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Sony A7S II vs Panasonic GH5s

The Sony Alpha 7S II and the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5s are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in September 2015 and January 2018. Both the A7S II and the GH5s are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are based on a full frame (A7S II) and a Four Thirds (GH5s) sensor. The Sony has a resolution of 12 megapixels, whereas the Panasonic provides 9.9 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Sony A7S II
versus
Panasonic GH5s
Sony A7S II   Panasonic GH5s
Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
Sony E mount lenses Micro Four Thirds lenses
12 MP – Full Frame sensor 9.9 MP – Four Thirds sensor
4K/30p Video 4K/60p Video
ISO 100-102,400 (50 - 409,600) ISO 160-51,200 (80 - 204,800)
Electronic viewfinder (2400k dots) Electronic viewfinder (3680k dots)
3.0" LCD – 1229k dots 3.2" LCD – 1620k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen) Swivel touchscreen
5 shutter flaps per second 12 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilizationLens stabilization only
Weathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
370 shots per battery charge440 shots per battery charge
127 x 96 x 60 mm, 627 g 139 x 98 x 87 mm, 660 g
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Check A7S II offers at
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Check GH5s price at
amazon.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Sony Alpha 7S II and the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5s? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Sony A7S II and the Panasonic GH5s are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Sony A7S II vs Panasonic GH5s
Compare A7S II versus GH5s top
Comparison A7S II or GH5s rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic GH5s is notably larger (12 percent) than the Sony A7S II. Moreover, the GH5s is markedly heavier (5 percent) than the A7S II. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Sony FE Lens Catalog (A7S II) and the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog (GH5s). Mirrorless cameras, such as the two under consideration, have the additional advantage of having a short flange to focal plane distance, which makes it possible to mount many lenses from other systems onto the camera via adapters.

Concerning battery life, the A7S II gets 370 shots out of its Sony NP-FW50 battery, while the GH5s can take 440 images on a single charge of its Panasonic DMW-BLF19 power pack. The power pack in the A7S II can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony A7S II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 627 g 370 Y Sep 2015 2,999ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic GH5s 139 mm 98 mm 87 mm 660 g 440 Y Jan 2018 2,499 amazon.com
3.
 
Panasonic GH5 139 mm 98 mm 87 mm 725 g 410 Y Jan 2017 1,999ebay.com
4.
 
Panasonic FZ300 132 mm 92 mm 117 mm 691 g 380 Y Jul 2015 599 amazon.com
5.
 
Panasonic GH4 133 mm 93 mm 84 mm 560 g 500 Y Feb 2014 1,499ebay.com
6.
 
Panasonic GH3 133 mm 93 mm 82 mm 550 g 540 Y Sep 2012 1,299ebay.com
7.
 
Panasonic G2 124 mm 84 mm 74 mm 428 g 360 n Mar 2010 599ebay.com
8.
 
Sony A7 IV 131 mm 96 mm 80 mm 659 g 580 Y Oct 2021 2,499 amazon.com
9.
 
Sony A7R IIIA 127 mm 96 mm 74 mm 650 g 650 Y Apr 2021 3,199 amazon.com
10.
 
Sony A7R IVA 129 mm 96 mm 78 mm 665 g 670 Y Apr 2021 3,499 amazon.com
11.
 
Sony A7S III 127 mm 97 mm 81 mm 699 g 600 Y Jul 2020 3,499 amazon.com
12.
 
Sony A7R IV 129 mm 96 mm 78 mm 665 g 670 Y Jul 2019 3,499ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A7R III 127 mm 96 mm 74 mm 650 g 650 Y Oct 2017 3,199ebay.com
14.
 
Sony A99 II 143 mm 104 mm 76 mm 849 g 490 Y Sep 2016 3,199ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A7R II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 625 g 290 Y Jun 2015 3,199ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A7 II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 599 g 350 Y Nov 2014 1,999ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A7S 127 mm 94 mm 48 mm 489 g 380 Y Apr 2014 2,499ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The GH5s was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 17 percent) than the A7S II, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Sony A7S II features a full frame sensor and the Panasonic GH5s a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the GH5s is 73 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 2.0. The sensor in the A7S II has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the GH5s offers a 4:3 aspect.

Sony A7S II and Panasonic GH5s sensor measures

With 12MP, the A7S II offers a higher resolution than the GH5s (9.9MP), but the A7S II nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 8.40μm versus 4.77μm for the GH5s) due to its larger sensor. However, the GH5s is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 3 months) than the A7S II, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the GH5s has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony A7S II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A7S II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 21.2 x 14.2 inches or 53.8 x 36 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 17 x 11.3 inches or 43.1 x 28.8 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 14.1 x 9.4 inches or 35.9 x 24 cm. The corresponding values for the Panasonic GH5s are 18.4 x 13.5 inches or 46.7 x 34.3 cm for good quality, 14.7 x 10.8 inches or 37.4 x 27.4 cm for very good quality, and 12.3 x 9 inches or 31.2 x 22.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Sony Alpha 7S II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 102400, which can be extended to ISO 50-409600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5s are ISO 160 to ISO 51200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-204800.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

A7S II versus GH5s MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Sony A7S II Full Frame 12.0 4240 28324K/30p23.613.3299385
2.
 
Panasonic GH5s Four Thirds 9.9 3680 27004K/60p23.112.8115474
3.
 
Panasonic GH5 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/60p23.913.080777
4.
 
Panasonic FZ300 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30004K/30p19.311.09738
5.
 
Panasonic GH4 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34564K/30p23.212.879174
6.
 
Panasonic GH3 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60p22.712.481271
7.
 
Panasonic G2 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 3000720/30p21.210.349353
8.
 
Sony A7 IV Full Frame 32.7 7008 46724K/60p25.414.7337997
9.
 
Sony A7R IIIA Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.014.73523100
10.
 
Sony A7R IVA Full Frame 60.2 9504 63364K/30p26.014.8334499
11.
 
Sony A7S III Full Frame 12.0 4240 28324K/120p23.713.9252086
12.
 
Sony A7R IV Full Frame 60.2 9504 63364K/30p26.014.8334499
13.
 
Sony A7R III Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.014.73523100
14.
 
Sony A99 II Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p25.413.4231792
15.
 
Sony A7R II Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.013.9343498
16.
 
Sony A7 II Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.913.6244990
17.
 
Sony A7S Full Frame 12.0 4240 28321080/60p23.913.2370287
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the GH5s provides a faster frame rate than the A7S II. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/60p, while the Sony is limited to 4K/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The two cameras under review are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the GH5s offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the A7S II (3680k vs 2400k dots). The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Sony A7S II and Panasonic GH5s along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Sony A7S II2400 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
2.
 
Panasonic GH5s3680 n3.2 / 1620 swivel Y 1/8000s 12.0/s n n
3.
 
Panasonic GH53680 n3.2 / 1620 swivel Y 1/8000s 12.0/s n Y
4.
 
Panasonic FZ3001440 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
5.
 
Panasonic GH42359 n3.0 / 1036 swivel Y 1/8000s 12.0/s Y n
6.
 
Panasonic GH31746 n3.0 / 614 swivel Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
7.
 
Panasonic G21440 n3.0 / 460 swivel Y 1/4000s 2.6/s Y n
8.
 
Sony A7 IV3686 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
9.
 
Sony A7R IIIA3686 n3.0 / 2340 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
10.
 
Sony A7R IVA5760 n3.0 / 2340 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
11.
 
Sony A7S III9440 n3.0 / 1440 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
12.
 
Sony A7R IV5760 n3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
13.
 
Sony A7R III3686 n3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
14.
 
Sony A99 II2400 Y3.0 / 1229 full-flex n 1/8000s 12.0/s n Y
15.
 
Sony A7R II2400 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
16.
 
Sony A7 II2400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
17.
 
Sony A7S2400 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One feature that differentiates the A7S II and the GH5s is in-body image stabilization (IBIS). The A7S II reduces the risk of handshake-induced blur with all attached lenses, while the GH5s offers no blur reduction with lenses that themselves do not provide optical image stabilization.

The GH5s has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the A7S II does not have a selfie-screen.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Panasonic GH5s has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The A7S II writes its imaging data to SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards, while the GH5s uses SDXC cards. The GH5s features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the A7S II only has one slot. The GH5s supports UHS-II cards (on both slots), while the A7S II can use UHS-I cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Sony Alpha 7S II and Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5s and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Sony A7S IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
2.
 
Panasonic GH5sYstereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
3.
 
Panasonic GH5Ystereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
4.
 
Panasonic FZ300Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
5.
 
Panasonic GH4Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
6.
 
Panasonic GH3Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0Y--
7.
 
Panasonic G2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
8.
 
Sony A7 IVYstereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
9.
 
Sony A7R IIIAYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2YYY
10.
 
Sony A7R IVAYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2YYY
11.
 
Sony A7S IIIYstereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
12.
 
Sony A7R IVYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1YYY
13.
 
Sony A7R IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1YYY
14.
 
Sony A99 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YYY
15.
 
Sony A7R IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
16.
 
Sony A7 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
17.
 
Sony A7SYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
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Studio photographers will appreciate that the Panasonic GH5s (unlike the A7S II) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

The GH5s is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Panasonic. In contrast, the A7S II has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the A7S II was succeeded by the Sony A7S III. Further information on the features and operation of the A7S II and GH5s can be found, respectively, in the Sony A7S II Manual (free pdf) or the online Panasonic GH5s Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Sony A7S II and the Panasonic GH5s? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Arguments in favor of the Sony Alpha 7S II:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (12 vs 9.9MP) with a 12% higher linear resolution.
  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
  • Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
  • More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.78x vs 0.76x).
  • More compact: Is smaller (127x96mm vs 139x98mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in September 2015).

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Advantages of the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5s:

  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (4K/60p versus 4K/30p).
  • More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (3680k vs 2400k dots).
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1620k vs 1229k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (12 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (440 versus 370) out of a single battery charge.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.1 vs 2.0).
  • More solid recording: Has a full-sized HDMI port for a sturdy connection to an external recorder.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
  • More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment (17 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 2 years and 3 months of technical progress since the A7S II launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the GH5s is the clear winner of the contest (19 : 12 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

A7S II 12:19 GH5s

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Sony A7S II and the Panasonic GH5s place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the A7S II or the GH5s perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony A7S II5/5+....4.5/55/5 Sep 2015 2,999ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic GH5s....4.5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2018 2,499 amazon.com
3.
 
Panasonic GH54.5/5+ +..85/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2017 1,999ebay.com
4.
 
Panasonic FZ300..+ +....4.5/54.5/5 Jul 2015 599 amazon.com
5.
 
Panasonic GH45/5+ +..85/1005/55/5 Feb 2014 1,499ebay.com
6.
 
Panasonic GH35/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 1,299ebay.com
7.
 
Panasonic G2......72/1004/54.5/5 Mar 2010 599ebay.com
8.
 
Sony A7 IV5/5+ +4.5/589/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2021 2,499 amazon.com
9.
 
Sony A7R IIIA..+ +4/590/1004.5/55/5 Apr 2021 3,199 amazon.com
10.
 
Sony A7R IVA5/5+4.5/591/1004.5/55/5 Apr 2021 3,499 amazon.com
11.
 
Sony A7S III4.5/5+ +5/591/1004.5/55/5 Jul 2020 3,499 amazon.com
12.
 
Sony A7R IV5/5+4.5/591/1004.5/55/5 Jul 2019 3,499ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A7R III..+ +4/590/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2017 3,199ebay.com
14.
 
Sony A99 II....4.5/585/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2016 3,199ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A7R II5/5+ +5/590/1005/55/5 Jun 2015 3,199ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A7 II5/5+4/582/1004.5/55/5 Nov 2014 1,999ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A7S4/5....86/1004.5/55/5 Apr 2014 2,499ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Check A7S II offers at
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Check GH5s price at
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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Sony A7S II vs Panasonic GH5s

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Sony A7S II Panasonic GH5s
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Sony E mount lenses Micro Four Thirds lenses
    Launch Date September 2015 January 2018
    Launch Price USD 2,999 USD 2,499
    Sensor Specs Sony A7S II Panasonic GH5s
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Full Frame Sensor Four Thirds Sensor
    Sensor Size 35.6 x 23.8 mm 17.3 x 13.0 mm
    Sensor Area 847.28 mm2 224.9 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 42.8 mm 21.6 mm
    Crop Factor 1.0x 2.0x
    Sensor Resolution 12 Megapixels 9.9 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4240 x 2832 pixels 3680 x 2700 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 8.40 μm 4.77 μm
    Pixel Density 1.42 MP/cm2 4.42 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video 4K/60p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 102,400 ISO 160 - 51,200 ISO
    ISO Boost 50 - 409,600 ISO 80 - 204,800 ISO
    Image Processor BIONZ X Venus 10
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 85 ..
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 23.6 ..
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 13.3 ..
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 2993 ..
    Screen Specs Sony A7S II Panasonic GH5s
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x 0.76x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2400k dots 3680k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.2inch
    LCD Resolution 1229k dots 1620k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Swivel screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Sony A7S II Panasonic GH5s
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/8000s 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 5 shutter flaps/s 12 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy200 000 actuations200 000 actuations
    Electronic ShutterYESup to 1/16000s
    Time-Lapse Photographyno IntervalometerIntervalometer built-in
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilizationLens stabilization only
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium MS or SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Dual card slots
    UHS card support UHS-I Dual UHS-II
    Connectivity Specs Sony A7S II Panasonic GH5s
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 3.1
    HDMI Port micro HDMI full HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port External MIC port
    Headphone Socket Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in no NFC
    Bluetooth Support no Bluetooth Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs Sony A7S II Panasonic GH5s
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Sony NP-FW50 Panasonic DMW-BLF19
    Battery Life (CIPA)370 shots per charge440 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging no USB charging
    Body Dimensions 127 x 96 x 60 mm
    (5.0 x 3.8 x 2.4 in)
    139 x 98 x 87 mm
    (5.5 x 3.9 x 3.4 in)
    Camera Weight 627 g (22.1 oz) 660 g (23.3 oz)
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