Panasonic Lumix S1 vs Sony A77 II: A Thorough Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing between cameras from different generations and categories is always a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to understand how technology, design philosophies, and use cases align with your photographic ambitions. Today I put two seemingly very different cameras under the microscope: Panasonic’s full-frame Lumix S1 mirrorless and Sony’s APS-C A77 II mid-size DSLR-style camera from 2014. Despite the years separating them and differing sensor sizes, both have earned respect in their niches, and there’s plenty to unpack about where each shines.

I’ve spent countless hours working with both cameras, testing their core features and pushing their limits across the major photography disciplines. My goal here is to give you a comprehensive, firsthand comparison that goes beyond specs sheets, focusing on real-world performance, ergonomics, workflow compatibility, and overall value.

Before diving into photography types and technical analyses, let’s get a sense of their physical presence and design ethos.

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: The Feel of the Camera in Your Hands

The Panasonic S1 tips the scale at 1021 grams, and its dimensions (149 ×110 × 97 mm) clearly mark it as a robust, SLR-style mirrorless camera designed with professional workflows in mind. By contrast, the Sony A77 II is lighter at 647 grams and measures 143 × 104 × 81 mm - a mid-size DSLR body that still feels comfortable in a range of grips.

Ergonomically, the Panasonic S1 impresses with a large, solid grip that provides excellent hand support for heavier lenses. It’s substantial without being unwieldy, making extended shooting sessions less fatiguing, especially when paired with longer telephotos or sturdy tripods. The A77 II’s more compact form appeals to photographers who prioritize portability and quick reflexes, particularly in handheld scenarios like street or wildlife photography.

Controls-wise, the S1 features illuminated buttons, providing visibility in low-light environments - a small but meaningful convenience for serious shooters. The A77 II lacks this illumination but has a traditional DSLR-style layout that many users find intuitive, especially those familiar with older Minolta/Sony Alpha bodies.

Top-Down Control Layout: Intuitive Access for Fast Shooting

Looking at their top decks, you can see how the design philosophies diverge. The Panasonic S1 takes a modern approach with dedicated dials for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation - all easily accessible without diving into menus. This tactile control is essential for professionals shooting events or fast-moving subjects, enabling seamless manual control and quick exposure adjustments.

Sony’s A77 II incorporates a traditional DSLR layout, including a mode dial and customizable buttons, but fewer dedicated dials than Panasonic’s mirrorless. It achieves good balance for mid-level photographers who want control without the complexity that sometimes overwhelms newcomers.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Full Frame vs APS-C

Here’s where the big divide lies: the Panasonic S1 sports a full-frame (35.6 × 23.8 mm) CMOS sensor with 24MP resolution, whereas the Sony A77 II uses a 23.5 × 15.6 mm APS-C CMOS sensor, also at 24MP. The raw pixel count is similar, but the sensor area difference alone (847.28 mm² vs. 366.60 mm²) leads to significant distinctions in image quality, particularly in dynamic range, noise handling, and depth of field control.

According to standardized DxOMark assessments, the Panasonic S1 scores a remarkable 95 overall, with excellent color depth (25.2 bits), dynamic range (14.5 EV), and low-light ISO performance (3333 ISO). The Sony A77 II, while competitive for its era, ranks lower with a composite score of 82, color depth at 24.4 bits, dynamic range around 13.4 EV, and low-light ISO capped near 1013.

In practice, the Panasonic S1 delivers more latitude for recovering highlight and shadow details - a major advantage for landscape photographers and portrait shooters who desire smooth gradations in skin tones. The larger sensor and lack of an anti-aliasing filter further help retain fine texture and sharpness.

The Sony’s APS-C sensor and anti-aliasing filter smooth high-frequency details slightly, helping minimize moiré but losing out on maximal resolution capture. The A77 II can still generate crisp, detailed images in good light, but you’ll notice more noise at base ISO and above 1600, making it less suited for harsh light contrasts or night scenes.

Back LCD Screens and Menu Interaction

The Panasonic S1 sports a 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen display with 2.1 million dots, providing bright, high-resolution image review and intuitive touch controls like autofocus point selection and menu navigation. This touchscreen responsiveness is particularly helpful in macro or video shooting modes, when precise point selection can speed workflow.

The Sony A77 II has a fully articulated 3-inch screen with 1.2 million dots, which offers flexible shooting angles - ideal for video or creative framing in tight spots. However, absence of a touchscreen means relying solely on physical buttons and joysticks, which slows AF targeting and makes menu exploration harder.

For people who use the LCD extensively for composing or quick menu tweaks, the Panasonic S1’s display and touch capability create a sharper, more comfortable experience.

Image Gallery: Results in Real-world Shooting

Panasonic S1 front Panasonic S1 screen back Sony A77 II front Sony A77 II screen back

I tested both cameras in identical shooting conditions: portraits under natural window light, landscapes in overcast to sunny weather, low-light interiors, and action scenes. The Panasonic S1’s larger sensor and newer processor consistently yielded more refined JPEGs out of camera, richer colors, and superior detail retention after heavy editing. Skin tones were natural, with pleasing bokeh produced by the Leica L-mount lenses, which offer exquisite optical quality.

Sony A77 II images appear slightly harder-edged, with contrast punchier but less forgiving for highlight rolloff and shadow noise. Its smaller sensor translates effectively for telephoto sports or wildlife - where the 1.5x crop factor effectively extends reach. The 12 fps burst rate on the A77 II also better suits fast-paced capture than the S1’s 9 fps, which is impressive but slightly slower.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Speed in Diverse Conditions

The Panasonic S1’s 225-point contrast-detect autofocus system offers face detection, touch AF, and impressive tracking capabilities. However, it lacks phase-detection pixels on sensor, which sometimes results in slower performance in low-contrast or moving subject scenarios compared to hybrid systems. That said, the 5-axis sensor stabilization integrated with lens-based IS when available shines in macro and handheld shooting.

Sony’s A77 II benefits from a 79-point phase-detection AF system with 15 cross-type sensors, giving it faster and more reliable autofocus tracking, particularly for wildlife and sports. This has been a strong suit of Sony’s SLT lineup, and in my tests, the A77 II locked onto fast-moving subjects with better consistency and faster focus acquisition in daylight.

Panasonic’s AF system is more reliant on contrast detection, which is highly accurate for static subjects and video, but less agile for sports or wildlife. For portrait or studio work, the Panasonic’s face detection is a big plus, easily acquiring and maintaining focus on eyes.

Burst Shooting and Buffer Depth: Action Photography

The A77 II’s 12 frames per second (fps) burst speed with continuous autofocus remains impressive and outpaces the Panasonic S1’s 9 fps. Furthermore, the A77 II’s buffer depth sustains longer rushes of shooting before choking, making it better suited to capture fast sequences such as sporting events or wildlife behavior.

The S1’s slower frame rate and buffer feel more like compromises arising from full-frame sensor size and data throughput requirements, but I found the difference usually matters only when shooting rapid-fire subject matter. The S1’s 9 fps is still competitive for many professional assignments.

Video Features: 4K, Connectivity, and Stabilization

Panasonic makes no secret that video is a big focus of the S1. It supports 4K UHD video at up to 60p with 10-bit 4:2:0 internal recording (via H.264 and H.265 codecs), offering clean, flexible footage for filmmakers and hybrid shooters. The camera includes a headphone and microphone jack, external HDMI outputs, and sensor-based 5-axis stabilization that smooths handheld videos impressively.

The Sony A77 II tops out at 1080p Full HD at 60p with AVCHD and XAVC S codecs, which was solid for its release but lags behind today’s 4K standards. Microphone input is present, but there’s no headphone jack, limiting audio monitoring. Stabilization relies on lenses, as the body lacks in-body IS.

If video is a priority, the Panasonic S1’s capabilities, codecs, and connectivity options make it a far superior tool than the dated Sony A77 II’s video system.

Durability and Build Quality

Both cameras feature environmental sealing, but neither claim full waterproofing or shockproof status. The Panasonic S1’s build feels more rugged with a magnesium alloy chassis designed for professional field use - robust enough for challenging weather and demanding assignments.

The Sony A77 II, while well-built and weather-resistant for an APS-C DSLR, feels less beefy than the S1, reflecting its mid-level market positioning and the engineering standards of its time.

Battery Life and Storage

Sony’s A77 II surprisingly holds an advantage in battery life, rated at 480 shots per charge compared to the Panasonic S1’s 380 shots. This may seem counterintuitive given the older technology, but the smaller sensor and lack of an EVF draft less power.

Storage-wise, the S1 offers dual card slots, allowing simultaneous RAW/JPEG backup or overflow - a critical feature for professional reliability. The A77 II supports a single slot, combining SD and Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick formats, which might limit workflow flexibility today.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Modern connectivity is an area where the Panasonic S1 significantly outpaces the Sony A77 II:

• Panasonic S1: Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enable reliable remote control and image transfer via smartphone apps, along with USB charging support.
• Sony A77 II: Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC exist for image transfer, but no Bluetooth or USB charging.

For photographers on the move, especially travel and event shooters, the S1’s wireless ecosystem and power management provide noticeable convenience.

Price and Value Assessment

When initially released, the Panasonic Lumix S1 came in at around $2,500, reflecting its full-frame status, advanced features, and professional-grade build. The Sony A77 II’s street price today hovers near $1,200, representing a very budget-conscious entry into solid APS-C interchangeable-lens cameras.

Is the premium for the S1 justified? For photographers needing full-frame image quality, higher resolution, advanced video, and durability, absolutely yes. But for enthusiasts or those on tighter budgets interested in fast autofocus, decent image quality, and solid frame rates, the Sony A77 II remains a compelling choice - if you accept its older tech and smaller sensor.

How These Cameras Perform Across Photography Genres

Breaking down performance by genre shows the trade-offs clearly:

• Portraits: Panasonic S1 excels with its larger sensor, deeper color depth, and superior bokeh qualities. The S1’s face detection also aids in sharp eye-focused portraits.
• Landscape: The S1’s wider dynamic range and weather sealing make it ideal, though the A77 II can still produce respectable landscapes under good lighting.
• Wildlife: Sony A77 II’s faster AF system and higher burst rate give it the edge in speed-critical wildlife photography, combined with the APS-C crop factor extending reach.
• Sports: Again, Sony’s 12 fps burst and phase-detect AF system are better suited for capturing fast action.
• Street: Smaller size and lighter weight favor the A77 II, alongside its fully articulating screen, though S1’s superior low-light image quality benefits urban night shooters.
• Macro: Panasonic S1 sensor-based IS and focus stacking capabilities give it an advantage for handheld macro work.
• Night/Astro: S1’s higher ISO range and noise handling are significantly better for astrophotography and long exposures.
• Video: Panasonic beats Sony hands down with 4K, better codecs, and superior stabilization.
• Travel: A balance - Sony is lighter and has superior battery life; Panasonic offers higher versatility across image quality and video.
• Professional Work: S1’s dual card slots, rugged build, and full-frame rendering make it a professional mainstay, while Sony is more of an enthusiast or secondary body at this point.

Overall Scores and Final Thoughts

The Panasonic Lumix S1 is a full-frame powerhouse offering great image quality, solid AF for its type, and video capabilities that blur the line between stills and cinema cameras. It’s built with professionals and serious enthusiasts in mind who demand versatility and endurance.

Sony’s A77 II, despite its age, remains a capable, fast, and relatively compact mid-range camera, especially for those who want excellent autofocus tracking and a lens ecosystem teeming with affordable and specialized optics.

Who Should Buy the Panasonic Lumix S1?

• Photographers who want cutting-edge full-frame image quality and video capability.
• Professionals needing reliable dual card slots, environmental sealing, and a rugged build.
• Users invested in Panasonic’s lens ecosystem or those willing to use Leica L-mount lenses.
• Those prioritizing handheld low-light, macro, and landscape photography with expansive dynamic range.

Who Should Consider the Sony A77 II?

• Budget-conscious enthusiasts looking for a fast, versatile APS-C DSLR/mirrorless hybrid.
• Shooters prioritizing speed and autofocus accuracy for wildlife and sports.
• Users who prefer traditional DSLR handling with an extensive native lens catalog.
• Those who want a lightweight travel camera with good battery life and fully articulating screen.

Closing Recommendation

Both cameras are excellent in their rights. The Panasonic Lumix S1 embodies the future of professional hybrid imaging with mature full-frame tech and advanced video features. The Sony A77 II remains a dependable and responsive tool for action, budget, and portability-focused photographers.

Selecting between them depends heavily on what you shoot most and how you integrate the camera into your workflow. If you need cutting-edge performance and full-frame benefits, the S1 is the clear winner. For those valuing speed, smaller size, and lens variety at a lower price, the A77 II won’t disappoint.

I hope this thorough analysis and direct usage insights help you better understand what to expect from these two remarkable but very different cameras. Happy shooting!