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Panasonic

Lumix S5D

Refreshed compact full-frame S5 with 24.2MP sensor, V-Log, 4K 60p, and 5.9K RAW output.

$1,399

Launch price

Released Oct 2024

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

Lumix S5D is 3 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

Lumix S5D

PortraitVlogging

Wins

11categories

Alpha 7 IV

PortraitWildlife

5 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Lumix S5D wins 0 categories·Alpha 7 IV wins 5 categories
  • 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

Lumix S5DAlpha 7 IV
Resolution24.2 MP33 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max51,20051,200
Burst7 fps10 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBIS5-stop5.5-stop
Weight714 g658 g
Battery470 shots580 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Lumix S5D

133 × 97 × 82 mm

714 g (1.57 lb / 25.19 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 S5D is 1mm wider, 1mm taller, and 2mm thicker than Alpha 7 IV.

Lumix S5D is 56 g heavier than Alpha 7 IV.

Depth (front-to-back): 82mm Lumix S5D · 80mm Alpha 7 IV

Back view, to scale

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

Lumix S5D

133 × 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 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 S5D

133 × 82 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 S5D

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 S5D: 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 S5DAlpha 7 IV
Portrait
8.5Excellent
9.0Excellent✓ wins
Sports & Action
5.5Fair
6.5Good✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good
7.5Good✓ wins
Landscape
7.0Good
7.5Good✓ wins
Travel
7.0Good
7.0Good
Wildlife
4.0Fair
8.0Excellent✓ wins
Vlogging
8.0Excellent
8.0Excellent

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Lumix S5D

  • 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 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 S5D

Pros

  • Compact full-frame body
  • V-Log included
  • 5.9K RAW HDMI output
  • Dual SD slots

Cons

  • Contrast AF era
  • 4K 60p crop
  • Older body design

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 S5D and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

Lumix S5D
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 S5D
Alpha 7 IV
Processor
Venus Engine
BIONZ XR
Lumix S5D
Alpha 7 IV
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
51,200
51,200
ISO max (expanded)
204,800
204,800
Lumix S5D
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 S5D or Alpha 7 IV?

Alpha 7 IV scores 8.0/10 versus 4.0/10 for Lumix S5D — Bird AF subject recognition.

What's the resolution difference between the Lumix S5D and Alpha 7 IV?

Lumix S5D 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 S5D and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?

Lumix S5D 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 S5D or the Alpha 7 IV?

Lumix S5D reaches 7 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Lumix S5D and Alpha 7 IV?

Lumix S5D weighs 714 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Alpha 7 IV is 56 g lighter.

Do the Lumix S5D and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?

Lumix S5D: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.

Are the Lumix S5D and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?

Lumix S5D: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 470 shots (CIPA) for the Lumix S5D and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Alpha 7 IV the edge.

How much does each cost?

Lumix S5D launched at $1,399 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Lumix S5D is $1,100 less.

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

Add any camera to get a three-way Lumix S5D 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.