Panasonic
Lumix G97
Updated Micro Four Thirds hybrid with 20.3MP sensor, V-Log L, 5-axis Dual I.S. 2, and 4K video.
$849
Released Dec 2024
Sony
Alpha 7R VI
66.8MP fully-stacked full-frame high-resolution body with 30fps bursts, 8K 30p, 4K 120p, and Sony's new BIONZ XR2 engine.
$4,499
Released Jun 2026
Alpha 7R VI is 1.5 years newer.
Wins
Lumix G97
Wins
Alpha 7R VI
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7R VI has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 49)
- BAlpha 7R VI has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 100 Mbps)
- BAlpha 7R VI has higher RAW buffer depth (150 frames vs 27 frames)
- BAlpha 7R VI has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- BAlpha 7R VI has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 2,360,000)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Lumix G97
130 × 94 × 77 mm
530 g (1.17 lb / 18.70 oz)
Alpha 7R VI
133 × 97 × 83 mm
713 g (1.57 lb / 25.15 oz)
Lumix G97 is 2mm narrower, 3mm shorter, and 6mm thinner than Alpha 7R VI.
Lumix G97 is 183 g lighter than Alpha 7R VI.
Depth (front-to-back): 77mm Lumix G97 · 83mm Alpha 7R VI
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Lumix G97
130 × 94 mm
Alpha 7R VI
133 × 97 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Lumix G97
130 × 77 mm
Alpha 7R VI
133 × 83 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Lumix G97
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
Alpha 7R VI
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
3.8× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Lumix G97
Micro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
Alpha 7R VI
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Lumix G97
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 130.4, 93.5, 77.4
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
Codecs
Adds MP4
Weather sealing
Only Lumix G97 supports it
Weight
530 g vs 713 g — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Face
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7R VI
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 132.7, 96.9, 82.9
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SDXC UHS-II
AF points / zones
759 vs 49 — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 100 Mbps — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
150 frames vs 27 frames — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓In-body stabilization — Both support in-body stabilization
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Lumix G97
Pros
- ✓20.3MP MFT sensor
- ✓V-Log L
- ✓5-axis Dual I.S. 2
- ✓Weather resistant
Cons
- –Contrast AF
- –Single card slot
- –MFT sensor
Alpha 7R VI
Pros
- ✓66.8MP fully-stacked Exmor RS sensor
- ✓30fps blackout-free electronic burst
- ✓8K 30p and 4K 120p video
- ✓8.5-stop in-body stabilization
- ✓9.44M-dot HDR OLED EVF
Cons
- –Very expensive
- –Large files demand fast cards and storage
- –8K workflow can be heavy
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, Lumix G97 or Alpha 7R VI?
Alpha 7R VI scores 7.5/10 versus 2.5/10 for Lumix G97 — 66.8MP — massive detail for large prints.
What's the resolution difference between the Lumix G97 and Alpha 7R VI?
Lumix G97 is 20.3 MP and Alpha 7R VI is 66.8 MP, so the Alpha 7R VI captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Lumix G97 and Alpha 7R VI have in-body image stabilization?
Lumix G97 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization, while alpha 7R VI has in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Lumix G97 or the Alpha 7R VI?
Lumix G97 reaches 9 fps electronic. Alpha 7R VI reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Lumix G97 and Alpha 7R VI?
Lumix G97 weighs 530 g and Alpha 7R VI weighs 713 g, so the Lumix G97 is 183 g lighter.
Do the Lumix G97 and Alpha 7R VI record 4K video?
Lumix G97: 4K up to 30p. Alpha 7R VI: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the Lumix G97 and Alpha 7R VI weather sealed?
Lumix G97: Yes. Alpha 7R VI: No.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 300 shots (CIPA) for the Lumix G97 and 600 shots for the Alpha 7R VI, giving the Alpha 7R VI the edge.
How much does each cost?
Lumix G97 launched at $849 and Alpha 7R VI at $4,499. The Lumix G97 is $3,650 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Panasonic and Sony press materials.