Decision tools · Compare
S5 II vs A1
Quick take: The A1 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 2021
Best for Professional sport, wildlife, portrait & hybrid shooting
£4199
new today at Wex Photo Video
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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 — Professional Sport, Wildlife, Portrait & Hybrid Shooting: 50MP, 30fps, 8K — the Sony A1 is the most complete professional camera ever made.
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 (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
- Professional photographers who need resolution and speed without compromise
- Sports and wildlife photographers demanding the absolute fastest Sony
- Studio and fashion photographers who also shoot sport or events
- A9 III or A7R V owners who want a single body that does everything
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | S5 IILumix · 2023 | A1Sony · 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,399Best | £4,199 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP full-frame BSI CMOS | 50.1MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 50.1MPBest |
| Video | 6K/30p, 4K/60p, C4K/60p, V-Log | 8K/30p, 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF with subject/face/eye detection | Real-time Tracking, AI subject recognition — 759 phase-detect points |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS (up to 6.5-stop with OIS lenses) | IBIS — up to 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronic / 7fps mechanical | 30fps electronic with full AF/AE |
| Battery Life | 740 shots (CIPA)Best | ~430 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 740g (body only) | 737g (with battery and card)Best |
| Dimensions | 134.3 × 102.3 × 90.1mm | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 0.76" OLED EVF, 3.68M dots | EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification, 240fps |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" fully tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Leica L-mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.1, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, Ethernet, HDMI |
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
Portrait
8.2/10
8.2/10
Street
6.3/10
6.1/10
Travel
6.1/10
6.0/10
Wedding & Events
7.9/10
7.9/10
Vlogging & Video
6.8/10
—
Filmmaking
8.2/10
7.8/10
Documentary
7.9/10
7.6/10
Sports & Action
8.0/10
8.8/10
Landscape
6.9/10
7.6/10
Wildlife
7.9/10
8.7/10
Casual
5.5/10
4.8/10
Food
7.5/10
7.4/10
Macro
8.1/10
7.3/10
Architecture
7.2/10
7.9/10
Astrophotography
7.3/10
6.8/10
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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