Lumix G9vs A7S
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Wildlife, Sports, Travel — Lumix G9 (2017): The G9 showed that Micro Four Thirds could compete for fast-action stills.
Astrophotography & Low-Light — A7S (2014): The original A7S pioneered the concept of a camera optimised entirely for low light. Its 12.2MP sensor has enormous photosites — extraordinary high-ISO performance that still holds up. Lacking IBIS and limited to 1080p internally (4K requires external recorder), it is a specialist tool. For astrophotography, event videography, or any scenario where light is genuinely scarce, it remains outstanding.
Who should buy what
Lumix G9 (2017)
- Wildlife photographers who want fast burst and long telephoto reach at lower cost
- MFT system users who prioritise stills over video
A7S (2014)
- Astrophotographers
- Low-light event videographers
- Filmmakers needing clean high-ISO footage
Quick take: The lumix g9 has the highest resolution at 20mp; the lumix g9 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Lumix G9 (2017) | A7S (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £549 | £600 |
| Sensor | Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 12.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.3MP | 12.2MP |
| Video | 4K 60fps, C4K 24fps | 1080p/60p internal, 4K via HDMI (external recorder) |
| Autofocus | 225-point contrast-detect DFD | Phase-detect / contrast-detect hybrid AF |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 6.5 stops (6.0 stops dual IS) | None |
| Burst Rate | 20fps mechanical, 60fps electronic | 5fps |
| Battery Life | 400 shots (CIPA) | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 658g (body only) | 474g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 136.9 × 97.3 × 91.6mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.83× 3.68M-dot | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M-dot | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | 2× SD UHS-II | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, USB-C, HDMI full-size | Multi/Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Lumix G9 | A7S |
|---|---|---|
| Sports & Action | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Astrophotography | — | |
| Street | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history