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Panasonic S5 vs Sony a1

Portability
60
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
82
Features
93
Overall
86

Panasonic S5 vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Panasonic S5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.0" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 714g - 133 x 97 x 82mm
  • Announced August 2020
  • Refreshed by Panasonic S5 II
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Revealed January 2021
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Panasonic S5 vs Sony a1 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Panasonic S5 and Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the S5 (24MP) and a1 (50MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor size (Full frame).

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The S5 was manufactured 5 months before the a1 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting right into a full comparison, here is a concise summation of how the S5 grades versus the a1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S5 over the Sony a1

 S5 a1 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1840k1440kCrisper display (+400k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Panasonic S5

 a1 S5 

Common features in the Panasonic S5 and Sony a1

 S5 a1 
RevealedAugust 2020January 2021Same generation
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display dimensions3.0"3"Equal display size
Touch display Easily navigate

Panasonic S5 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera often, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S5 offers exterior dimensions of 133mm x 97mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 714 grams (1.57 lbs) while the Sony a1 has measurements of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

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Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the S5 versus the a1.

Panasonic S5 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S5 and a1 is 60 and 61 respectively.

Panasonic S5 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S5 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes merely by checking out specifications. The picture here might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the S5 and a1.

Plainly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Sony a1 to show greater detail due to its extra 26MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images more aggressively.

Panasonic S5 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S5 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S5 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a1 as a Portrait photography camera
86
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW files
89
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/400s)
megapixel count excellent (50MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S5 Street photography highlights
Sony a1 Street photography highlights
78
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
features touch focus
weather sealing
very good high ISO (51,200)
79
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
provides focus via touch
weather proofing
good ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S5 Sports photography information
Sony a1 Sports photography information
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
lacks phase detect auto focus
91
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (30.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count excellent (50MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
better than average battery life (530 shots)
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S5 Travel photography info
Sony a1 Travel photography info
79
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
features touch focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
74
better than average battery life (530 shots)
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
provides focus via touch
megapixel count excellent (50MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic S5
Landscape photography with Sony a1
86
focusing manually
change lenses (Leica L mount)
nice screen size (3.0 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
has double storage slots
88
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count excellent (50 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (32,000)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
better than average battery life (530 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S5 Vlogging factors
Sony a1 Vlogging factors
79
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with mic port
37
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (7680 x 4320 pixels)
does have external mic jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic S5 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S5 and Sony a1
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S5Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 Sony Alpha a1
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2020-08-14 2021-01-26
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 847.3mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 50 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 8640 x 5760
Max native ISO 51200 32000
Max enhanced ISO 204800 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 225 759
Lens
Lens mount Leica L Sony E
Amount of lenses 31 133
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3.0 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,840 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot 9,437 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.9x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 30.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/400 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 7680x4320
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 714g (1.57 lb) 737g (1.62 lb)
Physical dimensions 133 x 97 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 440 images 530 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots 2 2
Cost at release $1,999 $6,498