Decision tools · Compare
S5 II vs A1 II
Quick take: The A1 II has the highest resolution at 50MP; the S5 II is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·15 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.
Sony
A1 II 2024
Best for Professional sports, wildlife & high-resolution studio work
£5699
new today at Clifton Cameras
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
S5 II — Hybrid Video & Photography: Phase-detect AF changed everything for Lumix — the S5 II delivers exceptional hybrid performance with 6K video and genuine full-frame value.
A1 II — Professional Sports, Wildlife & High-Resolution Studio Work: The most complete camera ever made — 50MP, 30fps, 8K, and the world's best EVF in a single flagship body.
Who should buy what
S5 II (2023)
is the right camera for you if…
- Hybrid photographers who want phase-detect AF for the first time on a Lumix S body
- Video creators who want 6K and reliable subject tracking in a full-frame body
- S5 owners upgrading to the most significant Lumix full-frame update in years
- L-mount photographers who want the best value full-frame Lumix available
A1 II (2024)
is the right camera for you if…
- Professional sports and wildlife photographers who need 30fps, 50MP, and the best AF available
- Commercial and advertising photographers who demand 50MP resolution alongside pro video specs
- Photojournalists who need a single body capable of handling every assignment
- Sony system shooters ready to invest in the absolute best
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | S5 IILumix · 2023 | A1 IISony · 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,399Best | £5,699 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP full-frame BSI CMOS | 50.1MP full-frame stacked BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 50.1MPBest |
| Video | 6K/30p, 4K/60p, C4K/60p, V-Log | 8K/30p, 4K/120p 10-bit, S-Log3 |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF with subject/face/eye detection | AI subject recognition — human, animal, bird, insect, vehicle, aircraft, train |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS (up to 6.5-stop with OIS lenses) | 8.5-stop IBIS (with in-lens OSS) |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronic / 7fps mechanical | 30fps electronic (with full AF/AE), 10fps mechanical |
| Battery Life | 740 shots (CIPA)Best | ~530 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 740g (body only)Best | 743g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 134.3 × 102.3 × 90.1mm | 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 0.76" OLED EVF, 3.68M dots | EVF 0.9× 9.44M-dot — the highest resolution EVF available |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen, 2.1M dots |
| Mount | Leica L-mount | Sony E-mount (full-frame) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.1, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, Wi-Fi 6GHz, Bluetooth 5.3, HDMI full-size |
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
S5 II
A1 II
Portrait
8.2/10
9.0/10
Street
6.3/10
6.6/10
Travel
6.0/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
7.9/10
8.7/10
Vlogging & Video
6.6/10
6.4/10
Filmmaking
8.2/10
8.2/10
Documentary
7.9/10
8.3/10
Sports & Action
8.0/10
9.3/10
Landscape
6.9/10
8.0/10
Wildlife
7.9/10
9.2/10
Casual
5.5/10
5.3/10
Food
7.5/10
8.5/10
Macro
8.1/10
8.1/10
Architecture
7.2/10
8.4/10
Astrophotography
7.3/10
7.2/10
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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