Lumix S9vs Z5
Lumix
Lumix S9 (2024)
Starting from £1299 new
Best for Travel photographers, content creators & L-mount entry buyers
View Lumix S9
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GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Travel Photographers, Content Creators & L-Mount Entry Buyers — Lumix S9 (2024): The most compact full-frame camera available — a perfect travel and content creation companion with brilliant colour science.
Entry-Level Full-Frame & Dslr Switchers — Z5 (2020): The most affordable route into full-frame Z — dual card slots, IBIS, and a capable sensor at an accessible price.
Who should buy what
Lumix S9 (2024)
- Travel photographers who want full-frame quality in the most compact package
- Content creators attracted to Real-time LUT and 10-bit video
- Photographers already in the L-mount ecosystem wanting a lightweight second body
- Lumix S5 II users who want something smaller for travel and casual shooting
Z5 (2020)
- DSLR photographers switching to full-frame mirrorless for the first time
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame image quality on a tighter budget
- Photographers stepping up from APS-C who don't need fast burst or 4K
- Z5 II shoppers on a budget — the original Z5 is now excellent value used
Quick take: The z5 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the z5 is the most affordable; only the z5 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Lumix S9 (2024) | Z5 (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,299 | £999 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 4K/60p (10-bit), C4K/60p, 1080p/240p | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF with subject recognition | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | IBIS — up to 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronic | 4.5fps |
| Battery Life | ~310 shots (CIPA) | ~470 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 413g (with battery) | 590g (with battery) |
| Dimensions | 124.6 × 73.9 × 52.8mm | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | None — rear screen only | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen (touch drag AF) | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Leica L mount | Nikon Z mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Dual SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Lumix S9 | Z5 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Street | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Sports | ||
| Everyday | — |
More comparisons with Lumix S9
Camera family history