Panasonic
Lumix S5
Compact affordable L-mount full-frame for hybrid shooters.
$1,799
Released Sep 2020
Sony
Alpha 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Released Oct 2021
Alpha 7 IV is 1.2 years newer.
Wins
Lumix S5
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
5 categories tied
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TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 24 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)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher EVF resolution (3,686,400 vs 2,360,000)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 7 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Lumix S5
133 × 97 × 82 mm
714 g (1.57 lb / 25.19 oz)
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
Lumix S5 is 1mm wider, 1mm taller, and 2mm thicker than Alpha 7 IV.
Lumix S5 is 56 g heavier than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 82mm Lumix S5 · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Sensor size, to scale
Lumix S5
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 S5: mount data unavailable
Alpha 7 IV
✓ 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 S5
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 132.6, 97.1, 81.9
Subject recognition
Adds Face, Eye
Codecs
Adds MOV, MP4
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I
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 24 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 AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Lumix S5
Pros
- ✓Compact FF
- ✓Dual slots
- ✓Good video
Cons
- –DFD AF only
- –Older now
- –24MP
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
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, Lumix S5 or Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 7 IV scores 8.0/10 versus 4.0/10 for Lumix S5 — Bird AF subject recognition.
What's the resolution difference between the Lumix S5 and Alpha 7 IV?
Lumix S5 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 S5 and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
Lumix S5 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization, while alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Lumix S5 or the Alpha 7 IV?
Lumix S5 reaches 7 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Lumix S5 and Alpha 7 IV?
Lumix S5 weighs 714 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Alpha 7 IV is 56 g lighter.
Do the Lumix S5 and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
Lumix S5: 6K (max), 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Lumix S5 and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
Lumix S5: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 470 shots (CIPA) for the Lumix S5 and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Alpha 7 IV the edge.
How much does each cost?
Lumix S5 launched at $1,799 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Lumix S5 is $700 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Panasonic and Sony press materials.