DPReview TV: Panasonic S1 Review 

As a new S1 owner, I’d say this is a fair assessment of the camera. I shoot portraits and weddings and it’s working out great! I wouldn’t choose this system (as of yet) if I were tracking sports, etc. This does not mean C-AF is worthless. I tracked couples walking down the aisle of a dark church today with no issues. Of course, they aren’t zig zagging like crazy and speeding up and slowing down. I can tell you that the camera feels GREAT and the controls are placed just right. For battery life there are a variety of power saving modes and for long shooting like I do you will want to experiment with those.

Nowadays watching DPReview TV is like watching DigitalRev TV in the Kai Wong days, only a bit more chilled and analytical (so essentially....better)

It is so very important for any photographer to determine their priorities they will incur regarding their shooting habits and styles. That said in MY case continuous focus has never been an issue. Having been a professional wedding photographer years ago, and now sticking to Real Estate, Portraits and Landscapes I'm finding, after having already worked with the Nikon, Sony and Canon offerings, this S1 is literally made for me. Superior build, better EVF, more useful feature sets and ergonomics you simply fall in love with. I know there are so very many reviewers and potential owners that will push this camera aside due to it's DFD, but in some ways I'm finding it so darn fast and accurate for my style of shooting I can't imagine a Hybrid for what I do any further. As I say each shooter needs to evaluate their priorities, but if they primarily shoot relatively slow or still subjects this camera WILL capture your heart.

I tried this camera at my local store. The ergonomics are great and the single shot autofocus was instantaneous even in the somewhat poorly lit store. People need to stop complaining about not being able to use tracking to photograph their kids running around. Instead they need to work on their technique and not rely 100% on automation. I photograph my 5 year old running in the park and around the house with my manual focus Leica M240 with a pretty high hit rate, even at f2. Not because I’m good, but because I practiced a lot and learned about focus traps, hyper focal distances and other terms unknown to modern enthusiasts.

I love the S1 and all but honestly im falling DEEPLY in love with Canada's landscapes. The Calgary area where you guys always shoot and the places you go to. Absolutely breathtaking scenes.

After owning my S1 for a couple of weeks now, I can agree with almost everything said here. The continuous AF in my experience has been very reliable, I shoot a lot of cars and racing and it tracks them perfectly.

I have bought the S1, and it's a really nice camera to use. The ergonomics, EVF and fun factor is great. It also feels lighter than it looks, oddly as it is heavy. The autofocus is not as bad as people make out, it does miss things but the focus tracking does work if you set the camera up right and (a) get the camera to lock on at the start and (b) the subject is not too far away (e.g. about 40ft+). It does lose focus from about a meter out. I have put it through its paces to test it, using my children running, jumping and doing all sort of things to fool the system! Coming from a Canon 1DXii (and Sony A9), it's definitely not in the same league as either of these cameras. But, it's not as terrible as people are reporting. Bottom line is the AF is good enough for most normal applications, but it you shoot sport or wildlife, then avoid it (it's not marketed as this sort of camera anyway).

Well even if the AF isn't great, at least I can track a dinosaur if I find it.

1:42 The origin of the iconic "Jordan Crying in Fetal Position" ....

Good that you dont skip over the autofocus shortcomings. Other videos I've seen either skip them completely or downplay them.

I love Canadians for speaking English properly. Thank you.

instead of music, you should use Chris' singing in every video from now

been loving my S1 and I shoot music and live events. More of a single AF type of guy and it works super well for that.

the problem with the lighter, more compact full frames is that the lenses are as big & heavy as they always have been, that makes them feel unbalanced IMHO. i couldn't be happier with my G9 - great controls, viewfinder, & balance

I love Jordan, he doesn’t smile, sugarcoat, or glad hand. He just gives it to you like it is straight up!

LITERALLY the best opening yet 😂😂

One reason why I'm never switching to Sony is because of the colours, although they have improved the colour science a lot with what they said in the newer models, I just can't switch to them because they did not have the pedigree. For my uses, the S1 might be the camera for me because I like to shoot street scenes in low light which helps by having less megapixels when compared to the S1R and I would like to do some landscapes occasionally.

1940's: We'll have flying cars 2019: Dinosaur Auto Focus Edit: lol Thanks everyone for the comments and likes

Just grabbed an Panasonic S1 and I’m really enjoying it , also the intro was hilarious 😂

Yet another excellent review guys! Thank you for your hard work!

Have mine for a few days and do not regret it. I don't depend on continuous autofocus. The quality of the images is superb. And in spite of the weight, the ergonomics, the feel, the customization are amazing.

Sounds to me like the G9 is still Panasonics best overall stills camera if you don't need ultra low light performance or ultra shallow depth of field. Continous Autofocus is actually quite good on the G9. Stabilization and rolling shutter also performs better.

Gorgeous image quality, but it's a shame about the lack of phase detect AF. That's not really a deal breaker for me though, because, as a Pentax shooter, I'm used to sticking to single point AF and using some old-fashioned techniques to get a good hit rate on my shots. Also, my shooting style is fairly slow and steady, and I don't tend to run and gun, so I don't suppose I'd really care about the shortcomings of the DFD system too much. What really rules it out for me is the price tag, and lack of lenses, and I'm sure most people would feel the same. This is nothing that we didn't know before this camera was even released, but it's nice to see such great image quality, ergonomics and UI, so it's not completely D.O.A. and may work for some people (with fairly deep pockets).

Like Chris said, I think the S1R makes a lot more sense for most use cases I could see this combination of features being desired.

Pretty fair, guys! That's why I love what you do so much!!!

Congrats on your DPR anniversary

you guys are hands down my favorite reviewers :)

I’m getting the S1R most likely. Both are lovely cameras though and I love the mount. It’s nice having the option of some nice Leica glass if I want to pay up for it.

...and the Oscar goes to 1:53

Glad to see Panasonic is making a bigger body.. bigger and more rugged camera for us guys with bigger hands !

I only watch camera reviews from Chris and Jordan

"Life finds a way...." Awesome. :-) I'm firmly in the Panasonic m43 camp. But if I was to go back to FF, one of these Panasonics would do it. Most likely, the S1R. Okay, so video AF isn't as good as the best. And still needs work. I have to say, I admire Panasonic for sticking to their guns. It would be easy to say "Let's just do PD and make everyone happy". Even with the 'inferior' AF, GH5 and GH5s still are the best selling Indie and small production video cameras. So good for them. Panasonic knocked it out of the park with these cameras. Keep up the good work DPR and Panasonic!

I'll stay with my G9!

You and Jordan are probably the top 10 looking in the whole town 😃😃😃

Good grief that opening was absolutely amazing 😂😂😂😂!!!

Nice job! Sorry to hear about the AF.

The photo side looks great. I think I might wait for more lenses though or maybe the next video centric one. Great review as always.

All I want is perfect stabilization and auto-focus. Why don't you do it??

I'm curious how the S1 is for landscape and astrophotography (nightscapes). Everything I'm reading seems to point to this camera being great for astrophotos. I'm hoping the multishot can work well for landscape. Any thoughts? Feedback?

The s1 is still in the running for my next FF camera.

Most people who love Panasonic, like me, love them for their handling, ergonomics, features and buttons. But at this moment in time, I'd rather have GH5 + battery grip, + Olympus Pro lenses with a manual focus clutch and f1.2.... Which I do. Thanks for the video gentlemen. Loved it.

Wow!!! Jordan moves like a Gazelle when you're trying to shot him!!!! hahahaha. Great video guys.

Great review, still waiting for the Sigma MC 21 to use all my Canon lenses.👍🏻👋🏻

Hey guys.. it would be amazing if you could do a follow up review with the Panasonic S1 post the firmware update that brings in 6K internal, Prores RAW external and the other changes. A comparison of the updated S1 against the S1H and S5 with all the new goodies in place would be incredible

A great and fair review with lots of useful insights and comparisons, mixed with a calm and friendly presentation and a couple of great laughs. It simply cannot be done better than this, guys. Thank you :-) P.S.: Would have loved to see some parts of the review filmed inside the little church, but I guess there are no macro lenses for the S1 yet?

I wish you guys did the video in HDR!

In my opinion, this is the best 35mm system for back country landscape photography and that is how Lumix should market it. Dual card slots are a must and the build quality/ weather sealing blows Sony away. No point in cluttering the sensor with PDAF points when you don't need AF. The viewfinder is incredible and the IS is great for fleeting moments like rainbows, landscapes with wildlife in the frame etc where there's no time for the tripod. This obviously isn't a sports/ wildlife camera, but cameras don't need to be everything to everyone. I've been using my S1 for about a month and it suits my needs far better than the Fuji X or Sony A series.

Really upset that we didn't come see you guys when we were in Calgary... Great video as always!

Thanks Guys, great review, as always.

I was wondering why nobody was making any review or talking about of Panasonic S1. Finally they made a full review.

Life finds a way 😂😂 This is so funny..... Thanks for the video

great job guys. good looking pics and vid too. badlands landscape is something else.

Such a great camera review, thanks!

I had a good play with this camera at the NEC Photography show and fell in love with the feel and layout, it just felt perfect as soon as I picked it up but its just the continuous focus that let it down and I love to track subjects like a bride walking down the isle etc. The Sony A7iii slaughters it in this regard, shame as the S1 is a beautiful system.

S1r review pls

I understand this camera has focus peaking and would like to know if it works well. By that I mean only comes on as various parts of a scene come into exact focus, not start coming on when it's miles out of focus, Leica M Monochrom gets it right, and Sony A7Rll does it very well. Focus peaking is brilliant to use with manual focus lenses, such setting up a tilt-shift lens.

Got a chance to handle it for 15 minutes. AND its ergonomics is AMAZING!

I think it’s the best hybrid option for a full frame at the moment. Looking forward to seeing what Lenses are to come

Sweet camera. May look into it later when it gets cheaper. Seems decent. The XLR input compatibility is handy.

Did anyone else wince at 3:06 when the lens dropped right onto that branch?

I don't need a full frame camera like air, what many folks are thinking they do, and if I need high pixel count / high dynamic range (what S1R offers), by that price tag, I'll rather jump a step and get GFX50R...

Panasonic gets me into mirrorless with the GF1. Packing a ton of dslr type features into a tiny camera Now makes a mirrorless camera needlessly bigger than most DSLRs.

Great video work, Jordan.

The opening of this video was cheesy perfection

It's great to have another full frame mirrorless camera in the food fight. The next version of each of these cameras should be even better.

Was this shot in like 709 or HLG? The image quality of just this YT video is incredible! Also, what kind(s) of mic(s) did you use? It sounds super close and I don't see any lavs. Love the review btw. Thanks!

This review nails it- yea I can't say anything about autofocus on my S1 as I only have adapted manual focus lenses for now.

Pasque flowers, gents! Not crocuses. :) Great video review as always, though I will say that I could shoot hundreds of RAW files with a high end XQD card without hitting the buffer, even at faster rates capable in manual focus.

There are rumors floating around that the S1 has in-camera exposure ramping for time lapse nark to light, for example. Is it true there is an exposure ramping function?

It's a great camera. It did everything that we wanted canikon to do when seen specs of their mirrorless offerings. Sadly contrast based autofocus kinda killed it for me. :(

outside your GH5 - which mirrorless would be the best for video, vloggs etc...

I've been running around with this camera for some weeks and I got to say it is HEAVY kit (I also carry the 200mm lens). Coming from a FUJI XT-2 I even had to buy a backpack for this camera. But, the stills image quality is amazing and the face detection works really well for filming interviews at least. I'm a bit disappointed in the onboarding process,, it is very hard to register as a new user and the WiFi/Bluetooth/USB connection to a MacBook Pro or an iPhone is a major headache.

Oh no, this camera is part of the "L MOUNT ALLIANCE" thanks Jared for getting that stuck in my head!

I had a hands on come and try the LUMIX s series camera with the local sales chaps in Adelaide Australia.. For 4 hours we tried most of the settings.. Lovely images and fun to use.. And it's heavy.. Darn Heavy hand was getting numb as the grip is too slim for my hand. Also the 70-200 lens is the pic for image quality for me anyway.

Thanks for the detailed review! Pana did an awesome job on these new FF cameras but I´m still not convinced to jump ship on mirrorless full frame yet. I´m holding out to see what Canon is coming up with next (hopefully we see a pro R in the near future)

The Panasonic Gh5 and Panasonic Gh5s are on my shopping list. Also the Panasonic S1H and Panasonic S1 are also onmy shopping list alongside the Sony A7iii, Nikon D750, Nikon D780, Nikon D5600, Canon 80D, Canon 90D and Canon C200 and Canon C500 I have a four year plan.

You got my 👍🏻 after 17 seconds. Good work as always 😏

Another 😇 honest and 👌Great review! And as usual, awesome 👌videography🎦! 👍👍 .

I would love it, but the lens situation would need to be a lot further along to have attracted me. Went with a Z6 to transition with my Nikkors. Prefer Panasonic's features and UI, which I love in my G9. Also, Royal Tyrrell is one of the world's greatest dinosaur museums and research facilities. Don't be misled by Drumheller's quaint kitsch.

Thanks, guys! I will buy this camera.

That intro was amazing! thanks for the laughts!

I love my S1 but auto exposure only in high-speed mode is a PITA. Hope they fix it in the future firmware update.

Thanks guys !

Great review! Thanks

Discovered after purchase that The S1 does not output Trigger signal via HDMI, and also doesn't output timecode. Therefore the Camera can't trigger recording to an Atomos Ninja Unit which is a Big Flaw in my opinion... Maybe you could suggest this feature added in the Next Update... Cheers!

Crap! Chris! Why do you have to make me spit my coffee all over my ipad! Damn...lol @1:47

I’m new to photography but been using a cellphone have the money for a premium camera what should I get leaning toward this camera more

Panasonic videos so comfortable to watch.

If you are about to head tot he beach with the fam and you could bring this camera, Nikon Z6 or A7 III, which would you bring?

The A7III is a brilliant camera; the colour science is now adequate and I was seriously considering acquiring one, however, it is a budget FF with many short cuts. It cannot compete on durability, sealing, ergonomics, EVF, sunlight op, night op, stabilisation, video modes, versatile features, menu. The colour science of the newer Panasonics has improved, and I think it's fantastic, though I guess that's aesthetic preference. The image quality is probably close, but the in-body composite gives it a resolution advantage when needed, and the significantly better IBIS gives it an ISO advantage in many situations, too. I completely understand people who get the Sony for tracking+special AF, or because they have the lenses already, or if they just aren't "Optimisers" and just want to shoot with something good which is easy to find at a good price, and then go out and make history/art/fun. However, I feel like people are gaslighting when they say that there is any reasonable equivalence between the S-series and the A-series (I don't mean Dr Nicholls, I mean the commentariat in general). Unless some manufacturing defect emerges, the Panasonics are vastly better outside the above circumstances; and even for those favouring high-end AF, they'd have to favour that at the expense of everything else. I'm not trying to ruffle feathers, and everyone has their own perspective ("You Do You" tm), but as far as I'm concerned: these Panasonics are... a d r e a m c o m e t r u e. Yet, I say this as a Fuji photographer with an agile kit already; a Foveon precision kit already; and rangefinder film lenses already. I'm not fussed about size or whether I can get the lenses I need etc; I'm not looking for a single camera to serve every purpose. I'm looking for a full frame camera which will last a long time, and provide an extra set of FOVs for my ART + manual lenses.

Super great review and thinks ... OMG not a new mount again despite well thought through tech. But, I ask myself, why should I change brand? Again!

Wow, really appreciate your video! Only your video lets me know Vlog color will be back! Because Vlog color is so good and convenient to color grade for me! Plus, how much is it? Same with Vlog in gh5?

Greatest intro ever!

"One of the great things about Calgary...".... words that will never be uttered from any Vancouver-ite! ;) Very capable review as one would expects, bruhs...

The low-light actually IS head and shoulder above everybody. I'm surprised you didn't tested the high-ISO performance because it blows any camera how out to the water, Sony's A7II included.

Good video, thank you.

Thanks Chris for the review. Bought that camera 2 weeks ago and still not 100% sure if that was right choice. Shooting kids portrait sometimes in action and landscapes. Would S1R have better AF performance ? I found AF in S1 to struggle when shooting in contra lighting conditions (Light behind the object) and not great when kids are moving. Still have chance to swap :) Should I go with S1R or maybe Sony A7IIIR ? Only think is I would miss built and feel of Lumix S serious it's best I ever experienced but... photography is not about that :) thanks for your advice

NIce review, Chris and Jordan! As a landscape and product photographer (stills only), I had considered the S1R (and the Nikon Z7), that is, until I read about the "High Resolution Mode" of these two Lumix cameras! In this mode, the S1 can output something like a 98MB RAW file, which is way more than I need, even for large 30" x 40" prints. Thus, I cannot justify the extra cost for the S1R, despite its' larger native resolution sensor. Coming from a Fuji X-T3, I think I will see a major difference in overall image quality from even the 24MB FF system, don't you agree? (Not that I wasn't obtaining very sharp results from the X-T3...just for large prints I think the difference would be noticable. Thanks!

I'm a documentary filmmaker for cinema and I love this camera, but I have three big problems with it: 1.) The rec button cannot trigger my external recorder, because my S1 doesn't put out timecode over HDMI and no trigger signal. Is this only on my camera??? 2.) I would love to shoot in some difficult situations without an external monitor/recorder. The great EVF would allow that. But I shoot most of my films for cinema in cinemascope. But there is really no options for framing markers inside the camera. Only helping lines for photo. That is really a shame. So I cannot frame my picture without monitor. (I think the S1H has the same problem). 3.) The switch to APS-C mode is not assignable to buttons. You have to go into the menu and click twice. Simply to long for some situation where you have to change it fast or on a gimbal. An my Sony a7M3 you can have this switch simply by pressing a button. This is a joy to use. When you record with external recorder only you can change it during record - like a cut. That would be great to have on the S1 also.

You relived my 11 year old road trip my mom took us on. Hoodos, followed by that blue bridge, and the little church heh. We also hiked to the big Jesus statue. (oviously did the Drumheller things)