Panasonic S1 – Performance, Build, Specifications, and More

Panasonic S1

The Panasonic Lumix S1 is a full-frame mirrorless digital camera introduced by Panasonic in February 2019. It is a part of Panasonic’s S series of cameras designed for professional and enthusiast photographers. The S1 is known for its impressive build quality, high-resolution sensor, advanced features, and strong video capabilities.

SPECIFICATIONS

Size: is 148.9 x 110.0 x 96.7 mm (body only)

Sensor: 24.2 MP, 35.6 x 23.8 mm full frame CMOS

Image stabilization system: 5-axis IBIS, CIPA rating with 5.5 stops

Video: 4K UHD at 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p

Viewfinder: Live OLED viewfinder with 5,760,000 points

Autofocus: DFD Contrast AF

LCD: 3.2 inch tiltable triaxial LCD with 2,100,000 dots

Maximum burst: 9 fps

Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Memory card: slot 1: is XQD, slot 2: SD / SDHC / SDXC, UHS-II compatible

Weight: is 1,021 g (housing only, with battery and SD card

BUILD AND HANDLING

While not a dual-grip camera, the S1 is quite broad and more significant than the Nikon Z 6 and Sony A7 III.

However, this means there is room for a sturdy grip and more extensive controls that work together to make it feel decent in hand.

However, the front and rear dials and a dial on the back of the camera, and the excellent touchscreen make it quick and easy to adjust settings.

With 5,760,000 points, the electronic OLED viewfinder (EVF) is the viewfinder with the highest resolution.

And the view is excellent until the lights go down. So it gets a bit slow at every frame rate.

Happening the back of the camera, the 3.2-inch screen with 2,100,000 dots has a dual-tilt mechanism that feels sturdy.

It is helpful for video and still images in any orientation but cannot be rotating to view on camera.

Given the S1’s high-end status, it’s no surprise to find an extensive menu, but it’s reasonably logically organized.

Due to your habit of going back to the last function you accessed on each tab when navigating between sections, it will take a while to find parts in the first few days.

It appears to be scanning up and down all the time, looking for the quality you want.

The L-mount lens holder standard:

• Together with Leica and Sigma, Panasonic is part of the L-Mount Alliance. This contract enables Panasonic to use the Leica L-Mount for S1 and S1R.
• This base first appeared in 2014 and was used in the Leica T APS-C format. In 2015, however, Leica caused a surprise and used the same tip on its SL, a full-frame mirrorless camera.
• The L-bracket has an inner diameter of 51.6 mm and a flange distance of 20 mm. These numbers are impressive but not quite as lightning-fast as those of the Nikon Z-series cameras.
• Which have a larger mounting diameter (55 mm) and an even shorter flange distance (16 mm). However, according to the L-Mount Alliance, this design allows for dust and moisture seals and allows for quick lens creation.
• It is crucial that with three manufacturers in the L-Mount Alliance, the number of compatible lenses should grow faster than the regular.

PERFORMANCE

• The results of the S1 do not come as a big surprise as they reflect exactly what you get in the EVF and on the main screen when the Constant Preview option is selected from the menu.
• As we noted earlier, with Panasonic cameras, the default auto white balance is pretty reliable in natural light.
• The setting for fine weather, however, tends to produce slightly more pleasing results.
• The S1’s 24 MP sensor strikes a good balance between the level of detail and visibility of noise. Noise is well controlled up to ISO 12800.
• And results at ISO 25600 are good overall, but it is advisable to be a little careful. Noise reduction can be a little too enthusiastic in some areas.
• As usual, the raw files are better and have more details but more luminance noise.
• An additional advantage of a moderate number of pixels in a full-frame sensor is that the dynamic range of the S1 is very high.
• If you need it, low ISO raw files can be brightened up to 5 EV with a bright increase in luminance noise.
• It is a huge adjustment, a 2 or 3 EV change is more likely to be used for equilibrium shots in a landscape, and the S1 accepts that.

Pros and Cons of Panasonic S1

Pros:

• Excellent image quality
• Solid build quality
• Weather-sealed body
• Fast performance
• Versatile video features
• Large, high-resolution EVF
• Dual-hinged LCD screen
• Extensive customization options

Cons:

• Short battery life
• High price tag
• Slow startup time
• No built-in flash
• No 10-bit video output
• Complex menu system

The Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 is an excellent choice for photographers and videographers that require high image quality and performance. However, it is important to know its limitations, such as its short battery life and high price tag.

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