Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-6
96 Imaging
35 Features
21 Overall
29


85 Imaging
57 Features
76 Overall
64
Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-6 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Launched January 2011
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 345g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
- Announced March 2013
- Successor is Sony A6000

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-6 Overview
On this page, we are looking at the Panasonic S1 and Sony NEX-6, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by companies Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the S1 (12MP) and NEX-6 (16MP) and the S1 (1/2.3") and NEX-6 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizes.

The S1 was revealed 3 years earlier than the NEX-6 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic S1 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-6 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before going right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise overview of how the S1 grades vs the NEX-6 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-6 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 and Sony Alpha NEX-6. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic S1 Gallery and Sony NEX-6 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Sony NEX-6
S1 | NEX-6 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-6 over the Panasonic S1
NEX-6 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | March 2013 | ![]() | January 2011 | More modern by 27 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Sony NEX-6
S1 | NEX-6 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither includes Touch friendly display |
Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-6 Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic S1 features outer measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-6 has specifications of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 345 grams (0.76 lbs).
Look at the Panasonic S1 and Sony NEX-6 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the S1 vs the NEX-6.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S1 and NEX-6 is 96 and 85 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-6 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizes simply by going through a spec sheet. The pic underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the S1 and NEX-6.
As you can see, both cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The S1 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh trickier and the Sony NEX-6 will provide extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The more aged S1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-6 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-6 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 | Sony Alpha NEX-6 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 | Sony Alpha NEX-6 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Advanced Mirrorless |
Launched | 2011-01-05 | 2013-03-25 |
Physical type | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Venus Engine IV | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4912 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 99 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Sony E |
Lens focal range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/3.1-5.6 | - |
Macro focus range | 5cm | - |
Total lenses | - | 121 |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD | Xtra Fine LCD with Tilt Up 90� and Down 45� |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359k dots |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.73x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | - | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.30 m | 6.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 117g (0.26 pounds) | 345g (0.76 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 78 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 13.1 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 1018 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 240 pictures | 360 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | With downloadable app | |
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $269 | $365 |