S1 IIvs A6400
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.
Content Creation & Vlogging — A6400 (2019): The best value APS-C Sony you can buy — especially used. Real-time Eye AF at this price point was transformative when it launched and still makes it one of the most reliable autofocus systems in the lineup.
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
A6400 (2019)
- Vloggers and content creators who need a flip screen and reliable AF
- Photographers upgrading from a compact or smartphone
- Beginners who want room to grow into a full E-mount lens ecosystem
- Anyone prioritising autofocus performance at an accessible price
Quick take: The a6400 is the most affordable; only the s1 ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | S1 II (2025) | A6400 (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,200 | £899 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS BSI |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 6K/30p, 4K/120p, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal | 4K/30p (6K oversampled, no crop), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF with subject recognition (human, animal, vehicle) | Phase-detect, 425 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, up to 8 stops | None (no IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 30fps (electronic), 9fps (mechanical) | 11fps mechanical, 8fps with AF tracking |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA) | ~410 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 680g (body only) | 403g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 138.5 × 100.0 × 91.5mm | 120.0 × 66.9 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 3.68M dots, 0.78× | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.84M dots | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 180° flip for selfie/vlog, 921k dots |
| Mount | Leica L-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual slot: CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI | Micro-USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | S1 II | A6400 |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Wildlife | ||
| Street | ||
| Video | — |
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