Lumix S5 IIvs A9
Lumix
Lumix S5 II (2023)
Starting from £1999 new
Best for Hybrid video & photography
View Lumix S5 II
Sony
A9 (2017)
Starting from £1999 new
Best for Professional sports, wildlife & action photography
View A9
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Hybrid Video & Photography — Lumix S5 II (2023): Phase-detect AF changed everything for Lumix — the S5 II delivers exceptional hybrid performance with 6K video and genuine full-frame value.
Professional Sports, Wildlife & Action Photography — A9 (2017): The camera that changed professional photography — the A9's 20fps blackout-free burst and silent shutter proved mirrorless had definitively surpassed the DSLR.
Who should buy what
Lumix S5 II (2023)
- 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
A9 (2017)
- Sports photographers who want the original 20fps mirrorless at a lower used price than the A9 II
- Wildlife photographers who need blackout-free burst with fast, reliable tracking
- Sony FE system users who want a professional sports body
- Photographers interested in the camera that changed the industry
Quick take: These cameras are closely matched across the key specs below. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Lumix S5 II (2023) | A9 (2017) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,999 | £1,999 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP full-frame BSI CMOS | 24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 6K/30p, 4K/60p, C4K/60p, V-Log | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF with subject/face/eye detection | 693 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS (up to 6.5-stop with OIS lenses) | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronic / 7fps mechanical | 20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE) |
| Battery Life | 740 shots (CIPA) | ~650 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 740g body only | 673g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 134.3 × 102.3 × 90.1mm | 126.9 × 95.6 × 63.0mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 0.76" OLED EVF, 3.68M dots | EVF, OLED 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification, 60fps refresh (blackout-free) |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Leica L-mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II | Dual SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.1, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, HDMI |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Lumix S5 II | A9 |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Wedding & Events | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Wildlife | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
More comparisons with Lumix S5 II
Camera family history