When it comes to the performance analysis of any gadget today, we have to keep things above all preferences and give a very balanced view so that you can take it all in and still have a window to form your opinion.
The Panasonic Lumix S1 definitely checks all the boxes when it comes to features, but does it deliver on the job?
Starting things off, we have the Depth from Defocus system retained by Panasonic, rather than the more conventional phase detect that you find in all the other cameras in the competition bracket. The reasoning behind this decision is that the phase detect adds a certain banding to photos when taken in extreme conditions. The Dfd system in the Lumix S1 however, is supposedly able to retain the full image quality.
We also have some interesting numbers here – a rapid .08 second focus lock-down time, and burst speeds of 9 fps in single AF mode, or 6 fps in continuous AF mode. These numbers are great, except that when they are put up against the nearest competitor, the Sony A7 III, you can see that the Lumix S1 starts breaking a sweat. The Sony A7 III holds the upper hand in another important aspect, the reliability of autofocus. There have been cases where the Lumix S1 just didn’t lock on to the subject via the autofocus, and this can really be irritating if you are trying to take a quick passing shot. On the plus side though, the Lumix S1 does feature the deep-learning algorithm, which is the best of the lot at the moment. The 5-axis in-body stabilization (IBS) system is absolutely spot on, maybe the best on any mirrorless camera. With all the space it takes up, it gives the sensor a lot of room to move and compensate for shifting or rolling movements.
Coming to the battery performance, the 3,050 mAh battery unit is quite robust but is capable of only 400 shots compared to the 700 that you can get on the Sony A7 III. You can, however, engage the power saving mode in case of normal mode, and get double the shots on the Lumix S1. Sounds a bit of a shot in the dark, but worth the try.
