Skip to main content

Panasonic’s full-frame cameras will have multi-shot high-resolution modes

[NEW] LUMIX S | Through the Eyes of Professionals - Annie Griffiths

Check out our hands-on review of the Panasonic Lumix S1.

On Monday at CES 2019, Panasonic revealed two more features coming to its first full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Lumix S1 and S1R. Both will gain the High Resolution Mode found in the Lumix G9, which combines eight exposures to achieve significantly more resolution than the camera’s 24- and 47-megapixel sensors offer on their own. The announcement follows a teaser video posted to the Panasonic Lumix YouTube page one month ago featuring photojournalist Annie Griffiths talking about the feature.

More CES 2019 coverage

High Resolution Mode is made possible thanks to another known specification of the S series cameras: sensor-shift image stabilization. By shifting the sensor by microscopic distances in a box pattern, the camera can capture additional spatial resolution as well make up for the inherent inefficiencies of the Bayer sensor design, in which a pixel is sensitive to only one color of light, either red, green, or blue.

Panasonic has not detailed exactly how High Resolution Mode will work in the S series cameras or what the final output resolution will be, but the 24MP S1 could theoretically create a 96MP file, while the 47MP S1R could output an extreme resolution of 188MP.

[Learn more about Panasonic’s upcoming full-frame models.]

Although the Lumix S full-frame cameras had already been unveiled to the enthusiast photo press during Photokina 2018, CES 2019 marks their consumer introduction. Les Shu/Digital Trends

In addition to High Resolution Mode, Panasonic announced both S series cameras would receive a new Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) Photo mode. HLG is a tone mapping technique designed to ease the transition from standard to high dynamic range (HDR) displays, allowing the same file to be correctly displayed on each. Without HLG, separate versions of an image need to be created for standard and HDR playback. HLG is predominantly a feature of the video world, and is built in to cameras like the Lumix GH5S, but the S series will apply it to still photos, as well. Photographers who want to show their images on large 4K HDR televisions can use HLG Photo mode to do so.

The S1 and S1R will begin shipping in March, but Panasonic has yet to release the full spec sheets. Today’s announcement concerned both cameras — we do not yet know how the two models will differ from each other, aside from resolution. Other known specifications include 4K/60p video, Dual I.S. (using both sensor and lens-based stabilization), and both SD and XQD memory card slots. Video compression, burst rates, battery life, and much more remain to be seen.

Daven Mathies
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Daven is a contributing writer to the photography section. He has been with Digital Trends since 2016 and has been writing…
Leica SL2 vs Panasonic Lumix S1R: Two L-mount leaders with one big difference
Panasonic Lumix S1R Review

The Leica SL2, released November 2019, is the german manufacturer's response to the Panasonic Lumix S1R. Both are 47-megapixel, full-frame cameras built around the same lens mount. With the SL2, Lecia is making a statement that it wants to lead the way in the world of premium full-frame mirrorless systems, but as you can use all the same L-mount lenses on the less-expensive Panasonic, is the Leica worth the extra cost?

That's not to say that Lumix isn't pricey. It comes in at $3,700 for just the camera body -- but that's still well short of the Leica SL2's $5,995 price. It's fair to suggest that both will break the bank for most, but these are high-end cameras for the most demanding photographic assignments with plenty of features to justify their costs. Here's how they compare.
Sensor
Both cameras ship with a staggering 47-megapixel, full-frame sensor. Even more impressively, they both come with the ability to create incredibly detailed, 187-megapixel composite images. Yes, you read that correctly: 187 megapixels. This is thanks to the 5-axis sensor-shift stabilization system that can move the sensor by half a pixel's width in between exposures, then combine eight separate exposures into one image with increased resolution. A tripod is required for this mode.

Read more
Canon’s new mirrorless lenses come with impressive specs — and high costs
canon rf 70 200mm 85mm ds lenses impress at high cost f28 featured

Previously announced as in development, Canon officially detailed two new lenses for its full-frame mirrorless camera system on Thursday, October 24. The RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF 85mm f/1.2L IS USM DS are both high-end L-series lenses and bring the total number of RF lenses up to 10. While the two models are very different from each other, both feature unique designs that separate them from existing lenses of their focal lengths -- and both will be expensive.

The RF 70-200mm f/2.8L will be available in late November for a price of $2,699, $500 more than the latest EF 70-200mm f/2.8L lens for Canon DSLRs. However, the RF version incorporates an entirely new design that makes it 27% shorter and 28% lighter than its EF counterpart, something that owners of compact R-series cameras will certainly appreciate. That design moves more of the glass elements closer to the lens mount to keep the weight balanced, but it also introduces a telescoping lens barrel that changes length as the lens zooms. By contrast, EF L-series 70-200mm lenses use internal zooming.

Read more
The smallest full-frame mirrorless Sigma Fp is also one of the cheapest
sigma fp worlds smallest full frame mirrorless camera news featured

After stealing the title for the world’s smallest, lightest, full-frame camera in July, Sigma is adding one more reason to consider the new Sigma Fp -- price. After announcing the camera over the summer, Sigma finally shared the missing pieces to the new camera -- the price and availability. The 24.6-megapixel full-frame camera will start selling later this month for a $1,899 body-only list price or $2,199 for the kit.

While $1,899 isn’t spare change by any stretch of the imagination, the list price puts the new entry into the exponentially growing full-frame mirrorless category at a competitive price point. In comparison, the list price -- excluding any sales -- of the Nikon Z 6 and Sony A7 III sits $100 higher and the Canon EOS R $400 higher.

Read more