Panasonic Lumix S1 review: Pushing your limits

Panasonic Lumix S1
  • Panasonic Lumix S1
  • Panasonic Lumix S1
  • Expert Rating

    4.25 / 5

Pros

  • Stellar ergonomics
  • Great results & expansive lens ecosystem

Cons

  • Autofocus not as fast as G9
  • Video record button placement not ideal

Bottom Line

Where 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.

Would you buy this?

  • Price

    $ 3,499.00 (AUD)

What I didn't like about the Panasonic Lumix S1?

But as much as I loved my time with the Lumix S1, I’m not going to be rushing out the door to buy one just yet. The main reason for this is price. Although it is quite competitive with other full-frame mirrorless options, the S1 could hardly be called cheap and/or affordable. Even as someone in the market for their next camera, it feels like a little bit of a reach.  Depending on your own budget and tastes, you might feel differently - but that’s honestly where I’m at.

And as good as the results I got out of the S1 were, it’s hard not for me to ask for more. The Panasonic S1 is a great camera. But all the same, a version of this camera that was lighter (or cheaper) would be better. It would have also been good to see the Lumix S1 reach the same 0.04-second AF found in the Lumix G9.

The iffy placement of the video record button is another weakness. As a stills-shooter, the S1 excels. If video is your focus, I get the sense it might be worth holding out for a true successor to the GH5.

The Bottom Line: Who is the Panasonic Lumix S1 for? Should you buy the Panasonic Lumix S1?

Still, at the end of the day, the Panasonic Lumix S1 is impressive as hell. There’s a lot that’s familiar here, to be sure. But that didn’t - and still doesn’t - hurt the appeal.

It might not be the camera I end up packing in my DSLR for, but the Lumix S1 definitely one I wish I could afford. It’s packed to the gills with features and delivers the goods when it comes to the quality and fidelity of the results.

Where 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.

Credit: Panasonic

Image Gallery - Panasonic Lumix S1

Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG

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Read more on these topics: Panasonic Lumix, Lumix 1, Panasonic Lumix S1
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