisper screen (+1180k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Panasonic S1

 NEX-5R S1 

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Sony NEX-5R

 S1 NEX-5R 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S1 has got exterior 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) and the Sony NEX-5R has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-5R in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the S1 compared to the NEX-5R.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S1 and NEX-5R is 54 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes just by reading through specifications. The pic here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the S1 and NEX-5R.

To sum up, each of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The S1 due to its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Panasonic S1 will resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The younger S1 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography info
85
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/320s)
good MP (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
74
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S1 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-5R Street photography factors
70
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
environment proofing
great high ISO (51,200)
heavier than others (1,021 grams)
80
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
provides touch focus
above average ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic S1
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5R
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
terrible battery power (380 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
68
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
comes with phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Travel photography camera
59
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
boasts touch focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
terrible battery power (380 CIPA)
heavier than others (1,021g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
73
provides touch focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Landscape photography camera
81
has manual focus
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
2 card slots
terrible battery power (380 shots)
75
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 Vlogging advice
Sony NEX-5R Vlogging advice
32
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes mic support
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
heavier than others (1,021g)
31
touchscreen enabled
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have mic socket
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Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Sony NEX-5R
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2019-02-01 2012-08-29
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 847.3mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 16 megapixels
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 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 51200 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 225 99
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Sony E
Total lenses 30 121
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 2,100 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/8000s -
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
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
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/320s 1/160s
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 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1021 grams (2.25 lbs) 276 grams (0.61 lbs)
Dimensions 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 95 78
DXO Color Depth rating 25.2 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.5 13.1
DXO Low light rating 3333 910
Other
Battery life 380 photographs 330 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage - SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 2 One
Cost at release $2,498 $750