Exploring the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1: A Professional-Grade Camera for Capturing Stunning Photos and Videos

Discover the advanced features and functionalities of the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1, a high-performing camera that delivers exceptional performance for both photography and videography. From its impressive 24.2 megapixel full-frame sensor to its advanced autofocus system, this camera is designed to meet the needs of professional photographers and videographers. In this blog post, we'll take an in-depth look at what makes the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 a standout option in the crowded camera market.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 article cover photo

Key Features

Feb 01 2019

Announced

24 megapixels

Resolution

BrandPanasonic
Sensor TypeFull frame
SensorCMOS
Weight1021g
MSRP$2499USD

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Overview of the Lumix DC-S1

As technology evolves, the world of cameras has seen remarkable advancements in recent years. The Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 is a perfect example of how far camera technology has come. Equipped with a 24.2MP full-frame sensor, the S1 produces incredibly sharp images with stunning detail. The camera's autofocus system is also incredibly advanced, allowing you to track moving subjects with ease. The Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 is the perfect camera for anyone who desires to capture photos and videos at a professional level. In this post, we'll explore the features and functionalities of this exceptional camera and help you understand why it's an ideal choice for professional photographers and videographers.

Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High-quality images
24.2-megapixel full-frame sensor
Dual Image Stabilization
4K video recording
Weather-sealed body
Excellent low light performance
Fast autofocus
Large electronic viewfinder
Variety of lenses available
User-friendly interface

Cons

Expensive
Heavy and bulky
Limited battery life
No built-in flash
Limited touchscreen functionality
Complex menu system
No built-in GPS
Limited continuous shooting speed
Limited compatibility with third-party accessories
Slow buffer clearing time

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Panasonic Lumix DC-S1

Weather sealed
Dimensions149 x 110 x 97mm
Weight1021g
Thickness97mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 camera is equipped with environmental seals that make it resistant to weather, preventing water and dust from entering the camera. If you enjoy outdoor photography and need a camera that can handle extreme conditions, the Lumix DC-S1 is an excellent choice.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeTilting
Screen Resolution2,100k dots
Body typeSLR-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a tilting 3.20" screen, with a display resolution of 2,100k dots. This makes the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Lumix DC-S1 includes a electronic viewfinder with 5,760k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.78x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 has a 24MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 24 pixels. Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 has a native ISO range of 100 - 51200 which can be boosted to 50 - 204800. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Feb 01 2019

Announced

100 - 51200

ISO Range

SensorFull frame
Extended ISO50 - 204800
Max resolution6000 x 4000 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

95 / 102

Color Depth

25.2 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

14.5 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

3333 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain medium amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is average, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Lumix DC-S1 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: Full frame

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

Storage
Battery Life380 shots
Battery ModelDMW-BLJ31
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 supports undefined with 2 slots for storage. Having dual SD card slots on the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 is highly advantageous as it mitigates the risk of losing footage due to memory card malfunctions. This feature is particularly beneficial for wedding photography and other professional settings.

Battery

The Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 uses the DMW-BLJ31 model of battery pack. This is rated for 380 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 does not have a built-in flash, but it does offer a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 225 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1?

The Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 weather sealed?

Yes the Lumix DC-S1 does have weather sealing.

When was the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 announced?

The Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 was announced on Feb 01 2019

Does the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Lumix DC-S1 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1?

The Lumix DC-S1 has a native ISO range of 100-51200, which can be expanded to ISO 50-204800 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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