Decision tools · Compare
GH5 vs A1
Quick take: The A1 has the highest resolution at 50MP; the GH5 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Sony
A1 2021
Best for Professional sport, wildlife, portrait & hybrid shooting
£4199
new today at Wex Photo Video
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Verdictwhich should you buy?
GH5 — Video, Filmmaking & Hybrid Shooting: The GH5 redefined what a consumer video camera could do — 4K/60p and 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording made it the independent filmmaker's tool of choice for years.
A1 — Professional Sport, Wildlife, Portrait & Hybrid Shooting: 50MP, 30fps, 8K — the Sony A1 is the most complete professional camera ever made.
Who should buy what
GH5 (2017)
is the right camera for you if…
- Independent filmmakers who need 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording without a dedicated cinema camera
- YouTube creators who want 4K/60p, a fully articulating screen, and unlimited recording
- Photographers who shoot primarily stills but need serious video capability as a second
- GH4 owners who want 4K/60p and 10-bit — a significant step up
A1 (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
- Professional photographers who need resolution and speed without compromise
- Sports and wildlife photographers demanding the absolute fastest Sony
- Studio and fashion photographers who also shoot sport or events
- A9 III or A7R V owners who want a single body that does everything
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | GH5Lumix · 2017 | A1Sony · 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £352 usedBest | £4,199 |
| Sensor | 20.3MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 50.1MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS |
| Resolution | 20.3MP | 50.1MPBest |
| Video | 4K/60p, C4K/30p, 1080p/180p; 10-bit 4:2:2 internal; unlimited recording | 8K/30p, 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect DFD AF, face/eye detection | Real-time Tracking, AI subject recognition — 759 phase-detect points |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops; Dual IS 2 with compatible lenses (6.5 stops) | IBIS — up to 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 12fps (AFS), 9fps (AFC) | 30fps electronic with full AF/AEBest |
| Battery Life | ~410 shots (CIPA) | ~430 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 646g (body only)Best | 737g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 138.5 × 98.1 × 87.4mm | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.68M dots, 0.76× magnification | EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification, 240fps |
| Screen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.0" fully tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm mic, headphone jack, HDMI | USB-C, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, Ethernet, HDMI |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
GH5
A1
Portrait
5.4/10
8.2/10
Street
5.0/10
6.1/10
Travel
4.9/10
5.9/10
Wedding & Events
5.4/10
7.9/10
Vlogging & Video
4.5/10
—
Filmmaking
5.8/10
7.8/10
Documentary
5.6/10
7.6/10
Sports & Action
6.1/10
8.8/10
Landscape
4.9/10
7.6/10
Wildlife
6.3/10
8.7/10
Casual
3.9/10
4.8/10
Food
5.9/10
7.4/10
Macro
7.1/10
7.3/10
Architecture
4.9/10
7.9/10
Astrophotography
5.0/10
6.8/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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