Panasonic S1 vs S1H for video (2021 Firmware) 

For some time now I had an S1H for video and an S1 for photography. Now I feel like I can multicam without problems with both, for me that's a huge deal. Thanks to Panasonic for really caring for costumers, unlike other brands that launch 3 cameras every month.

I never clicked a notification faster in my life. As a S1 user contemplating stepping up to the S1H I loved the video and will be keeping the S1.

If you're serious about color grading, the braw update is a BIG deal. It's like having a BMPCC 6K with IBIS. I've fallen in love with the S1H all over again!

I’ve been using S5 and now got S1 as well. Something I’ve noticed that is the AF performance. Panasonic made S5 differently. S5 is more responsive and reliable when it comes to AF. Especially using the 85MM S 1.8 lens, the S1 suffers but S5 does a good job. My second newest post shows u the S5 performance

Thanks for this video! Is good to have ppl doing this kind of analysis for us who are looking for a new camera and we are stuck between 2 models 🙌

BRAW is now available on the S1 and S5. So now, the only real limitation is the record limits and the potential for overheating.

Panasonic's video quality and color are the best in the business..

I have the S1 with all the latest firmware and recently got an iPhone 13 pro max. What a deadly combo without breaking the bank.

I just picked up an S1 which has the DMW-SFU2 key installed and a bonus Sigma MC21 Adapter & 2nd battery. It was on Firmware 1.5 but just updated it to 2.1 which released a day ago. Keen to get filming!

The S1 is such a great value for money! Nice comparison video guys! 👌🏻

whoa, this update rock! thanks for the vids guys!

I love it! I just bought an open box S1 from B and H for a steal. So happy I waited to upgrade my camera system.

I wish you've included the S5 too

S1H has one big advantage which nobody saying... 120 fps 4:2:0 10 bit in 1080p. It's a real difference in color grading with slow motion footage and 10 bit color.

Been a fan since your Camera Store days, thanks for your insights here. Would be nice to see reviews of adjunct equipment (i.e. HDR monitors, recorders, mics, audio, media, storage, etc.)...maybe time for a, um, DVReview side channel?

Thanks for the video. As I hybrid shooter, i bought the S1 yesterday. I am completely with you. At this price point the S1 is the better cam!

I bough the S5 in november and sold it to get the S1 recently. The full size HDMI and better IBIS were a huge plus for me, this firmware just makes it even more perfect.

Autofocus issues on both cameras aside, the S1 is probably more than good enough for 95% of videographers. But the S1H has those few extra things that are handy for the other 5%.

Hi guys, saw you the day you shot this in Carburn. Stopped and chatted for a second, while biking past.

Thanks guys.. wish I shot video more though to fully appreciate this!

This makes me want to rent an S1. I'm a Nikon guy, but keeping my options open.

Just an EVA1 user waiting for my firmware.

All Intra is needed when shooting high changing light like in music videos where lasers and lights are changing.

I am open to "going back" to Panasonic. I owned the GH5 for a long time, and shot a feature film with it. But, the AF is still not there, yet. Yes, it has improved dramatically in recent firmware updates. And it's disturbing that Panasonic is insisting that they are sticking with the contrast based AF. I think that's part of the reason why their AF is still not completely reliable. I hope they do bring their AF to the level of reliability that we experience with Sony and Canon cameras. As a filmmaker, I actually don't rely on AF all the time. But, as an indie filmmaker, I have to have those moments where I can just grab the camera and get a shot without having to hire a crew or focus puller. And that's where good AF comes in. I really love Panasonic's color science. I think it's one of the best in the business, hands down. That being said, I am impressed with the S series from Panasonic. I love how they are expanding their line of cameras. But, I think they would enjoy a massive leap in market share if the AF in their cameras was more consistent. Great video content, as usual, gents. Cheers.

Sacramento...110° in summer. Yes, I've shot at that temperature.

These colors are very pleasing

I wish you guys could make a video on how to grade the Braw from the Lumix/ BM assist

I'm not into shooting video much but the image quality of the S1 is quite amazing.

I think the look a nice AA filter contributes to continues to be understated. Most reviews talk about them like it's a bad thing. They add to that organic analog cinematic appearance.

Wish I had an s1H for my film and media studies

Man. When I eventually upgrade from the FZ2000 in 5-6 years, video on mirrorless cameras is going to be out of this world.

I believe we would like to see your opinion on where is the S5's place regarding to all the changes

Jordan, Chris, can you show us your personal PC / editing station? Thank you.

Thanks for this review, as I've been contemplating the S1, but keep gravitating towards the S1H. Do either/both of these have the full V-log, or do they have V-log L (light)?

When you account for the 200$ software upgrade key (which is needed to take advantage of the new firmware of the S1) and the 800$+ for the Atomos Ninja V ( that has loud fan noise) + 100$ for a Cage + (I don't know what else, maybe a handle etc) the price difference between S1H and the S1 with extras is not so much. The S1 is AMAZING if you don't the swivel screen for self recording and if you don't need more than 15 minutes for 6K recording. If you need those things you can get the S1H and you can have a more compact setup, the best functioning tilt and sivel screen, ALL-I, bigger top screen, the Low Pass Filter and the HFR High Frame Rate 48p/100p/120p in FHD. I will be getting the S5 because I am a newbie, I need the swivel screen and I found an amazing deal. 2000 Euro for the Body, 20-60mm Kit lens AND 35mm f/1.8 Panasonic lens

What I love the most in the last firmware update of the S1 is that now I can trigger my Atomos Ninja V using time code. Which means that I can use my 5€ remote control plugged into my S1 and launch the record both in the S1 and in the Ninja SSD. Vlog in the S1 and Vlog with LUT applied in the SSD. Yeah because I edit all my videos only with iMovie on my Mac. Not yet went to color grading nor invested into Final Cut Pro. For my very low level as youtuber (consider subscribe I would be so glad ;) ) I didn’t go further than iMovie !!!

Ah nice to see you covering the new firmware, me and my 8 year old reviewed it to... with somewhat less grace and professionalism

Aay, Chris, my S1H is a beast! I just wish there was an L mount camera with PDAF, so I can make better use of all my glass (and no, the Sigma fp L with no mechanical shutter nor IBIS, but heaps of rolling shutter, doesn't count!!!)

Liking those film posters. Jordan has great film taste

Chris's mic had a phase error. I find the way to avoid that is to turn off Jordon's mic in editing. I love my S5 because it is smaller and lighter. Also the Micro HDMI cable breaks instead of the motherboard on the camera when the cable is bent. That happened to me on the GH5.

Used an S1H kindly provided by Panasonic to shoot some scenic footage for TELESERENITY.com. It's a beastly camera but a superb one thanks to its versatility and better than you know who ergonomics and usability. Tack sharp lifelike video footage, just what we need. Once lockdown is over, we're hoping to go shoot more relaxing footage. We don't of course use AF for our work, being TELESERENITY forbids zooming and focus changing in order not to disrupt the calm, so cannot judge on that controversial issue that SXXY do better. Either way, the S1 and S1H deserve more coverage by the tech press who seem obsessed with the other brands. For me, it's all about realistic colour out of camera, and Panasonic do this best.

Jordan: "sorry, your windscreen is too distracting" I have to start using that excuse

Can you do an S1 vs S5 comparison?? I need to know the weight difference in noct!

Regarding time code, im quite sure I heard some Panasonic guys say that it was partially available on the S1. That it could send but not receive. Or it may have been the opposite.

So how long do you think until Panasonic unlocks BRAW on the S1? I hope soon.

Actually, the S1H can overheat - as it did for me, in 90 degree F weather, in the sun, after 35 minutes. Panasonic is looking into this, and the rep told me that it has a limit of 104 degree F for recording. Fan or not, it can still overheat.

I’ve been using the S1H for weddings. I love knowing I can rely on it in hot Florida weather lol. I may get an s1 as a b cam over say an s5 because it uses the same batteries as the s1h.

S1 (Fw 2.0) has no frame guides and blanking for cinematic aspect ratios which the S5 has ( I assume the S1H has?) and still no way to assign APS-C to a fn button like you can on the S5.

I wonder where there's other places are ...all right Chris we see you

Also, no Synchro Scan on S1, this has been restrictive to me a few times, especially shooting in slow-mo with dodgy room lighting =(

I thought they improved the AF, I know that contrast detection isn't much to brag about, but I was curious to see if it did improved somewhat.

would like to see S5 vs S1 with new firmware

How did you get the screen @3:21? I would like to have something like that setup

I had the X-H2s in my shopping kart as soon it got released. Now, with the S1's updates, I am torn. Has the AF got updated on the S1 too?

Okay first off, thanks to you guys for ALWAYS informing us about which camera was used to record the episode. The S1H looks absolutely great---but still weighs a TON...too much, IMO, for run and gun video in a Texas summer. But one thing you guys ALWAYS omit is talking about focus assist features on third party non-electronic lenses for us manual video shooters. Those features always have been decent (not great, but decent) on the S1H...but the S1--not so much. The peaking on the S1, for instance, is fine for setting focus, but hit record and the peaking all but vanishes. Yes, it's better in natural or CineD, but shooting V-Log you're SoL. (Not a real problem on the S5, OR the GH5/GH5S, the G9, the G85---you know the drill. At present, give me an S5 with a miniHDMI and, unlike Gerald, I'm actually Done.) It is almost impossible to track a subject using the peaking on the S1. As good as the S1 was the severe paucity of the peaking was deal breaker for me. To compound that, the diopter of the S1 only goes to +3.5----not +4! (Same story with the S1H). Strangely enough, the diopter is fine on the S5---crazy, right?!? They give you an ESSENTIAL feature on a $2000.00 camera, and then Cripple Hammer it on a $4000.00 one?!? Camera companies! You can't understand what they do and why, but you can't shoot them! The diopter craziness is not likely to change, but I had a fix for that. But it would be wonderful if it were improved. But my question is a SIMPLE one--- with a SIMPLE answer I hope you'll have the kindness to supply. To wit: did Panasonic fix the Peaking on the S1 so it does not virtually disappear the moment you hit record?!? Beyond that, great review and your grading looks terrific. These are great cameras. I just wish they had not contracted that horrible virus before they made them....Covid??? Of course not. Canon Cripplehammeritis.

No improvement in auto focus with this firmware update?

what do you guys think about the ProRes Raw workflow using Assimilate Scratch in combination with DaVinci Resolve?

Guys why you dint mention about 180 dagree shutter engle is it this same like in S1H and sharpness setting are you able setuo this by your self or it is fixed?

I dont understand why they dont give the s1r the same video specs the s1 has. It would be the perfect cam for me.

The s1 is just around 1000 bucks used in very good condition - what a bargain indeed !!

What lavs are you using in this video?

Fuji used to be great at updates, sadly since the T3 that’s not the case. Maybe Panasonic are realising the importance of keeping people in your ecosystem, especially since a lot of bank accounts aren’t in the best of health after the last year.

Okay so, panasonic is the new king of firmware since Fuji doesn´t give a f anymore?

As someone who lives in Las Vegas, the heating is a problem. We have summers heat up to even 115 feirenhiet.

Anyone ever wonder why they don't just make their own channel? Correct me if I'm wrong but the majority come here for Chris and Jordan not DPReview. Where they go we will follow.

Funny how Jordan has to stand so far down the bank of that creek to almost be at eye level with you Chris hahahahaha. Or were you planning on trying to push Jordan into that creek?

good one!

DPReview TV Can you record continuously (without overheating) in ACHD 1920 x 1080 30P?

Does the S1 have all the anamorphic setting and other things that the S5 has anybody please say I very confused with the decision of choosing between the S5 or S1

Are you guys having issues with corrupt files from the s1h??? I heard lexar and sony have issues. What about sandisk??

The S1 looks to have the same boost strategy like G9...

It's a shame that the fully articulating screen that also tilts up is not on the S1. I know a lot of wedding photographers who would prefer to not have the articulating screen. I'm the type of person who likes to do landscape photography using an articulating screen because if I want a unique shot from the ground I don't have to lie down. Lol

If this is a 24MP camera presumably it's 6000 by 4000 right? So why does it do 5.9k instead of just going all the way to 6k? Can anyone tell me?

A hand full of days away from 2022, and still the peaking of the S1 is crippled the moment you being to record video.

With this S1H firmware Panasonic forces Sony to come up with a firmware upgrade for the FX3 (and A7SIII)

I love the s1

Has the S1H given you any problems recording in 6k internal with SDCX cards?

Does the S1 now have shutter angle? Thanks

The one thing, which I suppose everybody already knows, the thing that ruins both of these cameras is the auto focus is complete crap! And until Panasonic fixes that… I have no use for their cameras. With the new Sony cameras you don’t even have to think about focusing it’s so extraordinary.

You missed the 1080 120p 10bit....

As an S1H user I hope we get more update.

White hairs in your moustache 🤣🤣🤣 I feel your pain man!

I would love to be a s1 user but i use davinci resolve and i want to use raw.

Not a single word about the 200$ V-Log upgrade you "have" to buy to use the 6K recording.

So far no comment from DP review about the focus peaking of then S1. Typical. Don't they read valid comments?---and this IS a valid comment in the form of a question: have they corrected the focus peaking issue of the S1 along with the other improvements? Crickets.

Is All-intra the same thing as "Raw"?

1:51 Is Nicole subscribed to this channel?

S1h is hands down the best video camera on the market

S1H is also Netflix-Certified.

That's one hell of an expensive front facing pin.

Is this 24fps 24p or 23.98?

awesome, sitting on a downed beaver log!!

The way that Chris is sitting on that bench is triggering

K3-III plz :D how much longer?!

Could Panasonic change the AF system on their L-series cameras to something like the Dual Pixel AF through an update? Or would an upgrade like that require different hardware and would just have to be released in future cameras?

Great for S1 users but for us S1H users this is very annoying. I hope the S1H is going to get a higher quality internal codec in the 5.9K mode? Double the bit rate please Panasonic, the camera can handle it! I'm not buying the Video Assist when I have the Ninja V. Either Atomos needs to add in BRAW or Davinci Resolve needs to get it's act together and let us import ProRes RAW. I have no idea what this obsession is with RAW video? If you can't expose and choose the correct white balance in camera, then you shouldn't be using cameras of this quality! Throw us S1H users a bone Panasonic, gives us a higher quality 5.9K internal codec that makes the S1H stand out from the crowd again like it did originally.

Absolute No1 reason to get the S1 over the S5. The tilt screen. The side hinged flippy, floppy, flappy, take forever, obstructive and conspicuous rear LCD was designed by the devil in hell.

Anyone else only staring at the white wind muff? 🤣

Hmm, i expected a more in-depth video after seeing the Undone video

So, the S5 is totally neglected in all of this?!?