S1 IIvs A7S III
Sony
A7S III (2020)
Starting from £2999 new
Best for Professional video & low-light filmmaking
View A7S 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.
Professional Video & Low-Light Filmmaking — A7S III (2020): If video is your primary discipline, the A7S III is the camera. 4K/120p at 10-bit in a weather-sealed body with a 9.44M dot EVF is an extraordinary package. The 12MP sensor isn't limiting for video — and it's usable at ISO 409,600 in a pinch.
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
A7S III (2020)
- Filmmakers and videographers who need 4K/120p at 10-bit
- Event videographers who shoot in dark venues regularly
- Documentary filmmakers who need reliable AF and weather sealing
- Hybrid shooters where video is primary and stills are secondary
Quick take: The s1 ii has the highest resolution at 24mp; the s1 ii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | S1 II (2025) | A7S III (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,200 | £2,999 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS (12-bit, back-illuminated) |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 6K/30p, 4K/120p, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal | 4K/120p 10-bit, 4K/60p 10-bit S-Cinetone/S-Log3, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF with subject recognition (human, animal, vehicle) | Phase-detect, 759 points, real-time Eye AF (human & animal), subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, up to 8 stops | 5.5-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 30fps (electronic), 9fps (mechanical) | 10fps mechanical |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA) | ~600 shots (CIPA) / ~70min continuous 4K recording |
| Weight | 680g (body only) | 699g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 138.5 × 100.0 × 91.5mm | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 3.68M dots, 0.78× | OLED EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification — best EVF Sony has made |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.84M dots | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.44M dots |
| Mount | Leica L-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual slot: CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II (both slots) |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), full-size HDMI, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | S1 II | A7S III |
|---|---|---|
| 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 →
More comparisons with S1 II
Camera family history