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Panasonic LUMIX S1 vs Sony Alpha 7R III

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

PanasonicLUMIX S1SonyAlpha 7R III
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2019November 2017
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeCMOSBack-illuminated Exmor R CMOS
Sensor dimensions35.6 × 23.8 mm35.9 × 24 mm
Effective resolution24.2 MP42.4 MP
Largest image6000 × 40007952 × 5304
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–51200100–32000
Sensor detail24.2 million effective and 25.28 million total pixels; primary colour filter and supersonic wave dust filter. High-resolution mode combines eight exposures into 12000×8000 composite files, not native single-shot resolutionApproximately 43.6 million total pixels; 3:2 back-illuminated sensor without an optical low-pass filter. Pixel Shift Multi Shooting combines four exposures into a 7952 × 5304 output, not a higher pixel-count still image; requires a static camera/subject and computer processing.
Image formatsJPEG, RAW and HLG PhotoJPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.3, compressed or uncompressed RAW. Maker launch footnote limits compressed RAW continuous shooting, Bulb and long-exposure noise reduction to 12-bit output; other supported modes allow 14-bit.
ISO detailStandard ISO 100–51200, expanded ISO 50/102400/204800; maker firmware 2.0 adds Dual Native ISO Setting. Photography Blog's introductory ISO 80 conflicts with its own later ISO 50 discussion and the maker; not adoptedStandard still-image ISO 100–32000; expanded ISO 50–102400.
Image processorVenus EngineBIONZ X and front-end LSI.
Lens and shooting
Lens mountL-MountSony E-mount
StabilisationLens and sensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst9 fps10 fps
AutofocusContrast AF with DFD, human/animal detection, tracking and 225-area selection; firmware adds head recognition and tracking improvementsFast Hybrid AF with 399 full-frame phase-detection points and 425 contrast points; Eye AF supported. Phase-point coverage differs with APS-C lenses and crop modes.
ShutterMechanical, electronic front curtain and electronic modes; maker rated shutter life approximately 400000 imagesFocal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/8000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second. Electronic first curtain and silent shooting supported.
Burst detailNative 9 fps AFS/MF; mechanical/electronic front curtain 6 fps AFC or electronic 5 fps AFC. Maker buffer more than 90 RAW, 70 RAW+JPEG or 999 JPEG with Sony XQD G-series card. Reduced-resolution video-derived 6K/4K Photo modes are separateUp to approximately 10 fps in Hi+ with AF/AE tracking using mechanical or silent shutter; up to approximately 8 fps with live view in Hi. Maker buffer claims 76 compressed RAW/JPEG or 28 uncompressed RAW frames under Sony test conditions with UHS-II SDXC; actual speed depends on settings and lens compatibility.
Stabilisation detailFive-axis Body I.S.; firmware 1.2 dated 9 July 2019 raises maker rating from 5.5 to 6 stops with S-X50 at 50 mm. Compatible-lens Dual I.S. 2 rises from 6 to 6.5 stops with S-R24105 at 105 mm or S-R70200 at 200 mm, CIPA yaw/pitchFive-axis sensor shift; Sony claims 5.5 stops under CIPA pitch/yaw conditions with Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA and long-exposure noise reduction off. Correction depends on lens compatibility.
Video
Highest video resolution3840 × 2160 at 60 fps3840 × 2160 at 30 fps
Video detailOptional 5952×3968 6K at maker-labelled 24p requires optional DMW-SFU2 software-key activation and firmware 2.0 dated 6 April 2021; 4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP 200 Mbps. The upgrade also enables 5.9K30/25/24p, 5.4K30/25p, C4K modes and external 12-bit RAW with compatible recorder. Standard launch body offers UHD 3840×2160 up to 60p in 8-bit; 4K60 uses crop and a 30-minute clip limit. Higher-quality internal 10-bit, V-Log and associated advanced modes require the appropriate software-key upgrade; not included in the standard body configurationJapanese specification lists XAVC S 4K at 30p or 24p and up to 100 Mbps; headline maximum reflects Japanese/NTSC mode. Super 35mm recording provides full-pixel readout without binning; full-frame 4K is a separate mode. HLG, S-Log2 and S-Log3; 8-bit 4:2:2 HDMI output. Full HD 120p is a lower-resolution mode.
AudioStereo microphone and monaural speaker; microphone/line input, headphone monitoring and optional DMW-XLR1Stereo microphone; 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets.
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3.2″3″
Screen dots2,100,0001,440,000
TouchscreenYesYes
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailThree-point-two-inch 3:2 capacitive touchscreen approximately 2.1 million dots with triaxial tilt; separate top status LCDTFT LCD tilts approximately 107° up and 41° down; touch focus/touchpad operation supported. This is the original ILCE-7RM3's 1,440,000-dot panel, not the later ILCE-7RM3A display.
Viewfinder detailOLED approximately 5.76 million dots, 100% coverage and 0.78× with 50 mm lens at infinity, −1 dioptre and 3:2 ratio; 60/120 fps display0.5-inch electronic viewfinder with 3,686,400 dots, 100% coverage and approximately 0.78× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; selectable 60/120 fps display.
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
BluetoothYes–
Battery life (maker's claim)400 photographs650 photographs
Body weight899 g572 g
Release detailMaker Japan confirms 23 March 2019 sale; headline month avoids assuming an exact UK day. Advanced recording firmware and optional-key requirements are separate from original release specifications. No inferred direct successor across co-sold S1/S5 generationsSony Japan specifies 25 November 2017 for the ILCE-7RM3 body; this is the Japanese sale date, not a UK release claim. Reservations began earlier and are not the release date.
Recording mediaSlot 1 XQD with CFexpress support through firmware 1.3 or later; slot 2 SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I/UHS-II including V90Two media slots; slot 1 supports UHS-II SD, while the other supports SD/Memory Stick. Simultaneous, relay and separate-media recording supported.
PortsUSB-C SuperSpeed USB 3.1 Gen 1, full-size HDMI Type A, 2.5 mm remote and 3.5 mm microphone/line/headphone connectionsUSB Type-C with SuperSpeed USB 3.1 Gen 1, Multi/Micro USB, Micro HDMI, microphone and headphone sockets, sync terminal and Multi Interface Shoe.
Wireless connectionsWi-Fi 2.4/5 GHz and Bluetooth Low Energy 4.2; 5 GHz subject to regional availabilityWi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHz and NFC.
Battery life detailMaker 7.4 V 3050 mAh 23 Wh pack. CIPA with S-R24105 and SD approximately 400 LCD/380 EVF shots; with XQD 380 LCD/360 EVF. One-second power-save EVF 1150 SD/1100 XQD is conditional, not headlineNP-FZ100; CIPA approximately 650 photographs using the LCD or 530 using the viewfinder. In-camera charging and power via USB Type-C or Multi/Micro USB.
ChargingUSB charging/power and dedicated charger–
DimensionsApproximately 148.9 × 110.0 × 96.7 mm, excluding protrusionsApproximately 126.9 × 95.6 × 73.7 mm (width × height × maximum depth); grip-to-monitor depth 62.7 mm.
Weight detailApproximately 899 g body only, 1016 g with SD/battery or 1020 g with XQD/battery; lens excludedApproximately 572 g body only; 657 g with battery and memory card; lens excluded.
MaterialsDust/splash-resistant construction, not waterproof; recommended −10 to 40 °CMagnesium-alloy body; dust- and moisture-resistant design does not guarantee protection against ingress.
In the boxMaker Japan lists body cap, hot-shoe cover, eyecup, flash-sync cap, battery-grip contact cover, shoulder strap, cable holder, battery, charger, AC adapter, mains cable and USB C–C/A–C cables; regional contents varyPower cord, NP-FZ100 battery, cable protector, BC-QZ1 charger, shoulder strap, body cap, accessory shoe cap, eyepiece cup and USB Type-C cable, according to Sony Japan.

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