Lumix S1vs A7R
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.
Studio, Tripod Landscape & Camera History — A7R (2013): The world's first 36MP full-frame mirrorless — a landmark camera that launched the A7R series, despite contrast-detect AF and significant shutter shock limitations.
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
A7R (2013)
- Collectors and photographers interested in the camera that started the A7R lineage
- Studio photographers who work on a tripod and can manage contrast-detect AF
- Landscape photographers who prioritise resolution over autofocus performance
- Sony FE system users who want a historical body at a very low used price
Quick take: The a7r has the highest resolution at 36mp; the a7r is the most affordable; only the lumix s1 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Lumix S1 (2019) | A7R (2013) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,499 | £349 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP full-frame CMOS | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 36.4MP |
| 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 | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS — 6 stops | None |
| Burst Rate | 9fps continuous with AF/AE | 4fps |
| Battery Life | ~380 shots (CIPA) | ~340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 898g body only | 465g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 148.9 × 110.0 × 96.7mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | OLED EVF, 5.76M dots, 0.78× — one of the finest EVFs available | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" touchscreen, tilting | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) |
| Mount | L-mount (Leica/Panasonic/Sigma) | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic & headphone jacks | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Lumix S1 | A7R |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Travel | ||
| Street | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Architecture | — | |
| 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