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...

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

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 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;