Panasonic S1H vs Sony A7R II: A Hands-On Comparison for Photographers and Videographers

Choosing between Panasonic’s Lumix DC-S1H and Sony’s Alpha A7R II isn’t straightforward. Both cameras have earned reputations in the pro mirrorless segment, yet their strengths cater to different priorities. From sensor tech to real-world shooting experience, I’ve tested these cameras extensively across multiple genres: portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, video, and more. If you’re debating which to invest your hard-earned cash in, this detailed comparison will clarify their core differences, benefits, and limitations as I’ve seen them through thousands of shots and hours of video.

Let’s start with the basics - and don’t worry, I’m sprinkling in plenty of hands-on insights and performance notes that go beyond the spec sheets.

First Impressions: Size, Weight, and Handling

One of the first things you notice when placing the Panasonic S1H beside the Sony A7R II is their physicality. The S1H is a bulkier, more robust camera designed with professionals who need serious build quality and environmental sealing. The Sony A7R II is noticeably lighter and more compact, better for those who prize portability.

The Panasonic weighs about 1052 grams versus the Sony’s 625 grams - quite a difference when you’re lugging gear all day. The S1H offers a beefier grip that fits larger hands comfortably, plus more tactile, illuminated buttons for quicker control changes in low light. The Sony, while smaller, still feels solid but has a less substantial grip and fewer physical controls, trading some ergonomic convenience for compactness.

If you’re doing extended pro shoots or demanding outdoor conditions, the Panasonic’s weather sealing and rugged body shape deliver peace of mind. On the other hand, the Sony’s reduced weight makes it a friendlier travel companion or street shooter’s tool, where discretion and agility count.

Design and Control Layout: Intuitive or Overwhelming?

Looking at the top panels gives insight into each camera's design philosophy.

Panasonic went all in with dedicated dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation, plus a customizable mode dial. There's also a top screen for quick real-time exposure info - a plus in bright environments. The S1H’s controls are logically spaced, illuminated, and offer excellent tactile feedback.

Sony’s A7R II, launched earlier, is more minimalistic. It has a shutter speed dial and exposure compensation dial, but fewer physical buttons overall. It lacks a top info LCD, which means more reliance on the rear screen or EVF. While still user-friendly, this minimalist approach means more navigation through menus or Fn button shortcuts.

For photographers who like physical control and instant access to key settings, Panasonic’s S1H wins hands down. Those comfortable with a touchscreen-deprived interface or frequent menu dives might prefer Sony’s simpler surface.

Sensor and Image Quality: Resolving Power vs Video Optimization

The sensor is arguably the heart of any camera, and here’s where the two really diverge.

Sony’s Alpha A7R II boasts a 42.4-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor with no anti-aliasing filter, maximizing detail resolution. That sensor captures images at 7974 x 5316 pixels, offering exceptional potential for cropping or large prints. Its back-illuminated (BSI) construction also improves low-light performance compared to earlier designs. DXOMark rated its color depth an impressive 26 stops and a dynamic range near 14 EV, meaning it handles high-contrast scenes beautifully.

The Panasonic S1H has a lower resolution 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor with an anti-aliasing filter to reduce moiré artifacts, balancing detail with clean images. The S1H sensor is designed with video in mind, supporting 6K and 4K cinema-grade recording. Its native ISO maxes at 51200 (boostable to 204800) which leans into excellent high-ISO videography and low-light shooting, though resolution favors video over print.

In short: if pure photographic resolution is your goal - think landscape or studio portraiture - Sony’s A7R II is the sharper instrument. The Panasonic S1H sacrifices pixel count for video capabilities and high sensitivity, trading detail density for versatility.

Viewing Experience: Screens and Electronic Viewfinders

Critical to modern camera use is the quality of the rear screen and EVF.

Panasonic’s S1H sports a 3.2-inch fully articulated touchscreen with 2.33 million dots (around 2330K resolution), making framing at odd angles or vlogging a breeze. Touch autofocus, menu navigation, and focusing aids feel smooth and responsive.

The Sony A7R II’s 3-inch tilting screen at roughly 1229K dots is serviceable but lacks touch capabilities. For stills, it’s adequate; for video or creative angles, the lack of articulation and touch is noticeable.

Panasonic equips a 5.76-million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 0.78x magnification and 100% frame coverage. Images viewed here are crisp, bright, and realistic, with minimal lag - ideal for video users requiring precise focus and exposure judgment.

Sony matches the 0.78x EVF but with half the resolution (2.35 million dots), making details less discernible, especially in tricky lighting.

If you’re a video shooter or someone who values the flexibility of angles and touchscreen, Panasonic wins again. Still photographers who prefer the EVF get similar framing coverage but slightly less clarity on Sony’s side.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy in the Field

Both cameras have hybrid autofocus, combining phase-detect and contrast-detect systems, but executed differently.

Panasonic’s S1H provides 225 autofocus points with contrast-detection only - no phase detection - but it’s enhanced with advanced algorithms and DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology. In my testing, it excels in face detection for portraits, with good eye detection accuracy for humans and pets, but falls short in tracking fast-moving wildlife or sports.

Sony’s A7R II, a generation earlier, sports 399 phase-detection points and 25 contrast-detection points across the sensor, which results in excellent tracking of fast subjects. The phase-detection AF provides faster lock-on and better accuracy for wildlife and sports photography.

Neither camera includes animal eye autofocus, an understandable limitation dating their releases. Still, the Sony autofocus system feels better suited for action-focused shooters, while Panasonic's reliable AFC and eye-detection shine in portraits and video applications.

Burst Rates and Buffer Performance: Capturing the Action

High frame rates are a non-negotiable feature for sports and wildlife shooters often.

Panasonic’s S1H offers 9 fps continuous shooting with an advanced buffer system capable of holding dozens of shots before slowing down. The shutter and electronic shutter top out at 1/8000s, offering flexibility for freezing motion.

Sony’s A7R II is slower at 5 fps but captures 42.4MP files - larger than Panasonic’s 24MP - which naturally taxes the buffer more. The buffer holds around 23 RAW frames before slowing, which is decent but not ideal for demanding bursts.

If burst shooting speed for fleeting moments is high on your list, Panasonic pulls ahead. However, for those who prioritize resolution and don’t shoot fast action regularly, Sony’s rate is acceptable.

Build Quality, Weather-Sealing, and Durability

Both cameras offer weather-resistant bodies, but Panasonic builds the S1H to professional standards with robust seals against dust, moisture, and temperature extremes (though not freezeproof). This makes the S1H a rugged choice for outdoor adventurers.

Sony A7R II offers weather sealing but with a lighter shell, making it less bulletproof in extreme conditions.

If you often work outdoors in tough environments, Panasonic’s build quality justifies its weight and bulk.

Lens Ecosystem and Mount Compatibility

The choice of system impacts lens availability and versatility.

Panasonic uses the Leica L mount, a relatively newer alliance between Panasonic, Leica, and Sigma. Currently, there are about 30 native lenses, spanning primes, zooms, and cine lenses optimized for video.

Sony’s E-mount has grown extensively with over 120 lenses available from Sony and third-party brands like Sigma, Tamron, Zeiss, and others. This gives Sony shooters a vast array of options for every genre and budget, including many specialized lenses.

If lens choice matters, especially for still photographers needing primes, zooms, or exotic glass, Sony’s ecosystem wins hands down.

Battery Life and Storage Flexibility

Panasonic’s S1H uses a larger battery rated for around 400 shots, outperforming the Sony A7R II’s smaller battery, which manages approximately 290 shots per charge.

Storage-wise, Panasonic provides dual UHS-II SD card slots, allowing simultaneous backup or overflow recording - a major plus for professionals needing data security.

Sony offers one slot supporting SD cards plus Memory Stick Duo options, which feels more limiting - especially for event photographers requiring backup.

For reliability in long shoots or video sessions, the Panasonic S1H offers better battery endurance and flexible card options.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Connectivity has become essential on-the-go.

Panasonic integrates Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for quick pairing, remote control, and easy image transfer. USB supports fast data offloading. It also includes microphone and headphone jacks for video production needs.

Sony has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC but no Bluetooth. USB 2.0 limits tethering speeds, which feels dated for today’s workflow.

For seamless modern connectivity, Panasonic gives the edge, especially with its video-centric ports.

Video Capabilities: Cinema-Grade Quality vs 4K Uptown

This is where the Panasonic S1H really shines.

The S1H shoots 6K video at 24p, as well as full UHD 4K up to 60p with 10-bit internal recording and multiple professional codecs (MPEG-4, H.264, H.265). It includes V-Log, waveform monitors, F-Log, and footprint options that satisfy high-end cinematographers.

Sony’s A7R II introduced 4K video to the series, recording oversampled UHD 4K at 24/30p with consumer-level codecs (MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S) and 8-bit color depth. It lacks advanced video features typical of Panasonic’s cine cameras.

If your primary focus includes high-end video production - narrative films, documentaries, or serious video content - Panasonic’s S1H is arguably one of the best hybrid cameras available.

How They Perform Across Photography Genres

I’ve grouped performance scores across popular disciplines to give you a clearer picture.

• Portraits: Panasonic’s S1H handles skin tones gently with good face and eye detection AF. Sony’s superior resolution offers more detail but has slower AF eye tracking - a worthy trade-off depending on your style.

• Landscape: Sony’s higher resolution and greater dynamic range make it better for large prints and exposing tricky scenes. The smaller Panasonic sensor favors video integration.

• Wildlife: Sony’s faster autofocus and higher resolution make it the preferred wildlife camera, despite its slower burst.

• Sports: Panasonic’s higher continuous shooting rates give it advantage for fast action.

• Street: Sony’s compactness and discreet design wins for street photographers who value stealth.

• Macro: Both have 5-axis stabilization and precise focusing, but Panasonic’s articulating screen and post-focus features add creative options.

• Night/Astro: Panasonic’s higher max ISO and noise-handling win here.

• Video: Panasonic dominates with advanced codecs, raw oversampling, and professional audio ports.

• Travel: Sony’s small size and broad lens selection favor travelers.

• Professional Work: Panasonic’s build, dual slots, and video depth appeal to pros who cross disciplines.

Comparative Image Quality in Practice

To better illustrate real output differences, here’s a gallery showing sample JPEG and RAW images straight from both cameras at various ISOs, lighting conditions, and subject types.

Panasonic S1H front Panasonic S1H screen back Sony A7R II front Sony A7R II screen back

Notice the Sony images show finer detail and dynamic range - especially in landscape shots. Panasonic’s images look more neutral and video-friendly, with smooth high-ISO performance.

Overall Performance Ratings Summary

Here’s how I rank their all-around performance after extensive testing:

Sony scores very high for still image quality and resolution-dependent tasks. Panasonic leads for video features, build, and continuous shooting.

Conclusion: Which Camera Fits Your Needs?

So, what’s my verdict after having tested both thoroughly?

Choose Panasonic Lumix S1H if:

• You’re a hybrid shooter prioritizing professional video and solid stills.
• You need a rugged, weather-sealed camera for demanding environments.
• Continuous burst rates above 5 fps matter.
• You want dual card slots and excellent connectivity.
• You’re okay sacrificing megapixels for video enhancements.

Choose Sony Alpha A7R II if:

• Still image resolution and dynamic range are paramount.
• You shoot landscapes, portraits, or studio work needing huge files.
• Lens selection variety is important.
• You want a lighter, more compact body.
• Video is secondary or casual.

If I personally had to pick one as a pro shooter focused on mixed photography and filmmaking, I’d lean toward the Panasonic S1H for its future-proof video-centric features and solid photo performance. For pure resolution photographers or those valuing portability, the Sony A7R II remains a killer performer at a lower price point.

Whichever route you take, both cameras are worthy tools - but make sure the one you choose aligns with how and where you create your best work.

I hope this detailed review helps you find the perfect camera for your creative journey.