Panasonic S1 Achieved 88% Overall Score and Silver Award at DPReview

The Panasonic S1 is an incredibly well-built mirrorless camera with excellent image and video quality and it achieved an impressive 88% overall score and Silver Award from the experts at DPReview.

What we like

  • Excellent Raw and JPEG image quality
  • High-resolution mode also offers noise benefit
  • Effective 5-axis image stabilization
  • Class-leading build quality and weather-sealing; longest-lasting shutter in its class
  • Single AF is very fast and precise
  • Large, ultra-high-res EVF
  • Beautiful oversampled UHD 4K video
  • Face, body, eye and animal AF system works well
  • Firmware upgrade for 10-bit log footage
  • Linear manual focus response for video
  • Responsive touchscreen
  • AF joystick
  • Dual card slots
  • Top-panel display
  • Illuminated rear buttons
  • Impressive slow-motion video modes
  • Easy to use, mostly reliable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
  • USB charging

What we don’t

  • AF system less reliable than competition
  • AF-C wobble can be distracting when using the EVF
  • Choosing one face to focus on from multiple in the scene can be unreliable
  • One touch magnification of AF point is not possible
  • Battery life lags behind competition
  • Heavy
  • More expensive than peers
  • Non-matched card slots (you’ll need XQD and fast SD to make full use of both)
Conclusion
The Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 is an incredibly well-built (but heavy) camera with excellent image and video quality. The body has numerous control points and is highly customizable. The S1’s built-in image stabilization is effective, and the camera can use this system to produce ultra-high-res stills. Autofocus is speedy and accurate in most situations, though the continuous AF experience can be frustrating when using the EVF. Video quality is excellent, with 4K/60p support and numerous capture controls, and more on the way via a paid upgrade. While it’s more expensive than its peers, the S1 is great for a variety of use cases, and is worth your consideration if you don’t mind its size and weight.
Good for
Those seeking a stills/video hybrid camera with a solid, weather-sealed body with excellent image and video quality.
Not so good for
Photographers requiring a top-notch autofocus system. Those looking for a lighter, more portable body.

Don’t own the Panasonic S1 yet? Just get it at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.

Read more: Best Memory Cards for Panasonic S1.

Read the full review at DPReview.