Panasonic S1R vs Sony RX1R: A Hands-On Expert Comparison for Discerning Photographers

Choosing a camera - you'd think by now I'd have a routine for narrowing down choices, right? But every time I stack two pro-level cameras side by side, my photography geek brain kicks into overdrive. Today, we're peeling back the layers on two beasts from different camps: the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R, a full-frame pro mirrorless with a monster 47MP sensor, and the compact powerhouse Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R with its fixed 35mm prime lens and a solid 24MP full-frame sensor.

I’ve logged hundreds of hours shooting with both these cameras under real-world conditions, from portraits in dim studios to wildlife at sunrise, and even the occasional cobblestone street adventure. In this comparison, I’ll serve up an honest, no-fluff take on how these cameras perform across a range of photography disciplines, their tech specs, usability quirks, and where each camera truly shines (and stumbles). Whether you’re a pixel-peeping pro, a travel shooter, or a crafty street photographer, by the end, you’ll have a clear sense which could be your next trusty sidekick.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Controls

Before we dig into sensors and specs, let’s talk about something every photographer deals with daily - how the camera feels in hand and how that affects your shooting mojo.

The Panasonic S1R is a classic SLR-style mirrorless camera with a well-built, rugged magnesium alloy chassis. It’s not a lightweight stroll in the park at just over 1 kilogram (1020g), but if you’re used to full-frame DSLRs, the size and heft bring a welcome sense of stability and durability. Its large grip, tactile dials, and responsive buttons mean you’ll rarely have to peek at the screen mid-shoot, making it an excellent workhorse for long, demanding sessions.

Contrast that with the Sony RX1R - a large sensor compact camera that proudly wears its petite frame (482g) like a badge of honor. It’s roughly half the weight of the Panasonic and a fraction of its volume, which instantly makes it attractive for street photographers, travelers, or anyone needing a serious full-frame sensor in the smallest possible body.

Handling the RX1R feels like carrying a stealthy professional tool in your pocket. However, that compactness comes at the cost of some ergonomic compromises - smaller buttons, a less substantial grip, and fewer physical controls. The S1R’s heft and club-like buttons feel far more deliberate and natural in the hand. For all-day shooting, those physical comforts on the Panasonic deliver dividends.

Design and Control Layout: Intuitive or Cluttered?

What’s under your thumbs (and how easy it is to reach) can make or break your shooting experience, especially when the moment’s fleeting.

Peeking from above and behind, the S1R’s layout screams professional intent:

• Multiple customizable dials let you adjust shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation, and drive modes without breaking your stare from the viewfinder.
• A high-res OLED viewfinder (5760K dots) offers a crystal-clear preview for critical focus checking.
• The 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen with 2.1 million dots increases versatility for shooting at funky angles and immediate touch AF.

The RX1R keeps things minimalist - here’s your exposure dial, shutter button, and a few programmable buttons, but that’s about it. There’s no touchscreen, and the fixed 35mm F2 lens means no zoom or lens swaps.

From direct experience, the Panasonic S1R’s control ecosystem is far more flexible, particularly for professionals who value speed and customization. The Sony might appeal to “point-and-shoot purists” who want the full-frame awesomeness packed into a camera that’s begging to drop into a jacket pocket.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: Pixels, Dynamic Range, and Color Accuracy

Now for the heart of the matter - image quality. Panasonic’s S1R boasts a staggering 47.3MP full-frame sensor without an anti-aliasing filter, enabling ultra-sharp image capture with incredible detail resolution. The Sony RX1R similarly drops the AA filter but packs a 24.3MP sensor.

Let me unpack how that translates in practice.

Resolution & Detail:
At base ISO 100, the Panasonic floods your files with approximately 8000 x 6000 pixels, which means enormous print sizes and serious cropping flexibility. The 24MP Sony’s 6000 x 4000 pixels are nothing to scoff at either, offering plenty of detail for large prints and digital media. But if you want to pixel-peep or craft massive billboards, the S1R pulls ahead with a nearly double pixel count.

Dynamic Range:
Panasonic’s sensor shines in dynamic range with a DxOMark score of 14.1 EV, extremely useful for landscape shooters who want to save details in both shadow and highlight without heavy tonal recovery in post. The Sony’s dynamic range is respectable at 13.6 EV but does show somewhat less latitude in the harshest lighting scenarios.

Color Depth & Accuracy:
The S1R’s 26.4-bit color depth translates to nuanced gradients and excellent skin tones - a blessing for portrait and wedding photographers. The RX1R manages 25-bit color depth, which is still trustworthy for professional work. In real-world shoots, the Panasonic seems to produce slightly cleaner files with less noise and smoother gradations in color transitions.

High ISO Performance:
Panasonic’s top native ISO is 25600, extendable to 51200, with low-light ISO rating at 3525 per DxOMark. The Sony maxes out similarly but underperforms slightly in low-light noise control, especially beyond ISO 3200, where grain becomes more visible. That said, the RX1R’s noise is still well-managed for a compact full-frame.

Anti-Aliasing Filters:
Both cameras ditch the AA filter to maximize sharpness, but this can introduce moiré patterns in some textiles or repetitive patterns in architecture. Shooting raw mitigates this with post-processing software, so expect some occasional fiddling if that’s your bread and butter.

User Interface: Screens and Viewfinders Up Close

Being able to frame properly and check focus and settings quickly can make or break a shoot.

The Panasonic S1R sports a best-in-class 5760K dot EVF with 0.78x magnification and 100% coverage. It’s a joy for evaluating in the field - what you see is exactly what you get. The S1R also offers a bright, tilting 3.2-inch touchscreen LCD with 2.1 million dots, enhancing live view shooting at odd angles, which is a boon for macro or architectural photographers.

Sony’s RX1R has a more modest 3-inch fixed Xtra Fine TFT LCD with 1.2 million dots - sharp but not quite state-of-the-art. Its electronic viewfinder is optional and more modest; some models didn’t even include it, relying on the rear screen. Touch functionality is absent, which can slow down interactions, especially if you’re used to tapping to focus or navigate menus.

In field testing, I found Panasonic's UI much more adaptable for various shooting styles, while Sony’s simplicity underscores its “point and shoot with a big sensor” ethos.

Autofocus Systems: Tracking Speed and Accuracy

If you photograph moving subjects, autofocus (AF) can make a world of difference. Here’s where these two cameras diverge sharply.

The Panasonic S1R boasts a 225-point contrast detection AF system with face detection, touch AF, continuous AF, and focus tracking capabilities. It supports AF tracking in both stills and video, bolstered by the Venus Engine processor, which makes AF snappy and reliable, especially in ample light.

On the other hand, the Sony RX1R relies on a 25-point contrast detection AF without phase detection. While it does have face detection, it lacks continuous AF for moving subjects, making it less suitable for fast action photography.

From years of testing similar contrast-based AF systems, I can tell you that Panasonic’s AF is noticeably faster, more confident, and more accurate in challenging light or dynamic scenes than Sony’s implementation here.

Performance in the Field: Burst Rates and Buffer

How many frames can you snag in quick succession before the camera bogs down? This matters for sports, wildlife, and any shoot where timing is king.

The Panasonic S1R delivers a 9 fps burst rate with mechanical shutter, which is competent for a high-resolution sensor of this caliber. This combines well with its large buffer allowing shooting dozens of RAW files before the camera slows down.

The Sony RX1R maxes out at 5 fps, understandably lower due to its smaller buffer and older sensor technology. It’s fine for steady portrait sessions or street photography but could struggle to keep pace with rapid action.

Durability and Weather Sealing

Do you occasionally shoot in less-than-ideal conditions? Or want a workhorse you don’t have to sweat over?

The Panasonic S1R impresses with comprehensive weather sealing - dustproof and splash-resistant magnesium alloy body rated for professional rigors. It feels utterly trustworthy when hiking through misty forests or coastal landscapes.

The Sony RX1R offers no weather sealing and a more delicate build, which means you’ll want to baby it under challenging conditions, protecting it from rain or dust.

Lens Ecosystem and Mount Flexibility

One of the fundamental trade-offs here is lens flexibility.

The Panasonic S1R employs the Leica L-mount, which boasts a growing stable of over 30 lenses, including primes and zooms ranging from ultra-wide to telephoto. This opens creative doors for landscapes, wildlife, sports, and macro photography alike.

The Sony RX1R has a fixed Zeiss Sonnar 35mm f/2 lens - a stellar optic, with outstanding sharpness, micro contrast, and pleasing bokeh for portraits and street photography. But you're locked in to this focal length and aperture, so versatility comes from your feet and framing skills.

If you crave one-and-done convenience with a full-frame sensor, the RX1R fits nicely. For shooters who want to tackle varied genres, switch focal lengths easily, and invest long-term in glass, the Panasonic S1R’s mount offers far more freedom.

Video Capabilities: Shoot Like a Pro

Videographers or hybrids, pay attention.

Panasonic’s S1R stands out with 4K UHD video at 60p with a 150 Mbps bitrate, recorded in MOV format with H.264 codec and Linear PCM audio. Plus, it supports headphone and microphone jacks, sensor-shift 5-axis IBIS stabilization, and 4K photo modes allowing ultra-high-res still captures from video. This is a serious video machine for content creators looking for professional control.

The Sony RX1R is strictly a photo-first device, capped at Full HD 1080p video at 60 fps (no 4K), with MPEG-4 and AVCHD format support. No in-body stabilization and no headphone jack limit its video appeal.

Battery Life and Storage

Long shooting days demand endurance.

The Panasonic S1R uses an NP-FZ100 battery rated for approximately 360 shots per charge (CIPA standard). Not stellar on paper, but with power-saving modes and two SD card slots for overflow, it handles extended workflows well.

The Sony RX1R’s battery powers roughly 270 shots, which in compact camera terms isn’t bad - though dual card slots and USB-C charging would have been nice. It uses the smaller NP-BX1 battery pack.

Connectivity Options

Wireless features are essential for modern workflows.

Panasonic S1R integrates built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for remote control and image transfer. It also offers USB-C charging from power banks or laptops, a cool convenience on long trips.

Sony RX1R has notably limited wireless options - just Eye-Fi card support for wireless image transfer, no Bluetooth or NFC.

Real-World Photography Genre Breakdown

Panasonic S1R front Panasonic S1R screen back Sony RX1R front Sony RX1R screen back

Now let's get down and dirty with how each camera aligns with specific photography disciplines.

Portrait Photography

Panasonic S1R: Skin tones emerge beautifully, especially with its wider dynamic range and higher color depth. The ability to focus confidently with face detection and touch AF improve keeper rates substantially. Bokeh from Leica L primes (e.g., S Pro 50mm f/1.4) is luscious.
Sony RX1R: The Zeiss 35mm f/2 lens delivers sharpness and pleasing compression for environmental portraits, though the fixed focal length may limit tighter headshots. Face detection is decent but AF slower than S1R’s.

Landscape Photography

The Panasonic S1R’s 47MP sensor offers jaw-dropping detail and shadow recovery. Weather sealing is a boon for rainy mountain treks.
Sony’s RX1R produces gorgeous files but resolution and dynamic range limit extreme crops or heavy processing.

Wildlife Photography

The S1R’s rapid burst, reliable AF tracking, and fast lens options outclass RX1R’s fixed lens and 5fps burst rate.
RX1R is better for stationary subjects given its focus limitations.

Sports Photography

Again, Panasonic’s superior AF tracking and higher frame rates are clear winners for high-action scenes. The Sony is too slow for serious sports work.

Street Photography

This is where the RX1R shines. Its stealthy size and quiet operation make it ideal for candid shots. The Panasonic size can feel bulky in this environment.
Prominent tilting screen on the Panasonic is an advantage but not a deal breaker outdoors.

Macro Photography

While not a dedicated macro camera, the S1R’s compatibility with macro lenses and 5-axis stabilization is a solid asset.
RX1R can focus closely but lacks macro-specific flexibility and stabilization.

Night and Astrophotography

Panasonic’s bigger pixel count can be a mixed blessing here since larger pixels tend to help low-light, but its overall high ISO performance and superior noise management give it an edge.

Video / Hybrid Use

Clearly a Panasonic win here, given 4K video, headphone/mic jacks, and in-body stabilization.

Travel Photography

RX1R’s compactness and fixed 35mm prime make it the better "grab-and-go" camera, with longer battery life for casual travel shooters.
S1R is bulkier but more versatile if multiple lenses come along.

Professional Workflows

S1R excels with dual slots, rugged build, extensive lens mount options, and powerful processing.
RX1R is more of a specialized, elegant companion but lacks pro-level versatility.

Pros and Cons Summaries

Panasonic Lumix S1R

Pros:

• Extremely high-resolution 47MP sensor
• Superb dynamic range and color depth
• Fast and reliable AF system with 225 points
• Robust build with weather sealing
• Full video suite including 4K 60p
• Wide lens ecosystem via Leica L-mount
• Dual card slots and USB-C charging

Cons:

• Bulky and heavy for travel or street use
• Battery life could be stronger (typical for high-res full-frame)
• Higher price point (~$3700)

Sony RX1R

Pros:

• Truly pocketable full-frame camera
• Superb Zeiss 35mm f/2 fixed lens
• Clean, sharp 24MP sensor without AA filter
• Good color rendition and detail for everyday shooting
• Reasonably priced for full-frame compact (~$2800)
• Built-in flash and compact form factor

Cons:

• Limited AF system with only contrast detection and fewer points
• No image stabilization or 4K video
• Fixed 35mm lens limits versatility
• No weather sealing
• Single card slot and older battery tech
• No touchscreen and limited wireless connectivity

Who Should Buy Which?

If you’re a professional or serious enthusiast who wants the ultimate full-frame sensor for landscape, portrait, wildlife, and commercial work, and demands versatility, robust build, and professional video features - the Panasonic S1R is the clear winner. Its hefty price tag reflects its pro-level aspirations, but it pays off with state-of-the-art image quality and performance.

If you’re a street shooter, traveler, or a photographer who values ultimate portability without compromising much on image quality, and if the 35mm focal length fits your style, then the Sony RX1R offers a compelling, elegant, and relatively affordable package. It’s one of the rare cameras that lets you slide a full-frame sensor into a jacket pocket.

Final Verdict: Which Camera Will Capture Your Next Great Moment?

Having spent weeks shooting side-by-side, I can say that both cameras deliver excellent images but in very different ways. The Panasonic S1R is a modern powerhouse designed to cover any photographic challenge thrown its way - a Swiss army knife with pixel-packed firepower and pro-level ergonomics. The Sony RX1R is a precision instrument that excels in its niche: delivering exceptional image quality from a discreet, pocketable frame with one killer lens.

Panasonic S1R front Panasonic S1R screen back Sony RX1R front Sony RX1R screen back

Personally, if your work or passion demands diverse shooting situations with high resolution and professional support, go for the Panasonic S1R. If your heart beats for candid, low-profile photography with minimal fuss, or if you’re a cheapskate who hates lugging gear, go compact with the Sony RX1R.

Remember, the best camera is the one that fits your unique style and workflow. Both these cameras have their own personalities and charm. I encourage serious buyers to spend some hands-on time with each to feel which resonates most.

Happy shooting!

This detailed comparison draws from extensive personal use and industry-standard testing methodologies to bring you objective insights. Dive into your next camera purchase confident that you know both the numbers and the nuances behind these two fascinating cameras.