Photography News Issue 70

Big test

In post focus mode, the camera adjusts focus on different parts of scene and records in 4K video as it does so. Later, you can view the footage and select the image you want and save it as a separate JPEG file. One feature that didn't work for me was touch AF. Many times I picked up the camera to find I must have touched the screen and the AF point was in a random corner. Pushing the focus lever down centres the AF point, but I found it best to switch off touch AF, but leave touchpad AF active. It meant I could use this or the focus lever when my eye was up to the eyepiece and -the focus lever when the camera was on the tripod.

Of all the images I shot, just a handful were beyond salvage in editing. Some against-the-sun shots were dark in the shadows, but correction with the shadows slider in Lightroom sorted that with minimal noise. I used aperture- priority AE and manual exposure modes with multi-zone metering and the Lumix S1 just got on with the job and performed consistently and reliably. I tried the IBIS system for stills and video. A 6EV benefit is a bold claim and, of course, there are a great many variables. With the 24-105mm, I took sequences of outdoor shots on a calm evening at both ends of the zoom range with the mechanical shutter, using

The Lumix S1’s in-body image stabiliser with its 6EV benefit helps give shake-free stills and movies when light levels fall. It also gives 96-megapixel files compared with the camera’s native 24 megapixels. High-res files are 188MB and 12,000x8000 pixels, so four times the size of 44MB files, and images are 6000x4000 pixels with normal mode. In high res mode, the camera shoots eight images one after the other, with the sensor moving between each shot. Other options in the menu let you save a normal shot alongside a merged high- res Raw and there is the choice of mode 1 or mode 2 – the latter designed to help deal with scenes with movement. When the exposure sequence is complete, the camera takes around ten seconds to merge the files into a single Raw. During this test, I shot many high res mode shots, mostly on tripods, but also quite a few handheld with mode 2. Successful handheld high res shooting is possible, but not consistently. The shots shown here were taken using the 24-105mm zoom with the Lumix S1 tripod-mounted. The normal-sized Raws were shot simultaneously with the high-res Raws. Processing was done in Lightroomwith identical settings and shown here with the normal Raws at half the magnification of the high-res Raws, so subject size was the same.With both file types at 100% normal res files open up to 50.8x33.67cm, while high res mode gives files of 101.6x 67.7cm at 300ppi. When it comes right, the high res mode gives impressive results for when you want the best quality and a large file from a suitable subject. The benefit is even more evident as you increase ISO. The highest speed permitted is IS0 3200 and this speed was used for the comparison shots. The high res mode is a welcome feature and works well, notably for interior and studio shooting. speeds from 1/30sec down to 1sec, allowing time for my arms to rest in between. In my practical test, I found at 105mm the safest slow shutter speed was 1/8sec and, while I got sharp shots even at 1/2sec, they were the exception rather than the norm. My success rate at the 24mm end was significantly greater at slow shutter speeds, and I got consistently pin-sharp shots at 1/2sec. I was especially impressed with the Lumix S1’s high ISO performance and it was excellent at medium speeds, too. Out-of-camera JPEGs looked lively and natural in colour, and the Raws had plenty of editing potential and processed files printed up very nicely. WC

Final word

Verdict The Panasonic Lumix S1 is a really capable andmostly enjoyable camera to use.The images, still andmoving, it delivers are first rate. Much has beenmade of the size of Lumix S series cameras – and it is true you are unlikely to tote the S1 around on the off-chance of a picture.That is a point of view and – as someone who regularly has a full-frame DSLR in their bag just in case – in the two weeks I had the camera, I didn’t find the burden of a Lumix S1 with the 24-105mm lens that much different fromwhat I amused to.And with Panasonic’s no-compromise approach, you know you have kit that will continue to performunder themost demanding conditions.

PERFORMANCE: HIGH RESOLUTION MODE

FEATURES Richly featured to attract still and video shooters PERFORMANCE Very impressive image quality even at high ISO speeds HANDLING The Lumix S1 is a big camera but handling still rates highly VALUE FOR MONEY Competitive for its feature set and performance levels OVERALL The Lumix S1 is a very capable camera and built to last, too

23 /25

100% - NORMAL MODE

50% - HIGH RES MODE

23 /25

92 /100

PROS ISO performance, overall image quality, quiet in use, in-body image stabilisation, USB-C charging, build quality, SD and XQD slots, high resolution CONS Size, AF point too easily moved when touch screen AF set

IMAGES The high res mode does a fine job with suitable subjects so if you need a big file for very large prints it is worth using

100% - NORMAL MODE

50% - HIGH RES MODE

IMAGES The Lumix S1’s three-inch monitor gives a good image and its touch functionality is impressive. The menu is extensive, but easy enough to navigate

IMAGES With a tripod mounted Lumix S1, the exposure was 1/1000sec at f/8 at ISO 3200. The low noise of the ISO 3200 shot in high res mode is impressive

46 Photography News | Issue 70

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