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Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-6

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-6 front
Portability
85
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-6 Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(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
Sony NEX-6
(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
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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.

Photography Glossary

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.

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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 
AnnouncedMarch 2013January 2011More modern by 27 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-6 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-6 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 Portrait photography information
Sony NEX-6 Portrait photography information
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
74
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S1 Street photography features
Sony NEX-6 Street photography features
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (117 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
78
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (345g)
great high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-6 Sports photography advice
27
image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
66
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-6 as a Travel photography camera
62
lighter than others (117g)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
no Timelapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
75
lighter than competition (345g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic S1
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-6
32
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Timelapse recording
75
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 Vlogging information
Sony NEX-6 Vlogging information
31
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (117g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone jack
32
features face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (345g)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of mic support
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Panasonic S1 vs Sony NEX-6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Sony NEX-6
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1Sony 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