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.

Mirrorless camera technology is no longer just about building lighter weight alternatives to DSLRs , but Panasonic is the first company to completely embrace this concept with its new full-frame Lumix S-series.

Best viewfinder on the market; Exceptional build quality; Very effective image stabilization; Excellent control layout and user interface; Great subject-tracking autofocus

Very big and heavy; DFD autofocus doesn't always work; Strong moiré in slow-motion video

Panasonic has taken its time announcing its first full-frame mirrorless cameras, entering the market a tad late. That time, though, has been well spent in making sure nearly everything about the Lumix S1 is perfect.

Best-in-class EVF; Solidly built with weather-sealing; Exceptional image stabilization; HLG Photo Mode; 4K video at 50/60fps; Near-perfect subject tracking autofocus; Easy-to-use menu system and control buttons

Power switch awkwardly positioned; Bigger and heavier than some rivals; V-Log available as paid-for firmware update

The Panasonic Lumix S1 is a full-frame mirrorless camera with 24 Megapixels, built-in stabilisation and 4k 60p video. it's one of two bodies launched by Panasonic as part of its new L-mount alliance with Leica and Sigma; the two new Lumix S bodies are differentiated by resolution with the S1...

Where other camera brands are just getting started with mirrorless, it feels like the Lumix S1 and S1R are more interested in pushing boundaries forward - and that's something that's easy to get on-board with.

Stellar ergonomics; Great results & expansive lens ecosystem

Autofocus not as fast as G9; Video record button placement not ideal

Panasonic has taken on Nikon and Canon with the launch of its new full-frame mirrorless ‘Lumix S1' (A$3,599) - its first digital single lens mirrorless camera t

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);

The Panasonic Lumix S1 is a formidable full-frame offering that's packed with features and potential. Its only real problems That lens mount makes for massive optics and there are minor hiccups with low-light autofocus being slow or hunting a little.

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

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;