The digital camera world is never lacking of amazing cameras because companies are continuously improving their products to be better such as how the Panasonic Lumix S5 Vs Sony a7III are designed and offered to the enthusiast as well as professionals out there. These full-frame cameras are among the best in the market because of the solid system and ability to capture great quality photos. For those who wonder which camera they should go for, let’s check the comparison below.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- Are Older Cameras Worth It
- What are Panasonic Lumix S5 and Sony a7III
- How are the Design of Panasonic Lumix S5 and Sony a7III
- How are the Specs of Panasonic Lumix S5 and Sony a7III
- How are the Image Quality of Panasonic Lumix S5 and Sony a7III
- How are the Panasonic Lumix S5 and Sony a7III for Video Recording
- Panasonic Lumix S5 Vs Sony a7III
Older and Newer Cameras
In the age of digital content, it becomes easier to capture good photos and videos right from your smartphone camera. There are plenty of built-in processing software that can improve the quality of your pictures or videos and even give us a freedom to edit on the go, such as with the app that many action cameras come with. But, for the more advanced users who prefer to design their image as they want it to be, the dedicated camera is still the best choice.
They are tools for photographers and enthusiasts who are interested in composing the image and finding the perfect way to capture an event, subject, or scenery. The camera itself is very important because it affects the workflow and general quality of the result whether it is still pictures or moving footage. While expensive cameras won’t make a random person a professional photographer, a good camera surely does its job to help you in the process of becoming one and a good camera doesn’t need to be expensive.
In fact you can spend on an older system and still take advantage of their abilities. Just like everything, price often decides the quality of the products and it is sometimes tempting to spend on the newest system which is also the most expensive. But, the advance in camera technology is not as fast as how our smartphones are made. A few years old camera can be a great choice today because they are cheaper and still very much reliable.
| Panasonic Lumix S5 | Sony A7III | |
|---|---|---|
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| Product Dimensions | 7.6 x 6.1 x 5.59 inches | 5 x 3.88 x 3 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 2.46 ounces | 1.44 pounds |
| Best offer | Check price | Check price |
Older cameras are good options for anyone who wants a reliable system without having to burden their budget. They are also ideal for beginners who want to get used with the system before moving on to the newer cameras because chances are there is not much of a difference in terms of image quality as long as the specs are similar. What usually makes the difference is the user experience because companies can make a snappier camera with higher specs based on the advances in technology.
This way the newer cameras are often faster and also provide a better user experience or system that is more ideal for the purpose of the certain system such as whether they are designed for still pictures, video recording, hybrid users, or sport and nature photography. The collection of lenses for interchangeable systems will also grow over time and overall product quality is often better in the future while cost-wise they can be made lower than how older systems are offered previously.
About Panasonic Lumix S5 and Sony a7III
Does it mean older cameras are always a good option? Of course it is not because to decide it you will also need to know what options to consider and how much you will spend this time. If your choice of camera has similar alternatives that are cheaper to afford, it is wise to see what they can offer and which of them will benefit you the most. For ILC however, also consider the amount of lenses that we can use, in case you want to have a wide range of collections later.
Thankfully, unlike other electronics out there, digital camera manufacturers are not as abundant and as many to choose from. Chances are you are already familiar with most of them and there is no single or two brands that are best but each of these companies can make great cameras at different price points or focus for their various offerings. Panasonic and Sony are two of them that currently carry some of the best cameras in the market so we do think they will have the options for many types of users.
If you are planning to get a full-frame camera, there are more than a few to choose from these brands such as the Panasonic Lumix S5 and Sony a7III which are both highly rated for the ability to capture great image quality. What’s interesting is that these cameras are pretty similar to each other and the fact that they are coming from two different powerhouses makes it more attractive to compare the two. In comparison, the a7III was almost 2 years old when the S5 was released.
Some people consider the Lumix S5 as an alternative for the high-end S1R since the two are very similar as well but it is actually more identical spec-wise to the a7III which is currently more expensive than S5. We are also surprised to see how well the S5 performs compared to the a7III and it is prominently pleasant for the user experience as it has a new system that makes the camera faster as well as friendlier for outdoor shooting while on the other hand the a7III also still has its charms.
Panasonic Lumix S5 and Sony a7III Design
Before checking what the Panasonic Lumix S5 and Sony a7III can offer, let’s see the unit first and here the two are very similar as well that it feels like S5 is like another version of a7 camera. While not pocket-able, they are still a compact camera and the system is almost identical including the setup and button layout on the back panel. The S5 does have a left knob however so it divides the portion more even compared to a7III. Read also: Fujifilm X S10 Vs Sony a6400.
What we love the most from S5 based on the design alone is their decision to use a rotating screen instead of tilting one which is often found in many other cameras focusing on still pictures including a7III. This way, it makes the system easier to work with for low and high angle but also versatile for self-recording. In addition the LCD display is actually brighter than a7III so we can see the menu clearly even when shooting outdoors and another thing about Sony’s menu is it is still confusing.
Panasonic Lumix S5 and Sony a7III Specs
Now for the most important part, let’s see what Panasonic Lumix S5 and Sony a7III can offer starting from the basic specs. Both cameras are very similar by being a full-frame or with 35.8 x 23.8mm camera sensor and a high-resolution 24MP effective pixel. They are very capable with 5-axis image stabilization but the S5 is already 6.2 stops while a7III is at 5 stops. They also have the same 2.3M dots viewfinder and the same 0.78x magnification but the rear screen resolution is much better on the S5 at 1.8M dots instead of 900k dots.
Panasonic Lumix S5 and Sony a7III Image Quality
Now for the experience and image quality, we do think both Panasonic Lumix S5 and Sony a7III are amazing cameras. They should be ideal for almost any user who wants to get great shots anytime they want and are also suitable for street photography as well. Using the same settings, the image results are not the same straight out of the camera. If you see the level of detail they will be identical but the color science behind it is different and in comparison S5 will give you warmer colors than a7III.
You can always do something about it on post processing later but for a point and shoot, it is highly subjective as both are equally attractive. In addition, they also nail eye focus making the two great cameras for wedding and event photography where you have to capture a portrait. The slight difference is probably Panasonic producing a slightly dimmer image in the same ISO setting for unknown reasons.
Panasonic Lumix S5 and Sony a7III for Video Recording
Lastly we want to talk about the ability of Panasonic Lumix S5 and Sony a7III in terms of video recording but here we have very mixed up feelings about these cameras. First let us mention that a7III limits the recording time to 30 minutes to prevent overheating and this is not the case with S5. Second, the S5 has a rotating screen which is great for both stills and video shooting. Third, it is already 60fps at the maximum 4K resolution.
What the S5 is lacking is on the video autofocus which seems to work really slowly to focus on the subject when they are moving or while we wave something in front of the camera. It is working well if you stay still on the same spot but when the subject moves forward or backward, it is very slow to lock on the subject.
Panasonic Lumix S5 vs Sony A7III
In general the Panasonic Lumix S5 and Sony a7III are great cameras as they are more than capable in terms of taking good quality pictures while also versatile for video recording. The differences are mostly in how the S5 is easier to use, the menu is better, the rear screen and viewfinder is better, as well as the cheaper price. The downside is that the camera has a less reliable autofocus especially for video recording and the battery is poor so you have to carry an extra battery with this camera.
Conclusion
There is no bad option but more of which seems to fit your application the most. In short if you are focusing on a camera that has a great autofocus, then the a7III is the answer but for the versatility and ease of use, we do think Lumix S5 is a better choice.