Lumix S5vs A7 III
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.
All-Round Photography & Video — A7 III (2018): Still one of the best all-round cameras money can buy — particularly strong used. The A7 III proved that full-frame doesn't have to mean compromises, and nothing at this price point has meaningfully beaten it.
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
A7 III (2018)
- Enthusiast photographers upgrading from APS-C for the first time
- Working photographers who need reliable AF and weather sealing
- Anyone who shoots in low light regularly
- Hybrid shooters needing both stills and video performance
Quick take: These cameras are closely matched across the key specs below. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Lumix S5 (2020) | A7 III (2018) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,699 | £1,699 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 24.2MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 4K/60p 10-bit V-Log/HLG, 5.9K anamorphic, 1080p/180p slow-motion | 4K/30p (6K oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Contrast AF (DFD Technology), face/eye detection | Phase-detect, 693 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF |
| Stabilisation | 6.5-stop IBIS (dual IBIS with Lumix S lenses) | 5-axis IBIS, 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 7fps mechanical, 9fps electronic (AFS) | 10fps with AF/AE tracking |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~710 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 714g (body, battery, card) | 565g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 132.6 × 97.1 × 81.9mm | 126.9 × 95.6 × 73.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.84M dots | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Leica L-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II | Dual SD (UHS-II slot 1, UHS-I slot 2) |
| Connectivity | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1), full-size HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C (USB 3.2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
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