S1 IIvs Nikon Z9
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Hybrid & Video — S1 II (2025): The S1 II is the full-frame L-mount hybrid camera Panasonic's system has been waiting for — phase-detect AF, 4K/120p, class-leading IBIS, and a professional build in one complete package. It addresses every weakness of the original S1 and positions Lumix firmly back in the conversation for serious hybrid shooters.
Professional Sports & Wildlife — Nikon Z9 (2021): The Z9 redefined what professional mirrorless could be — no mechanical shutter, 45MP stacked BSI, and 8K RAW in the most rugged Z body.
Who should buy what
S1 II (2025)
- Hybrid photographers who need excellent stills and serious video capability
- Video professionals who want full-frame quality with 4K/120p
- Landscape and portrait photographers who want maximum stabilisation
- L-mount system users upgrading from S1 or S5 II
Nikon Z9 (2021)
- Professional sports, wildlife and photojournalism photographers
- Nikon D6 or D850 users making the final switch to mirrorless
- Those who need the fastest, most reliable AF Nikon has ever made
- Professionals who need a flagship body with no mechanical shutter
Quick take: The nikon z9 has the highest resolution at 46mp; the s1 ii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | S1 II (2025) | Nikon Z9 (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,200 | £5,499 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 45.7MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 45.7MP |
| Video | 6K/30p, 4K/120p, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal | 8K/30p RAW, 4K/120p, ProRes RAW |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF with subject recognition (human, animal, vehicle) | Subject detection AF, 493-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, up to 8 stops | 6-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 30fps (electronic), 9fps (mechanical) | 20fps RAW / 120fps JPEG |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA) | 740 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 680g (body only) | 1340g body only |
| Dimensions | 138.5 × 100.0 × 91.5mm | 149.0 × 149.5 × 90.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 3.68M dots, 0.78× | 0.5" Quad-VGA OLED EVF, 3.69M dots, 120fps |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.84M dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Leica L-mount | Nikon Z-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual slot: CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II | Dual CFexpress Type B / XQD |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI | USB-C 3.2, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, LAN |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | S1 II | Nikon Z9 |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Portrait | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Wildlife | ||
| Street | — | |
| Photojournalism | — |
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