Lumix S9vs FX3
Lumix
Lumix S9 (2024)
Starting from £1299 new
Best for Travel photographers, content creators & L-mount entry buyers
View Lumix S9
Sony
FX3 (2021)
Starting from £3799 new
Best for Professional video, documentary & cinematic filmmaking
View FX3
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.
Professional Video, Documentary & Cinematic Filmmaking — FX3 (2021): The definitive run-and-gun cinema camera — A7S III sensor quality in a body built specifically for video professionals.
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
FX3 (2021)
- Professional videographers and filmmakers who need cinema-quality colour science in a compact body
- Documentary and run-and-gun shooters who need 4K/120p and built-in XLR audio
- Sony A7S III owners who want a purpose-built video body alongside their stills camera
- Gimbal and drone operators who need a compact full-frame cinema camera
Quick take: The lumix s9 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the lumix s9 is the most affordable; only the fx3 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Lumix S9 (2024) | FX3 (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,299 | £3,799 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS (same as A7S III) |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/60p (10-bit), C4K/60p, 1080p/240p | 4K/120p, 4K/60p 10-bit, 12-bit RAW output, S-Log3, S-Cinetone |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF with subject recognition | Real-time tracking with subject recognition (human, animal) |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | 5-axis IBIS — 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronic | 10fps mechanical, 10fps electronic |
| Battery Life | ~310 shots (CIPA) | ~640 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 413g (with battery) | 715g body only (with XLR handle) |
| Dimensions | 124.6 × 73.9 × 52.8mm | 129.7 × 78.0 × 84.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | None — rear screen only | None — monitor/external EVF use only |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen (touch drag AF) | 3.0" touchscreen, fully articulating |
| Mount | Leica L mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C (10Gbps), full-size HDMI, XLR via handle, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Lumix S9 | FX3 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Street | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Wedding | — |
More comparisons with Lumix S9
Camera family history