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Panasonic L1 vs Sony A700

Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 front
Portability
58
Imaging
51
Features
58
Overall
53

Panasonic L1 vs Sony A700 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
  • Launched April 2007
Sony A700
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 768g - 142 x 105 x 80mm
  • Launched December 2007
  • Older Model is Konica Minolta 7D
  • Replacement is Sony A77
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Panasonic L1 vs Sony A700 Overview

Here is a in depth overview of the Panasonic L1 versus Sony A700, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the L1 (7MP) and A700 (12MP) and the L1 (Four Thirds) and A700 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The L1 was revealed 8 months before the A700 so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the L1 grades against the A700 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic L1 over the Sony A700

 L1 A700 

Reasons to pick Sony A700 over the Panasonic L1

 A700 L1 
LaunchedDecember 2007April 2007Fresher by 8 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k207kClearer screen (+713k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic L1 and Sony A700

 L1 A700 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Panasonic L1 vs Sony A700 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic L1 has outer dimensions of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") and a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs) and the Sony A700 has sizing of 142mm x 105mm x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 768 grams (1.69 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic L1 versus Sony A700 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the L1 and the A700.

Panasonic L1 vs Sony A700 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the L1 and A700 is 65 and 58 respectively.

Panasonic L1 vs Sony A700 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Sony A700 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing just by looking through specs. The photograph underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the L1 and A700.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The L1 with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Sony A700 will result in extra detail because of its extra 5MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older L1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic L1 vs Sony A700 sensor size comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Sony A700 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic L1 vs Sony A700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic L1 Portrait photography features
Sony A700 Portrait photography features
54
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (7MP)
54
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview
MP count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic L1 Street photography factors
Sony A700 Street photography factors
58
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
lighter than others (606g)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
64
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic L1
Sports photography with Sony A700
40
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (7MP)
56
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
has phase detect AF
no liveview
max fps very slow (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic L1 Travel photography factors
Sony A700 Travel photography factors
50
lighter than others (606 grams)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (7MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
49
weather sealing
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic L1 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A700 Landscape photography highlights
47
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (7 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
62
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
two card slots
no liveview
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic L1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A700 as a Vlogging camera
9
can't shoot video
9
lack of video recording
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Panasonic L1 vs Sony A700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic L1 and Sony A700
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2007-04-11 2007-12-19
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 7MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3136 x 2352 4272 x 2848
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 45 143
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 207k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.6x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, rear curtain, Off
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 606 gr (1.34 lbs) 768 gr (1.69 lbs)
Dimensions 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") 142 x 105 x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.9
DXO Low light score not tested 581
Other
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC card Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots One 2
Launch pricing $1,500 $1,000