Decision tools · Compare

S1 vs 1 J5

Quick take: The S1 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the 1 J5 is the most affordable; only the S1 is weather sealed.

Where the S1 wins

  • Resolution: 24.2MP
  • Battery Life: ~380 shots (CIPA)
  • Weather Sealed: Yes
  • Portrait: 6.6 vs 3.9
  • Wedding & Events: 6.4 vs 2.9

Where the 1 J5 wins

  • Cheaper new: £93 vs £610
  • Burst Rate: 20fps
  • Weight: 265g (with battery)
  • Street: 6.7 vs 4.8
  • Travel: 6.1 vs 4.7

16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video, Clifton Cameras, MPB, eBay and Amazon UK

How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.

Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more

Size comparedbody only, no lens · drawn to one scale
0 25 50 75 100 125 S1 149 mm 110 mm 1 J5 98 mm 60 mm
  • S1 149 × 110 × 97 mm · 1021 g
  • 1 J5 98 × 60 × 32 mm · 265 g

The 1 J5 is 51 mm narrower, 50 mm shorter, 65 mm slimmer and 756 g lighter than the S1.

Drawn to scale from the makers' dimensions (W × H × D). Front shown, depth on the slanted edge.

Verdictwhich should you buy?

S1 — Landscape, Studio & Professional Stills On L-Mount: Built like a tank with one of the finest viewfinders ever made — the S1 is the choice for photographers who prioritise build quality and IBIS over AF speed.

Who should buy what
S1 (2019)
is the right camera for you if…
  • L-mount system photographers who want a rugged, weather-sealed full-frame body for demanding conditions
  • Landscape and studio photographers who value exceptional IBIS and an outstanding EVF
  • Video professionals who need V-Log and 4K/60p in a robust, weather-sealed body
  • Leica SL users who want a more affordable second body on the same L-mount system
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
Specification S1Lumix · 20191 J5Nikon · 2015
Price £610 used£93 usedBest
Sensor 24.2MP full-frame CMOS20.8MP 1-inch (CX) BSI CMOS
Resolution 24.2MPBest20.8MP
Video 4K/60p (crop), 4K/30p (full-frame), 1080p/180p, V-Log (upgrade)4K UHD/15p, 1080p/60
Autofocus DFD contrast-detect AF — reliable but slower than phase-detect rivalsHybrid AF: 171 areas, 105 with phase detection; face detection, subject tracking
Stabilisation 5-axis IBIS — 6 stopsNo IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only)
Burst Rate 9fps continuous with AF/AE20fpsBest
Battery Life ~380 shots (CIPA)Best~250 shots (CIPA)
Weight 898g (body only)265g (with battery)Best
Dimensions 148.9 × 110.0 × 96.7mm98.3 × 59.7 × 31.5mm
Weather Sealed YesBestNot weather sealed
Viewfinder OLED EVF, 5.76M dots, 0.78× — one of the finest EVFs availableNone (rear screen only)
Screen 3.2" touchscreen, tilting3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.04M dots
Mount L-mount (Leica/Panasonic/Sigma)Nikon 1
Memory Cards Dual SD UHS-II slotsSingle microSD slot
Connectivity USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic & headphone jacksUSB, micro HDMI, Wi-Fi, NFC

Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.

How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
S1
1 J5
Portrait
6.6/10
3.9/10
Street
4.8/10
6.7/10
Travel
4.7/10
6.1/10
Wedding & Events
6.4/10
2.9/10
Filmmaking
7.1/10
3.2/10
Documentary
6.3/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
6.0/10
4.5/10
Landscape
6.5/10
3.9/10
Wildlife
6.2/10
4.3/10
Casual
3.9/10
5.1/10
Food
6.3/10
4.6/10
Macro
7.3/10
3.4/10
Architecture
6.7/10
3.4/10
Astrophotography
7.0/10
2.6/10

Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →

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