Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 review
The Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 is the company's mid-level full-frame mirrorless camera, built around the L-mount developed by Leica and now supported by Sigma and Panasonic. It features an image-stabilized 24MP sensor and is capable of shooting at up to 9 frames per second. The S1 can also shoot 4K/60p video from an APS-C region of its sensor or oversampled 4K/30p from its full sensor width. A multi-shot high-res mode lets it create 96MP Raw files and a paid upgrade enables 10-bit V-Log shooting.
The S1, along its sibling the S1R, also features one of the highest-resolution electronic viewfinders on the market: a 5.7M-dot OLED panel that runs at 120Hz and promises very little lag.
Panasonic Lumix S1 Key Specifications
- 24MP full-frame CMOS sensor
- Depth from Defocus contrast-detect AF system
- 5-axis in-body 'Dual IS' system
- Fully weather-sealed
- Multi-shot 96MP 'High Res' mode
- 6 fps bursts with continuous AF
- 5.76M-dot electronic viewfinder
- Dual-hinged 2.1M-dot touchscreen LCD
- UHD 4K/60p video capture (1.5x crop); Oversampled 4K/30p with no crop
- 10-bit HLG built-in, optional 4:2:2 V-Log
- One XQD and one SD card slot
- 380 shots/charge using LCD
- USB charging, including from laptop/tablet chargers and portable power banks
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The complete Lumix S system at launch |
The S1, with its large, magnesium alloy body, is being pitched at a higher price than the 24MP models from Nikon and Sony, with a list price of $2499.
Alongside the S1 and its higher-resolution sibling, the S1R, Panasonic also announced 50mm F1.4, 24-105mm F4 and 70-200mm F4 lenses for the L system. They're priced at $2299, $1299 and $1699, respectively. Both cameras are also compatible with existing Leica SL lenses as well as APS-C 'TL' glass.
A battery grip (DMW-BGS1) is available for around $350.
What's new and how it compares
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The S1 inherits (and improves upon) many of the features from Panasonic's Micro Four Thirds cameras, while adding new full-frame sensors, a High Res mode, HLG photos and more.
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Body and handling
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The S1/S1R have rugged bodies which can hold their own in the elements. The cameras have an incredibly high resolution EVF as well as a dual axis LCD.
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Operation and controls
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The S1 and S1R have redesigned menus, plenty of customizable controls and a cool 'image stabilization scope'.
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Is it right for you?
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Find out what kinds of shooting the Lumix DC-S1 is best suited for.
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Shooting experience
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Gothic streets and cured meats - check out DPR writer Dan Bracaglia's experience of shooting the S1R at Panasonic's launch event in Barcelona.
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Image quality
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The S1 competes with the likes of the Canon EOS R, Nikon Z6 and Sony a7 III. See how its image quality stacks up.
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Autofocus
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The S1 uses Panasonic's familiar Depth from Defocus autofocus system. Can it keep up with the hybrid AF systems of its peers?
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Video performance
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The S1 can capture 4K/60p video with a 1.5x crop as well as oversampled 4K/30p footage.
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DMW-SFU2 video upgrade
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If you want pro-level features like 10-bit capture, V-Log and waveforms, then you'll want this paid-for upgrade.
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Conclusion
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How does the Panasonic S1 stack up against the competition, like the Sony a7 III, Nikon Z6 and Canon EOS R?
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Sample Galleries
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View hundreds of photos taken with both pre- and final production Panasonic S1s.
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Apr 28, 2020
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Jan 18, 2021
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Jan 6, 2021
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Jan 15, 2021
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Panasonic has announced firmware upgrades for its S1, S1R, S1H and S5 full-frame mirrorless cameras, which extend the degree to which the four models share features and performance levels. The G100 vlogging-focused Micro Four Thirds camera also gains webcam compatibility.
Hot on the heels of the S5 announcement, Panasonic has promised to release firmware by the end of 2020 that will bring the autofocus of its existing S-series cameras up to the standards of the newer model, and as a nice bonus, gives the S1R the ability to record 5K video.
At last month's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas we sat down with Yosuke Yamane, Director of Panasonic's Imaging Business Division, to discuss market reaction to the S1-series, full-frame strategy and the state of the L-mount alliance.
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