
Panasonic Lumix S1
Engadget Review
Panasonic has a strong full-frame mirrorless debut with the Lumix S1. You get a rugged, weatherproof and heavy body that handles well, and it delivers excellent image and video quality, even in low light. It beats rival models from Canon and Nikon feature-for-feature, thanks to dual high-speed card slots, 5-axis in-body stabilization, the clearest EVF on the market and 10-bit, 4K video with no crop. The biggest negative is the contrast-detect autofocus, which can’t stand up to the phase-detect systems on other models, especially for video. It’s also the most expensive 24-megapixel full-frame mirrorless camera at $2,500, and Panasonic is charging for a key firmware update on top of that.
Pros
- Excellent handling
- Great image quality
- 10 bit 4K video with no crop
- 5-axis in-body stabilization
- Dual card slots
Cons
- Contrast-detect autofocus inferior to rivals
- Heavy
- Expensive
Lumix S1
Engadget
87
Critics
10 reviews86
Users - Not yet scored
N/A
- Critic Reviews (10)
- 86AVERAGE CRITIC SCORE10 ReviewsPocket-Lint90A formidable full-framerAll said, the Panasonic Lumix S1 is a full-frame feast. It's a system that's hard to criticise given its overall capabilities and wide-ranging feature set, with great image quality and performance that matches and sometimes betters its contemporaries.PC World Australia80Pushing your limitsWhere other camera brands are just getting started with mirrorless, it feels like the Lumix S1 and S1R are more interested in pushing boundaries forward - and that’s something that’s easy to get on-board with.Digital Camera World90Panasonic Lumix S1 reviewThe S1 is a solid, high-quality camera that delivers superb video and stills in many situations, it only lacks in credentials as a sports camera.Camera Labs90Panasonic Lumix S1 ReviewRather than follow Sony or aim more at a mid-range like Canon, Panasonic has aimed unashamedly high with Lumix S, with arguably the toughest body sporting pro features like two fast card slots, backlit buttons and the best viewfinder, with decent stabilisation, unlimited 4k up to 30p and also 4k up to 60p with an APSC crop, not to mention including an interval timer, 6K Photo and great wireless.TechRadar80Panasonic Lumix S1 reviewWith tried-and-tested goodness from Panasonic's G series cameras alongside a stunning new viewfinder, excellent video and a sound full-frame sensor, the S1 does much to impress. A huge body, however, along with some awkward controls and an autofocus system that's behind those on its peers, mean there's room for improvement.Camera Jabber90Panasonic Lumix S1 ReviewSo while it wasn’t love at first sight with the S1, after shooting with it for a couple of weeks or so, I like it a lot. Its control layout is nicer than the Canon EOS R’s, it has a deep array of features and most importantly, its images and video are great.Photo Review90Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 reviewIn our opinion, the S1 is more attractive than its higher-resolution sibling, partly because it’s more versatile, especially for recording video clips. It’s price also falls more within the range of what a serious enthusiast might consider ‘affordable’, although it’s pretty pricey for a 24-megapixel, ‘full-frame’ camera.TrustedReviews80Panasonic Lumix S1 ReviewA technical powerhouse with excellent image quality – but its size and price may be too demanding for some.Digital Trends90Photography Blog80Panasonic S1 ReviewIn many respects, the ‘S’ here could stand for sensible. The S1: the Sensible One. It also seems, for now, and if your budget can justify it, a very sensible choice.
Key Specs
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