The Panasonic DC-S1 is among the most capable and the best-built stills/video hybrids in its class, with excellent 24MP Image quality and impressive oversampled 4K video. But the camera's Depth from Defocus autofocus system is a bit less reliable than its peers, especially when photographing moving...

Those seeking a stills/video hybrid camera with a solid; weather-sealed body with excellent image and video quality

Photographers requiring a top-notch autofocus system; Those looking for a lighter, more portable body

I was at Photokina in Cologne last fall when Panasonic, Leica, and Sigma held a joint press conference to announce their L-Mount Alliance . Uniting around Leica's existing lens mount, the trio made a commitment to rapidly flesh out a new ecosystem of lenses for full-frame mirrorless cameras.

Superb image quality and sharpness; In-body stabilization plus OIS in the lens make anyone a steady shooter; Weather-sealed; rugged construction; USB-C; touchscreen; and fast EVF make smartphone users feel at home

Really; really chunky; Control scheme isn't as natural as Nikon's; Sony's A7 III and Nikon's Z6 offer better value

But for most folks, the Sony a7 III is the better choice when it comes to full-frame mirrorless. It's a full $500 less expensive, offers nearly identical image quality, very good video in its own right, and stronger battery life.

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

The Lumix S1 is not the camera I thought Panasonic would build. It is bigger, heavier, and more expensive than I expected. But it is also bolder, taking risks and trying new things other companies shy away from.

Best viewfinder on the market; Excellent RAW and JPEG image quality; 96MP high resolution mode; Exceptional build quality; control layout; and UI; Great subject-tracking autofocus

Big; heavy; Intermittent autofocus errors

The Lumix S bodies are Panasonic's most ambitious cameras to date, combining ten years of Lumix G evolution with the quality of a full-frame sensor and an existing mount providing access to native lenses from Leica and Sigma.

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...

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

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

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

Please

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