Panasonic Lumix S S5 II Black 2023
Sony Alpha a7 III Black 2018
What Buyers Say
Panasonic Lumix S S5 II Black 2023
The Panasonic Lumix S5II is overwhelmingly praised as a fantastic hybrid camera that finally brings phase-detect autofocus to the L-mount lineup. Users highlight its excellent video features, including a fan for unlimited recording, great stabilization, and beautiful color science, all at a very competitive price. A few long-term users report a shutter button issue, and some note the limited lens selection compared to Sony, but the vast majority consider it the best value full-frame camera under $2,000.
Pros
- Excellent phase-detect autofocus
- Great video quality and codecs
- Internal fan prevents overheating
- Outstanding image stabilization
- Beautiful color science
Cons
- Shutter button issue after extended use
- Limited lens selection compared to Sony
- APS-C crop in 4K 60p
- Rolling shutter at fast pans
- External monitor disables internal display info
Sony Alpha a7 III Black 2018
The Sony A7 III is widely praised as a versatile full-frame mirrorless camera that delivers excellent image quality, fast autofocus, and strong low-light performance. Users appreciate its lightweight design, intuitive controls, and value for money, making it a popular choice for both hobbyists and professionals. However, a few reviewers note the non-articulating screen, outdated menu system, and occasional missing battery or software frustrations. Overall, it remains a highly recommended hybrid camera for photography and videography.
Pros
- Excellent image quality
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Great low-light performance
- Lightweight and portable design
- Good battery life
Cons
- Non-articulating screen
- Outdated menu system
- Missing battery in some kits
- Software issues
- Hard to find accessories
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix S S5 II | Sony Alpha a7 III | |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | ||
| Type | CMOS | 35.6 x 23.8 mm (Full-Frame) CMOS★ |
| Size | full-frame | full-frame |
| Megapixels | 24.200000762939453 MP | 25.299999237060547 MP★ |
| ISO Range | 100 | 100 |
| Processor | L2 | BIONZ X |
| Autofocus | ||
| AF Points | No data | |
| AF Type | Photo, VideoContrast Detection, Phase Detection: 779 | AF-A (Automatic AF), AF-S (Single-shot AF), AF-C (Continuous AF) |
| Eye AF | ✓★ | — |
| Animal AF | ✓★ | — |
| Subject Detection | ✓★ | — |
| Shooting | ||
| Burst (Mechanical) | 30 fps★ | 10 fps |
| Burst (Electronic) | 30 fps★ | — |
| Max Shutter | 1/8000 | 1/8000 |
| Electronic Shutter | ✓ | ✓ |
| Video | ||
| Max Resolution | 6K★ | 4K |
| 4K FPS | 60 fps★ | — |
| 1080p FPS | 100 fps★ | — |
| 10-bit | ✓★ | — |
| Log Profile | ✓★ | — |
| RAW Video | ✓★ | — |
| Codec | H.264/H.265/MOV/MP4/ProRes 4:2:2/4:2:0 8/10-Bit | H.264 |
| Display & EVF | ||
| Screen Size | 3" | 3" |
| Touchscreen | ✓ | ✓ |
| Articulating | ✓★ | ✗ |
| EVF Resolution | 3.7M dots★ | — |
| Build | ||
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.66 kg | 0.65 kg★ |
| Battery Life | 370 shots★ | — |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB | USB-C | USB-C |
| HDMI | HDMI Output | Micro HDMI★ |
| Hot Shoe | ✓ | ✓ |
Pros & Cons
Panasonic Lumix S S5 II Black 2023
- Strong display (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong build (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong connectivity (96th percentile)96th %ile
Sony Alpha a7 III Black 2018
- Strong social proof (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong connectivity (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong build (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (81st percentile)81st %ile
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 10 of 10 usage categories and 15 of 33 specs.