• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony A99 advantages over Panasonic LF1

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    25.0 vs 20.8 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,555 vs 211 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 11.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.24 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    18 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic LF1 advantages over Sony A99

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $2800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    27 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    192g vs 828g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D800

Sony A99
Nikon D800
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Panasonic LF1
Nikon D800
  • $248
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A99
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Panasonic LF1
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $248
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D800E

Sony A99
Nikon D800E
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Panasonic LF1
Nikon D800E
  • $248
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon S110

Sony A99
Canon S110
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic LF1
Canon S110
  • $248
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Leica C

Sony A99
Leica C
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $699
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Panasonic LF1
Leica C
  • $248
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $699
  • 1/1.7 inch
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