📷 Cameras 🔭 Lenses 🎒 Accessories 🏷 Brands

Lumix S5vs A9

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 A9 Sony A9 (2017) Starting from £1999 new Best for Professional sports, wildlife & action photography View A9

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.

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.

↓ 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

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: The lumix s5 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.

Full specifications

Specification Lumix S5 (2020)A9 (2017)
Price £1,699 £1,999
Sensor 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS 24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS
Resolution 24.2MP 24.2MP
Video 4K/60p 10-bit V-Log/HLG, 5.9K anamorphic, 1080p/180p slow-motion 4K/30p, 1080p/120p
Autofocus Contrast AF (DFD Technology), face/eye detection 693 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking
Stabilisation 6.5-stop IBIS (dual IBIS with Lumix S lenses) IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops
Burst Rate 7fps mechanical, 9fps electronic (AFS) 20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE)
Battery Life ~470 shots (CIPA) ~650 shots (CIPA)
Weight 714g (body, battery, card) 673g (with battery and card)
Dimensions 132.6 × 97.1 × 81.9mm 126.9 × 95.6 × 63.0mm
Weather Sealed Yes Yes
Viewfinder EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification EVF, OLED 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification, 60fps refresh (blackout-free)
Screen 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.84M dots 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 (USB 3.2 Gen 1), full-size HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth USB, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, HDMI
Genre Lumix S5A9
Video
9.0
Portrait
9.0
9.0
Travel
7.0
7.0
Street
7.0
Wildlife
4.0
9.0
Sports & Action
9.0
Wedding & Events
9.0
Vlogging & Video
4.0

GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →

⚡ Compare specs side by side Lumix S5 prices → A9 prices →

More comparisons with Lumix S5

Camera family history