Since 2019 Panasonic have released nine models in their Lumix S camera line. Read on for a compact overview of features and video modes, designed to ease your decision-making burden.
All Lumix S cameras have a full-frame (35mm) sensor, use the Leica L mount, and have excellent IBIS (stabilisation). All except the S-9 are weather-sealed and store to dual memory cards. The S1 cameras are larger and were marketed as a more professional line. The S5 models were introduced as a smaller counterpart. But in 2024 the S5 body design was made standard on even those models bearing the S1 designation. The nomenclature is confusing.
What is it with camera companies? Seriously! It's as though they deliberately wish to mislead consumers. Anyway... I have two PDF files for you.
The first is a handy table comparing key characteristics. Read reviews or the official specs if you want all the gory details. But it's remarkably difficult to find a succinct summary. Well, that's what I am for, apparently.
My second resource took significantly more time. This document compares the video modes available in each model. And this time I've added the most recent three models and broken the table out into several forms. Grab the document and I will explain.
Table A lists each resolution by storage mode: internal recording, USB output to SSD, and HDMI to a video recording device. As the notes make clear, this is not all the modes, but just the best mode available at each resolution. For example, if you see that the S1M2 can record FHD at 240 frames per second, then you can assume it will do the same at 60 fps or 24 fps. There's no need to list all of them, though the impenetrable Panasonic docs do just that.
Table B condenses this by listing only the internal 10-bit modes, for those wanting the highest quality without additional hardware.
Table C sorts the internal modes by aspect ratio, for when this is your main priority. For example, if you wish to accommodate vertical framing for social media output, then you will want to choose a 3:2 mode.
Table D is for the slo-mo mavens. It lists the internal modes by frame rate, which has been pushed higher and higher every year. The S1M2 can do 240 fps at full HD, which is sick. (And that's a good thing, even though when I am sick it's a bad thing.)
I am pretty sure that this is the last time I am doing this. But I had a spare Sunday and so...
Updated 15 June 2025 and again on 16 June to add RAW modes and the S1R II.
2 comments:
thank you so much. i was looking for exactly this. very much appreciated. love u
thank you!
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