Sony A9 vs Panasonic S1R

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Sony A9 vs Panasonic S1R

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35mm 847.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Sony A9 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A9.
Compare Sony A9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A9 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 A9 II
Compare A9 vs A9 II
Compare Sony A9 II vs Panasonic S1R

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Differences

Sony A9 advantages over Panasonic S1R

Less expensive
$2995* vs $4598
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 5.93 vs 4.30 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

650 vs 360 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
63 mm vs 96 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
673g vs 1020g
Lighter weight
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 9.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
364 vs 62 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 9.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
240 vs 39 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/16000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic S1R advantages over Sony A9

Slower slow-motion
180 fps vs 120 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
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
Less shutter lag
0.15 vs 0.22 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
47.3 vs 24.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots

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

Amazon
Adorama
Read A9 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read S1R User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A9

Body Only

All A9 Deals

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Buy the Panasonic S1R

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm lens

All S1R Deals

Review Excerpt

New sensor offers incredible performance; Excellent image quality at low & high ISOs; Very good dynamic range; Phenomenal 20fps burst speed & deep buffer; Very good battery life for a mirrorless; 4K video; Dual card slots.
Slow buffer clearing; Only one card slot is UHS-II compatible; Touchscreen underutilized; No lossless RAW compression option; No 4K/60p option.
Read our Sony A9 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 A7R II

Sony A9

Sony A7R II

$2995
35mm

Bigger pixels
Touchscreen

$2348
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A7R II

Panasonic S1R

Sony A7R II

$3698
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Touchscreen

$2348
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic S1R vs Sony A7R II

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$2995
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

Compare Sony A9 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 A7R III

Sony A9

Sony A7R III

$2995
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$2204
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A7R III

Panasonic S1R

Sony A7R III

$3698
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Top deck display

$2204
35mm

Less expensive
NFC

Compare Panasonic S1R vs Sony A7R III

Compared to Sony A7 III

Sony A9

Sony A7 III

$2995
35mm

Fast startup
Faster JPEG shooting

$1898
35mm

Less expensive
More dynamic range

Compare Sony A9 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 Sony A9 II

Sony A9

Sony A9 II

$2995
35mm

Less expensive

$4498
35mm

Newer

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A9 II

Panasonic S1R

Sony A9 II

$3698
35mm

Slower slow-motion
High resolution composite

$4498
35mm

Bigger pixels
NFC

Compare Panasonic S1R vs Sony A9 II

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