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Verdict
First-generation models like the Panasonic S1 are always exciting to put to the test. Often they introduce something new that makes other manufacturers take notice, although occasionally they show enough promise to steer the whole market in a particular direction. So where does the S1 end up? Probably somewhere between the two.
In many respects, this is a more assured and competent debut model than we may have expected. It already, for example, grabs the honor of having the most lifelike electronic viewfinder image of any camera on the market, an accolade shared with its S1R sibling that's designed with the same unit. No doubt other manufacturers will catch up, but Panasonic has every right to feel smug for the time being.
Build quality is superb and buffer depth is surprisingly generous, while the image stabilization system is also very capable. There's also plenty to love about both the camera's still image and video quality, and the sensor is clearly very sound. While technically a first-generation model, the camera stands on the shoulders of the company's G-series models here, so what we end up with isn't too great a surprise, but it's nice to see something so established and familiar blended with the benefits of a full-frame sensor.
On the less positive side of things, the S1's autofocus system is a little behind the competition, and shows its shortcomings during video recording and in low light. The camera is also somewhat uncomfortable to operate at times, not to mention big and heavy, while the comprehensive menu system feels a little too loaded with features, making it harder to navigate than needs be (although the Disp. button is invaluable here for more obscure options). The value of some of what's here is also questionable; does anyone, for example, really need separate controls for brightness, contrast, saturation, red tint and blue tint of the LCD screen? Or two different levels of backlighting for the top-plate LCD? Or are these just being included because they can be?
Still, if the S1 proves anything it's that Panasonic is clearly serious about tackling its full-frame rivals, some of whom are at a similar point with their own systems. Releasing such a strong model from the start makes it all the more interesting to see where Panasonic takes things from here.
