• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 51,200
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 50.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GH5S advantages over Sony A1

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $1798 vs $4998
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    600 vs 165 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 102400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A1 advantages over Panasonic GH5S

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer video battery life
    150 vs 60 minutes
    Capture more video
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 530 vs 440 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/400 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    4 years vs 7 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.90x vs 0.76x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    50.1 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 11.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 12.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/16000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GH5S
Body Only
All GH5S Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A1
Body Only
All A1 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent video quality; Very good high ISO performance; Cinema 4K & UHD video up to 60p; Full HD up to 240p; 10-bit internal video recording; Tons of features & options for advanced/pro videographers.

  • 10MP resolution is limiting for still photos; No in-body image stabilization; Slower AF than GH5; Buffer clearing could be faster; No 6K Photo features due to sensor resolution.

  • Read our Panasonic GH5S Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GH5

Panasonic GH5S
Panasonic GH5
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH5S vs Panasonic GH5

Sony A1
Panasonic GH5
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A1 vs Panasonic GH5

Compared to Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5S
Panasonic G9
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $965
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH5S vs Panasonic G9

Sony A1
Panasonic G9
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $965
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A1 vs Panasonic G9

Compared to Sony A7R IV

Panasonic GH5S
Sony A7R IV
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $3120
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH5S vs Sony A7R IV

Sony A1
Sony A7R IV
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer video battery life
  • $3120
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A7R IV

Compared to Olympus E-M1 Mark III

Panasonic GH5S
Olympus E-M1 Mark III
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1649
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite

Compare Panasonic GH5S vs Olympus E-M1 Mark III

Sony A1
Olympus E-M1 Mark III
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1649
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A1 vs Olympus E-M1 Mark III

Compared to Canon R5

Panasonic GH5S
Canon R5
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH5S vs Canon R5

Sony A1
Canon R5
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon R5

Compare Other Cameras?