Photography News Issue 64

Camera test 64

Photography News | Issue 64 | photographynews.co.uk

Panasonic Lumix S1R Panasonic has embraced the sales opportunities of mirrorless full-framewith alacrity, introducing two Lumix cameras and three lenses to kick off its S series. The Lumix S1 has a 24.2-megapixel resolution, but in this test we look at its higher-resolution and externally identical big brother, the 47.3-megapixel S1R

Specs

Prices S1R body £3399, S1 body £2199, S1R kit with 24-105mm£4199, S1 kit with 24-105mm£2999 Sensor S1R 47.3-megapixel, CMOS sensor, S1 24.2-megapixel, CMOS sensor Sensor format S1R 24x36mm, 8368x5584 pixels. High res mode 16,736x11168 pixels, 6K photo 5184x3456 pixels, 4K photo 3504x2336 pixels, HLG photo 6464x4320 full res S1 35.6x23.8mm, 6000x4000 pixels. High res mode 12,000x8000 pixels, 6K photo 5184x3456 pixels, 4K photo 3504x2336 pixels, HLG photo 5984x4000 full res Aspect ratios: 3:2, 4:3, 16:9, 1:1, 65:24, 2:1 ISO range S1R 100-25,600. 50 and 51,200 extended S1 100-51,200. 50, 102,400 and 204,800 extended Shutter range 60secs-1/8000sec, Bmax 30mins Electronic front shutter curtain 60secs to 1/2000sec, Bmax 30mins Electronic shutter 60secs to 1/16,000sec (S1R), 1/8000sec (S1) Motion picture 1/25-1/16,000sec Drivemodes Burst shooting in AFS and MF: H 9fps, M 5fps (with live view), L 2fps. In AF-C 6fps max (with live view). 6K photo 30fps, 4K photo 30fps Exposuremodes PASM Monitor 3.2in 2100k dots, tiltable, touchscreen Viewfinder OLEDwith 5760k dots, 100% view, 0.78x, three magnification options Focusing AF works from -6EV to 18EV Focus points 225 area. Auto detection (face, eye, body, animal, tracking, zone (vertical/ horizontal), zone (oval and square), single area, single area pinpoint, custommodes, full area touch Video Continuous recording 150min (rear monitor), 140min LVF Actual recordable time 75 min (rear monitor), 70min LVF Recording file format S1 MP4, H:264/MPEG-4 AVC, S1RMP4, H:264, MPEG-4 S1R 4K (3840x2160) 59.94/50/29.97/25/23.98 MP4, high- speed video (3840x2160) 29.97 (sensor output 60fps) S1 4K (3840x2160) 59.94/50/29.97/25/23.98 MP4, high- speed video (3840x2160) 29.97 (sensor output 60fps), 4KMP4 HEVC (3840x2160) 29.97 72Mbps Connectivity Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, USB-C 3.1 Image stabiliser Image sensor shift 5-axis/5.5EV benefit. Dual IS 6EV benefit Other key features Dust and splash resistant, USB charging Storagemedia 1 x SD, 1 x XQD Dimensions (wxhxd) 148.9x110x96.7mm Weight S1R body 899g, S1 body 898g Contact panasonic.co.uk

the 24.2-megapixel S1 and the 47.3-megapixel S1R, priced at £2199 and £3399 body only, respectively. The Panasonic Lumix S1R is the highest resolution full-frame camera currently available. Buying into a new system demands a considerable leap of faith, but Panasonic and Sigma have formed an alliance with Leica to use the latter’s L-Mount, so prospective S series buyers have plenty of choice when it comes to lenses. Leica has a good range out already and Sigma has just announced L-Mount versions of its highly regarded Art

primes – 11 lenses in all. I tried the Lumix S1R with two of the three lenses Panasonic has made available so far: the 50mm f/1.4 and the 70-200mm f/4. There is the perception that mirrorless means compact. It is true that doing away with the reflex viewing systemdoes offer the chance for smaller cameras, but Panasonic’s no-compromise approach hasmeant the S1R is comparable in size to non-gripped DSLRs like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Nikon D850. Add the 50mm f/1.4 – a huge lens, considering its focal length and

Words and images by Will Cheung

Whether you like it or not, the days of optical viewfinders and the familiar click-clack of the instant- return reflex mirror are numbered as the mirrorless bandwagon rolls mercilessly on. Panasonic is already big in mirrorless with its popular Micro Four Thirds cameras, and it has now joined the rank of full-frame mirrorless providers with the launch of a new system, the S series. Two cameras are on offer:

There is the perception that mirrorless means compact