Sony A7 II vs Panasonic S1R

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Sony A7 II vs Panasonic S1R

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35mm 855.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A7 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7 II.
Compare Sony A7 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7 II conclusion.

35mm 864.0mm²
47.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic S1R Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic S1R in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the S1R.
Compare Panasonic S1R image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic S1R conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A7 III
Compare A7 II vs A7 III
Compare Sony A7 III vs Panasonic S1R

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Differences

Sony A7 II advantages over Panasonic S1R

Less expensive
$1598 vs $4598
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 vs 4.30 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
Thinner
59 mm vs 96 mm
Thinner
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic S1R advantages over Sony A7 II

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
S1R test data on DxO Mark A7 II test data on DxO Mark

3,525 vs 2,449 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More telephoto lens reach
105 mm vs 70 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Newer
6 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
525k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Less shutter lag
0.15 vs 0.22 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.71x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
47.3 vs 24.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 28 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
9.6 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.6 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 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
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7 II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read S1R User Reviews

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Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 28-70mm Lens

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Buy the Panasonic S1R

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm lens

All S1R Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization; Sensor-shift IS brings stabilization to nearly any lens; Much-improved ergonomics and top-deck control layout; 'Mark II' maintains same impressive image quality, dynamic range and high ISO performance; XAVC S 50Mbps video format; Faster start-up time; Hybrid AF performs well with good continuous AF.
(Similar to A7): Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Battery life could be better; Low-light AF still not as good as most DSLRs; High ISO JPEGs look over-processed; Slow buffer clearing; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses (but it's getting better).
Read our Sony A7 II Review

Excellent high-resolution image quality; Good high ISO performance; Very fast single-shot autofocus; 4K 60p video; IBIS; Weather-sealing & comfortable ergonomics.
Contrast-detect AF system can struggle with fast-moving subjects; Burst shooting with C-AF is only 6fps; Sluggish buffer clearing; 4K video limited to 15min; Big & heavy; Expensive.
Read our Panasonic S1R Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7

Sony A7 II

Sony A7

$1148
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization

$748
35mm

Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7

Panasonic S1R

Sony A7

$3698
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

$748
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic S1R vs Sony A7

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A7 II

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$1148
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Panasonic S1R

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$3698
35mm

Slower slow-motion
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic S1R vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Sony A9

Sony A7 II

Sony A9

$1148
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$2995
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A9

Panasonic S1R

Sony A9

$3698
35mm

Slower slow-motion
High resolution composite

$2995
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic S1R vs Sony A9

Compared to Sony A7 III

Sony A7 II

Sony A7 III

$1148
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$1898
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7 III

Panasonic S1R

Sony A7 III

$3698
35mm

Slower slow-motion
High resolution composite

$1898
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic S1R vs Sony A7 III

Compared to Nikon Z6

Sony A7 II

Nikon Z6

$1148
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$1396
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Nikon Z6

Panasonic S1R

Nikon Z6

$3698
35mm

Slower slow-motion
High resolution composite

$1396
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic S1R vs Nikon Z6

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