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Panasonic L1 vs Sony A99 II

Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83

Panasonic L1 vs Sony A99 II Key Specs

Panasonic L1
(Full Review)
  • 7MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 606g - 146 x 87 x 77mm
  • Revealed April 2007
Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
  • Released September 2016
  • Earlier Model is Sony A99
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Panasonic L1 vs Sony A99 II Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Panasonic L1 versus Sony A99 II, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the L1 (7MP) and A99 II (42MP) and the L1 (Four Thirds) and A99 II (Full frame) possess different sensor sizing.

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The L1 was introduced 10 years prior to the A99 II and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the L1 matches up versus the A99 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic L1 over the Sony A99 II

 L1 A99 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Panasonic L1

 A99 II L1 
ReleasedSeptember 2016April 2007More recent by 114 months
Display typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1229k207kCrisper display (+1022k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Panasonic L1 and Sony A99 II

 L1 A99 II 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Panasonic L1 vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic L1 enjoys exterior dimensions of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") having a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs) whilst the Sony A99 II has measurements of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") having a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic L1 versus Sony A99 II in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the L1 versus the A99 II.

Panasonic L1 vs Sony A99 II size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the L1 and A99 II is 65 and 57 respectively.

Panasonic L1 vs Sony A99 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements just by checking out a spec sheet. The visual below will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the L1 and A99 II.

Clearly, both of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The L1 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh trickier and the Sony A99 II will produce extra detail using its extra 35 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images a little more aggressively. The older L1 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic L1 vs Sony A99 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic L1 vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic L1 Portrait photography info
Sony A99 II Portrait photography info
54
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low resolution (7MP)
86
you can focus manually
great megapixels (42MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic L1 Street photography advice
Sony A99 II Street photography advice
58
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (606g)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic L1 Sports photography factors
Sony A99 II Sports photography factors
40
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (7MP)
82
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (42 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
terrible battery life (490 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic L1 Travel photography factors
Sony A99 II Travel photography factors
50
lighter than competition in class (606 grams)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
low resolution (7MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
70
environment proofing
has bluetooth
great megapixels (42MP)
screen is selfie friendly
terrible battery life (490 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic L1
Landscape photography with Sony A99 II
47
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inch)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (7 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
82
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (42 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
terrible battery life (490 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic L1 Vlogging highlights
Sony A99 II Vlogging highlights
9
no video shooting
78
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with mic support
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Panasonic L1 vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic L1 and Sony A99 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1Sony Alpha A99 II
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Sony Alpha A99 II
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2007-04-11 2016-09-19
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 7MP 42MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3136 x 2352 7952 x 5304
Maximum native ISO 1600 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 3 399
Cross focus points - 79
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 45 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully articulated
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 207 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Maximum video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 606 grams (1.34 lbs) 849 grams (1.87 lbs)
Dimensions 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 92
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 2317
Other
Battery life - 490 photographs
Form of battery - NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/MMC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
Card slots 1 Two
Launch cost $1,500 $3,198