Lumix S5vs A7R III

GearFrame · Updated March 2026

Lumix Lumix S5 Lumix Lumix S5 (2020) Starting from £1699 new Best for Professional video & hybrid shooting View Lumix S5
VS
Sony A7R III Sony A7R III (2017) Starting from £1799 new Best for Landscape, studio & commercial photography View A7R III

GearScore™ Verdict — 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.

Landscape, Studio & Commercial Photography — A7R III (2017): The camera that converted professionals to mirrorless — 42MP, IBIS, and 10fps in a body that still competes today.

↓ Full specifications below

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

A7R III (2017)

  • Landscape and studio photographers who need 42MP resolution at a used-price discount vs A7R IV
  • Canon/Nikon DSLR professionals considering a mirrorless switch at a lower investment
  • Commercial and product photographers who want full-frame resolution with IBIS for handheld work
  • Portrait photographers who want the sharpest possible full-frame files for large print work

Quick take: The a7r iii has the highest resolution at 42mp; the lumix s5 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.

Full specifications

Specification Lumix S5 (2020)A7R III (2017)
Price £1,699 £1,799
Sensor 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS 42.4MP full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS
Resolution 24.2MP 42.4MP
Video 4K/60p 10-bit V-Log/HLG, 5.9K anamorphic, 1080p/180p slow-motion 4K/30p (full-frame readout), 1080p/120p
Autofocus Contrast AF (DFD Technology), face/eye detection 399 phase-detect + 425 contrast AF points — real-time Eye AF
Stabilisation 6.5-stop IBIS (dual IBIS with Lumix S lenses) 5-axis IBIS — 5.5 stops
Burst Rate 7fps mechanical, 9fps electronic (AFS) 10fps with AF/AE tracking
Battery Life ~470 shots (CIPA) ~650 shots (CIPA)
Weight 714g (body, battery, card) 650g body only
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, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification
Screen 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.84M dots 3.0" touchscreen, tilting
Mount Leica L-mount Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount)
Memory Cards Dual SD UHS-II Dual SD slots (one UHS-II)
Connectivity USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1), full-size HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack
Genre Lumix S5A7R III
Video
9.0
Portrait
9.0
9.0
Travel
7.0
Street
7.0
7.0
Wildlife
4.0
Landscape
9.0
Vlogging & Video
7.0
Wedding
7.0
Sports
4.0
⚡ Compare specs side by side Lumix S5 prices → A7R III prices →

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