Lumix S1vs A5100
Lumix
Lumix S1 (2019)
Starting from £1499 new
Best for Landscape, studio & professional stills on L-mount
View Lumix S1
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Landscape, Studio & Professional Stills On L-Mount — Lumix S1 (2019): 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.
Casual & Travel — A5100 (2014): The A5100 is one of the smallest APS-C mirrorless cameras ever made. Its 24MP sensor, phase-detect AF, and selfie-friendly flip screen pack remarkable capability into a shirt-pocket-sized body. No EVF or hot shoe limits it for serious use, but as a compact travel camera or beginner's first mirrorless, it punches well above its price on the used market.
Who should buy what
Lumix S1 (2019)
- 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
A5100 (2014)
- Beginners stepping up from a smartphone
- Compact travel photographers
- Casual vloggers who want APS-C quality
Quick take: The a5100 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the a5100 is the most affordable; only the lumix s1 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Lumix S1 (2019) | A5100 (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,499 | £200 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP full-frame CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 4K/60p (crop), 4K/30p (full-frame), 1080p/180p, V-Log (upgrade) | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | DFD contrast-detect AF — reliable but slower than phase-detect rivals | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS — 6 stops | None |
| Burst Rate | 9fps continuous with AF/AE | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~380 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 898g body only | 224g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 148.9 × 110.0 × 96.7mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | OLED EVF, 5.76M dots, 0.78× — one of the finest EVFs available | None |
| Screen | 3.2" touchscreen, tilting | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | L-mount (Leica/Panasonic/Sigma) | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic & headphone jacks | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Lumix S1 | A5100 |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Travel | ||
| Street | ||
| Sports | — | |
| Casual | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
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