A Lumix S1 redesigned specifically for video

Rod Lawton & Alistair Campbell

£3,599/$3,999

www.panasonic.co.uk

The Panasonic Lumix S1H could easily look like a ‘video’ version of its 24-megapixel Lumix S1 mirrorless sibling: in the past it has been pretty difficult sometimes to unravel the different video credentials of Panasonic’s Lumix cameras. This time, though, the difference is clear: the Lumix S1 is a stills camera that’s pretty good at video; the S1H is most definitely a video camera that also happens to be pretty useful for stills.

It’s not just us saying that. The Lumix S1H is the first mirrorless camera to get Netflix ‘A’ approval as a primary camera for filming original Netflix productions - and the cheapest, too, mixing with far more expensive rivals like the Arri Alexa 65, the Red One and the Sony Venice.

Its video specifications are impressive enough, but with plenty of rivals snapping at its heels, it also relies on other key cinematography features to make its mark - many of them alien to stills photographers, but essential to pro film-makers.

1 The grip holds a battery good for around 400 shots on a charge - not bad, but not quite up there with Sony.