The Panasonic Lumix S1 is the more affordable of the brand's two full-frame mirrorless cameras, but is it a goo...

Stunning image quality; 5-axis in-body image stabilisation; Impressive video specs; Accessible price relative to S1R

Iffy contrast-detect AF tracking; Currently limited lens line-up; Large for a mirrorless camera

I was unsure about the tilt screen initially in terms of durability, but it has taken a lot of use and is still very much securely on. The camera is superb for a vast amount of uses from live-streaming (where the cable supports are invaluable), on location video shoots in varying lighting...

Great Picture Quality; Versatile

With tried-and-tested goodness from Panasonic's G series cameras alongside a stunning new viewfinder, excellent video and a sound full-frame sensor, the S1 does much to impress. A huge body, however, along with some awkward controls and an autofocus system that's behind those on its peers, mean there's room for improvement.

Best-in-class viewfinder; Effective image stabilization system; High build quality and weather resistance; Excellent buffer depth; Hugely customizable; Superb video quality;

Large, heavy body; Handful of minor ergonomic issues; Focusing system lags behind rivals; Eyecup can get in the way of LCD; No DCI 4K, and V-Log is paid-for update

A technical powerhouse with excellent image quality – but its size and price may be too demanding for some

Fantastic image quality; Huge, crystal clear viewfinder; Excellent battery life; Sturdy weatherproof build;

Big and heavy; Very expensive; 10:2:2 video update isn’t free; Not a huge range of lenses (yet);

I never thought I'd see a mirrorless camera bigger and heavier than a full-frame DSLR, but somehow Panasonic made it happen. And while there's a lot to like about Panasonic's entrants, the Lumix S1 and S1R -- novelties include a terrific high-resolution OLED viewfinder, HLG-tonemapped HDR photo, a triaxial tilt LCD and more -- the big body isn't among them.

And not just because they're crammed full of the latest tech.

It might be late to the game - behind Sony and Nikon - and its Leica mount makes for massive lenses, but the S1's ability and resulting image quality make for a great new entry in the full-frame market. Whether that's enough to break up the established players, however, is a whole other question - but if you have zero allegiance then Panasonic offers just as much and often more than its contemporaries.

Full-frame image quality is excellent; Lots of potential quality and sharpness from Leica mount; Exceptional image stabilisation system; Eye AF works very well; Best-in-class OLED viewfinder; High-end video features will entice a whole new audience;

It's a big and chunky system to use; Being later to the game than the other major players may limit appeal; Leica mount means lenses are massive; Shutter and rear toggle control can be hypersensitive; Some low-light autofocus slowness/hunting;

The Lumix DC-S1 ($2,499.99, body only) is one of a pair of full-frame cameras launched this year by Panasonic. It features a stabilized 24MP image sensor, top-end 4K video features, and a very sturdy build. But its autofocus system isn't quite as speedy as competing models, and it costs more. We continue to recommend the Sony a7 III as our Editors' Choice full-frame camera, as it offers a more rounded feature set for less money. A Twin Sibling Aside from its image sensor, the S1 an exact clone of the more expensive S1R ($3,699.99). The S1R boasts 47.3MP of resolution, versus the S1's 24MP. The cameras are a little big, even for mirrorless, measuring 4.3 by 5.9 by 3.8 inches (HWD) and weighing in at 2.2 pounds. That's a bit bigger and heavier than the a7 III (3.9 by 5.0 by 2.5 inches, 1.4 pounds). The S1 is also more expensive than the a7 III ($1,698.00 at Amazon) , by about $500 when purchased as a body only. There is a kit option available with the 24-105mm zoom lens for $3,3...

The Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 delivers great image quality and includes a high-resolution mode not found in other 24MP models, but it can't keep up when it comes to tracking speed.

24MP full-frame image sensor; 5-axis sensor stabilization; Outstanding EVF; Solid controls and ergonomics; Backlit buttons; Dust and splash protection; Top information display; 4K video with 10-bit output

Pricier than competitors; Heavy; Contrast focus limits tracking speed and burst rate; Lens selection limited at this time