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Panasonic LUMIX S1 vs Sony Alpha 7R IV

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

PanasonicLUMIX S1SonyAlpha 7R IV
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2019September 2019
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeCMOSBack-illuminated Exmor R CMOS
Sensor dimensions35.6 × 23.8 mm35.7 × 23.8 mm
Effective resolution24.2 MP61 MP
Largest image6000 × 40009504 × 6336
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 62.5 million total pixels; 3:2 sensor. Pixel Shift Multi Shooting combines 16 exposures into a 19008 × 12672 image using Imaging Edge on a computer; requires a stationary camera and subject. This is separate from the normal single-shot resolution.
Image formatsJPEG, RAW and HLG PhotoJPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.3 compressed or uncompressed RAW.
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 567 full-frame phase-detection points and 425 contrast points; phase points cover approximately 74% of the image. Real-time tracking and human/animal Eye AF for stills; human Eye AF in movies. APS-C point counts differ.
ShutterMechanical, electronic front curtain and electronic modes; maker rated shutter life approximately 400000 images–
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; approximately 8 fps in Hi. Sony lists 68 compressed RAW or 30 uncompressed RAW frames under its test conditions. Speed and buffer depend on settings and lens; some lenses need firmware updates.
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.
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 uses full-pixel readout without binning with a narrower field of view; 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. Multi Interface Shoe supports digital audio with compatible accessories.
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 and touchpad operation. Original ILCE-7RM4 has 1,440,000 dots; the later ILCE-7RM4A has a different 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 5,760,000 dots, 100% coverage and approximately 0.78× magnification; selectable 60/120 fps display.
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
BluetoothYesYes
Battery life (maker's claim)400 photographs670 photographs
Body weight899 g580 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 6 September 2019 for ILCE-7RM4; this is the Japanese on-sale date, not a UK release claim. July reservations preceded sale.
Recording mediaSlot 1 XQD with CFexpress support through firmware 1.3 or later; slot 2 SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I/UHS-II including V90Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots, both supporting UHS-II; simultaneous, relay and separate-media recording.
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, 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 802.11a/b/g/n/ac at 2.4/5 GHz, NFC and Bluetooth smartphone connection.
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 670 photographs with LCD or 530 with viewfinder; USB charging and power supported.
ChargingUSB charging/power and dedicated charger–
DimensionsApproximately 148.9 × 110.0 × 96.7 mm, excluding protrusionsApproximately 128.9 × 96.4 × 77.5 mm (width × height × maximum depth); grip-to-monitor depth 67.3 mm.
Weight detailApproximately 899 g body only, 1016 g with SD/battery or 1020 g with XQD/battery; lens excludedApproximately 580 g body only; 665 g with battery and memory card; lens excluded.
MaterialsDust/splash-resistant construction, not waterproof; recommended −10 to 40 °C–
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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