Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 has come with us everywhereShot by Sachin Khot

Panasonic Lumix DC-S1: The gear we use

Here’s the equipment that makes our photos and video stand out: the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1

Published on:

29 Mar 2022, 05:54

Price: Rs. 2,39,990/-

There is an important reason for our decision to work closely with Panasonic in testing and reviewing the Lumix DC-S1. It is the company’s full-frame mirrorless offering built around the L-mount now supported by Panasonic. It gets an image stabilized 24MP sensor that can shoot at up to 9 frames per second. But that isn’t really what we are using the S1 at evo India for. The S1 can shoot 4K/60p video using the APS-C region of its sensor or a 4K/30p using its full sensor width. The S1 features the highest resolution electronic viewfinders of any camera around. The result is that we are able to capture enough light even at really high shutter speeds – this is important when capturing fast moving subjects like we have to on a daily basis. The S1 gets a 5.7M-dot OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate that has very little lag making the split-second decisions that videographers have to make a whole lot easier. Unlike most other mirrorless cameras, the S1 is hefty and you can feel that weight when you put it through the paces. But there is an explanation for this. There are a number of things that even make the tradeoff worth it. To start with there is the in-body image stabilisation that Panasonic offers. This combined with the OIS in the lenses makes for footage that is judder free even when used handheld. Another big plus is the weather seal that Panasonic has on the Lumix S1. We tested this to the extremes in temperatures as low minus sixteen degrees while shooting in Jammu and Kashmir. Then there is just how well built the Lumix S1 feels like on the other hand. Yes, other cameras in this price range are well built as well, but the Panasonic has a certain toughness that means that you don’t necessarily need to baby it around. Every touchpoint, button and dial feel built to last and that’s a compliment coming from videographers who constantly find themselves in fast-paced, high-stress environments. Not having to worry about your gear is priceless. As for the ease of use, the autofocus system in itself is top-notch. Panasonic’s Depth from Defocus (DFD) system uses the imaging sensor for the information it needs to focus the lens and make a decision based on the brightness differences between pixels. In practice, this means that the camera is very rarely ‘hunting’ unlike in other cameras. Then there’s the 225AF Area mode where the camera attempts to identify the subject. There is an option for you to tap an area on the screen and vary the number of focus points used with the control dials. This works beautifully well and makes the job of the videographers that much easier.