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Panasonic LUMIX S1IIvsSony a1 II: Which Flagship Wins?

The Panasonic LUMIX S1II and Sony a1 II are high-end full-frame cameras built for demanding professionals. Choosing between them comes down to whether you prioritize high-resolution photography and longer battery life or advanced internal video recording and budget savings.

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Intro

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Best for

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Biggest differences

  • Continuous shooting (electronic)

    Panasonic LUMIX S1II leads

    2.33×

    higher is better

    • Panasonic LUMIX S1II70 fps
    • Sony a1 II30 fps

  • Effective pixels

    Sony a1 II leads

    2.08×

    higher is better

    • Panasonic LUMIX S1II24.1 MP
    • Sony a1 II50.1 MP

  • Launch price

    Panasonic LUMIX S1II leads

    2.03×

    lower is better

    • Panasonic LUMIX S1II3,199 USD
    • Sony a1 II6,499.99 USD

  • Viewfinder resolution

    Sony a1 II leads

    +64%

    higher is better

    • Panasonic LUMIX S1II5.76 M dots
    • Sony a1 II9.44 M dots

Where each one wins

  • Panasonic LUMIX S1II

    • Launch price
    • Native ISO maximum
    • Continuous shooting (electronic)
    • Pre-burst capture duration
    • 4K max frame rate
    • 4K max frame rate (full width)
    • Raw video recording
    • Width
    • Minimum operating temperature

  • Sony a1 II

    • Effective pixels
    • In-body image stabilization
    • Max video resolution
    • Viewfinder resolution
    • Viewfinder magnification
    • Screen size
    • Screen articulation
    • Rear screen resolution
    • Battery life
    • Weight
    • Height
    • Depth

What both have

  • High resolution pixel-shift mode✓
  • Sensor formatFull-frame
  • Continuous shooting (mechanical)10 fps
  • Max mechanical shutter speed8,000 1/s
  • Video bit depth10 bit
  • Log profile support✓
  • Memory card slots2 slots
  • Weather sealingDust and drip resistant
  • USB charging & power delivery✓
  • Headphone port✓
  • HDMI port typeFull-size

Every spec

Red marks the better value in each row.

SpecPanasonic LUMIX S1IISony a1 II
Overview

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Overview specs

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Release date2025-052024-121
Launch price3,199 USD6,499.99 USD
Lens mountL-MountSony E
High resolution pixel-shift modeYes2Yes3
Sensor & Image

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Sensor & Image specs

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Effective pixels24.1 MP50.1 MP
Sensor formatFull-frameFull-frame
Native ISO maximum51,200 ISO32,000 ISO
In-body image stabilization8 stops8.5 stops4
Sensor readout speed14.6 ms5Not published
Sensor typePartially-stacked CMOS—
Aspect ratios3:2, 4:3, 1:1, 16:9, 2:1, 65:243:2
Lens & Autofocus

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Lens & Autofocus specs

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Continuous shooting (mechanical)10 fps10 fps
Continuous shooting (electronic)70 fps30 fps
Max mechanical shutter speed8,000 1/s8,000 1/s
Pre-burst capture duration1.5 s1 s6
AF subject detectionHuman, animal, car, train, airplane, motorcycleHuman, animal, bird, insect, car, train, airplane
Video

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Video specs

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Max video resolution6K8K
4K max frame rate120 fps7119.88 fps8
Video codecsH.264, HEVC, ProRes 422, ProRes RAWH.264, HEVC
4K max frame rate (full width)60 fps959.94 fps10
Raw video recordingInternalExternal11
Video bit depth10 bit10 bit
Log profile supportYesYes
Video dynamic range (log)15 stopsNot published
Viewfinder & Screen

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Viewfinder & Screen specs

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Viewfinder resolution5.76 M dots9.44 M dots
Viewfinder magnification0.78 x0.9 x
Screen size3 in3.2 in
Screen articulationFully articulatedMulti-angle
Rear screen resolution1.84 M dots2.1 M dots
Handling & Power

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Handling & Power specs

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Battery life360 shots520 shots12
Memory card slots2 slots2 slots
Weather sealingDust and drip resistantDust and drip resistant13
Weight800 g743 g
Width134 mm136.1 mm
Height102 mm96.9 mm
Depth92 mm82.9 mm14
USB charging & power deliveryYesYes
Minimum operating temperature-10 °C0 °C
Headphone portYesYes
HDMI port typeFull-sizeFull-size
Notes on 14 values — test conditions and caveats
  1. 1Sony a1 II, Release date: Announced 19 November 2024; first retail availability was December 2024.
  2. 2Panasonic LUMIX S1II, High resolution pixel-shift mode: The full 96MP composite needs a tripod; handheld shooting caps at 48MP.
  3. 3Sony a1 II, High resolution pixel-shift mode: 4- or 16-shot pixel shift composites are merged with Sony's Imaging Edge Desktop PC software.
  4. 4Sony a1 II, In-body image stabilization: 8.5 stops is the CIPA centre rating; 7.0 stops at the periphery.
  5. 5Panasonic LUMIX S1II, Sensor readout speed: Measured by DPReview using the electronic shutter in 14-bit stills mode.
  6. 6Sony a1 II, Pre-burst capture duration: Pre-capture buffers between 0.03 s and 1 s of frames before full shutter press.
  7. 7Panasonic LUMIX S1II, 4K max frame rate: Maximum 120 fps in 4K requires recording in MOV format at a 24.00Hz system frequency.
  8. 8Sony a1 II, 4K max frame rate: 4K 100p/120p recording uses a 1.1x crop.
  9. 9Panasonic 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.
  10. 10Sony a1 II, 4K max frame rate (full width): Full-width 4K tops out at 59.94p; 4K 100/120p requires a 1.1x crop.
  11. 11Sony a1 II, Raw video recording: 16-bit RAW video can only be output over HDMI to an external recorder; no internal RAW recording.
  12. 12Sony a1 II, Battery life: CIPA rating is 520 shots per charge on the rear LCD; 420 shots with the viewfinder.
  13. 13Sony a1 II, Weather sealing: Sony specifies dust- and moisture-resistant sealing; no formal IP rating is published.
  14. 14Sony a1 II, Depth: Sony also lists 72.8 mm depth measured from grip to monitor, excluding the grip protrusion.

Image Quality and Resolution

The Sony a1 II delivers much higher detail for stills with its 50.1 MP sensor, compared to the 24.1 MP sensor on the Panasonic LUMIX S1II. Both cameras feature pixel-shift modes for capturing high-resolution composite images on a tripod.

When shooting in low light, the Panasonic gives you more flexibility with a native ISO maximum of 51,200, beating the Sony's 32,000 limit. The Sony counters with slightly superior image stabilization rated at 8.5 stops in the center, edging out the Panasonic's 8 stops.

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Image Quality and Resolution

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Speed and Autofocus

For action and wildlife, both models offer 10 fps mechanical shooting and comprehensive subject detection that covers humans, animals, cars, trains, and airplanes. The Sony adds bird and insect tracking for specialized wildlife work.

When switching to electronic shutters, the Panasonic surges ahead with a blistering 70 fps burst rate, while the Sony caps out at 30 fps. The Panasonic also wins on pre-burst capture duration, buffering for 1.5 seconds compared to the Sony's 1 second limit.

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Speed and Autofocus

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Video Capabilities

Videographers will find the Panasonic LUMIX S1II significantly more capable for internal workflows, supporting internal raw video recording in codecs like ProRes 422 and ProRes RAW. The Sony requires an external recorder over HDMI to capture 16-bit raw video.

The Panasonic also records 4K video at up to 120 fps without a crop at standard widths, whereas the Sony requires a 1.1x crop for high-frame-rate 4K. However, the Sony takes the lead in max resolution by supporting 8K video, while the Panasonic maxes out at 6K.

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Video Capabilities

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Handling and Battery

The Sony a1 II is lighter at 743 g and offers better battery endurance, delivering 520 shots per charge compared to the Panasonic LUMIX S1II and its 360-shot limit. The Sony also features a slightly larger, multi-angle rear screen with a higher 2.1 M dot resolution.

For extreme environments, the Panasonic operates in temperatures down to -10 °C, whereas the Sony is rated only to 0 °C. The Panasonic also costs thousands less at a launch price of $3,199 compared to the Sony's $6,499.99 tag.

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Handling and Battery

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The Verdict

Buy the Panasonic LUMIX S1II if you want internal raw video and fast electronic burst rates for half the price. Buy the Sony a1 II if you need high-resolution 50.1 MP photos, 8K video, and extended battery life.

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Verdict

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Where to buy

FAQ

Can both cameras record raw video internally?

No, only the Panasonic LUMIX S1II supports internal raw video recording. The Sony a1 II requires an external recorder connected via HDMI for 16-bit raw output.

Which camera has better battery life?

The Sony a1 II lasts longer, offering 520 shots per charge on the rear LCD compared to the Panasonic LUMIX S1II's 360-shot battery life.

Do both cameras support full-frame 4K at 120 fps?

The Panasonic LUMIX S1II supports 4K at 120 fps, though 120 fps recording requires specific system frequency settings and a 1.24x crop for maximum rates. The Sony a1 II also shoots 4K at up to 119.88 fps, but it incurs a 1.1x crop.

What is the weight difference between the two models?

The Sony a1 II is lighter at 743 g, while the Panasonic LUMIX S1II weighs 800 g.

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FAQ

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