So the Panasonic full frame mirrorless camera has finally arrived. There are full specs. and samples around already. I was very interested in the camera initially, particularly because of the L-Mount (now shared by Leica and including Sigma) But as time has progressed I have had somewhat less enthusiasm for the camera and the final release has confirmed this. Why?
- I know there are only jpgs. available since Photoshop hasn't upgraded yet, but I'm underwhelmed by the image quality. I've spotted several images with CA in them and while I accept that the samples available are pre-production software, the jpgs. look slightly soft to me. Certainly inferior to what I get on my Leica M10 and SL (TYP 601).
- For a supposedly 'Professional' camera, it's not fully weather sealed. As a landscape photographer I often get caught in a quick shower and having a fully weather sealed camera is insurance. It's apparently dust and 'drip' proof. Whatever that means.
- Despite a 'wooly hatted vlogger' saying that the battery will last for 1000 images per charge, the actual figure for the S1R is 360. Which is pathetic. By the way said vlogger thought that a 1Kg camera + lens is a great camera for 'Vlogging'. Well I guess if you're a body builder that may be the case.
- Apparently a certain Canadian couple think it's 'cool' to have a bouncing red dot on the screen. They've obviously mistaken their 'show' for Top Gear. It's about as cool as two Canadian shop assistants pretending to be photographers.
- It's big and it's heavy. Apparently Panasonic think the opposite to everyone else in that for Mirrorless cameras to replace DSLR's they have to be bigger and heavier! Interesting strategy !!
- The fact that you have to pay extra to get advanced video features is nothing short of disgraceful. Panasonic have used this mean and insulting trick before. It was sleazy then and it's even sleazier now.
- The Prices!!!! Simply ridiculous. £2000+ for the 50mm f/1.4. Unbelievable. As are the kit prices. 'I just wanted to buy a camera, I didn't want to buy the company !!!' Sales of cameras are falling, so who has to pay to keep the Panasonic suits in champagne and private jets? Us of course.
Overall I think this is an overpriced lump of a camera that has far too many 'toytown' specs. and is the complete anthesis of what a professional camera should be. Genuine pro's, not the pretend ones that inhabit the photographic internet, will still have the attitude of ' Panasonic Who? ' This camera (cameras) strikes me as firmly aimed at gearheads impressed by specs. I was hoping for more in terms of the basics. i.e. weather sealing, good battery life, oled screen as well as viewfinder and some semblance of value for money. Instead, what I see is an overpriced toy. And if you think people are going to think you are cool with a Lumix label stuck on the front of your camera, then think again. It's about as cool as two Canadian shop assistants etc. etc...........
THE OLYMPUS E-M1X
Now I'm not going to buy an Olympus E-M1X either. It's too big, too heavy and too expensive. Plus life's too short to attempt to navigate through Olympus's labyrinthine menu system. But it strikes me as a more interesting camera. Professional m4/3, if such a thing is possible. And a camera that uses the advantages of the smaller sensor to create a real workhorse and speed merchant. I like the hand held hi res mode, that really seems to work and should I ever shoot sports or wildlife I would probably love this camera, but then I don't. For me this camera makes more sense than the S1 and S1R. It's obvious who it's for, it takes full advantage of the format and in many ways breathes new life into that.
However, I see nothing in either camera that makes me even want to consider replacing either of my two cameras of the year, the Panasonic Lumix G9 and the Canon EOS R. There will be some who think the new Lumix and Olympus cameras are just what they need, however in a blind head to head testing comparison I doubt whether most people could tell the difference. Again with the qualification of pre-production jpgs. only available so far, I think my EOS R takes significantly nicer looking images than either the S1 or S1R. And the 20MP images that the E-M1X produces look exactly the same as those that are created my my G9. And yes there is, I think, an element of the kings new clothes here.
One thing I do know for certain however is that the EOS R and any subsequent models will outsell any camera that the L Mount alliance puts out. People trust Canon, they see it as a premier camera brand and the same attitude exists for the amateur / enthusiast market as for professionals - 'Panasonic who?? ' Now I have nothing against Panasonic or Olympus, I've bought enough of their cameras to verify that, but I think both have misjudged the marketplace. The days of hobby photographers lusting after big heavy cameras has, I believe, passed. People now understand that you don't need a chunky oversized camera to create decent images with. And I'm not sure people want to emulate those sports and news photographers on TV with their monster outfits any more.
I think once more camera manufacturers come to terms with the fact that what smartphone you use is more important in terms of 'cool' than which camera you have round your neck, the quicker they may come up with something that people may want to buy. Though I suspect that Digital ICLC's will still inevitably decline in popularity. Bigger really isn't better and the days of 'if it's got more knobs it's better' are on the wane. Both Panasonic and Olympus are to be congratulated for their ambition, however I hope that for both their new flagship models don't become white elephants. That will unfortunately happen to many cameras and indeed some brands, which will make our options and choices much poorer. And making every new product 'high end' and expensive may look attractive in terms of projected balance sheets, but in the long run is a gamble. Those of us who buy ICLC's will supply the answer as to whether Panasonic and / or Olympus have gambled well. There may be some winners here, but there may also be losers as well. Time will tell.
Footnote added 07:30 GMT Feb 2nd. 2019.
Since writing the above and reading that reviewers have apparently had an embargo placed on talking about the S1 / S1R image quality, that may well improve when Photoshop upgrades to include the camera's raw images. I do still think that almost £1300 is a lot for a 24-105mm f/4 lens. However, assuming the lens is a good one I may well get it for my Leica SL (Typ 601). I have sold the Leica 24-90mm L-Mount zoom for the SL because the weight was becoming an issue. (I sold the battery grip as well for the same reason) Now the Lumix 24-105mm f/4 is (approx.) half the price and half the weight of the Leica and Leica have also just announced a firmware update for the S1 that means the lens has full compatibility, including the OIS. So it's not inconceivable that I may well consider that lens in the future. Just thought I'd add this since is does seem that L-Mount compatibility is being considered and indeed, acted upon.
However, I see nothing in either camera that makes me even want to consider replacing either of my two cameras of the year, the Panasonic Lumix G9 and the Canon EOS R. There will be some who think the new Lumix and Olympus cameras are just what they need, however in a blind head to head testing comparison I doubt whether most people could tell the difference. Again with the qualification of pre-production jpgs. only available so far, I think my EOS R takes significantly nicer looking images than either the S1 or S1R. And the 20MP images that the E-M1X produces look exactly the same as those that are created my my G9. And yes there is, I think, an element of the kings new clothes here.
One thing I do know for certain however is that the EOS R and any subsequent models will outsell any camera that the L Mount alliance puts out. People trust Canon, they see it as a premier camera brand and the same attitude exists for the amateur / enthusiast market as for professionals - 'Panasonic who?? ' Now I have nothing against Panasonic or Olympus, I've bought enough of their cameras to verify that, but I think both have misjudged the marketplace. The days of hobby photographers lusting after big heavy cameras has, I believe, passed. People now understand that you don't need a chunky oversized camera to create decent images with. And I'm not sure people want to emulate those sports and news photographers on TV with their monster outfits any more.
I think once more camera manufacturers come to terms with the fact that what smartphone you use is more important in terms of 'cool' than which camera you have round your neck, the quicker they may come up with something that people may want to buy. Though I suspect that Digital ICLC's will still inevitably decline in popularity. Bigger really isn't better and the days of 'if it's got more knobs it's better' are on the wane. Both Panasonic and Olympus are to be congratulated for their ambition, however I hope that for both their new flagship models don't become white elephants. That will unfortunately happen to many cameras and indeed some brands, which will make our options and choices much poorer. And making every new product 'high end' and expensive may look attractive in terms of projected balance sheets, but in the long run is a gamble. Those of us who buy ICLC's will supply the answer as to whether Panasonic and / or Olympus have gambled well. There may be some winners here, but there may also be losers as well. Time will tell.
Footnote added 07:30 GMT Feb 2nd. 2019.
Since writing the above and reading that reviewers have apparently had an embargo placed on talking about the S1 / S1R image quality, that may well improve when Photoshop upgrades to include the camera's raw images. I do still think that almost £1300 is a lot for a 24-105mm f/4 lens. However, assuming the lens is a good one I may well get it for my Leica SL (Typ 601). I have sold the Leica 24-90mm L-Mount zoom for the SL because the weight was becoming an issue. (I sold the battery grip as well for the same reason) Now the Lumix 24-105mm f/4 is (approx.) half the price and half the weight of the Leica and Leica have also just announced a firmware update for the S1 that means the lens has full compatibility, including the OIS. So it's not inconceivable that I may well consider that lens in the future. Just thought I'd add this since is does seem that L-Mount compatibility is being considered and indeed, acted upon.
