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Panasonic

Lumix S1

Original L-mount full-frame hybrid that launched the S series.

$2,499

Launch price

Released Feb 2019

vs
Alpha 7 IV

Sony

Alpha 7 IV

33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.

$2,499

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

Alpha 7 IV is 2.7 years newer.

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Wins

4categories

Lumix S1

Video & HybridPortrait

Wins

8categories

Alpha 7 IV

PortraitWildlife

6 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Lumix S1 wins 1 categories·Alpha 7 IV wins 4 categories
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 90 frames)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 225)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps)
  • ALumix S1 has higher EVF resolution (5,760,000 vs 3,686,400)
  • BAlpha 7 IV has lower Weight (658 g vs 1021 g)

Key specs at a glance

Lumix S1Alpha 7 IV
Resolution24.2 MP33 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max51,20051,200
Burst9 fps10 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBIS6-stop5.5-stop
Weight1021 g658 g
Battery400 shots580 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Lumix S1

149 × 110 × 97 mm

1021 g (2.25 lb / 36.01 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

Alpha 7 IV front view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 96 × 80 mm

658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)

Lumix S1 is 18mm wider, 14mm taller, and 17mm thicker than Alpha 7 IV.

Lumix S1 is 363 g heavier than Alpha 7 IV.

Depth (front-to-back): 97mm Lumix S1 · 80mm Alpha 7 IV

Back view, to scale

Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.

Lumix S1

149 × 110 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 7 IV back view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 96 mm

Top view, to scale

Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.

Lumix S1

149 × 97 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Alpha 7 IV top view

Alpha 7 IV

131 × 80 mm

Sensor size, to scale

Lumix S1

35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame

847 mm² area

Alpha 7 IV

35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

858 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Lumix S1: mount data unavailable

Alpha 7 IV

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

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

Use caseLumix S1Alpha 7 IV
Portrait
7.5Good
9.0Excellent✓ wins
Sports & Action
5.5Fair
6.5Good✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
8.5Excellent✓ wins
7.5Good
Landscape
7.0Good
7.5Good✓ wins
Travel
6.0Good
7.0Good✓ wins
Wildlife
4.0Fair
8.0Excellent✓ wins
Vlogging
5.5Fair
8.0Excellent✓ wins

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Lumix S1

  • AF low-light limit

    -6 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 148.9, 110, 96.7

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type B, XQD

  • Codecs

    Adds MOV, MP4, AVCHD

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Face, Eye

  • EVF resolution

    5,760,000 vs 3,686,400 — higher is better

  • IBIS effectiveness

    6 stops vs 5.5 stops — higher is better

  • AF frame coverage

    100 % vs 94 % — higher is better

Reasons to choose

Alpha 7 IV

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8

  • RAW buffer depth

    828 frames vs 90 frames — higher is better

  • AF points / zones

    759 vs 225 — higher is better

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Bird, Insect, Car/Train…

  • Max video bit rate

    600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps — higher is better

  • Codecs

    Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I

  • AA filter

    Only Alpha 7 IV supports it

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type A

Both cameras share

  • ISO min (native)Both 100
  • ISO max (native)Both 51,200
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • 4K max frame rateBoth 60 fps
  • Internal RAW videoBoth support internal raw video

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

Lumix S1

Pros

  • Rugged build
  • Dual slots
  • Strong video

Cons

  • Older AF
  • Heavy
  • Superseded by S5 II

Alpha 7 IV

Pros

  • 33MP — more detail for cropping and print
  • 10-bit 4K 60p (Super35 crop) / 4K 30p full-frame
  • Full-size HDMI port
  • 759 phase-detect AF points

Cons

  • 4K 60p requires Super35 crop
  • 10fps burst lags behind R6 II at 40fps
  • Complex menu system

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the Lumix S1 and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

Lumix S1
Alpha 7 IV
Resolution
24.2 MP
33 MP+36%
Sensor type
35mm Full-Frame CMOS
Full Frame Exmor R CMOS
Sensor size
35.6 x 23.8 mm
35.9 × 23.9 mm
AA filter
No
Yes
Lumix S1
Alpha 7 IV
Processor
Venus Engine
BIONZ XR
Lumix S1
Alpha 7 IV
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
51,200
51,200
ISO max (expanded)
204,800
204,800
Lumix S1
Alpha 7 IV
Shutter type
Focal-plane mechanical + electronic shutter
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for wildlife, Lumix S1 or Alpha 7 IV?

Alpha 7 IV scores 8.0/10 versus 4.0/10 for Lumix S1 — Bird AF subject recognition.

What's the resolution difference between the Lumix S1 and Alpha 7 IV?

Lumix S1 is 24.2 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the Lumix S1 and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?

Lumix S1 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the Lumix S1 or the Alpha 7 IV?

Lumix S1 reaches 9 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Lumix S1 and Alpha 7 IV?

Lumix S1 weighs 1021 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Alpha 7 IV is 363 g lighter.

Do the Lumix S1 and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?

Lumix S1: 6K (max), 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.

Are the Lumix S1 and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?

Lumix S1: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 400 shots (CIPA) for the Lumix S1 and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Alpha 7 IV the edge.

How much does each cost?

Both launched at $2,499.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way Lumix S1 vs Alpha 7 IV vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.

Product images courtesy of Panasonic and Sony press materials.