GEAR PANASONIC LUMIX S1R
A fter years of saying size doesn’t matter as it cameras, Panasonic has finally joined the full-frame party alongside the likes of Sony, Nikon, Canon and Leica. The launch of Panasonic’s new system, the frankly quite burly S series, sees the introduction of two Lumix cameras and three lenses. The Lumix S1 has a 24.2-megapixel resolution but its big brother, the 47.3-megapixel S1R, withwhich it shares a body, is currently the highest resolution full-frame cameramoney can buy. That ultimate resolution might be a big seller for stills users who yearn for detail, but for video shooters, the lower resolution and correspondingly bigger pixels of the S1 entices – the promise of lower noise, less information to throw away to get down to 4K video, and the potential of Log shooting via a forthcoming upgrade certainly makes sense for video users. The S1 offers 4K/60p shooting from an APS-C crop of its sensor or oversampled 4K/30p from its full width, plus HLG video capture as 10-bit HEVC files for easy HDR workflows. A 4K 60p 4:2:2 10-bit via HDMI option will be available via a firmware upgrade soon. The S1R doesn’t offer Log or HDR, or 10-bit workflow internally championed itsMicro Four Thirds GH range of mirrorless
or externally, but it does ace the cheaper S1 by shooting the headline 4K/60pwith only a slight 1.09x crop (although it pixel bins to do it). In both cases, it’s clear to see Panasonic has takenwhat it has learnedwith its amazing video-spec on the GH5 and GH5S cameras and implemented some –but clearly not all –of that technology into the full-frame S series. That will clearly come as a disappointment tomany spec-watchers, as it puts the cameras in direct competitionwith other full-framemirrorless cameras rather than shaming themwith incredible video spec. If you have beenwaiting for all the spec of a GH5S in a full-frame body, youmay be slightly disheartened–until you see the quality of the 4K footage and the lovely 180fps super slow-motion footage nothing else in themarket canmatch, that is. Simply put, the 4K footage – fromvirtually the full width of the sensor – is detailed, colourful but not oversaturated, bright, has lots of dynamic range, and can be pushed and pulled around in post to get the look youwant. There is virtually no noise until you push the ISO north of 6400, and even then it’s only in the deepest shadows. It might not be 10- bit 4:2:2 or Raw, but it is stunning. There is no Log, but the Flat picture mode is great for squeezing the last bit of dynamic range
BELOW The new Lumix S1R doesn’t have Log or HDR, but it does shoot 4K/60p with only a slight 1.09x crop
SPECIFICATIONS
Price: £3399/$3697 body only Sensor size: 24x36mm, 47.3-megapixels, 8368x5584 pixels Formats: 3840x2160 4K 59.94/50/29.97/25/23.98p, 150/100Mbps, 1920x1080 FHD 59.94/50/29.97/25/23.98p, 28/20Mbps Maximumframe rates: 60fps for 4K, 180fps FHD Codecs: 4:2:0 8-bit, MP4, H:264, MPEG-4, AVCHD ISO range: 100-25,600. 50 and Auto detection - face, eye, body, animal, tracking, zone (vertical/horizontal), zone (oval and square), single area, single area pinpoint, custom modes, full area touch. Contrast detect Stabilisation: Image sensor shift 5-axis Screen: 8cm/3.2in LCD tri-axial tilting touchscreen, 2.1million dots Viewfinder: OLEDwith 5760k dots, 100%view, 0.78x, three magnification options Audio: 2.5mm input Connectivity: 4KHDMI, 4:2:2 8-bit except for 4K 60/50p 4:2:0 8-bit, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB C 3.1 51,200 extended Shutter speeds: 60secs-1/16,000sec LensMount: L Focusing: 225-area AF.
Storage: 1xSD, 1x XQD Dimensions (WxHxD) : 148.9x110.0x96.7mm/ 5.86x4.33x3.81in Weight: 898g/1.98lb
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SUMMER 2019 PRO MOVIEMAKER
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