A new 24.2MP CMOS sensor that delivers incredibly realistic detail. 4K video recording with no time limit complements professional-level video performance. * Going beyond the boundaries of still and video, this full-frame mirrorless camera inspires passionate image creation. * Maximum recording time of 29 min 59 sec in 4K 60p/50p.
A new 24.2MP CMOS sensor that delivers incredibly realistic detail. 4K video recording with no time limit complements professional-level video performance. * Going beyond the boundaries of still and video, this full-frame mirrorless camera inspires passionate image creation. * Maximum recording time of 29 min 59 sec in 4K 60p/50p.
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The lowest price for Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 Body Camera right now is $1,283.00 at Kamerastore.
The all-time low was $1,283.00 on 1 Aug 2026. That's the lowest price we've ever tracked — a great time to buy.
Prices last updated 1 Aug 2026.
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 Body Camera
A new 24.2MP CMOS sensor that delivers incredibly realistic detail. 4K video recording with no time limit complements professional-level video performance. * Going beyond the boundaries of still and video, this full-frame mirrorless camera inspires passionate image creation. * Maximum recording time of 29 min 59 sec in 4K 60p/50p.
A new 24.2MP CMOS sensor that delivers incredibly realistic detail. 4K video recording with no time limit complements professional-level video performance. * Going beyond the boundaries of still and video, this full-frame mirrorless camera inspires passionate image creation. * Maximum recording time of 29 min 59 sec in 4K 60p/50p.
Last updated at 01/08/2026 13:17:04
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
Delivery between 7–14 Aug $59
originally posted on panasonic.com
I came from Micro four thirds (MFT), having used the Lumix G9 extensively I decided to move to the S1R. What surprised me the most with Lumix cameras when I started using the G9 was how extremely well thought of the cameras are, while this applies to the Lumix cameras I've used this is of course about the S1R. The control layout, number of knobs and buttons and menu systems are all leading the pack in my opinion. I know some say it's too big but while small is nice, small can also be a bad thing when working with something. The S1R feels near perfect in the hand, well built and sturdy. The number of function buttons that can be set to almost anything you want, in combination with the buttons in the right place means it's among the fastest cameras I've ever operated. ... MoreI came from Micro four thirds (MFT), having used the Lumix G9 extensively I decided to move to the S1R. What surprised me the most with Lumix cameras when I started using the G9 was how extremely well thought of the cameras are, while this applies to the Lumix cameras I've used this is of course about the S1R. The control layout, number of knobs and buttons and menu systems are all leading the pack in my opinion. I know some say it's too big but while small is nice, small can also be a bad thing when working with something. The S1R feels near perfect in the hand, well built and sturdy. The number of function buttons that can be set to almost anything you want, in combination with the buttons in the right place means it's among the fastest cameras I've ever operated. The camera is very responsive and the output from the large files is quite something. High res mode also works great though it needs a tripod and I so so wish that Panasonic would make it possible to use shutter speeds longer than one second for high res mode, this would help a lot when shooting seascapes. The EVF is superb. The AF often gets critique but mostly from people who never used it or learnt to use it. It's very quick and snappy, very accurate most of the time but it does suffer in VERY low light with little contrast. DFD is still young and have lots of potential and will only get better. Don't believe the naysayers. Shutter response is fast and smooth. Many have issues with the shutter being too easy to trigger but I love it, the less resistance you need the less camera movement is triggered. Another unique feature is the ability to have the shutter active on half press of the shutter button which means almost zero resistance and much smoothness. I'm limited in length here I figured out but other unique features are such as night mode which a turns the EVF and/or the display to red light to save your night sight
originally posted on panasonic.com
I shoot stills. And some video. The REALLY BIG problem is AF: - Inability to focus on horizontal lines is a joke. 2D contrast detect needed. Would improve focus in low light / poor contrast targets. Perhaps 2D processing could be added in firmware for point/1-area AF, at least. - In Continuous AF, focus indication is misleading and unreliable. Focus indicator stays on when obviously not in focus. - Tracking AF doesn't work in any useful manner, not even in Panasonic's YouTube tutorial videos. Which is a bit amazing given that H264/H265 encoding requires sub-pixel motion estimation. - The AF approach is interesting, and mostly works OK in Single-AF with point target. Panasonic needs to remember at all times that a Panasonic body is something to record the output of a ... MoreI shoot stills. And some video. The REALLY BIG problem is AF: - Inability to focus on horizontal lines is a joke. 2D contrast detect needed. Would improve focus in low light / poor contrast targets. Perhaps 2D processing could be added in firmware for point/1-area AF, at least. - In Continuous AF, focus indication is misleading and unreliable. Focus indicator stays on when obviously not in focus. - Tracking AF doesn't work in any useful manner, not even in Panasonic's YouTube tutorial videos. Which is a bit amazing given that H264/H265 encoding requires sub-pixel motion estimation. - The AF approach is interesting, and mostly works OK in Single-AF with point target. Panasonic needs to remember at all times that a Panasonic body is something to record the output of a *Sigma* lens. Poor AF behaviour with - say - a Sigma macro lens means Panasonic needs to make their AF work as well as Sony's AF does with that lens. The design of the S1/S5 bodies implies that Panasonic's designers don't understand shooting stills very well: They should try shooting a 1D horizontal panorama, with the body mounted on a nodal rail and L-plate, with the body in portrait orientation, panning about an axis through the entrance pupil. The body should accomodate a permanently mounted L-plate, which allows access to all ports, and where the portrait and landscape clamp plates are coplanar.
originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
Panasonic has just released a winning series with the LUMIX S1/S1R and soon to come S1H. Simply put, they offer value and technical specs no other FF mirrorless can match.I received my S1 from B&H + battery grip + free battery + 3-year extended warranty promos for $2500 + the now free SFU2 filmmaker firmware update, which allows the S1 to do things no other Full-Frame mirrorless cameras can do. It is the bargain of the year.On the video side, the update brings 14+ stops of V-Log recording, 4:2:2 10-bit 4K MOV 30p/25p internal video recording, 4:2:2 10-bit 4K 60p/50p HDMI output, V-Log and V-Gamut which is the same that can be found in EVA-1 and VariCam cameras, in-camera LUT, a WFM (Waveform Monitor), and high-res 48-kHz/24-bit or 96-kHz/24-bit sound can be ... MorePanasonic has just released a winning series with the LUMIX S1/S1R and soon to come S1H. Simply put, they offer value and technical specs no other FF mirrorless can match.I received my S1 from B&H + battery grip + free battery + 3-year extended warranty promos for $2500 + the now free SFU2 filmmaker firmware update, which allows the S1 to do things no other Full-Frame mirrorless cameras can do. It is the bargain of the year.On the video side, the update brings 14+ stops of V-Log recording, 4:2:2 10-bit 4K MOV 30p/25p internal video recording, 4:2:2 10-bit 4K 60p/50p HDMI output, V-Log and V-Gamut which is the same that can be found in EVA-1 and VariCam cameras, in-camera LUT, a WFM (Waveform Monitor), and high-res 48-kHz/24-bit or 96-kHz/24-bit sound can be recorded in MOV using the XLR Microphone Adaptor DMW-XLR1.And from my own tests and what I've seen, I have to say, I'm bowled over when I look at S1 video quality. The codec is nowhere near as robust as internal GH5 & GH5s, but the image, sharpness, color science is way beyond to me, no doubt due to the superb full-frame sensor and those lenses and the improved H.265 which is twice as efficient as its H.264 predecessor. The image is just phenomenal IMO when watched on a 4K screen. I can only imagine what things will look like when the July update comes in.On the photo side, amazing low-ISO performance, gorgeous color, banding-free images is the norm.In addition, it's perhaps the most versatile FF camera system there is. There's virtually an adapter for whatever lenses you may already own, including their own MC-21 for Canon EF, to get you going if you don't feel like spending the cash on new lenses or feel that there's not enough native L-mount lenses out yet. Old manual lenses, Nikkor F, Medium Format, APS-C, MFT, PL mount Cine lenses, etc... you name it, it should fit-- more often than not with IBIS!The L-mount alliance between Sigma, Leica, and Panasonic promises quite a fantastic lineup of superb optics to use. I currently use the superb Sigma 40mm 1.4 Art lens, one of the sharpest lenses on the market since originally conceived as a cine lens-- and the results are stunning both for photo and video.And the body itself is no slouch! It's build like a tank! The most rugged, sturdiest and pro-like Full-frame mirrorless camera currently available, forgoing a small, toy-like camera body for something more substantial which feels secure in the hand. Plus it is the most weather-sealed body around, has a 400K shutter cycle (twice as many shots as most cameras), dual card slot, a superb 5.76M-dot EVF and dual-hinged 2.1M-dot touchscreen LCD, etc… the list of pluses is long.Consider too that the upcoming FUJI GFX100, sensor aside, offers the exact same specs (tank-like, 5.76M-dot-EVF, 10-bit 4K internal, etc…) as the S1/S1R and the Panasonics retail for $7500 and $6500 cheaper ($8000 and $7000 with the current $400 off trade-in rebate!) and take some pretty convincing 96MP and 187MP images in High Res mode.In other words, I say all that to say, if you're looking for a hybrid FF mirrorless camera, look no further. There is none better.
| Effective Pixels | 24 megapixels |
| Sensor Size | Full frame (35.6 x 23.8 mm) |
| Max resolution | 6000 x 4000 |
| Sensor Type | CMOS |
| Processor | Venus Engine |
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
Delivery between 7–14 Aug $59
I came from Micro four thirds (MFT), having used the Lumix G9 extensively I decided to move to the S1R. What surprised me the most with Lumix cameras when I started using the G9 was how extremely well thought of the cameras are, while this applies to the Lumix cameras I've used this is of course about the S1R. The control layout, number of knobs and buttons and menu systems are all leading the pack in my opinion. I know some say it's too big but while small is nice, small can also be a bad thing when working with something. The S1R feels near perfect in the hand, well built and sturdy. The number of function buttons that can be set to almost anything you want, in combination with the buttons in the right place means it's among the fastest cameras I've ever operated. ... MoreI came from Micro four thirds (MFT), having used the Lumix G9 extensively I decided to move to the S1R. What surprised me the most with Lumix cameras when I started using the G9 was how extremely well thought of the cameras are, while this applies to the Lumix cameras I've used this is of course about the S1R. The control layout, number of knobs and buttons and menu systems are all leading the pack in my opinion. I know some say it's too big but while small is nice, small can also be a bad thing when working with something. The S1R feels near perfect in the hand, well built and sturdy. The number of function buttons that can be set to almost anything you want, in combination with the buttons in the right place means it's among the fastest cameras I've ever operated. The camera is very responsive and the output from the large files is quite something. High res mode also works great though it needs a tripod and I so so wish that Panasonic would make it possible to use shutter speeds longer than one second for high res mode, this would help a lot when shooting seascapes. The EVF is superb. The AF often gets critique but mostly from people who never used it or learnt to use it. It's very quick and snappy, very accurate most of the time but it does suffer in VERY low light with little contrast. DFD is still young and have lots of potential and will only get better. Don't believe the naysayers. Shutter response is fast and smooth. Many have issues with the shutter being too easy to trigger but I love it, the less resistance you need the less camera movement is triggered. Another unique feature is the ability to have the shutter active on half press of the shutter button which means almost zero resistance and much smoothness. I'm limited in length here I figured out but other unique features are such as night mode which a turns the EVF and/or the display to red light to save your night sight
I shoot stills. And some video. The REALLY BIG problem is AF: - Inability to focus on horizontal lines is a joke. 2D contrast detect needed. Would improve focus in low light / poor contrast targets. Perhaps 2D processing could be added in firmware for point/1-area AF, at least. - In Continuous AF, focus indication is misleading and unreliable. Focus indicator stays on when obviously not in focus. - Tracking AF doesn't work in any useful manner, not even in Panasonic's YouTube tutorial videos. Which is a bit amazing given that H264/H265 encoding requires sub-pixel motion estimation. - The AF approach is interesting, and mostly works OK in Single-AF with point target. Panasonic needs to remember at all times that a Panasonic body is something to record the output of a ... MoreI shoot stills. And some video. The REALLY BIG problem is AF: - Inability to focus on horizontal lines is a joke. 2D contrast detect needed. Would improve focus in low light / poor contrast targets. Perhaps 2D processing could be added in firmware for point/1-area AF, at least. - In Continuous AF, focus indication is misleading and unreliable. Focus indicator stays on when obviously not in focus. - Tracking AF doesn't work in any useful manner, not even in Panasonic's YouTube tutorial videos. Which is a bit amazing given that H264/H265 encoding requires sub-pixel motion estimation. - The AF approach is interesting, and mostly works OK in Single-AF with point target. Panasonic needs to remember at all times that a Panasonic body is something to record the output of a *Sigma* lens. Poor AF behaviour with - say - a Sigma macro lens means Panasonic needs to make their AF work as well as Sony's AF does with that lens. The design of the S1/S5 bodies implies that Panasonic's designers don't understand shooting stills very well: They should try shooting a 1D horizontal panorama, with the body mounted on a nodal rail and L-plate, with the body in portrait orientation, panning about an axis through the entrance pupil. The body should accomodate a permanently mounted L-plate, which allows access to all ports, and where the portrait and landscape clamp plates are coplanar.
Panasonic has just released a winning series with the LUMIX S1/S1R and soon to come S1H. Simply put, they offer value and technical specs no other FF mirrorless can match.I received my S1 from B&H + battery grip + free battery + 3-year extended warranty promos for $2500 + the now free SFU2 filmmaker firmware update, which allows the S1 to do things no other Full-Frame mirrorless cameras can do. It is the bargain of the year.On the video side, the update brings 14+ stops of V-Log recording, 4:2:2 10-bit 4K MOV 30p/25p internal video recording, 4:2:2 10-bit 4K 60p/50p HDMI output, V-Log and V-Gamut which is the same that can be found in EVA-1 and VariCam cameras, in-camera LUT, a WFM (Waveform Monitor), and high-res 48-kHz/24-bit or 96-kHz/24-bit sound can be ... MorePanasonic has just released a winning series with the LUMIX S1/S1R and soon to come S1H. Simply put, they offer value and technical specs no other FF mirrorless can match.I received my S1 from B&H + battery grip + free battery + 3-year extended warranty promos for $2500 + the now free SFU2 filmmaker firmware update, which allows the S1 to do things no other Full-Frame mirrorless cameras can do. It is the bargain of the year.On the video side, the update brings 14+ stops of V-Log recording, 4:2:2 10-bit 4K MOV 30p/25p internal video recording, 4:2:2 10-bit 4K 60p/50p HDMI output, V-Log and V-Gamut which is the same that can be found in EVA-1 and VariCam cameras, in-camera LUT, a WFM (Waveform Monitor), and high-res 48-kHz/24-bit or 96-kHz/24-bit sound can be recorded in MOV using the XLR Microphone Adaptor DMW-XLR1.And from my own tests and what I've seen, I have to say, I'm bowled over when I look at S1 video quality. The codec is nowhere near as robust as internal GH5 & GH5s, but the image, sharpness, color science is way beyond to me, no doubt due to the superb full-frame sensor and those lenses and the improved H.265 which is twice as efficient as its H.264 predecessor. The image is just phenomenal IMO when watched on a 4K screen. I can only imagine what things will look like when the July update comes in.On the photo side, amazing low-ISO performance, gorgeous color, banding-free images is the norm.In addition, it's perhaps the most versatile FF camera system there is. There's virtually an adapter for whatever lenses you may already own, including their own MC-21 for Canon EF, to get you going if you don't feel like spending the cash on new lenses or feel that there's not enough native L-mount lenses out yet. Old manual lenses, Nikkor F, Medium Format, APS-C, MFT, PL mount Cine lenses, etc... you name it, it should fit-- more often than not with IBIS!The L-mount alliance between Sigma, Leica, and Panasonic promises quite a fantastic lineup of superb optics to use. I currently use the superb Sigma 40mm 1.4 Art lens, one of the sharpest lenses on the market since originally conceived as a cine lens-- and the results are stunning both for photo and video.And the body itself is no slouch! It's build like a tank! The most rugged, sturdiest and pro-like Full-frame mirrorless camera currently available, forgoing a small, toy-like camera body for something more substantial which feels secure in the hand. Plus it is the most weather-sealed body around, has a 400K shutter cycle (twice as many shots as most cameras), dual card slot, a superb 5.76M-dot EVF and dual-hinged 2.1M-dot touchscreen LCD, etc… the list of pluses is long.Consider too that the upcoming FUJI GFX100, sensor aside, offers the exact same specs (tank-like, 5.76M-dot-EVF, 10-bit 4K internal, etc…) as the S1/S1R and the Panasonics retail for $7500 and $6500 cheaper ($8000 and $7000 with the current $400 off trade-in rebate!) and take some pretty convincing 96MP and 187MP images in High Res mode.In other words, I say all that to say, if you're looking for a hybrid FF mirrorless camera, look no further. There is none better.
I am mostly a documentary filmmaker using this camera in harsh environment (Amazon forest or high altitude, alpine terrain), in run-and-gun conditions. I use this camera mostly for video and timelapse, rarely for stills. PROS: +For the image quality, I think it's the best camera out there. 10bit 422 4K DCI or 6K 10bit 420 in Log gives you the best image you can get for this form factor, with awesome reframing possibilities. +Lowlight performances are really good, quite close to A7SII but with much better codecs. +The design and construction is highly durable, I've shot with it for hours under the rain and it never once fogged, except for the viewfinder. +Timelapse built-in function is incredible. CONS: -Autofocus in video mode is unusable. Haven't really played ... MoreI am mostly a documentary filmmaker using this camera in harsh environment (Amazon forest or high altitude, alpine terrain), in run-and-gun conditions. I use this camera mostly for video and timelapse, rarely for stills. PROS: +For the image quality, I think it's the best camera out there. 10bit 422 4K DCI or 6K 10bit 420 in Log gives you the best image you can get for this form factor, with awesome reframing possibilities. +Lowlight performances are really good, quite close to A7SII but with much better codecs. +The design and construction is highly durable, I've shot with it for hours under the rain and it never once fogged, except for the viewfinder. +Timelapse built-in function is incredible. CONS: -Autofocus in video mode is unusable. Haven't really played around with it in photo mode but wouldn't trust it with fast-moving subjects. This is something you know when you buy Panasonic, unfortunately. It wouldn't be so much of a problem if it wasn't for this: -THERE IS NO PUNCH IN FOCUS ASSIST/FOCUS MAGNIFIER WHILE ROLLING IN VIDEO MODE. This is scandalous for a camera this price with these features. SUCH A DRAWBACK. I would buy two or three of these if it wasn't for this flaw. I really can't understand why they don't add this basic feature in a firmware update. I have tried to reach out to Panasonic in any way possible for this to be resolved, and have never been answered. -Picture quality in photo mode could be better, this is not exactly the perfectly balanced camera between photo/video everyone has been waiting for. For my use it is not a dealbreaker, but I imagine it causes frustration to a lot of people out there who want to go in the field or travel light with only one camera. -NO FULLFRAME 60P Conclusion: Great camera to use on set, with a rig and external monitor. This is such a shame considering the form factor, the construction quality and the unequaled image quality A paradoxical camera, with great abilities but with incomprehensible drawbacks
I use the Lumix S1 for event videography - weddings, charity events, interviews etc. While I find the camera amazing in terms of: - Image quality, using the V-Log setting, shooting 4k at 24 & 60p - Stabilisation - Sometimes removing the need for monopods, tripods and gimbals - Low light - often pushing this camera very high with ISO with amazing results Things that would push me away from recommending this setup are the following: - Expensive and few lenses, I bought the camera with the 24-105mm F4 lens and haven't been able to buy a new lens since as they are too expensive. On average, €1000 more expensive than the Canon equivalent lenses. While I understand they wish to make the best quality glass possible, if people can't afford to get into the L-mount ecosystem ... MoreI use the Lumix S1 for event videography - weddings, charity events, interviews etc. While I find the camera amazing in terms of: - Image quality, using the V-Log setting, shooting 4k at 24 & 60p - Stabilisation - Sometimes removing the need for monopods, tripods and gimbals - Low light - often pushing this camera very high with ISO with amazing results Things that would push me away from recommending this setup are the following: - Expensive and few lenses, I bought the camera with the 24-105mm F4 lens and haven't been able to buy a new lens since as they are too expensive. On average, €1000 more expensive than the Canon equivalent lenses. While I understand they wish to make the best quality glass possible, if people can't afford to get into the L-mount ecosystem then no matter how good it is it will be worthless in a few years, unlike with Canon glass where you know that there will be a market to sell it to in a few years so you can justify the investment. I wish they were competitive with Canon pricing as this would massively drive adoption with the Lumix S series in general! - Why would they cripple the slow motion? When recording 180fps you can't change any settings, on my camera you can't even manually focus when in that mode, I have to take it out of the mode, focus and then put it back into it. As an electronic and computing PhD student currently working with camera tech I really can't see how adding manual exposure control in this mode would add any computation, if anything making the camera figure out the exposure automatically appears to be more computationally expensive. This leads me to believe that they intentionally crippled this feature to move this further away from being a video camera, eating into their S1H and EVA1 sales, and one of the big reasons I wanted to join the Lumix ecosystem in general is that people have always said that they don't do this sort of thing. Hoping these issues get sorted so I can fully recommend this product one day!
I am an amateur digital still photographer, primarily shooting landscape and architecture. My other main interest is macro photography of insects and flowers. I am disappointed that there is no good macro lens available. I have just read that the proposed 100mm macro lens has been dropped from the lens road map. The Sigma f2.8 70mm lens is too short a focal length, too short a working distance and the lens barrel extends when focusing. This lens is intended for professional product photographers, but is useless for insects! My only option is a Sigma MC-21 adapter and a Canon macro lens. I understand that focus bracketing does not work with the MC-21 adapter. This means that I would be better off buying a Canon camera. Macro is a very popular genre for amateur ... MoreI am an amateur digital still photographer, primarily shooting landscape and architecture. My other main interest is macro photography of insects and flowers. I am disappointed that there is no good macro lens available. I have just read that the proposed 100mm macro lens has been dropped from the lens road map. The Sigma f2.8 70mm lens is too short a focal length, too short a working distance and the lens barrel extends when focusing. This lens is intended for professional product photographers, but is useless for insects! My only option is a Sigma MC-21 adapter and a Canon macro lens. I understand that focus bracketing does not work with the MC-21 adapter. This means that I would be better off buying a Canon camera. Macro is a very popular genre for amateur photographers and we desperately need a good macro lens. Panasonic is making a mistake in assuming that users of this camera will be pros. There are far more keen amateurs who want to do macro and other genres of photography. This review form seems to assume that users of this camera will be videographers, but it is widely used by stills photographers. There is no mechanism for users to communicate directly with Panasonic in order to provide feedback on our experience of this product and what we want for the future. In contrast the local Olympus rep gave me his business card with his telephone number and email address.
This camera is fantastic. I used it for a photo shoot specifically. I did notice that the AF needs a little tweaking and facial recognition isn’t 100% reliable. But way better than my GH5 ever was and I think, with a little more familiarity with the body I could easily see adding it to my kit. The lens I rented performed very well too, although it did produce some odd lens flares I had to retouch out of the photos because they were too distracting.
(Actually, I'm a semi-pro stills photographer, but I don't see that option on the list above.) The camera is mostly very good. I like the build and ergonomics, and the IBIS and EVF are really quite incredible. I don't doubt that there're better autofocus systems out there but it's plenty good enough for me: I need accuracy more than speed and tracking. Anyway, for my purposes, the camera's most irritating flaw is that there doesn't seem to be any way of focusing at the shooting aperture, even in full manual. So if one has a lens with significant focus shift - the otherwise excellent Sigma 40/1.4 Art is an example - there is no way to mitigate. On the D850, I would acquire focus at f/2.8-f/4, where the DOF is still very shallow, then stop down further if required. I ... More(Actually, I'm a semi-pro stills photographer, but I don't see that option on the list above.) The camera is mostly very good. I like the build and ergonomics, and the IBIS and EVF are really quite incredible. I don't doubt that there're better autofocus systems out there but it's plenty good enough for me: I need accuracy more than speed and tracking. Anyway, for my purposes, the camera's most irritating flaw is that there doesn't seem to be any way of focusing at the shooting aperture, even in full manual. So if one has a lens with significant focus shift - the otherwise excellent Sigma 40/1.4 Art is an example - there is no way to mitigate. On the D850, I would acquire focus at f/2.8-f/4, where the DOF is still very shallow, then stop down further if required. I think at the very least an option to focus wide open or at the shooting aperture is needed; focusing wide open should only be done in low light situations where the maximum aperture probably would be the shooting aperture. I know the above probably sounds like a minor issue, but this is, after all, ostensibly a state of the art camera that should stand up against the best, and if you can't mitigate things like focus shift, sub-optimal results are guaranteed. Or in plain English, the competition's cameras will yield better results. Another gripe is the live histogram doesn't work properly in manual mode: it simply changes colour when the shutter speed and aperture agree with the metered exposure; the histogram should, of course, change as one adjusts the aperture or shutter speed. Generally though, I like the camera and the L-mount system. There's work still to be done with the firmware in order to remedy the above, but otherwise this is a very capable high end camera.
I've had the S1 for 3 months, moving from a Leica M, and have taken over 800 images including landscape, studio close-up, and reportage in inclement weather. The S1 has always worked, although a couple of occasions I accidentally moved the focusing area away from the point of interest and wondered why the results were not as sharp as expected. AWB for most subjects is accurate under mixed-lighting though with a dominant colour AWB tends to over-correct. The alternative WB options get closer without needing a ColourChecker in every shot. Outdoors 'walking around', battery drain is satisfactory with the sleep time down from the factory preset. With extended checking in the studio, an almost-fully-charged battery lasts a few hours, so a spare is advisable. Image ... MoreI've had the S1 for 3 months, moving from a Leica M, and have taken over 800 images including landscape, studio close-up, and reportage in inclement weather. The S1 has always worked, although a couple of occasions I accidentally moved the focusing area away from the point of interest and wondered why the results were not as sharp as expected. AWB for most subjects is accurate under mixed-lighting though with a dominant colour AWB tends to over-correct. The alternative WB options get closer without needing a ColourChecker in every shot. Outdoors 'walking around', battery drain is satisfactory with the sleep time down from the factory preset. With extended checking in the studio, an almost-fully-charged battery lasts a few hours, so a spare is advisable. Image stablisation works well, although it's still possible for images to be blurred owing to camera movement: regard IS as a safety net. Different Auto Review times suit different work. For live events I set Auto Review to 0s but in normal use it's 0.5s, which is enough for a quick check. The 24-105 has proved very versatile, with admirable sharpness at all apertures. However, close-ups at about 1:3 to 1:4 magnification and 90-105mm show a slight softness in corners compared to the centre, even at f/16-22, but still usable. I suspect curvature of field although aberrations do show on specular highlights if you look closely; this would rule out any critical copying work for flat subjects. At 24mm there is still some barrel distortion noticeable on the RAW files, easily corrected in post. On camera, I use the Metz 64-AF1 in TTL mode with satisfactory results. The the software links to adjust the internal reflector according to the zoom setting and the output according to the f-value. Overall exposure compensation may be used if required, but essentially the flash is 'fit-and-forget'. In the studio still-life I use a 3mm co-ax cable as both the camera, lights, and subject are in relatively fixed positions.
I'm a professional photographer who uses the S1 every day. I purchased it new and currently have over 240,000 shutter actuations with it so I have a good deal of experience in both the pros and cons of this camera. I use the S1 exclusively for professional real estate photography and video, so my needs and my review are specific to that need.I've used it day in and day out for three years and it still look and feels practically new. It's been very reliable in heat and cold, sun and rain. I do have it in a SmallRig cage so that may help but it's also taken a number of solid knocks and kept on going. This is a solidly built tool intended for professional use. It's heavy but the grip is deep and fits my large hands well so the weight is well balanced.I've been very ... MoreI'm a professional photographer who uses the S1 every day. I purchased it new and currently have over 240,000 shutter actuations with it so I have a good deal of experience in both the pros and cons of this camera. I use the S1 exclusively for professional real estate photography and video, so my needs and my review are specific to that need.I've used it day in and day out for three years and it still look and feels practically new. It's been very reliable in heat and cold, sun and rain. I do have it in a SmallRig cage so that may help but it's also taken a number of solid knocks and kept on going. This is a solidly built tool intended for professional use. It's heavy but the grip is deep and fits my large hands well so the weight is well balanced.I've been very pleased with the image quality. I rarely use ISOs higher than 800 but the files are very malleable and tolerate some pretty heavy shadow lifting with almost no noise. Color remains vibrant and accurate even with shadow pushes where other cameras would have issues. Highlights recover nicely as well. Real estate photography is often about pushing shadows and pulling windows all in the same image and the S1 gives me a lot of latitude to do just that.I use it for video frequently, some of it hand held. The image stabilization works very well and makes a big difference in hand held pans (although you still need to be reasonably steady with any camera). It offers more video capabilities than I would ever need for professional use.My auto focus needs are specific to real estate where there is absolutely no action but sometimes low light and low contrast scenes. Most times it is excellent. There are the occasional misses but that is likely the result of contractor bland empty rooms with no contrasty edges to lock focus on. Manual focus with the excellent peaking function easily fills in those times.My biggest complaint is somewhat specific to my use but also applicable to portraiture. Like both Nikon and Sony (don't know about Canon) Panasonic feels that if you are using flash you no longer need to see a preview of ambient exposure. It simply makes the entire scene bright to make viewing easier. This may be okay in many cases but I want to see the ambient exposure so I can adjust for windows and adjust my flash separately for room illumination. This isn't only useful for real estate. Any off camera flash portrait work would greatly benefit from being able to see ambient exposure in live view. I have been told that you can set a custom button to turn the flash off briefly to adjust ambient but for someone who shoots well over a thousand exposures every day every button push multiplied a thousand times gets quite annoying. My solution was to run a PC sync cable from the PC port to the flash. In this way the camera doesn't realize a flash is even plugged in but it still fires a sync pulse to set it off. It works, sure, but I don't appreciate having to run a 1950s flash solution in a 21st century camera. Both Olympus and FujiFilm allow me to see ambient exposure previews even with the flash so it's clearly a design decision.Other than my moderately specific flash issue I have nothing bad to say about the Panasonic S1. It's been a fantastic workhorse that gets the job done with little fuss and delivers solid images.
| Effective Pixels | 24 megapixels |
| Sensor Size | Full frame (35.6 x 23.8 mm) |
| Max resolution | 6000 x 4000 |
| Sensor Type | CMOS |
| Processor | Venus Engine |
