S1 IIvs Sony A9 III
Sony
Sony A9 III (2023)
Starting from £5999 new
Best for Sports & action professionals
View Sony A9 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.
Sports & Action Professionals — Sony A9 III (2023): A paradigm-shifting camera — the global shutter eliminates every rolling shutter limitation that has constrained action photography for years.
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
Sony A9 III (2023)
- Professional sports photographers who need zero blackout and 120fps burst
- Wildlife photographers who demand the most advanced Sony AF available
- Photojournalists who need flash sync at any shutter speed
- A9 II owners upgrading to the world's first full-frame global shutter
Quick take: The sony a9 iii has the highest resolution at 25mp; the s1 ii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | S1 II (2025) | Sony A9 III (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,200 | £5,999 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 24.6MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS (global shutter) |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.6MP |
| Video | 6K/30p, 4K/120p, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal | 4K/120p, 4K/60p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF with subject recognition (human, animal, vehicle) | AI subject recognition AF, 759-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, up to 8 stops | 8-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 30fps (electronic), 9fps (mechanical) | 120fps blackout-free electronic |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA) | 530 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 680g (body only) | 703g body only |
| Dimensions | 138.5 × 100.0 × 91.5mm | 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 3.68M dots, 0.78× | 0.64" Quad-XGA OLED EVF, 9.44M dots |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.84M dots | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Leica L-mount | Sony FE (E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual slot: CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI | USB-C 3.2, HDMI A, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | S1 II | Sony A9 III |
|---|---|---|
| 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 →
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Camera family history