Decision tools · Compare

S1 vs A5000

Quick take: The S1 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A5000 is the most affordable; only the S1 is weather sealed.

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

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

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 · 2019A5000Sony · 2014
Price £1,499£154Best
Sensor 24.2MP full-frame CMOS20.1MP APS-C CMOS
Resolution 24.2MPBest20.1MP
Video 4K/60p (crop), 4K/30p (full-frame), 1080p/180p, V-Log (upgrade)Full HD 1080 (60i / 25p AVCHD), 1440×1080/30p MP4
Autofocus DFD contrast-detect AF — reliable but slower than phase-detect rivals25-point contrast AF with face detection
Stabilisation 5-axis IBIS — 6 stopsNo IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only)
Burst Rate 9fps continuous with AF/AEBest3.5fps
Battery Life ~380 shots (CIPA)~420 shots (CIPA)Best
Weight 898g (body only)269g (with battery)Best
Dimensions 148.9 × 110.0 × 96.7mm109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm
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" 180° flip-up LCD, 460k dots
Mount L-mount (Leica/Panasonic/Sigma)Sony E-mount
Memory Cards Dual SD UHS-II slotsSingle SD slot
Connectivity USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic & headphone jacksMicro USB (Multi Terminal), 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
A5000
Portrait
6.6/10
4.3/10
Street
4.8/10
6.5/10
Travel
4.7/10
6.1/10
Wedding & Events
6.4/10
2.6/10
Filmmaking
7.1/10
—
Documentary
6.3/10
3.5/10
Sports & Action
6.0/10
3.1/10
Landscape
6.5/10
4.7/10
Wildlife
6.2/10
4.2/10
Casual
3.8/10
4.2/10
Food
6.3/10
5.2/10
Macro
7.3/10
4.7/10
Architecture
6.7/10
4.8/10
Astrophotography
7.0/10
4.8/10

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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