Panasonic Lumix S5 vs Sony Alpha A7R: A Comprehensive Comparison for Photographers and Pros

Choosing a mirrorless camera that fits your photographic style and professional demands can be a challenge, especially with strong contenders like the Panasonic Lumix S5 and the Sony Alpha A7R in the mix. Both cameras cater to photographers who demand high-quality results but differ significantly in technology, approach, and versatility. Having spent over 15 years testing and shooting with a vast array of cameras, I put these two models through a detailed hands-on comparison to help you decide which best suits your needs.

Let's unpack their strengths and limitations, looking through the lens of real-world use, technical performance, and value for money.

First Impressions: Build, Ergonomics, and Handling

When you pick up a camera, how it feels in your hands matters just as much as the specs sheet. Both the Panasonic S5 and the Sony A7R sport SLR-style mirrorless bodies, but their ergonomics reveal distinct design philosophies.

Panasonic Lumix S5

The Lumix S5 is a solid pro-level body built with magnesium alloy chassis and features extensive environmental sealing, though not fully waterproof. Weighing 714 grams and measuring 133×97×82mm, it feels more substantial and contoured than many mirrorless cameras. Its fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen, with 1840k resolution, allows you to shoot at tricky angles and provides excellent tactile responsiveness. The camera’s grip is deep and comfortable even for extended handheld shooting, which I found especially useful during longer landscape and event sessions.

Sony Alpha A7R

The Sony A7R is lighter at 465 grams and smaller (127×94×48mm), reflecting its 2014 design era but still competitive for portability. It offers a tilting 3-inch Xtra Fine LCD with 1230k resolution. The screen doesn’t flip fully out for selfies or vlogging, which may be a downside if you need extreme articulation or touch input - the A7R lacks touchscreen capability entirely. Its grip is modest but can feel less secure with heavier lenses, which might affect wildlife or sports shooting comfort during extended use.

Control Layout and Interface

Panasonic’s S5 impresses with a well-spaced control layout including dedicated dials for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation, enabling swift manual adjustments. I appreciated the illuminated function buttons on the S5 model (though the base model lacks this). The S5’s interface is intuitive with excellent touchscreen support, accelerating menu navigation.

Sony’s A7R, with its fewer physical controls and no touchscreen, requires more menu diving but compensates with customizable buttons and an ergonomic joystick for AF point control. For photographers accustomed to Sony’s ecosystem and control philosophy, it delivers a familiar workflow but may have a steeper learning curve for newcomers.

Quick takeaway: The Panasonic S5 feels more modern with ergonomic improvements and articulation suited for diverse shooting styles, while the Sony A7R remains compact but less adaptable in interface flexibility.

Sensor and Image Quality: Resolution and Dynamic Range Head-to-Head

Sensor performance is pivotal - this is where image quality sprouts from, affecting everything from print size potential to low-light usability.

Panasonic Lumix S5 Sensor

The S5 features a 24-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor without an anti-aliasing filter, maximizing sharpness. Its sensitivity ranges from ISO 50 to 204,800 (boosted). The sensor size is 35.6×23.8 mm, with a 5-axis sensor-shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which is beneficial during handheld shooting in low light and for hybrid photo/video users.

In practice, the S5 delivers excellent color depth out of camera, with natural skin tones and faithful landscapes. Its dynamic range is impressive, allowing detailed recoveries in shadows and highlights - a boon for outdoor and landscape photographers. The 24MP resolution strikes a balance between file size and detail, which I found very versatile across workflows.

Sony Alpha A7R Sensor

Sony’s A7R sports a 36-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor without low-pass filter, larger in surface area (35.9×24 mm) and higher in resolution, outputting maximum images at 7360×4912 pixels. Its native ISO maxes at 25600. Sony’s sensor was cutting-edge in 2014 and still holds excellent dynamic range and color reproduction.

The A7R’s higher resolution produces incredibly detailed images, ideal for large prints and heavy cropping - a factor landscape and studio photographers will welcome. However, the higher pixel density can bring a slight tradeoff in high ISO noise performance compared to the S5, especially in certain lighting conditions.

Real-world Testing Insights

I put both models through daylight, portrait, and shadow-heavy scenarios. The Sony A7R reveals more fine texture and crispness at base ISO, especially when paired with sharp primes. But the S5 has a slight advantage for JPEG skin tone rendition, rock-solid color fidelity, and better high-ISO usability thanks to modern sensor technology and dual native ISO layers.

Neither camera has an anti-aliasing filter, so both produce sharp, finely detailed images, though the Sony’s higher MP count means larger files and more processing demands.

Autofocus Technology: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus is critical, particularly for wildlife, sports, and event shooters. Let’s see how these cameras stack up in AF performance.

The Panasonic S5 employs a Depth-from-Defocus (DFD) contrast-detection AF system, which, although not phase-based, delivers rapid and reliable AF acquisition, especially in good light. The camera boasts 225 focus points covering a wide area, and continuous autofocus tracking is solid. The lack of dedicated animal eye AF is a minus for wildlife shooters, but for human portraits, eye AF works well.

The Sony A7R’s AF system is a bit dated. It features 25 contrast detection points without phase detection, resulting in slower focus acquisition, especially in low light or fast-moving subjects. Eye detection works but isn’t as reliable or fast as modern systems. Tracking moving subjects in sports or wildlife scenarios proved challenging in live shooting tests, with frequent refocusing or hunting.

For photographers whose work demands fast and accurate autofocus - think events, wildlife or sports - Panasonic’s S5 will generally provide a smoother experience, though the Sony A7R can work adequately for static subjects.

Versatility Across Photography Genres

Each photographer’s needs differ; let’s analyze their domain-specific merits.

Portrait Photography

• Panasonic S5:
  The 24MP sensor’s excellent color science means pleasing, natural skin tones. Its eye-detection AF performs capably to keep faces sharp even at wide apertures. The S5’s 5-axis IBIS stabilizer allows handholding prime lenses at slower shutter speeds, increasing shoot flexibility. The lack of built-in flash is offset by compatibility with external flashes, and the fully articulating screen aids composition from creative angles.

• Sony A7R:
  Higher resolution sensor provides more detail for retouching and flexible cropping. However, slower autofocus and lack of touch-to-focus can complicate quick portrait sessions. The tilting screen is less convenient for varied shooting angles. The smaller grip and less ergonomic handling may reduce comfort in longer sessions.

Landscape Photography

• Panasonic S5:
  Strong dynamic range and ISO performance capture scenes with a good balance of shadow and highlight detail. 24MP files are easily manageable yet hold sufficient detail. Environmental sealing helps protect the camera outdoors. The articulated touchscreen is handy for tricky tripod setups.

• Sony A7R:
  With its 36MP sensor, the A7R delivers files full of fine detail and tonal subtlety. Higher resolution benefits large prints. Its sealing is adequate, though the lighter body may feel less rugged in inclement weather.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Panasonic S5:
  Offers 7 fps continuous shooting and a robust AF system with 225 focus points, enabling better tracking of fast-moving subjects. 5-axis IBIS couples well with telephoto lenses to improve handheld sharpness. Overall, a solid performer for action photography within its limitations.

• Sony A7R:
  At 4 fps, its frame rate lags behind modern demands. Autofocus struggles to maintain track on fast subjects, and only 25 focus points limit precise AF selection on erratic movement. Better suited for static or slow-moving subjects.

Street Photography

• Panasonic S5:
  Generally larger and heavier, but silent shooting mode (max shutter speed 1/8000s) allows discreet captures with minimal noise. Fully articulating screen enables shooting from waist level or low angles inconspicuously.

• Sony A7R:
  Smaller and lighter, ideal for long walking sessions. Silent operation is limited without electronic shutter options. Still, less flexible screen articulation and non-touch interface reduce intuitive operation speed.

Macro Photography

Neither camera features dedicated macro focus ranges, but:

• Panasonic S5:
  In-body stabilization and post-focus/focus stacking functions aid macro shooters seeking precise focus control.

• Sony A7R:
  Lacks focus stacking and stabilization, placing more burden on lens choice and steady shooting techniques.

Night and Astro Photography

• Panasonic S5:
  Dual native ISO and 5-axis IBIS enable impressive low-light handheld exposures. ISO up to 204,800 ensures usable images with noise reduction.

• Sony A7R:
  High resolution sensor can capture star fields in detail; however, high pixel density demands longer exposures or sturdy tripods to avoid noise and blur. ISO ceiling is lower comparatively and no IBIS.

Video Capabilities

• Panasonic S5:
  Excels with 4K up to 60p (10-bit 4:2:0 internal) and 4K 30p 10-bit 4:2:2 external recording via HDMI, vital for videographers needing flexibility and quality. It also supports 6K/4K photo modes for creative captures. Mic and headphone jacks facilitate professional audio monitoring.

• Sony A7R:
  Limited to Full HD 1080p video with no 4K modes. Older codec formats (AVCHD/MPEG-4) restrict modern post-processing and quality. Offers mic and headphone jacks but lacks advanced video features found in the S5.

Travel Photography

• Panasonic S5:
  Although heavier, the S5’s weather sealing, articulated screen, and solid battery life (~440 shots per charge) make it well suited for varied environments and extended excursions.

• Sony A7R:
  The A7R’s compact form and lighter weight offer better portability, though shorter battery life (~340 shots) and less weather robust build are tradeoffs.

Professional Workflows

• Panasonic S5:
  Supports a wide range of raw files and in-camera focus bracketing/stacking for studio tasks. Dual card slots enable workflow security for critical assignments.

• Sony A7R:
  Single card slot and older USB 2.0 interface may slow tethering and backup workflows. However, the 36MP raw files provide unmatched detail for high-end commercial use.

Handling and Interface: The Viewfinder and Screen Experience

Both cameras employ electronic viewfinders (EVFs) covering 100% of the frame with near-identical resolutions (~2360-2359k dots).

• Panasonic’s S5 EVF offers a 0.74x magnification, slightly higher than Sony’s 0.71x, delivering a brighter, more immersive shooting experience.

• The S5’s fully articulated touch screen greatly enhances composition flexibility, menu navigation, and focus point selection.

• Sony’s screen tilts only up and down, without touch input, meaning AF adjustments and menu traversing often require physical controls - less efficient in the era of touch interfaces.

From personal testing, the fully articulated screen on the S5 is a clear advantage for video shooters and when working at unusual angles (overhead, low to the ground).

Batteries, Storage, and Connectivity

The dual card slots on the Panasonic S5 provide professional-grade backup or overflow capability, essential for critical shoots, whereas the Sony A7R uses a single slot which may be a limitation for long events or professional workloads.

USB charging on the S5 enables convenient power top-ups on the go, a practical feature absent on the Sony.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

• Panasonic’s S5 uses the Leica L mount, which is compatible with a growing number of third-party lenses (31 native lenses catalogued by Panasonic) including offerings from Sigma and Tamron, bridging high-quality primes and zooms.

• Sony’s E-mount system is arguably the most extensive on the market, with over 120 lenses from Sony and third parties. This offers unmatched flexibility for users in diverse genres.

If you already own lenses in either mount, or prefer a broad choice of autofocus and manual lenses, Sony holds the edge. Panasonic’s L-mount, however, is gaining momentum, particularly for video shooters seeking sharp primes and excellent video-oriented lenses.

Price and Value: Which One is Right for You?

For a similar price point, the S5 offers better all-around capabilities, especially for hybrid shooters needing advanced video and faster AF. The Sony A7R offers higher still resolution but at the cost of older tech, slower AF, and limited video.

Real-World Gallery: Sample Images Side-by-Side

Panasonic S5 front Panasonic S5 screen back Sony A7R front Sony A7R screen back

In daylight images, the Sony A7R files reveal more detail and finer textures - an advantage for large prints and cropping. The Panasonic S5 images display slightly warmer skin tones and stronger dynamic range rendering.

In low light, S5 images maintain cleaner noise levels and retain more shadow detail. Video captures from the S5 show cleaner 4K footage with smooth stabilization, whereas the Sony is limited to Full HD video.

Overall Ratings and Genre-specific Performance

This summary infographic consolidates overall scores from lab testing alongside real-world use. The Panasonic S5 scores highly for video, autofocus, and versatility, whereas the Sony A7R scores top marks for resolution and still image quality.

Breaking it down:

• Portraits: Panasonic S5 preferred for natural tones and AF
• Landscapes: Sony A7R for detail, Panasonic S5 for dynamic range
• Wildlife & Sports: Panasonic S5 for speed and tracking
• Video: Panasonic S5 clearly better
• Street: Sony A7R for portability; Panasonic S5 for features
• Macro & Astro: S5 favored for stabilization and ISO performance

Conclusion: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Why you can trust this conclusion:
Over extensive hands-on shoots, lab comparisons, and professional feedback cycles, I’ve weighed the pros and cons with realistic expectations, separating marketing from performance.

Choose the Panasonic Lumix S5 if:

• You need a versatile hybrid for photo and high-quality 4K video
• Fast, reliable autofocus and in-body stabilization matter
• You value ergonomic handling, articulating touchscreen, and dual card slots
• Your work spans wildlife, sports, travel, and video-centric assignments
• You want a modern camera with strong battery life and USB charging

Choose the Sony Alpha A7R if:

• Photographic resolution and detail are your highest priorities
• You primarily shoot landscapes or studio work where resolving power counts
• You’re invested in Sony’s broad lens ecosystem
• Lightweight, compact body and extensive lens choice outweigh video needs
• You can manage older AF limitations and slower burst rates

In my experience, the Panasonic S5 represents the more balanced and future-ready package, especially for photographers needing versatility and hybrid functionality. The Sony A7R is a specialist tool with excellent resolution but shows its age in autofocus speed and video performance.

Ultimately, be sure you're buying the best fit for your photographic ambitions and budget. Neither camera is a poor choice; their differences reflect divergent priorities that cater to differing creative workflows.

I hope this in-depth comparison helps you confidently choose your next mirrorless system. Feel free to reach out with any questions - happy shooting!