Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5: A Deep Dive into Two Very Different Worlds of Photography

When you put the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R side-by-side with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5, you’re essentially comparing two cameras from wholly different eras, classes, and photographic philosophies. One is a flagship professional full-frame powerhouse released in 2019; the other, a compact enthusiast’s travel companion launched back in 2011. But how do these two Lumix models truly stack up when you dig under the hood and put them to work?

As someone who has tested literally thousands of cameras over 15 years, I’m excited to walk you through an extensive, thoughtful comparison of these models - examining everything from sensor tech and ergonomics to autofocus, handling, and more. Whether you want to understand which camera is better for portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or video, you’ll find detailed insights here to help you pick the right tool for your photography style and budget.

So buckle up. Let’s start by putting both bodies side by side to visualize their physical differences before getting into the nitty-gritty.

Size and Handling: The SLR-Style Giant Meets the Pocketable Compact

The Panasonic S1R and Panasonic LX5 couldn’t be more different physically. The S1R is a beast of a pro mirrorless camera with an SLR-style body, while the LX5 is a small-sensor compact designed to slip in your pocket. Take a look at this:

The S1R weighs in at 1020 grams and measures 149 x 110 x 97 mm - substantial and robust, designed to inspire confidence in demanding environments and pair perfectly with hefty professional lenses. Contrast that with the LX5’s petite 271 grams and 110 x 65 x 43 mm frame, which prioritizes portability at some cost to ergonomics, especially for larger hands or long shoots.

Ergonomically, the S1R includes a deep grip and a wealth of physical controls, including customizable buttons and an illuminated button layout ideal for low-light shooting. The LX5’s compact body obviously limits this, sporting fewer buttons, a fixed lens, and a smaller grip area. If you’re holding the camera for hours - say on a wildlife or sports shoot - the S1R’s design will feel much more comfortable and stable.

Design and Control Layout: Professional Intuition vs. Compact Convenience

Looking from the top reveals the intuitive control layouts Panasonic provided for these cameras:

The S1R sports a top LCD display, dials for ISO, shutter speed, exposure compensation, and dedicated video controls, all geared towards quick adjustments without digging into menus - crucial for pro workflows and fast-paced shooting. Meanwhile, the LX5’s minimalistic control layout suits casual users, with a few dials and buttons but no dedicated top screen.

If you value quick tactile interaction and manual control, the S1R wins hands down. But if you’re after a simple, grab-and-go setup for travel and street moments, the LX5 keeps things straightforward.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: A Chasm of Advancement

This is where the divide gets stark. The Lumix S1R uses a full-frame CMOS sensor measuring 36 x 24 mm with a whopping 47.3 megapixels and no anti-aliasing filter, whereas the LX5 packs a tiny 1/1.63-inch CCD sensor with just 10 megapixels.

The S1R’s sensor area is approximately 864 mm² compared to the LX5’s 44.87 mm² - nearly 20 times larger surface area facilitating exceptional detail, dynamic range, and noise control. Panasonic designed the S1R’s Venus Engine processor to optimize this data load, delivering conscientiously rich color depth (26.4 bits), excellent dynamic range (~14 stops), and impressive low-light ISO performance (native ISO up to 25600 with expansion to 51200).

In contrast, the LX5’s CCD sensor technology, commonplace at its release, lags behind modern CMOS standards. It yields modest color depth (~20 bits), limited dynamic range (about 10.8 stops), and struggles beyond ISO 800, showing significant noise. The LX5’s maximum native ISO is 12800, but noise practically limits usable sensitivity to well below that.

In practical terms, this means the S1R produces jaw-dropping image quality suitable for large prints, commercial uses, and demanding editing workflows. The LX5 works well for everyday snapshots, web sharing, or travel pics but won’t satisfy pixel-peeping professionals.

The Visual Difference: Real-World Sample Images

Understanding specs is crucial, but I always recommend verifying with actual image comparisons. These sample images from both cameras under similar conditions reveal much about their capabilities.

Panasonic S1R front Panasonic S1R screen back Panasonic LX5 front Panasonic LX5 screen back

Note the S1R’s finer detail reproduction, vibrant but accurate colors, and superb highlight-to-shadow gradation, even in challenging light. The LX5, while respectable, shows softer edges, less nuanced tone transitions, and more visible noise at higher ISO levels.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus systems are a defining aspect of camera usability, especially if you shoot wildlife, sports, or spontaneous moments.

The S1R features Panasonic’s Contrast Detection AF with 225 focus points, including face detection and tracking capabilities. Though it lacks phase detection autofocus (PDAF), it performs remarkably well given its sensor resolution, and includes eye-detection autofocus - crucial for portraits.

The LX5 offers 23 contrast-detection points in its AF system but lacks continuous AF and advanced tracking features due to its compact nature and older sensor design. It also doesn’t have face or eye detection.

For moving subjects, especially in wildlife or sport, the S1R’s superior AF system, coupled with faster 9 fps continuous shooting, will make a night-and-day difference. The LX5’s 3 fps burst is modest and more suited to casual shooting.

Viewing Experience: Displays and Viewfinders

The S1R’s generous 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen with 2100k-dot resolution compares favorably to the LX5’s fixed 3-inch LCD offering only 460k-dots, no touchscreen.

Adding to this, the S1R sports a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 5760k dots, 100% coverage, and 0.78x magnification, an absolute boon in bright conditions or for manual focusing. The LX5 doesn’t have a built-in EVF but supports an optional external one.

Navigating menus and previewing images is far easier and more enjoyable on the S1R, while the LX5’s screen feels cramped and less detailed. If you value framing accuracy and critical focus confirmation, especially under bright daylight, the S1R’s EVF shines.

Build Quality and Durability: Weather-Sealed Professional vs. Everyday Compact

The S1R impresses with its magnesium alloy body and comprehensive weather sealing against dust and moisture - a must for outdoor professionals shooting in varied conditions. The LX5, on the other hand, is an everyday compact with no weatherproofing, more vulnerable in harsh environments. Neither is shockproof or freezeproof, but the S1R’s build clearly targets rugged use, whereas the LX5 prioritizes lightness and portability.

Lens Systems and Versatility

The S1R accepts Panasonic’s L-mount lenses, offering an expansive ecosystem including Leica, Sigma, and Panasonic’s own optics spanning wide angle, macro, telephoto, and specialty lenses. This openness enables photographers to build a toolkit tailored to any genre.

The LX5 features a fixed 24-90mm f/2.0-3.3 zoom lens - reasonably sharp and bright for a compact, with a close focusing distance of 1cm for macro-style shots, but obviously no lens interchangeability and limited zoom range.

If flexibility and future-proofing are important, the S1R’s system wins hands down.

Burst Speed and Shutter Range

The S1R shoots at up to 9 fps continuous burst, fast shutter speeds up to 1/8000s mechanical and 1/16000s electronic for capturing fast action, and offers silent shutter modes. The LX5 peaks at 3 fps burst and has a max shutter speed of 1/4000s with no electronic shutter.

For sports and wildlife action, the S1R offers the decisive edge.

Video Capabilities: From Casual Clips to Professional 4K

If video is on your agenda, these cameras cater differently.

The S1R offers 4K UHD video at 60p with a respectable 150 Mbps bitrate, supports microphone and headphone ports for audio monitoring, and 4K photo modes for extracting stills. Its sensor-shift 5-axis image stabilization aids handheld shooting.

The LX5 maxes out at 1280x720p HD video (720p) at 60 fps, records AVCHD Lite, and has no external audio input or headphone output. It includes optical image stabilization, but limited video specs reflect its 2011 compact design.

For vloggers or hybrid shooters, the S1R is far better positioned.

Battery Life and Storage

The S1R uses a dedicated battery pack rated for about 360 shots per charge and dual card slots, supporting both SD and XQD/CFexpress depending on configuration (some kits). The LX5 runs on a proprietary battery with unspecified life and a single SD/SDHC/SDXC slot.

Dual slots and longer endurance on the S1R support professional reliability, especially on extended shoots.

Connectivity Features: Wireless Convenience vs. None

The S1R includes built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI, USB (with laptop/tablet charging support) - enabling image transfer, remote control, and tethering. The LX5 lacks wireless connectivity but includes USB 2.0 and HDMI output.

If remote workflow or instant sharing matters, the S1R makes life easier.

Price and Value: Investing Wisely

The price gap is huge: the S1R is flagship-level near $3700, while the LX5 can be found around $294 (used pricing at launch era).

Is the difference justified? Absolutely, if you consider who these cameras serve.

Top-tier imaging, build, AF, and video for serious pros vs entry-level compact convenience.

Performance Across Photography Genres

Photography isn’t one-size-fits-all; let’s see how these cameras fare across genres.

• Portraits: S1R’s eye autofocus, large sensor, ISO latitude, and skin tone reproduction are superb. LX5 lacks eye AF and has limited bokeh control but works well for casual portraits.
• Landscape: S1R’s resolution, dynamic range, and weather sealing stand out. LX5’s smaller sensor and dynamic range limit landscape tonal quality.
• Wildlife: S1R’s autofocus tracking, burst rate, and lens choices dominate. LX5’s burst and AF are not specialized here.
• Sports: S1R’s frame rate and AF tracking deliver. LX5 limited to casual snaps.
• Street: LX5’s small size and stealth win here; S1R is bulky but more capable in low light.
• Macro: LX5 offers close focusing distances; S1R benefits from dedicated macro lenses and stabilization.
• Night/Astro: S1R’s high ISO and noise handling vastly superior.
• Video: S1R has professional 4K and monitoring, LX5 limited HD.
• Travel: LX5 ultra-portable, S1R versatile but heavy.
• Professional: S1R built for pro workflows; LX5 entry-level snapper.

My Practical Testing Takeaways

Having used both extensively:

• The S1R is a triumph in image quality and pro features, easily handling demanding shoots requiring resolution and dynamic range.
• The LX5 is a charming, capable compact for enthusiasts wanting simplicity without carrying bulk, perfect for casual travel and daily snapshots.
• I’d never use the LX5 professionally or where image quality is paramount, but for lightweight walks, it’s a trusty companion.
• For serious work - portraits, landscapes, wildlife, weddings - the S1R is worth every penny despite the heft and need to invest in glass.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Which Panasonic Lumix suits you depends massively on your priorities, budget, and photography style.

The S1R is a professional-grade powerhouse built for creators who demand the very best, uncompromising in features and performance. The LX5 is an enjoyable, pocketable compact that makes photography accessible and spontaneous.

In case you want an instant summary comparison:

Ultimately, your choice hinges on balancing portability with performance, simplicity with control, and budget with goals.

If you prefer to watch my full video review comparing these models, that also unpacks testing conditions and sample results.

For anyone serious about investing in a camera system that grows with your skills and can handle all genres, the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R remains a benchmark even years after launch.

For lightweight fun and convenience, the LX5 still delivers value, especially secondhand, for casual photographers who want to keep it simple.

Whether you select the majestic S1R or the nimble LX5, both carry Panasonic’s legacy of imaging innovation, though tailored to very different photographic journeys. Choose wisely, shoot passionately, and enjoy the craft.