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Panasonic LUMIX S1IIvsSony a7 IV: Which Full-Frame Camera Wins?

The Panasonic LUMIX S1II and Sony a7 IV are advanced full-frame mirrorless cameras built for demanding visual creators. While both feature dual memory card slots and weather-sealed bodies, they diverge sharply in video capabilities, electronic burst speeds, and cost.

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Intro

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Best for

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Biggest differences

  • Continuous shooting (electronic)

    Panasonic LUMIX S1II leads

    7×

    higher is better

    • Panasonic LUMIX S1II70 fps
    • Sony a7 IV10 fps

  • Battery life

    Sony a7 IV leads

    +61%

    higher is better

    • Panasonic LUMIX S1II360 shots
    • Sony a7 IV580 shots

  • Viewfinder resolution

    Panasonic LUMIX S1II leads

    +56%

    higher is better

    • Panasonic LUMIX S1II5.76 M dots
    • Sony a7 IV3.69 M dots

  • 4K max frame rate

    Panasonic LUMIX S1II leads

    2×

    higher is better

    • Panasonic LUMIX S1II120 fps
    • Sony a7 IV60 fps

Features not all of them have

High resolution pixel-shift mode

  • Panasonic LUMIX S1II✓
  • Sony a7 IV✕

Where each one wins

  • Panasonic LUMIX S1II

    • High resolution pixel-shift mode
    • In-body image stabilization
    • Sensor type
    • Continuous shooting (electronic)
    • Max video resolution
    • 4K max frame rate
    • 4K max frame rate (full width)
    • Raw video recording
    • Viewfinder resolution
    • Screen size
    • Rear screen resolution
    • Minimum operating temperature

  • Sony a7 IV

    • Launch price
    • Effective pixels
    • Battery life
    • Weight
    • Width
    • Height
    • Depth

What both have

  • Sensor formatFull-frame
  • Native ISO maximum51,200 ISO
  • Continuous shooting (mechanical)10 fps
  • Max mechanical shutter speed8,000 1/s
  • Video bit depth10 bit
  • Log profile support✓
  • Video dynamic range (log)15 stops
  • Viewfinder magnification0.78 x
  • Screen articulationFully articulated
  • 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 a7 IV
Overview

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Overview specs

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Release date2025-052021-10
Launch price3,199 USD2,499.99 USD
Lens mountL-MountSony E
High resolution pixel-shift modeYes1No
Sensor & Image

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Sensor & Image specs

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Effective pixels24.1 MP33 MP
Sensor formatFull-frameFull-frame
Native ISO maximum51,200 ISO51,200 ISO2
In-body image stabilization8 stops5.5 stops3
Sensor readout speed14.6 ms4Not published
Sensor typePartially-stacked CMOSCMOS
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 fps5
Continuous shooting (electronic)70 fps10 fps
Max mechanical shutter speed8,000 1/s8,000 1/s
Pre-burst capture duration1.5 sNot published
AF subject detectionHuman, animal, car, train, airplane, motorcycleHuman, animal, bird
Video

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Video specs

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Max video resolution6K4K
4K max frame rate120 fps660 fps7
Video codecsH.264, HEVC, ProRes 422, ProRes RAWH.264, HEVC
4K max frame rate (full width)60 fps830 fps9
Raw video recordingInternalNone10
Video bit depth10 bit10 bit
Log profile supportYesYes
Video dynamic range (log)15 stops15 stops11
Viewfinder & Screen

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Viewfinder & Screen specs

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Viewfinder resolution5.76 M dots3.69 M dots
Viewfinder magnification0.78 x0.78 x
Screen size3 in2.95 in12
Screen articulationFully articulatedFully articulated
Rear screen resolution1.84 M dots1.04 M dots13
Handling & Power

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Handling & Power specs

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Battery life360 shots580 shots14
Memory card slots2 slots2 slots
Weather sealingDust and drip resistantDust and drip resistant15
Weight800 g658 g
Width134 mm131.3 mm
Height102 mm96.4 mm
Depth92 mm69.7 mm16
USB charging & power deliveryYesYes17
Minimum operating temperature-10 °C0 °C
Headphone portYesYes
HDMI port typeFull-sizeFull-size
Notes on 17 values — test conditions and caveats
  1. 1Panasonic LUMIX S1II, High resolution pixel-shift mode: The full 96MP composite needs a tripod; handheld shooting caps at 48MP.
  2. 2Sony a7 IV, Native ISO maximum: Native range tops out at ISO 51200; 50-204800 requires expanded ISO settings.
  3. 3Sony a7 IV, In-body image stabilization: CIPA rating measured with the 50mm F1.4 ZA test lens attached.
  4. 4Panasonic LUMIX S1II, Sensor readout speed: Measured by DPReview using the electronic shutter in 14-bit stills mode.
  5. 5Sony a7 IV, Continuous shooting (mechanical): 10 fps applies to compressed RAW/JPEG/HEIF; drops to 6 fps for lossless or uncompressed RAW.
  6. 6Panasonic LUMIX S1II, 4K max frame rate: Maximum 120 fps in 4K requires recording in MOV format at a 24.00Hz system frequency.
  7. 7Sony a7 IV, 4K max frame rate: 4K 60p is only available in Super35mm crop; full-frame 4K tops out at 30p.
  8. 8Panasonic 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.
  9. 9Sony a7 IV, 4K max frame rate (full width): 4K 60p requires the Super35mm crop; full-width 4K is limited to 30p.
  10. 10Sony a7 IV, Raw video recording: No internal or external raw recording; HDMI output tops out at 10-bit 4:2:2.
  11. 11Sony a7 IV, Video dynamic range (log): Sony's claim for S-Log3 per internal tests; stated as 15+ stops.
  12. 12Sony a7 IV, Screen size: Sony rates the panel at 2.95in (3.0-type); most sources round to 3in.
  13. 13Sony a7 IV, Rear screen resolution: 1,036,800 dots; Sony's retail pages round this to 1.03 megadots.
  14. 14Sony a7 IV, Battery life: 580 shots per charge with the rear LCD; 520 with the EVF.
  15. 15Sony a7 IV, Weather sealing: Dust and moisture resistant but not IP-rated; Sony does not guarantee 100% sealing.
  16. 16Sony a7 IV, Depth: Sony lists 79.8mm total depth; 69.7mm is measured from front grip to rear monitor.
  17. 17Sony a7 IV, USB charging & power delivery: Charging and USB power delivery work only through the USB Type-C port.

Video Capabilities

The Panasonic LUMIX S1II leaps ahead for filmmakers by capturing footage at up to 6K resolution and internal raw recording. It reaches 4K at 120 fps, though this mode introduces a 1.24x sensor crop and requires a 24.00Hz system frequency.

By comparison, the Sony a7 IV tops out at 4K resolution. Shooting 4K at 60 fps on the Sony requires a Super35mm crop, limiting full-width 4K recording to 30 fps, and it lacks internal or external raw video support.

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Video Capabilities

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Performance and Speed

For capturing rapid motion, the Panasonic camera hits 70 fps using its electronic shutter. Its partially-stacked CMOS sensor delivers a fast 14.6 ms readout speed, minimizing rolling shutter artifacts in fast-moving scenes.

The Sony a7 IV matches mechanical burst speeds at 10 fps for compressed formats, but drops to 6 fps when switching to lossless or uncompressed RAW files. Its electronic shutter burst caps out at 10 fps.

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Performance and Speed

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Handling and Body Design

The Sony a7 IV prioritizes portability, weighing 658 g for a lighter kit during long shooting days. It also achieves longer battery life, offering 580 shots per charge when using the rear LCD screen.

Panasonic counters with superior physical protection, rated down to -10 °C for extreme cold weather use. Its in-body stabilization provides 8 stops of compensation, outperforming the Sony's 5.5-stop CIPA rating.

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Handling and Body Design

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The Verdict

Buy the Panasonic LUMIX S1II if you need professional 6K video, internal raw recording, and blazing electronic burst speeds. Buy the Sony a7 IV if you prefer a lighter body with greater battery longevity at a lower starting price of $2,499.99.

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Verdict

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FAQ

Can both cameras shoot high-resolution photos using pixel-shift?

Yes, the Panasonic LUMIX S1II includes a high-resolution pixel-shift mode reaching 96MP on a tripod or 48MP handheld. The Sony a7 IV does not offer this feature.

What lens mounts do these cameras use?

The Panasonic LUMIX S1II uses the L-Mount system, while the Sony a7 IV uses the Sony E mount.

Do both cameras feature fully articulated screens?

Yes, both models feature fully articulated rear screens to assist with awkward angles and vlogging.

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FAQ

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