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Panasonic S1H vs Sony A6500

Portability
52
Imaging
76
Features
87
Overall
80
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H front
 
Sony Alpha a6500 front
Portability
81
Imaging
68
Features
85
Overall
74

Panasonic S1H vs Sony A6500 Key Specs

Panasonic S1H
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 5952 x 3988 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1052g - 151 x 114 x 110mm
  • Released August 2019
Sony A6500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Raise to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 453g - 120 x 67 x 53mm
  • Released October 2016
  • Succeeded the Sony A6300
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Panasonic S1H vs Sony A6500 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Panasonic S1H vs Sony A6500, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by companies Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the S1H (24MP) and the A6500 (24MP) is relatively close but the S1H (Full frame) and A6500 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The S1H was unveiled 2 years after the A6500 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic S1H being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A6500 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a full comparison, here is a brief summary of how the S1H scores versus the A6500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1H over the Sony A6500

 S1H A6500 
ReleasedAugust 2019October 2016More modern by 36 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2330k922kCrisper screen (+1408k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A6500 over the Panasonic S1H

 A6500 S1H 

Common features in the Panasonic S1H and Sony A6500

 S1H A6500 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic S1H vs Sony A6500 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic S1H features external measurements of 151mm x 114mm x 110mm (5.9" x 4.5" x 4.3") with a weight of 1052 grams (2.32 lbs) and the Sony A6500 has sizing of 120mm x 67mm x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1") accompanied by a weight of 453 grams (1.00 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic S1H vs Sony A6500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the S1H and the A6500.

Panasonic S1H vs Sony A6500 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S1H and A6500 is 52 and 81 respectively.

Panasonic S1H vs Sony A6500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1H vs Sony A6500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to see the difference in sensor sizes only by viewing a spec sheet. The image here may provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the S1H and A6500.

As you can see, both of those cameras feature the identical megapixels albeit not the same sensor sizes. The S1H contains the bigger sensor which is going to make achieving shallow DOF simpler. The newer S1H is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic S1H vs Sony A6500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1H vs Sony A6500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1H vs Sony A6500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic S1H
Portrait photography with Sony A6500
85
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/320 seconds)
MP count good (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
80
manual focus
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S1H as a Street photography camera
Sony A6500 as a Street photography camera
69
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
boasts focus by touch
weather proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than competition (1,052g)
85
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
environment sealing
very good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1H Sports photography highlights
Sony A6500 Sports photography highlights
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
terrible battery (400 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
77
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery (350 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S1H as a Travel photography camera
Sony A6500 as a Travel photography camera
64
weather proofing
has bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
MP count good (24MP)
selfie friendly display
terrible battery (400 shots)
more heavy than competition (1,052 grams)
74
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
good MP (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
not so great battery (350 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1H Landscape photography advice
Sony A6500 Landscape photography advice
81
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery (400 per charge)
80
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
not so great battery (350 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic S1H
Vlogging with Sony A6500
70
selfie friendly display
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection autofocus
good video quality (5952 x 3988 resolution)
includes external microphone jack
more heavy than competition (1,052g)
39
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external microphone port
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Panasonic S1H vs Sony A6500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1H and Sony A6500
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1HSony Alpha a6500
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H Sony Alpha a6500
Class Pro Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2019-08-28 2016-10-06
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.6 x 23.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 51200 25600
Highest boosted ISO 204800 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 225 425
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Sony E
Number of lenses 30 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 2,330k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 5,760k dot 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 9.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction (On/Off selectable), Hi-speed sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/320 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 5952 x 3988 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 5952x3988 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1052 gr (2.32 pounds) 453 gr (1.00 pounds)
Physical dimensions 151 x 114 x 110mm (5.9" x 4.5" x 4.3") 120 x 67 x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 85
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1405
Other
Battery life 400 shots 350 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Two 1
Retail pricing $3,998 $1,298