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Panasonic LUMIX S1IIvsNikon Z9: Which to Buy
Both are full-frame mirrorless cameras with in-body stabilization, dual card slots, weather sealing, log profiles, and internal raw video. The Nikon Z9 pushes resolution and video ceiling for a price; the Panasonic LUMIX S1II undercuts it substantially while adding stabilization and a pixel-shift high-resolution mode.
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- MOST WINS
PanasonicBest for Hybrid shooters who want stabilization, 6K, and a lighter budget-friendly body
12of 21 specs better - Nikon
Best for High-resolution stills and 8K video shooters who need battery life and bird detection
9of 21 specs better
Biggest differences
Continuous shooting (electronic)
Panasonic LUMIX S1II leads
3.5×
higher is better
- Panasonic LUMIX S1II70 fps
- Nikon Z920 fps
Battery life
Nikon Z9 leads
2.06×
higher is better
- Panasonic LUMIX S1II360 shots
- Nikon Z9740 shots
Max mechanical shutter speed
Nikon Z9 leads
4×
higher is better
- Panasonic LUMIX S1II8,000 1/s
- Nikon Z932,000 1/s
Effective pixels
Nikon Z9 leads
+90%
higher is better
- Panasonic LUMIX S1II24.1 MP
- Nikon Z945.7 MP
Features not all of them have
High resolution pixel-shift mode
- Panasonic LUMIX S1II✓
- Nikon Z9✕
Where each one wins
Panasonic LUMIX S1II
- Launch price
- High resolution pixel-shift mode
- Native ISO maximum
- In-body image stabilization
- Continuous shooting (electronic)
- Pre-burst capture duration
- 4K max frame rate (full width)
- Viewfinder resolution
- Screen articulation
- Weight
- Width
- Height
Nikon Z9
- Effective pixels
- Sensor type
- Max mechanical shutter speed
- Max video resolution
- Viewfinder magnification
- Screen size
- Rear screen resolution
- Battery life
- Depth
What both have
- Sensor formatFull-frame
- 4K max frame rate120 fps
- Raw video recordingInternal
- Video bit depth10 bit
- Log profile support✓
- Memory card slots2 slots
- Weather sealingDust and drip resistant
- USB charging & power delivery✓
- Minimum operating temperature-10 °C
- Headphone port✓
- HDMI port typeFull-size
Every spec
Red marks the better value in each row.
| Spec | Panasonic LUMIX S1II | Nikon Z9 |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Release date | 2025-05 | 2021-12 |
| Launch price | 3,199 USD | 5,500 USD |
| Lens mount | L-Mount | Nikon Z |
| High resolution pixel-shift mode | Yes1 | No |
| Sensor & Image | ||
| Effective pixels | 24.1 MP | 45.7 MP |
| Sensor format | Full-frame | Full-frame |
| Native ISO maximum | 51,200 ISO | 25,600 ISO |
| In-body image stabilization | 8 stops | 6 stops2 |
| Sensor readout speed | 14.6 ms3 | Not published |
| Sensor type | Partially-stacked CMOS | Stacked CMOS |
| Aspect ratios | 3:2, 4:3, 1:1, 16:9, 2:1, 65:24 | — |
| Lens & Autofocus | ||
| Continuous shooting (mechanical) | 10 fps | Not published |
| Continuous shooting (electronic) | 70 fps | 20 fps |
| Max mechanical shutter speed | 8,000 1/s | 32,000 1/s |
| Pre-burst capture duration | 1.5 s | 1 s4 |
| AF subject detection | Human, animal, car, train, airplane, motorcycle | Human, animal, bird, car, train, airplane, motorcycle |
| Video | ||
| Max video resolution | 6K | 8K |
| 4K max frame rate | 120 fps5 | 120 fps |
| Video codecs | H.264, HEVC, ProRes 422, ProRes RAW | H.264, HEVC, ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes RAW, N-RAW |
| 4K max frame rate (full width) | 60 fps6 | 30 fps |
| Raw video recording | Internal | Internal |
| Video bit depth | 10 bit | 10 bit |
| Log profile support | Yes | Yes |
| Video dynamic range (log) | 15 stops | Not published |
| Viewfinder & Screen | ||
| Viewfinder resolution | 5.76 M dots | 3.69 M dots |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.78 x | 0.8 x |
| Screen size | 3 in | 3.2 in |
| Screen articulation | Fully articulated | Tilting |
| Rear screen resolution | 1.84 M dots | 2.1 M dots |
| Handling & Power | ||
| Battery life | 360 shots | 740 shots |
| Memory card slots | 2 slots | 2 slots |
| Weather sealing | Dust and drip resistant | Dust and drip resistant |
| Weight | 800 g | 1,340 g |
| Width | 134 mm | 149 mm |
| Height | 102 mm | 149.5 mm |
| Depth | 92 mm | 90.5 mm |
| USB charging & power delivery | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum operating temperature | -10 °C | -10 °C |
| Headphone port | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI port type | Full-size | Full-size |
Notes on 6 values — test conditions and caveats
- 1Panasonic LUMIX S1II, High resolution pixel-shift mode: The full 96MP composite needs a tripod; handheld shooting caps at 48MP.
- 2Nikon Z9, In-body image stabilization: The 6.0-stop rating requires Synchro VR, combining in-body 5-axis VR with 2-axis lens VR on compatible lenses.
- 3Panasonic LUMIX S1II, Sensor readout speed: Measured by DPReview using the electronic shutter in 14-bit stills mode.
- 4Nikon Z9, Pre-burst capture duration: Pre-Release Capture is only available in the C30 and C120 high-speed frame capture modes.
- 5Panasonic LUMIX S1II, 4K max frame rate: Maximum 120 fps in 4K requires recording in MOV format at a 24.00Hz system frequency.
- 6Panasonic LUMIX S1II, 4K max frame rate (full width): 4K at 120fps requires an approximate 1.24x sensor crop; 60fps is the fastest at full sensor width.
Sensor and stills resolution
The Z9's 45.7MP sensor gives you room to crop and still print large, which matters for wildlife, sports, and any shoot where you cannot get closer. The S1II's 24.1MP files are smaller and faster to work through, and its 96MP pixel-shift composite recovers detail lost to the lower pixel count.
That composite has a catch: the full 96MP result needs a tripod, and handheld pixel-shift tops out at 48MP. So the S1II only matches the Z9's native resolution in controlled conditions. For handheld high-resolution work, the Z9 wins on convenience.
Video
The Z9 records 8K and holds 4K at 30 fps across the full sensor width. The S1II tops out at 6K but pushes full-width 4K to 60 fps, and can reach 120 fps with roughly a 1.24x crop.
For slow-motion and smoother full-width 4K, the S1II is the more flexible tool. For the highest capture resolution and a wider safety margin when reframing in post, the Z9 is the pick. Both record internal raw at 10-bit, and the S1II adds ProRes 422 alongside its ProRes RAW support.
Autofocus and burst speed
Both cameras detect humans, animals, cars, trains, airplanes, and motorcycles. The Z9 adds bird detection, which is a real advantage for wildlife shooters who frequently frame small, fast subjects.
The S1II reaches 70 fps with the electronic shutter and offers 1.5 seconds of pre-burst capture; the Z9's 20 fps is slower on paper, and its pre-burst window is 1 second and only available in specific high-speed modes. For action photographers who want the longest buffer of frames before the decisive moment, the S1II's pre-burst is easier to use.
Stabilization and viewfinder
The S1II's 8-stop in-body stabilization beats the Z9's 6-stop rating, and that Z9 figure only applies with Synchro VR on compatible lenses. If you shoot handheld at slow shutter speeds, the S1II gives you more latitude without a tripod.
The S1II's viewfinder is denser at 5.76M dots, while the Z9's magnification is slightly higher and its rear screen larger and sharper. Both are comfortable; the S1II's fully articulated screen helps for vlogging and awkward angles, while the Z9 tilts only.
Battery, size, and price
The Z9 is a much larger, heavier body at 1,340g versus 800g, and its 740-shot battery rating roughly doubles the S1II's 360 shots. That size and endurance suit long event days and tripod work; the S1II is far easier to carry all day.
At $3,199 versus $5,500, the S1II leaves a significant budget for lenses and accessories. The Z9's price reflects its resolution, 8K video, and battery life.
The Verdict
Buy the Panasonic LUMIX S1II if you want strong stabilization, 6K video with 120 fps 4K slow motion, and a lighter, far cheaper body. Buy the Nikon Z9 if you need 45.7MP stills, 8K capture, and all-day battery life in one camera. The S1II suits hybrid shooters and handheld work; the Z9 suits high-resolution stills and demanding video productions.
Where to buy
Panasonic LUMIX S1II
Best for Hybrid shooters who want stabilization, 6K, and a lighter budget-friendly body
Nikon Z9
Best for High-resolution stills and 8K video shooters who need battery life and bird detection
FAQ
Which camera has better image stabilization?
The Panasonic LUMIX S1II is rated at 8 stops, ahead of the Nikon Z9's 6 stops, and the Z9 figure only applies with Synchro VR on compatible lenses.
Does the Panasonic LUMIX S1II shoot 8K?
No. Its maximum resolution is 6K; the Nikon Z9 is the one that records 8K.
Can the S1II shoot 4K at 120 fps without a crop?
No. Full-width 4K tops out at 60 fps on the S1II; reaching 120 fps requires roughly a 1.24x sensor crop and MOV recording at a 24.00Hz system frequency.
Which camera has better battery life?
The Nikon Z9, rated at 740 shots versus 360 for the Panasonic LUMIX S1II.
Do both cameras record raw video internally?
Yes. Both record raw video internally at 10-bit depth.
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