Lumix S9vs A7 IV
Lumix
Lumix S9 (2024)
From £1299
Best for Travel photographers, content creators & L-mount entry buyers
View Lumix S9
VS
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.
Portrait & Wedding Photography — A7 IV (2021): The full-frame portrait benchmark — 33MP, AI Eye AF, and exceptional skin-tone rendering in a pro-grade hybrid body.
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
A7 IV (2021)
- Working photographers who want a reliable full-frame all-rounder
- Portrait, wedding, and event photographers needing 33MP and fast AF
- A7 III owners ready for a major upgrade in resolution, AF, and video
- Hybrid shooters who want 4K/60p and 33MP stills in one dependable body
Quick take: The a7 iv has the highest resolution at 33mp; the lumix s9 is the most affordable; only the a7 iv is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Lumix S9 (2024) | A7 IV (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,299 | £2,299 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 33MP Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 33.0MP |
| Video | 4K/60p (10-bit), C4K/60p, 1080p/240p | 4K/60p oversampled, 10-bit internal, S-Log3, S-Cinetone |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF with subject recognition | 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronic | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic |
| Battery Life | ~310 shots (CIPA) | ~580 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 413g (with battery) | 659g body only |
| Dimensions | 124.6 × 73.9 × 52.8mm | 131.3 × 96.4 × 79.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | None — rear screen only | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen (touch drag AF) | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen |
| Mount | Leica L mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Dual slots: CFexpress Type A + SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Lumix S9 | A7 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Street | — | |
| Portrait | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Sports | — | |
| Studio Portraits | — | |
| Outdoor Portraits | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
More comparisons with Lumix S9
Camera family history