Fujifilm GFX 100S vs Panasonic Lumix S1H: A Professional Mirrorless Face-Off

In the ever-evolving world of digital cameras, photographers seeking serious performance are often faced with complex choices. Today, I’m diving deep into two powerhouse contenders in the pro mirrorless category: the Fujifilm GFX 100S and the Panasonic Lumix S1H. Both cameras have earned a reputation for delivering exceptional image quality and features tailored for demanding users. Yet, at first glance, they seem to be aimed at different audiences - the GFX 100S boasts a medium format sensor with jaw-dropping resolution, while the Lumix S1H channels Panasonic’s cinema-grade video prowess on a full-frame platform.

Having spent countless hours testing these models across multiple photography disciplines and workflows, I’m excited to share a thorough comparison that will help you understand not just the specs, but how these machines perform in the real world. Whether you shoot portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or video, you’ll find indispensable insights here to inform your next investment.

Getting Acquainted: Size, Handling & Ergonomics

The first impression a camera makes often comes down to how it feels in your hands and how intuitively its controls respond. Let’s start with physicality.

Both the GFX 100S and the S1H adopt a classic SLR-style mirrorless body. However, the GFX 100S feels remarkably compact for a medium format camera. Measuring 150x104x87 mm and weighing just 900g, it’s impressively portable considering its sensor size - a testament to Fujifilm’s engineering finesse. In practice, this compactness pays dividends when lugging it on location shoots or travel.

By contrast, the Panasonic S1H is larger and heavier at 151x114x110 mm and 1052g. The extra heft stems from more extensive weather sealing and components geared toward demanding video capture. Though it may feel beefier in the hand, the S1H's robust grip shape and strategically placed controls offer a secure hold, even with heavier telephoto glass.

Examining the top plate, the GFX 100S impresses with clean, minimalistic dials, providing easy access to essential parameters like shutter speed and ISO - the tactile feedback is solid and satisfying. Panasonic’s S1H boasts more illuminated buttons and a dedicated record button, reflecting its video-centric design.

Ergonomics-wise, if stills photography is your primary passion, particularly for high-resolution or landscape work, I find the GFX 100S strikes a better balance between portability and control. For hybrid shooters or video specialists, the S1H’s layout and bulkier build deliver the steadfastness needed for extended handheld and professional use.

Sensor and Image Quality: Battle of Medium Format vs Full Frame

Arguably, the heart of any digital camera is its sensor. And here we’re dealing with fundamentally different beasts.

The Fujifilm GFX 100S features a 102MP medium format BSI-CMOS sensor (44x33 mm) - significantly larger than a full-frame sensor’s 35.6x23.8 mm size housed in the Panasonic S1H. The GFX sensor boasts 1,452 mm² effective area, compared to S1H’s 847 mm². This means the GFX 100S captures more light, yielding exquisitely detailed images with remarkable tonal gradation and dynamic range.

I have tested both in well-controlled lab environments and real-world outdoor settings. The GFX 100S’s images exhibit stunning color depth and subtle gradations, especially beneficial for portraits and landscapes where skin tones and fine texture fidelity matter. Its native ISO range of 100-12,800 (expandable to 50-102,400) combined with Fujifilm’s renowned color science ensures clean, noise-free results up to reasonably high ISOs.

Conversely, the S1H’s 24MP full-frame sensor emphasizes versatility. It offers good low light performance with native ISO up to 51,200 (expandable to 204,800). While it cannot match the pixel-level resolution or sheer image quality of the GFX 100S, it performs impressively across various lighting scenarios and excels when paired with Panasonic’s optics.

In short, if pixel-level detail and medium format benefits - think commercial, fine art, or high-end portrait work - matter most, the GFX 100S is a clear winner. If you want a more general-use camera with excellent low-light sensitivity and video capability, the S1H’s sensor remains a highly capable performer.

Screen and Viewfinder: Seeing Your Frame Clearly

Modern mirrorless cameras rely heavily on their LCD and electronic viewfinders (EVF) for framing and exposure judgment.

Both cameras sport 3.2-inch tilting LCDs with touch functionality, but the S1H ups the ante with a fully articulated screen versus the GFX 100S's tilting display. For video shooters or vloggers, this articulation is a game-changer, enabling composing from difficult angles and selfie-style shooting. The GFX’s screen, while sharp and responsive, is more optimized for traditional photo work.

The EVF resolution also differs markedly: the Panasonic S1H boasts a phenomenal 5.76 million dot OLED EVF, offering a razor-sharp and immersive viewfinder experience. The GFX 100S’s EVF, although still excellent at 3.69 million dots, isn’t quite as detailed or bright as Panasonic’s but has very natural color rendering.

For photographers who value rich viewfinder detail for manual focusing or fast action framing, the S1H leads. Medium format aficionados may prefer the GFX’s color fidelity and a slightly larger magnification of 0.77x.

Autofocus System: Precision vs Speed

Autofocus (AF) performance heavily influences real-world shooting, be it capturing fleeting wildlife moments or nailing a portrait’s critical focus.

The GFX 100S employs a hybrid phase and contrast detection AF system using 425 points, which yields solid accuracy and speed - but medium format sensors traditionally require a bit more hunting in low contrast conditions. During my hands-on, it kept up well for portraits and studio work, reliably locking on eyes and faces.

In contrast, the S1H relies largely on Panasonic’s Depth From Defocus (DFD) contrast-detection AF with 225 focus points. This sometimes translates to slightly slower AF acquisition and less reliable continuous tracking compared to phase detection systems. Yet for video, the S1H’s AF produced impressively smooth transitions and maintained focus tracking during complex motions.

For wildlife or high-speed sports photography, neither camera is a traditional specialist. The S1H’s faster burst shooting at 9 fps - nearly double the GFX’s 5 fps - makes it better suited to unpredictable action sequences. Nevertheless, dedicated sports shooters might prefer cameras with dedicated phase-detect AF modules optimized for tracking.

Lens Ecosystems: Wide Choices vs Specialty Optics

Lens selection critically affects a camera’s versatility and creative potential.

Fujifilm’s robust but still growing G mount medium format lens lineup currently includes 13 prime and zoom options crafted specifically for the larger sensor size. These lenses prioritize exceptional sharpness and optical correction to exploit the sensor’s enormous resolving power.

On the other hand, Panasonic’s S1H, using the widely adopted Leica L mount, enjoys access to an extensive selection of native lenses from Panasonic, Leica, and Sigma, totaling around 30 options. This includes super telephotos, wide-angle zooms, and cinema-style optics designed for video professionals. The S1H’s compatibility with a broader lens ecosystem adds crucial flexibility, especially for video-centric shooters or hybrid setups.

In practical terms, medium format shooters will invest in premium Fujifilm primes to unlock the GFX’s full image quality potential, whereas S1H owners benefit from a vast and versatile lens pool suitable for everything from grand landscapes to fast-paced sports.

Weather Sealing and Build Quality: Ruggedness Tested

Photographers who spend time outdoors or in challenging environments need a camera tough enough to endure the elements.

Both bodies sport environmental sealing against dust and moisture, but neither claims full waterproofing or shockproof standards. The S1H, however, is built with more robust magnesium alloy casing and larger seals, reflecting its aim at professional video work in variable lighting and weather conditions.

Though I haven’t subjected either camera to extreme abuse-testing scenarios, in field use both feel durable - yet I’d give the S1H the nod for better weather resistance overall, particularly for handheld video or documentary projects requiring rugged dependability.

Burst Shooting, Buffer, and Battery Life: Sustained Performance Matters

Shooting action, sports, or wildlife demands continuous shooting speed and endurance.

While neither camera is focused primarily on high-speed burst shooting, the Panasonic S1H’s 9 fps rate offers a decisive edge for capturing fast-moving subjects or video frames. The GFX 100S’s 5 fps is adequate for disciplined portrait or studio work where speed isn’t paramount.

The S1H’s larger buffer supports extended bursts, which pairs nicely with its fast autofocus and video capabilities. Battery life is roughly comparable, with the GFX 100S offering slightly more shots per charge, which may be a factor for long outdoor sessions without access to charging.

Video Capabilities: Cinema-Grade vs Capable Hybrid

Here things get intriguing. The Panasonic Lumix S1H was developed with filmmakers in mind, even earning Netflix’s official camera approval.

The GFX 100S offers solid 4K DCI video at up to 30 fps using efficient H.265 compression, but video remains more of a secondary feature on this platform - ideal for high-res still photographers occasionally needing video capability.

The S1H, by contrast, shines for cinematographers. It can record stunning 6K video at 24p and 4K up to 60p internally in 10-bit 4:2:2 color, providing exceptional color fidelity and post-processing headroom. Its suite of video-centric tools - such as waveform monitors and LUT support - makes it a professional’s dream for narrative or documentary work.

If video is a core requirement, the S1H is simply in a different league.

Image Stabilization: Steady Shots on Both Fronts

Both cameras feature sensor-based 5-axis image stabilization. This technology helps reduce handheld blur and is especially useful for telephoto, macro, and video shooting.

During my testing, both systems performed well in stills mode, delivering sharp images down to 1/30s or slower shutter speeds where handheld shooting is challenging. In video recording, stabilization helps smooth out jitters, with the S1H showing some edge due to its video-specific tuning.

Real-World Photo Samples: Putting Them to the Test

Fujifilm GFX 100S front Fujifilm GFX 100S screen back Panasonic S1H front Panasonic S1H screen back

Have a look through these side-by-side shots including portraits, landscapes, and street scenes. The GFX 100S's files reveal superb detail and exquisite color depth, perfect for large prints or commercial work requiring the utmost fidelity. Meanwhile, the S1H's images offer vibrant colors and good sharpness, optimized for versatility and faster workflows.

Scoring Their Strengths: Overall and Genre-Specific Performance

To summarize our extensive tests, here are the expert-assigned performance ratings.

And broken down by photographic genres:

Key takeaways:

• Fujifilm GFX 100S dominates in portrait and landscape work due to its sensor and color science.
• Panasonic S1H outperforms in video, sports, and hybrid needs.
• Both are evenly matched on travel, macro, and night photography within their respective toughness and handling profiles.

Connectivity, Storage, and Workflow

Both models support wireless connectivity with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for remote control and image transfer. The GFX 100S uses USB 3.2 Gen 1, while the S1H offers USB with unspecified Gen, but both provide fast tethering.

Dual UHS-II SD card slots are standard, enabling overflow and backup - indispensable for professionals.

Fujifilm gives more traditional raw file formats optimized for color grading in photography workflows, while Panasonic outputs versatile video codecs suited for advanced editing suites.

Price-to-Performance: Investment Considerations

The GFX 100S positions itself as a premium medium format device commanding a significantly higher price, justified by its sensor, build, and image quality. The S1H offers exceptional cinema-level video features at a lower price point, appealing to creatives needing versatile stills/video performance.

Who Should Choose Which?

Here’s my frank take from hands-on experience:

Pick the Fujifilm GFX 100S if:

• Your priority is ultimate image resolution and dynamic range for portraits, fashion, or fine arts.
• You value medium format aesthetics and workflow admissible in commercial or gallery-quality work.
• You prefer a compact yet serious system and don’t require advanced video features.
• You can justify the higher upfront investment for specialized lenses and medium format quality.

Pick the Panasonic Lumix S1H if:

• You require pro-level video capability including 6K capture and rich color profiles.
• Hybrid still/video shooting forms your primary workflow.
• You want a rugged, weather-sealed body with an articulating touchscreen.
• You want faster burst rates for sports or wildlife shooting.
• You appreciate a broader lens selection and slightly lower price.

Final Thoughts

Comparing the Fujifilm GFX 100S and Panasonic Lumix S1H is a fascinating exercise because both excel within very different professional niches.

The GFX 100S is a masterpiece for photographers who demand the utmost in image quality and medium format capabilities packed in a surprisingly compact body. It rewards patience and a deliberate shooting style - the kind that prioritizes image detail, tonal subtlety, and studio-level workflow.

The Panasonic S1H boldly embraces the hybrid shooter and filmmaker, delivering cinematic video quality alongside capable stills performance. Ergonomics, burst rates, and video-centric tools put it in a league of its own for creatives who merge photo and video storytelling.

Ultimately, your choice boils down to your shooting priorities. Fortunately, both cameras stand as prime examples of what modern mirrorless technology can achieve, and either will drastically elevate your creative potential.

I hope this detailed comparison steers you confidently toward the camera best suited to your artistry and workflow. I’m happy to answer any deeper questions or share sample files upon request for hands-on investigation. Happy shooting!

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