Lumix S5vs A1
Which should you buy?
Professional Video & Hybrid Shooting — Lumix S5 (2020): The S5 is an outstanding video camera that also takes excellent stills. 10-bit 4K/60p, dual native ISO and 6.5-stop IBIS in a weather-sealed body is a compelling package. The contrast-detect AF is its main weakness vs Sony and Canon — but for controlled shooting it doesn't hold it back.
Professional Sport, Wildlife, Portrait & Hybrid Shooting — A1 (2021): 50MP, 30fps, 8K — the Sony A1 is the most complete professional camera ever made.
Who should buy what
Lumix S5 (2020)
- Videographers who need 10-bit colour science in a full-frame body
- Photographers who shoot video as a second discipline
- Studio photographers who want full-frame IBIS at a lower price
- L-mount system users building a versatile kit
A1 (2021)
- 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
Quick take: The a1 has the highest resolution at 50mp; the lumix s5 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Lumix S5 (2020) | A1 (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,699 | £5,999 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 50.1MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 50.1MP |
| Video | 4K/60p 10-bit V-Log/HLG, 5.9K anamorphic, 1080p/180p slow-motion | 8K/30p, 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Contrast AF (DFD Technology), face/eye detection | Real-time Tracking, AI subject recognition — 759 phase-detect points |
| Stabilisation | 6.5-stop IBIS (dual IBIS with Lumix S lenses) | IBIS — up to 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 7fps mechanical, 9fps electronic (AFS) | 30fps electronic with full AF/AE |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~430 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 714g (body, battery, card) | 737g (with battery) |
| Dimensions | 132.6 × 97.1 × 81.9mm | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification | EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification, 240fps |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.84M dots | 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 (USB 3.2 Gen 1), full-size HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, Ethernet, HDMI |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Lumix S5 | A1 |
|---|---|---|
| Video | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Wildlife | ||
| Sports | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Wedding | — |
More comparisons with Lumix S5
Camera family history