How The Panasonic S1 is The BEST Hybrid Camera Of 2021?!

THE GEAR I USE:
*Some of the following links are affiliate links, so if you decide to purchase something, I get a very small commission at NO extra cost to you - Thanks in advance for supporting the channel!

CAMERAS:
My Main Cam (Lumix S5ii)

My B-Cam (Lumix S5)

My C-Cam (Lumix S1)

PRIME LENSES:
Panasonic LUMIX 24mm F1.8

Panasonic LUMIX 35mm F1.8

Panasonic LUMIX 85mm F1.8

ZOOM LENSES:
Sigma 28-70 F2.8

Panasonic LUMIX 16-35 F4

Panasonic LUMIX 70-200 F4

AUDIO SETUP:
Rode NTG4+

Tascam DR60 MKii

Hollyland Lark 150

LIGHTING SETUP
Godox LA200d

Colbor CL60

Godox SL60w

Smallrig Softbox

DESK & COMPUTING
My Main Computer (Mac Mini)

Laptop (M1 Pro MacBook Pro 1TB)

Computer Monitor (Viewsonic ColorPro VP2786-4K)

Logitech Craft Keyboard

Logitech M590 Mouse

Samsung T5 SSD 1TB

SanDisk G-Drive 6TB

So the Panasonic S1 just had a MAJOR firmware update this week (firmware 2.0) , and this update has made this 2 year-old camera a SERIOUS contender as the best hybrid camera of 2021 (even though it was released in 2019).

The S1 always had amazing specs for the photographers, but for video it was rather lackluster in comparison to their more recent/video-centric cameras in the S-Series lineup.

BUT, now you can shoot up to 6K 10bit 4:2:0 internally! This makes this camera almost identical to specs to the S1H, which is far more expensive and geared towards video creators mainly.

So, what does this mean? Well, Panasonic do a fantastic job of listening to their customers and updating their cameras instead of letting them get outdated by the newest competition.

Investing in a Panasonic camera is probably one of the best ideas when it comes to camera gear since you can be sure that your camera will only improve over time.

I hope you enjoy the example clips and you should DEFINITELY look at picking up an S1 if you don't already have one since it's become a serious game-changer!

[RussellKentNicholls]

As an S1 owner (well two of them now) I’m so grateful to Panasonic for granting me these extra features for free after two years. Now I feel like I have 3x S1H. Aaaand the HDMI record triggering and the fact that the LCD stays on over HDMI is the cherry on top ✌🏻 thanks for working with me on this one Josh 🤜🏻🤛🏻

[MrJapanforce]

Panasonic the best. For those who know and appreciate quality.

[srg_creative]

These are such great cameras, and the S1 was already a great camera to begin with. Love how Panasonic continues to push out these updates and actually listens to their customers. My buddy and I just updated ours and couldn't be happier. Thanks for the positive vibes!

[joykillcollectiveproductio]

its an update so good it made me and my 8 year do our first camera review. (it's as weird as it sounds). you two done a great job covering it all

[HuFilms]

Nice one guys. A lot of filmmakers were critical of the S1 when it was released. Saying how it was more of a photography camera. But I've had it as my main production camera for the last 2 years. It's awesome when you shoot it with an Atomos for great prores files. Nice vid guys!

[ruffdraft]

Josh this is great. It's also great to see Russell alongside you aswell I have officially added the Panasonic S1 to my future shopping list after I purchase the Panasonic S5 and Panasonic gh5s

[seandoherty]

I bought the S1 over a month ago thinking it would be an okay b-cam to my S1H. Now after this firmware update I've got, essentially, two a-cams with almost identical specs for my shooting needs.

[James-xmki]

Sweet!! Russell stopped by!! ONE OF THE BEST PANASONIC SHOOTERS ON YOUTUBE! Hands down. The man is a LEGEND! So underrated.

[DidierMOULINPhotography]

Trigger the Ninja V is the feature I’ve been waiting for one year and that’s the best news ever for me. Great !!!

[incendiesproductions]

One month later and I’m insanely glad that I bought a used S1 with the V-Log upgrade and Firmware 2.0 installed already. It’s such an insane value for indie filmmakers and videographers on a budget! What is basically a full frame 6K cinema camera can now be had for less than 2K! Crazy times we live in.

[amcorockx]

Its a great update! Allthough why I dismissed the S1 is because of the non tiltable screen, having a screen you can rotate/tilt every way is so handy and thats why I got the S5 instead. (and got the S5 over the S1H due to weight).

[stoneylama]

Just ordered an S1 to work as my B cam to my rigged-up S5 on a documentary shoot. I don't even think I knew the 6K was internal until this video. (Understandably, with limits.) Was just happy to have something I could lock off on a tripod for limitless 4K 2-shots while I grabbed closeups with the S5 as a one-man band. I'd labored making a decision between the two when only one camera was in my budget and now can't wait to see how they work together.

[LukeBrownFigmentoFilms]

Great video, I tested the 6k out over on my channel too. I absolutley love this camera now and have huge respect for Panasonic for doing this. I have a special video planned for next week demonstrating the C4K video and am collaborating with some champion jump ropers to do so. Super excited!

[chloescanlon]

Excellent video gentlemen.
And the No1 thing the S1 had over the S5 and all the Canons is that we don’t have to put up with the daft selfie rear LCD screen. Yay!!!

[paulbvid]

Low pass filter is something that’s not talked about enough. I think that’s one thing that still makes S1H footage smoother and more Eva alike

[cameronvanhooft]

I just got one, and adore it immediately. I was able to get a bundle deal with it too (VLOG Upgrade, Sigma MC21 + Extra Battery) which massively helps with ease of use! It's firmware was at version 1.5 but I just got it to version 2.1, really rocks.

[johnclay]

Good concise summary that puts S1h and s5 on equally great cameras capable of 5.9k. V useful.

[ftamas]

I think it's worth mentioning that the record limit is only applicable for internal recording and you can still have unlimited using the Ninja V.

[legend]

Appreciate your point of view but lens collection is a really important aspect to consider as well.
Unfortunately, at this point, the choice for their native lenses is so limited (from Panasonic themselves, not Sigma or Leica)
I would personally wait until they push out more consumer-grade lenses like the 24, 35, 50 f1.8 as they promised. (85mm f1.8 is already out)

[germancreatives]

Nice collab! I think it's good to add with my S5!