• 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 50.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic S1 advantages over Sony A1

  • Less expensive
    $3398 vs $6498*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.93 vs 4.16 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Higher-res screen
    525k vs 360k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited 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 S1

  • Slower slow-motion
    240 fps vs 180 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 530 vs 380 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 6 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    737g vs 1021g
    Lighter weight
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.90x vs 0.78x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    50.1 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 8.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 9.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/8000 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic S1
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 24-105mm lens
All S1 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A1
Body Only
All A1 Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7R IV

Panasonic S1
Sony A7R IV
  • $2498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3331
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic S1 vs Sony A7R IV

Sony A1
Sony A7R IV
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer video battery life
  • $3331
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A7R IV

Compared to Leica SL2

Panasonic S1
Leica SL2
  • $2498
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $6395
  • 35mm
  • Thinner
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic S1 vs Leica SL2

Sony A1
Leica SL2
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $6395
  • 35mm
  • High resolution composite
  • Top deck display

Compare Sony A1 vs Leica SL2

Compared to Canon R5

Panasonic S1
Canon R5
  • $2498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic S1 vs Canon R5

Sony A1
Canon R5
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon R5

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Panasonic S1
Nikon Z7 II
  • $2498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2497
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic S1 vs Nikon Z7 II

Sony A1
Nikon Z7 II
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $2497
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Top deck display

Compare Sony A1 vs Nikon Z7 II

Compared to Sony A7R V

Panasonic S1
Sony A7R V
  • $2498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3900
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic S1 vs Sony A7R V

Sony A1
Sony A7R V
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer video battery life
  • $3900
  • 35mm
  • High resolution composite
  • Newer

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A7R V

Compare Other Cameras?