Lumix
S9 2024
Best for Travel photographers, content creators & L-mount entry buyers
£999
new today at Wex Photo Video
Decision tools · Compare
S9 vs A5100
Quick take: The A5100 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A5100 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·16 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Verdictwhich should you buy?
S9 — Travel Photographers, Content Creators & L-Mount Entry Buyers: The most compact full-frame camera available — a perfect travel and content creation companion with brilliant colour science.
A5100 — Casual & Travel: The A5100 is one of the smallest APS-C mirrorless cameras ever made. Its 24MP sensor, phase-detect AF, and selfie-friendly flip screen pack remarkable capability into a shirt-pocket-sized body. No EVF or hot shoe limits it for serious use, but as a compact travel camera or beginner's first mirrorless, it punches well above its price on the used market.
Who should buy what
S9 (2024)
is the right camera for you if…
- 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
A5100 (2014)
is the right camera for you if…
- Beginners stepping up from a smartphone
- Compact travel photographers
- Casual vloggers who want APS-C quality
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | S9Lumix · 2024 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £102 usedBest |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.3MPBest |
| Video | 4K/60p (10-bit), C4K/60p, 1080p/240p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Phase-hybrid AF with subject recognition | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronicBest | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~310 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 403g (body only) | 224g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 124.6 × 73.9 × 52.8mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | None — rear screen only | No viewfinder |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen (touch drag AF) | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Leica L mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
S9
A5100
Portrait
7.3/10
5.4/10
Street
6.9/10
7.0/10
Travel
6.2/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
6.0/10
3.5/10
Vlogging & Video
7.0/10
4.7/10
Filmmaking
7.0/10
—
Documentary
6.9/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
6.4/10
4.7/10
Landscape
6.5/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
6.7/10
5.5/10
Casual
6.3/10
5.2/10
Food
7.6/10
5.9/10
Macro
8.1/10
5.2/10
Architecture
7.1/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
7.6/10
4.7/10
Fun & simple
4.7/10
4.9/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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