Panasonic Lumix S1 and S1R - Mirrorless has finally matured!

Panasonic S1 and S1R Pro Level Full Frame Mirrorless Cameras with Leica L Mount

One of the most interesting announcements at Photokina 2018 was by Panasonic when they announced the S1 and S1R Full Frame Mirrorless Cameras.

Now after months of teasing and rumours the cameras are now ready for preorder and according to Panasonic will be ready for shipping by the end of March 2019.

Here are the Specs and Pricing in the USA. I am yet to receive the India and Singapore Pricing.

Panasonic Lumix S1

24.2MP Full-Frame MOS Sensor

$ 2,497.99 Body Only

$ 3,397.99 kit with 24-105 F4 Lens

• 5.76m-Dot 0.78x-Magnification OLED LVF

• 3.2" 2.1m-Dot Triaxial Tilt Touchscreen

• UHD 4K60 Video; HDR and 10-Bit Recording

• ISO 100-51200, Up to 9 fps Shooting

• Contrast-Detect 225-Area DFD AF System

• Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization

• Weather-Sealed Construction

• Memory Card Type :

  XQD& SD

• Image StabilizationSensor-Shift, 5-Way

• 96 MP High-Res Mode

• L- Mount

Panasonic Lumix S1 R

47.3MP Full-Frame MOS Sensor

$ 3,697.99 Body Only

$ 4,597.99 kit with 24-105 F4 Lens

• 5.76m-Dot 0.78x-Magnification OLED LVF

• 3.2" 2.1m-Dot Triaxial Tilt Touchscreen

• UHD 4K60 Video Recording

• ISO 100-25600, Up to 9 fps Shooting

• Contrast-Detect 225-Area DFD AF System

• Image StabilizationSensor-Shift, 5-Way

• Weather-Sealed Construction

• 187MP High-Res Mode,

• XQD & SD Slots

• L- Mount

These are my initial impressions on the Cameras based on the specs, images and videos I have seen on the web. I will come out with a proper review once i’ve had a chance to shoot with the camera.

I am truly excited about this camera specially the S1R. More so than any other mirrorless camera that have been announced over the last year or so.

The Bodies

Heres what I like about the cameras. The Camera body design looks solid with proper grip and size akin to that of a pro level DSLR.Both cameras are weather sealed. They have two card slots which is on Par for pro level cameras. The ergonomics and button layout seems to be well thought out and seems to be a mix of the best features from all the currently available cameras. From what I've seen the menu layout and design is clear and intuitive. All these are very important for the serious photographer who will be spending a lot of time shooting with the camera.

The 47 MP Resolution of the S1R is along the lines of the Nikon Z7 and the Sony A7RIII. Way more that the Canon EOS R which has a 30 MP sensor. That for me makes it ideal for shooting Landscapes and studio work and any other application where high resolution is required . At 9 frames per second its not slouch in the fps department.

The S1 with a 24 MP sensor with better low light performance and video features seems to be aimed at the Hybrid shooters who need both good still and video capabilities.

As a Landscape and Travel photographer who regularly prints and exhibits in large format I am particularly interested in the S1R with its high resolution sensor. I am curious to check out the High Dynamic Range and High Resolution Modes available in the S1R.

The Lens Ecosystem

First three lenses for the Panasonic S system

Panasonic is releasing three lenses along with the bodies to start with and have announced that they will have a number of lenses available by 2020. Being an L Mount camera the S1 and S1R can work with the entire range of Leica SL lenses. So if you have deep pockets that is the way to go. Further Sigma has announced they will be bringing out L mount version of their entire Art Line of lenses . So in a fairly short amount of time there will be a huge selection of Lenses available for this system to suit all budgets. That in theory makes this system a formidable and possibly class leading FF Mirrorless systems.

Leica L Mount Lenses..

Sigma Art Line coming soon for L Mount

To Summarise the S1 and S1R look like excellent options for the modern photographer. The S1R is the type camera I always hoped that Canon would release. But so far Canon has disappointed. Now I am hoping Sigma or other 3rd party manufacturer will release a quality adapter that will allow me to adapt my EF lenses to this camera. I look forward to testing these cameras so I can decide whether to invest in this system.

For photographers who are looking to build a new mirrorless system from scratch the Panasonic Lumix S1 and S1 R should be on the top of your shortlist.