Panasonic S1 vs S1H: Cheaper Is Better?!

Funny thing, in 2023 the S1 has most of the features of the S1H now.

Is the ghosting in S1H been fixed?

Great test. But what about the S1R?

It's 2023 and I still prefer my 2019 purchased S1 for video (especially now with the BRAW output using the Blackmagic video assist 12G). Yes it's that good - I'm amazed every time I drop a clip into DaVinci. I've tried almost every new camera on the market. Poor video autofocus doesn't bother me because I only use manual. The only real issue for me is the weight...if I'm feeling tired it can be a drag to hold this thing up for extended periods.

Commenting nearly 3 years later, I'd go looking for whether Panasonic have fixed the artefacts in V-Log and look at lens prices too. I've got 4x GH5S cameras for multicam filming live music/events, and it's going to take a lot to drag me away from them. The cleanliness of the high ISO in dark venues is fantastic in those, it's just the IBIS and photo resolution that suck.

Jesus Christ, the image quality of the S1 series and S5 smokes Sony and Canon, Panasonic did a terrific job, if I ever get depressed because of the AF, I go look at the stuff people made with Panasonic full frame bodies, then I look at my own stuff, and I tell myself (Who needs AF anyway, these cameras produce image so good you never will worry again)

Hello, I have a question.

does the lumix s1 camera have a menu to change the language? For example, I want to buy a Japanese version of the Lumix S1 camera, can I change the language to English? Thank you

Bought the S1H for £2,799. Brand new. Happy days.

Hey Gerald or anybody else here, I know the Video is old but maybe you can answer my questions: A Does with the 2.1 update the Panasonic S1 finally offer true 24p when recorded to the Ninja V? or is it just 23.97? I am thinking of making an S1 my second camera alongside my BMPCC6K so any good ideas and any input is very Wellcome. Thank you a lot!  
Maybe it would be great to hear about the cameras abilities now in 2022.

Waiting for a S1H II with 4K 120, little more dynamic range and no rolling shutter. Also would be great to have a built in variable electronic ND

I'm late to the party here as I stumbled across this video looking for something else. Nice video and glad the ghosting issue had a fix :)

There's one point I want to clarify. Since the introduction of Dual Native ISO by Panasonic in 2014, I've spent a bit of time with the Pana engineers and got a lot of early hands on with their cinema cameras. Lets put aside the ISO variance in this video as to noise as we all now the S1H was updated. The test included here to compare the noise of both at different ISO's is an apples to apples test, whereby both are operated the exact same way. Understandable. However the S1H has another option. So dual native ISO is present on the S1 and S1H, but it works differently on both models.

Let's assume Vlog setting for all the below.

On the S1, as you dial the ISO up (gain up) it auto switches from the low to high iso setting at ISO4000. Yes, we are all familiar with that.

The S1H works differently. Whilst there's an auto setting that will make your camera work like the S1, I'd never recommend using it. On the S1H low setting base you can gain up from 640 to 5000ISO. Then in High base setting you can gain up from 4000 base to 51200 ISO. The important difference here is that on the High base ISO setting you can also gain down. Set your base to High (4000iso) and then gain down to 2000ISO for example. What you're actually doing here is reducing the SNR i.e. there's less noise.

This is easy to compare for anyone who owns an S1H. Set ISO at low base and gain up to 2000ISO and record. Set ISO High base and and gain down to 2000ISO and record. View them on a 4K monitor side by side. The result is a cleaner image. This is also how the Varicam35, LT and EVA1 work, but again not how the S1 works. There is a clear advantage to doing it this way.

Anyway, just thought I'd clarify that.

How do you remove the white square from the screen/viewfinder? I’m trying to shoot with no obfuscations.

Next Intro: I'm Gerald Undone and now I wonder If I could fall into the sky.

where i can get those hlg luts?? the link isnt working anymore u.u

Cool video. I really enjoyed the visuals, interview etc. I can't get over the quality of the images... however, not sure why I'm watching this, as I'm only in the market for a G85/G95 LOL :)

Can you shoot at 25fps ? in other words is the S1 can switch from Pal to Ntsc?

I've been using GH5 for 3 years, and just bought eos R for my second camera, a better AF and also want to experience canon color science. In conclusion, I think I love the color from Lumix more and would just stick on Lumix camera to upgrade in the future.

I’ve found the AF to be as reliable and certainly very smooth and useable when set up correctly. As good as or even better than the competition

Now, over a year later...has there been a fix for the ghosting in the S1H? I can't find any evidence of a fix being released.

this video Need a refresh, the S1 with the last Fw update go up 6k resolution

Link for luts not working

With the latest 2021 firmware update, these two cameras are even closer than before. I think of the S1H like the GH5 and the S1 like the G9. They're so similar that 99% of buyers would be happy with the cheaper model. And, for the other 1%, the Netflix approval is probably what pushes the S1H over the top more than anything else.

Due to the unreliable autofocus, neither of these cameras makes much sense for any situation when the camera is unmanned, so look elsewhere if you're a vlogger.

All of this competition is great for consumers though because it's forcing all of the manufacturers to make their stills cameras more capable for video.

Hey Gerald, it would be wonderful if you could do a follow up review of the S1 vs S1H with all the new capabilities that have been added through firmware etc, and the options in 2021 :)

Excellent review and good on you for incorporating a phone interview to fill the gaps of experience you didn't have. You put a lot of work into these reviews. Terrific! Your graded S1H footage looks great, too.

not ' try setting your playback speed to 75%' instead... 'Blame Dennis' 😂😂😂

Anybody know if the ghosting issue has been fixed on the newest updates, looking at buying an s5 from an a7r3 and not sure what to do

Closer than ever before. Me and my 8 year old did a review of the new update. just like yours, minus the production value, professionalism and accurate info

Gerald Undone the Panasonic S1 has had another Firmware update like a day ago. Are you going to review it again

Maybe it was an old issue, tried it and everything is fine for me now 2021.04.11 Vlog and HLG work both just fine

I appreciate this review Gerald. I'm currently looking at the penny S5. Do you know if the image is the exact same as the s1h? I'm looking to make a purchase this week.

Do you know how to set another aspect ratio than 16:9 for video, on S1? I have aspect ratio options only for foto on my S1..

DVX200 had the same problems with ghosting and this was completely removed by turning off the NR. It's surprising that this issue still affects Panasonic cameras given their attention to detail with all other aspects.

is there Aputure DEC Vari-ND Wireless Lens Adapter for this camera ?

Your Comparison is very nice Full detailed

I am seriously considering getting the S1 over the S1H & S5. Its got full HMDI and great EVF. With the S1, is it possible to set the shutter angle to 180?

Ooooh you're tired...

The S1H crops in 1.5x when sooting 4k 50/60, right? I am finding contradictory information on this online.

The Panasonic S1 is looking rather tasty with the January sales on used camera's

Can you do a new video with the 2.0 firmware S1 update? The S1 will be closer to the s1h

so for a hybrid shooter s1h or r5 ?

I’m glad you’re a fast talker. This video could’ve been 8 hours 😉. Thanks for the help!

I'm looking to buy my first mirrorless camera, but I can't decide what should I get. I am stucked between the Lumix G9, S1, Sony a7III, canon r6. Only that g9 is a MFT system but the cheapest for an amateur photographer, but I'd like to take my hobby more seriously. I mostly shoot concerts, but of course interested also in macro, wildlife, landscapes and portrait. Looking for a camera for shooting stills mostly (I am not in for videos yet). So what do you guys sugest? I like the Lumix's built quality and as I heard lenses are cheaper....

Dennis’ LUTs should also work on the Panasonic S5, right?

I watched this Video more than 3times already, the funny thing is that every single time I watch it I learn something new

Seriously, who gives you a thumbs down?

Hey Gerald. Great video as always. I was wondering if you had any info on why the S1 focus peaking during video dims significantly as soon as the record button is pressed. I installed the v1.5 firmware in the vain hope that this glitch would be addressed. Alas, no. It still gets super dim even with sensitivity turned all the way up during recording. I read on a forum somewhere that other S1 users have had similar complaints and that, oddly, it isn't an issue on the S1H. What gives? I love my S1 but this is annoying. Do I have a faulty body? It's a real pain when trying to use vintage lenses and manually focus. Advice please!!!