Panasonic releases Lumix S1R and S1 full-frame cameras for 3699 and 2499 euros

Panasonic has officially announced its two new full-frame cameras. The Lumix S1R has a 47.3-megapixel sensor and costs 3699 euros as a body. The cheaper Lumix S1 has a 24.2-megapixel sensor and costs 2499 euros.

The Panasonic Lumix S1R can make raw files with a resolution of 187 megapixels and with the cheaper Lumix S1 it is possible to make images of 96 megapixels. Those high resolutions are possible by shifting the sensor eight times by half a pixel, creating multiple images that are then stitched together in the camera. It is probably necessary to use a tripod.

The S1 has an ISO range that goes up to 51,200, although this can be digitally stretched to an equivalent of 204,800. With the S1R, an ISO value of up to 25,600 can be set and that can be digitally expanded to a maximum of 51,200. Panasonic reports that with the S1R it has placed aspherical micro-lenses above each pixel on the sensor, which are said to be better able to focus light. The sensors are stabilized in both cameras and should provide a stabilization that is good for a gain of 5.5 stops. When using a lens with built-in stabilization, up to 6 stops can be compensated via the dual IS 2 system.

The S1 and S1R differ from the sensor resolution, especially in the video area. S1R has lesser specifications in this area, in the sense that video is always limited to 8-bit color with this model; the S1 can record internally with 4:2:0 chroma subsampling and 10bit color and via hdmi this is 4:2:2 with 10bit color. The S1 can record 4k images at 30fps with the entire sensor being read out; with the S1R, a crop is applied. Both cameras can also shoot 4k videos at 50 or 60fps, with both models applying a crop; with the S1 this is limited to thirty minutes and with the S1R to fifteen minutes.

Later this year, Panasonic will release a software update for the S1 that will also allow 4:2:2 subsampling with 10bit colors when recording internally, or 4:2:2 with 10bit colors with a 4k60fps mode via HDMI. However, this update, which will also add V-Log, will require payment. Both cameras can also film in slow motion, including a 6x slow motion function in 1080p at 180fps.

Both devices shoot at 6 frames per second with continuous autofocus. With single focus, that is a maximum of 9 fps. Like the Panasonic cameras with a micro-four-thirds sensor, the S1 cameras use the DFD system, which is based on contrast detection. The autofocus system’s algorithms are machine-learning-trained, allowing it to track not only human faces and eyes, but also cats, dogs and birds. According to Panasonic, the autofocus also works in the dark up to a value of -6ev.

Both cameras have a viewfinder with an OLED screen with a relatively high resolution of 5.76 million sub-pixels, a magnification of up to 0.78x and a refresh rate of 60 or 120Hz. According to the manufacturer, there is a very small delay. Furthermore, just like the G9, the cameras have a small screen on the top on which the camera settings can be read and the touch-sensitive 3.2″ LCD on the back has a resolution of 2.1 million dots. the back cannot be folded forward, as is quite common with other Panasonic cameras.

Both cameras use the L mount, which means that all available Leica lenses can be screwed onto the S1 cameras. Panasonic is not only working with Leica on this mount, but also with Sigma. Both the S1 and S1R have two memory card slots, one suitable for XCD cards and the other for SD cards. Some buttons on the back of the cameras can be illuminated and there is a joystick for choosing autofocus points. The cameras are sealed against dust and water and can be used down to temperatures of -10 degrees Celsius.

fltr: The 24-105mm, the 70-200mm and the 50mm.

The manufacturer is releasing three new lenses together with the cameras. First of all, this is the Lumix S 24-105 mm with a constant aperture of f/4.0, which is also offered as a kit lens in bundles with the cameras. This lens costs 1399 euros separately and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.3 meters. Furthermore, the manufacturer comes with the Lumix S Pro 50 mm f/1.4 for 2499 euros and the Lumix S Pro 70-200 mm f/4.0 for 1899 euros.

The Panasonic Lumix S1 and S1R are for sale as bodies for 2499 and 3699 euros respectively. In combination with the 24-105 mm lens, those prices are 3399 and 4599 euros. Both cameras, like the three new lenses, will be available from the end of March.