S1 IIvs A7 II
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.
Travel, Portrait — A7 II (2014): The camera that proved full-frame IBIS was possible in a compact 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
A7 II (2014)
- Photographers upgrading from APS-C who want full-frame on a budget
- Film shooters adapting vintage lenses (IBIS helps enormously)
Quick take: The a7 ii has the highest resolution at 24mp; the a7 ii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | S1 II (2025) | A7 II (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,200 | £549 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | Full-frame BSI CMOS 35mm |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 6K/30p, 4K/120p, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal | 1080p 60fps |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF with subject recognition (human, animal, vehicle) | 117-point phase-detect hybrid AF |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, up to 8 stops | 5-axis IBIS, 4.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 30fps (electronic), 9fps (mechanical) | 5fps |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA) | 350 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 680g (body only) | 599g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 138.5 × 100.0 × 91.5mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 3.68M dots, 0.78× | EVF 0.71× 2.36M-dot |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.84M dots | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.23M-dot |
| Mount | Leica L-mount | Sony E-Mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual slot: CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II | SD / Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI | Wi-Fi, NFC, Micro USB, Micro HDMI |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | S1 II | A7 II |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Wedding & Events | ||
| Travel | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Street |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
More comparisons with S1 II
Camera family history