Best Panasonic Lumix S1H Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals & Sales 2020:

The Panasonic Lumix S1H is the third device with a 24×36 sensor from the manufacturer. It follows on from the Lumix S1 and S1R in the S range, which evolves in parallel with the historic range of the brand with Micro 4/3 sensor.

Presentation

Announced in fall 2018, the S range – with the Lumix S1 and S1R – is the new line of hybrid cameras with a 24×36 sensor from Panasonic. The competition is not to be outdone with Nikon which opened the ball of presentations thanks to the Z6 and Z7 . Canon also presented its copy on the large sensor hybrid segment with the EOS R and EOS RP .

It was only in early 2019 that the adventure really started for the Lumix S1 and S1R with a detailed presentation and the start of marketing. Then, shortly before the start of the summer, Panasonic announced the development of a third model, the Lumix S1H. Like its predecessors, the brand intended it more for the professional world, this time with a video orientation that leaves no room for ambiguity.

Panasonic wants to enter a professional niche market with an impressive technical data sheet. In major areas, the Lumix S1H is capable of filming in 6K 24p in 3: 2 format. For the 16: 9 format, you will have to make do with 5.9K at 30fps maximum. This is a new record on this type of device that Panasonic adds to its record. But that’s not all, 4K DCI 60p in 10 bits is also possible with many other features.

The Lumix S1H is already sold at a public price of € 4,000.

Best Panasonic Lumix S1H Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals & Sales 2020

1. PANASONIC LUMIX S1H Digital Mirrorless Video Camera with 24.2 Full Frame Sensor, 6K/24p Video Recording Capability, V-Log/V-Gamut, and Multi-Aspect Recording

2. Panasonic LUMIX DC-S1H Mirrorless Digital Camera Body – Bundle with Sigma MC-21 Mount Converter, Canon EF Lenses to Leica L Mount Cameras, Cleaning Kit, Microfiber Cloth

3. Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H Mirrorless Digital Camera, Body Only DMW-BGS1 Battery Grip

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Reactivity

A swift autofocus

If the Panasonic Lumix S1H is not a true copy of the Lumix S1 , the two boxes share many characteristics. In terms of reactivity, the measurements recorded with the S1H are close to those we had observed with the S1 . The startup could be a little better, alongside the autofocus in low light a little slower. For the rest, the result of our measurements is impeccable. In particularly difficult light conditions, it will be more convenient to switch directly to manual focus, the camera failing to focus.

Detection works very well. It detects both humans and animals. Both modes can be activated as desired. If the return to the detection screen is effective, reading the numerous pieces of information is not always easy and requires a certain amount of time to adapt. The burst announced at 9 fps respects its promise. On the other hand, the autofocus is done only on the first view in the fastest mode.

Image quality

Electronic noise management

The ISO rise of the Panasonic Lumix S1H is exemplary, like its predecessors. Difficult to fault it. Panasonic masters the whole, notably thanks to efficient and well-tuned processing algorithms. Up to ISO 1600 or even ISO 3200, it is difficult to detect a significant loss of quality. The first real step is crossed at ISO 6,400, which leaves a good margin.

The value of ISO 12 800 remains reasonable with a relatively contained grain. At ISO 25,600, then at ISO 51,200, its presence is more and more important. On the penultimate setting at ISO 102,400, the image is very degraded, but its identity is preserved. In extended mode with the extreme option at 204 800 ISO, the rendering is too damaged. This option seems to exist only to feed the technical sheet of the device. Use only as a last resort.

Latitude of exposure

To check the scope of the work from an “artistic” point of view, we therefore photograph our test scene over a range of +/– 10 EV and correct the raw files with our editing software to obtain a similar exposure.

Here too, no surprise. The Panasonic Lumix S1H shines with its qualities. In low light, information recovery is very good down to -3 EV. A little noise appears at -4 EV, but it remains contained. At -5 EV, the noise is higher, but it stays clean. These results evoke those of the Sony A7R IV which is part of our references.

Highlights are often more difficult to catch up with. Once is not custom, the Lumix S1H does a little better than the Lumix S1 in our laboratory and is close to the results obtained with the Lumix S1R. It will be necessary to pay attention to the colorimetric drifts which begin to appear from +1.6 EV. The drifts are significant from +2.3 EV. In general, it would be better not to exceed +1.6 EV, or even +2 EV, while paying attention to the color rendering.

Video

Without market equivalents

Suffice to say right away, the Panasonic Lumix S1H is one of the benchmarks for video in the camera category. Difficult to do better and more complete. Panasonic had already shown its know-how and its desire not to consider the video part of its devices as a poor relative. The Lumix S1H is the first hybrid with 24×36 sensor to offer 6K recording at 24p. 5.9K modes up to 30p are also possible as well as 4K, UHD up to 60p. In 4K, internal recording is also available at 30p in 4: 2: 2 10 bit.

But that’s not all ! Filming in anamorphic 4K is planned. By making concessions on the number of images per second or on the sampling, numerous definitions and adjustments can be used on the entire surface of the sensor, and therefore without cropping. The ALL-Intra compression selection is also available for the best image quality. The speed then reaches 400 Mb / s. We will not forget the FHD definition which notably allows slow motion with a rate of 120 i / s maximum. The whole makes you dizzy, you have to take your time to understand the menus and options available from S1H.

Good image quality

In terms of image quality, Panasonic has chosen to offer a rather soft rendering by default. We could also qualify this choice as more natural compared to certain competitors or lacking in efficiency, according to the opinions. The image is generally of good quality with a rendering which does not suffer from major defects. As mentioned earlier, the number of options for the Lumix S1H is impressive. An internal sharpness adjustment is possible on 10 steps. Obviously, the modification can also be done in postproduction for better control.

Autofocus and rolling shutter

Autofocus and face detection are very close to what the Lumix S1 offers. For better or for worse. The detection is effective and the autofocus rather good in general. However, some point losses are to be expected and a certain slowness is present. In the latter case, this provides very smooth and pleasant transitions, but can also be perceived as a lack of responsiveness. Obviously, Panasonic does not forget to offer several intensity settings as well as the behavior of the autofocus.

The rolling shutter – deformations observed during lateral movements of the device – is unfortunately very present. This is all the more true with a setting with the largest definitions. To reduce the impact of the undesirable phenomenon, it is necessary to reduce the definition or to use the mode 35 mm – thus with a cropping -, but that does not make disappear the phenomenon.

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