Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 vs Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
84
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 47.3 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R
80
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 and the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R are mirrorless cameras announced on the same day in 2019, both built around the Leica L mount. Their bodies share the same 149 x 110 x 97 mm dimensions, but the S1 is lighter at 899 g against 1020 g for the S1R, a 121 g difference. With dimensions and mount matching, the practical decision comes down to sensor resolution and ISO reach. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2019 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 1, 2019 | February 1, 2019 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 149 x 110 x 97 mm | 149 x 110 x 97 mm |
| Camera weight | 899 g | 1020 g |
| Optics | 73/100 | 78/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe S1R is the stronger choice for landscape, studio and architectural work that needs heavy cropping or very large prints. Its 47.3 MP sensor offers almost twice the pixel count of the S1's 24.2 MP sensor. Both sensors are full-frame CMOS, and both cameras offer in-body stabilisation, which helps keep handheld frames sharp at slower shutter speeds on either body. The S1 offers more ISO reach, with a native ceiling of 51200 against 25600 on the S1R and an expanded ceiling of 204800 against 51200. The S1R answers with a 1/16000 second maximum shutter, twice as short as the S1's 1/8000 second, giving more freedom to shoot wide apertures in bright sun. Several other optics specs match, including 225 autofocus points, 9 fps shooting and the 5,760,000-dot electronic viewfinder. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.2 MP050 | 47.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 8368 x 5584 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
23.8 x 35.6 | 24 x 36 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
9 fps045 | 9 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Leica L | Leica L |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Venus Engine | Venus Engine |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
512003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
2048003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 1600080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
2250300 | 2250300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 576000009900000 | 576000009900000 |
| Video | 69/100 | 69/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor hybrid shooters, either body covers a 4K workflow: both record MP4, with a maximum video resolution of 4K and a maximum video frame rate of 60 fps. Neither includes a built-in timelapse mode, so interval work needs external triggering or assembly in post on either camera. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MP4 | MP4 |
| Features | 87/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe screens and connectivity match, so either body gives the same viewing and wireless workflow. Both have a 3.2-inch LCD with 2,100,000 dots, touch control and a flip screen, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer and remote control. Both are weather sealed and support external flash, while neither has a built-in flash or GPS, so geotagging requires a phone or separate recorder on either camera. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
21000001150001500000 | 21000001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 68/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe card formats differ, which matters if you already own fast cards. The S1 pairs a UHS-II compatible SD slot with an XQD slot, while the S1R pairs an SD slot with a Compact Flash slot. Both have dual card slots. Both bodies use the same DMW-BLJ31 battery and support USB charging, so one set of spare batteries and a USB top-up between locations covers either camera. The S1's rating of 380 shots edges the S1R's 360 shots, a 20-shot difference in the rated figures. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible), XQD | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Compact Flash |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | DMW-BLJ31 | DMW-BLJ31 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
380 shots1505000 | 360 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the S1R for resolution-led work such as landscape prints and cropped wildlife frames; its 47.3 MP sensor and 1/16000 second shutter both help that style. Choose the S1 for dim interiors and night streets, where its higher ISO ceilings of 51200 native and 204800 expanded give more setting headroom. Its UHS-II and XQD slots suit existing card collections. With the video limits, screen and connectivity specs shared, the choice turns on resolution versus ISO reach.