Panasonic Lumix DC-S1

The Lumix DC-S1 is a full-frame mirrorless camera that Panasonic launched in 2019. It pairs a 24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor with the Leica L mount, so your lenses come from the L system.

It measures 149 x 110 x 97mm and weighs 899g before you attach a lens, so it is a substantial camera to carry around.

It suits photographers who want a full-frame sensor and in-body stabilisation in a large body, and who can accept the weight and size when travelling.

The full-frame CMOS sensor, processed by the Venus Engine, provides plenty of resolution for large prints and cropping. Our Optics score of 78 rates it good, placing it in the top 11% of cameras in our database.

In-body stabilisation is the standout for stills. It reduces camera shake, so you can work at slower shutter speeds handheld when the light drops and still expect sharper frames. It does nothing to freeze subject movement, so it works alongside the 1/8000 top shutter speed rather than instead of it.

Burst shooting reaches a maximum of 9fps. It is a top figure rather than a sustained rate, so it suits occasional action rather than fast sports work.

Autofocus offers 225 points, and the electronic viewfinder's 5.76 million dots give a detailed display for composing shots and checking focus.

The S1 records video up to 4K resolution and saves files as MP4, a common format for video work.

The highest frame rate available is 60fps. That is useful for smooth motion and for slowing footage slightly in editing, though how it combines with 4K resolution depends on the recording mode.

Our Video score of 69 is good rather than exceptional. There is no built-in timelapse mode, which counts against it in our specification scoring, so interval sequences need to be assembled from individual frames afterwards or produced another way.

For a photographer moving into video, the core tools are here: 4K capture, MP4 recording and a 60fps maximum frame rate.

Handling centres on a 3.2-inch LCD with 2.1 million dots. It is a touchscreen, so focus points and settings respond to touch, and it flips, which helps with low angles and awkward positions.

Those screen features all help toward our Features score of 87, a very good result.

The body is weather sealed, which suits shooting outdoors in dust or damp conditions.

There is no built-in flash, though the camera supports external flash units, so lighting is an add-on decision. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are present for wireless connection to other devices. GPS is absent, so location tags need a phone or separate device.

Two card slots are fitted, accepting SD, SDHC and SDXC cards including UHS-II types, plus XQD. That mix gives you fast card options and room for long shoots without constant swaps.

The DMW-BLJ31 battery is rated at 380 shots, a modest figure that is the main drag on our Storage & Battery score of 68. Because the rating's test conditions are unspecified, treat it as a guide rather than a promise and carry a spare for long sessions.

USB charging is supported, so you can top the battery up between shoots. It does not follow that every power bank will work or that you can charge while the camera runs.