Lumix S1vs A7S
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.
Astrophotography & Low-Light — A7S (2014): The original A7S pioneered the concept of a camera optimised entirely for low light. Its 12.2MP sensor has enormous photosites — extraordinary high-ISO performance that still holds up. Lacking IBIS and limited to 1080p internally (4K requires external recorder), it is a specialist tool. For astrophotography, event videography, or any scenario where light is genuinely scarce, it remains outstanding.
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
A7S (2014)
- Astrophotographers
- Low-light event videographers
- Filmmakers needing clean high-ISO footage
Quick take: The lumix s1 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the a7s is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Lumix S1 (2019) | A7S (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,499 | £600 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP full-frame CMOS | 12.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 12.2MP |
| Video | 4K/60p (crop), 4K/30p (full-frame), 1080p/180p, V-Log (upgrade) | 1080p/60p internal, 4K via HDMI (external recorder) |
| Autofocus | DFD contrast-detect AF — reliable but slower than phase-detect rivals | Phase-detect / contrast-detect hybrid AF |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS — 6 stops | None |
| Burst Rate | 9fps continuous with AF/AE | 5fps |
| Battery Life | ~380 shots (CIPA) | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 898g body only | 474g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 148.9 × 110.0 × 96.7mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | OLED EVF, 5.76M dots, 0.78× — one of the finest EVFs available | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" touchscreen, tilting | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots |
| Mount | L-mount (Leica/Panasonic/Sigma) | Sony FE (full-frame 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 | Multi/Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Lumix S1 | A7S |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Travel | ||
| Street | ||
| Sports | — | |
| Astrophotography | — | |
| 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