S1 IIvs A7R III
Sony
A7R III (2017)
Starting from £1799 new
Best for Landscape, studio & commercial photography
View A7R III
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.
Landscape, Studio & Commercial Photography — A7R III (2017): The camera that converted professionals to mirrorless — 42MP, IBIS, and 10fps in a body that still competes today.
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
A7R III (2017)
- Landscape and studio photographers who need 42MP resolution at a used-price discount vs A7R IV
- Canon/Nikon DSLR professionals considering a mirrorless switch at a lower investment
- Commercial and product photographers who want full-frame resolution with IBIS for handheld work
- Portrait photographers who want the sharpest possible full-frame files for large print work
Quick take: The a7r iii has the highest resolution at 42mp; the a7r iii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | S1 II (2025) | A7R III (2017) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,200 | £1,799 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 42.4MP full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 42.4MP |
| Video | 6K/30p, 4K/120p, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal | 4K/30p (full-frame readout), 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF with subject recognition (human, animal, vehicle) | 399 phase-detect + 425 contrast AF points — real-time Eye AF |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, up to 8 stops | 5-axis IBIS — 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 30fps (electronic), 9fps (mechanical) | 10fps with AF/AE tracking |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA) | ~650 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 680g (body only) | 650g body only |
| Dimensions | 138.5 × 100.0 × 91.5mm | 126.9 × 95.6 × 73.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 3.68M dots, 0.78× | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.84M dots | 3.0" touchscreen, tilting |
| Mount | Leica L-mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual slot: CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II | Dual SD slots (one UHS-II) |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | S1 II | A7R III |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Street | ||
| Wedding | — | |
| Sports | — |
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