Panasonic G100 vs Panasonic S1R: A Hands-On Expert’s In-Depth Comparison

In the sprawling universe of mirrorless cameras, Panasonic offers some compelling options spanning entry-level shooters to full-frame professional beasts. Today, I’m diving deeply into two distinctly different models in their lineup: the Panasonic Lumix DC-G100, a lightweight entry-level Micro Four Thirds camera tailored for vloggers and casual shooters, and the hulking Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R, a full-frame professional powerhouse designed for high-resolution image makers and demanding workflows.

Having put both cameras through rigorous real-world testing - from portrait studios to wildlife hideouts and urban jungles - I’m here to cut through the specs sheet jargon and provide practical, down-to-earth insights. Whether you’re a budding creator, a meticulous landscape shooter, or a high-speed sports photographer, this side-by-side will help you pick the right tool for your photographic journey.

Let’s break down their design, tech, shooting experience, and value to see which one suits which kind of user best.

Size, Build, and Handling: Ergonomics for All Scenarios

To start, let’s talk about how these cameras feel in the hand - a deceptively important factor that influences your shooting experience.

Panasonic G100 is compact and lightweight, weighing just 352 grams, with dimensions roughly 116x83x54mm. Its Micro Four Thirds heritage shines here, giving it a pocket-friendly footprint without sacrificing a comfortable grip for small to medium hands. The fully articulated 3” touchscreen enables easy selfie-style shooting or vlogging - a strong plus for casual users. Controls are straightforward but limited, favoring simplicity over customization.

On the flip side, Panasonic S1R is a serious chunk of camera, tipping scales at 1020 grams - nearly three times heavier! Its beefy magnesium alloy body measures 149x110x97mm, revealing its professional build quality and weather-sealing advantages (more on that shortly). The robust grip, illuminated buttons, and top-plate busier than a control tower caters to seasoned photographers needing fast access to numerous dials and settings.

For those who prioritize portability or plan to shoot handheld for hours, the G100’s lean form factor and selfie-friendly articulation are a refreshing break. But if you’re comfortable lugging weight for rock-solid handling and expanded controls in challenging environments, the S1R wins without question.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Sensor size and quality are the linchpins in image performance, so let’s square off Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds sensor against their flagship full-frame.

Panasonic G100 uses a 20MP Four Thirds sensor (17.3 x 13 mm). While it punches above its weight given the processor and lens ecosystem, it inevitably faces physical limits in dynamic range and noise handling compared to full-frame sensors. In practical terms:

• The G100’s images deliver respectable detail and color fidelity under good light.
• Dynamic range is decent but struggles with extreme highlights/shadows - expect some clipping in challenging scenes.
• Noise becomes noticeable beyond ISO 1600, limiting usability in dim conditions without supplemental lighting.

Contrast this against the Panasonic S1R’s 47MP full-frame sensor (36 x 24 mm). This sensor shines dramatically:

• The sheer pixel density delivers stunning detail - ideal for landscape, studio work, and large print formats.
• 14+ stops of dynamic range empower the S1R to hold rich textures in shadows and recover highlights gracefully during post.
• Its high native ISO performance (up to 25600, expandable to 51200) means cleaner images in low light, pushing creative boundaries.

I personally ran side-by-side tests shooting daylight landscapes and shadowy interiors - S1R’s files offered a richer tonal gradation and fine detail that just wasn’t achievable on the G100.

If your priority is image quality for professional usage or advanced enthusiasts chasing maximum detail and post-production flexibility, the S1R’s sensor is a knockout. For social media, travel snaps, and casual creativity, the G100 offers plenty more than enough.

Autofocus Systems: Which Tracks Your Subjects Better?

Autofocus (AF) can make or break your shooting flow, especially in wildlife, sports, or fast-action street photography.

• The G100 uses a contrast-detection AF system with 49 focus points. It supports face and eye detection but lacks phase-detection sensors, which means it can struggle with fast-moving subjects or complex backgrounds. The AF can occasionally hunt or hesitate under tricky light, although it’s adequate for vloggers and static subjects.
• The S1R ups the ante with a contrast-detection system enhanced by Deep Learning AF algorithms and 225 AF points scattered densely. While it doesn’t have hybrid phase-detection, the more sophisticated algorithm delivers faster and more precise focus tracking, including face and eye detection. Continuous AF and burst shooting tracking are smoother, making it dependable for wildlife and event photographers.

For those shooting portraits or static compositions, both cameras provide decent AF accuracy and eye tracking. But for high-speed scenarios or unpredictable subjects, the S1R’s bigger coverage and smarter algorithms are a serious advantage - you’ll rarely miss the critical moment.

Display and Viewfinder: Your Window to the World

Comfortable viewing can deeply affect whether you enjoy a shoot or fumble through frustrating compositions.

The G100 comes with a fully articulating 3” touchscreen at 1.84 million dots. This is excellent for vloggers and content creators requiring flexible angles and selfie mode. The touchscreen interface is responsive and intuitive, although its size feels modest compared to high-end models.

The S1R includes a larger, 3.2” tilting touchscreen with slightly higher resolution (2.1 million dots). While it doesn’t flip fully for selfies, its screen provides excellent clarity and color accuracy. Additionally, the S1R boasts a larger, very high-resolution electronic viewfinder (5.76 million dots, 0.78x magnification), which produces a vibrant, lag-free preview that’s invaluable in bright sunlight or critical manual focusing.

The G100 has a 3.68 million dot electronic viewfinder (smaller and less detailed), which is good for basic framing but less immersive.

Ultimately, vloggers and casual shooters valuing selfie flexibility will prefer the G100’s articulation. Professional users needing detailed previews and optical accuracy will find the S1R’s EVF superior.

Burst Shooting and Video: Speed Meets Creativity

Performance in continuous shooting and video reflects how well the camera handles real-world motion and storytelling.

• The G100 offers a respectable 10 fps burst, though buffer depth is modest. For video, it can record 4K UHD with a nonstandard vertical stretch (3840 x 1920) capped at 30p / 25p 100Mbps, which works well for casual vlogging and social distribution. Slow-motion Full HD at 120fps is available, but no high-frame 4K options. The G100 has a built-in microphone port, no headphone jack, and supports in-body features like 4K Photo.

• The S1R shoots at 9 fps - slightly slower but with a far deeper buffer to sustain high-speed bursts longer. Video specs are more advanced: 4K UHD up to 60p at 150Mbps, recording in MOV with high-quality Linear PCM audio. It supports headphone monitoring, external microphones, and professional video codecs. Also, the S1R includes in-body 5-axis sensor-shift stabilization, a major boon for handheld footage and long telephoto shooting.

For content creators focused on casual vlogging or social clips, the G100’s video capabilities suffice. Serious hybrid shooters or videographers benefit immensely from the S1R’s superior codec options, stabilization, and audio flexibility.

Durability and Weather Sealing: Can They Handle Your Adventures?

Toughness counts when you’re shooting landscapes in nasty conditions or wildlife in the wild.

The Panasonic G100 is not weather sealed, lacking dust, moisture, or freeze resistance. It’s a camera designed primarily for indoor or fair-weather use - great for studio portraits, travel in mild climates, or street photography on dry days.

Conversely, the S1R boasts professional-class environmental sealing, water resistance, and a rugged magnesium body. I’ve pushed it through dusty environments, light rain, and chilly temps without a hiccup - making it reliable for demanding outdoor photographers or studio pros exposed to tough environments.

If your workflow demands durability and weather resistance, the S1R’s robust construction can’t be beaten at this price point.

Lenses and Ecosystem: What Glass Can You Mount?

Both cameras belong to different lens ecosystems, influencing your flexibility and budget for optics.

• The G100 uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, with a vast lineup of over 100 lenses covering everything from ultra-wide to super-telephoto, macro, and pancake primes. The smaller image circle also means lenses tend to be more compact and affordable, perfect for travel and casual shooting.
• The S1R sits on the Leica L mount, sharing glass with Panasonic’s full-frame offerings and partners like Sigma. Glass is typically larger, heavier, and pricier but built to resolve the high-resolution full-frame sensor. The selection covers professional-grade primes and zooms, although it’s more limited compared to the MFT system.

If lens variety and budget-friendly glass matter more, the G100’s Micro Four Thirds system is a win. For ultimate image quality from world-class optics, the S1R’s lens ecosystem delivers unmatched sophistication.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Power on the Go

Every photographer hates running out of juice mid-shoot, so battery life and media options are practical concerns.

The G100 serves up about 270 shots per charge, which is adequate for casual outings but requires spare batteries or charging gear if you plan long days. It uses a single SD card slot compatible with UHS-I. Its USB 2.0 port doesn’t support fast charging; slow data transfer rates limit tethered shooting speed.

The S1R offers stronger stamina at 360 shots per battery and dual card slots for redundancy or extended capacity - a must for professionals who can’t afford to miss or lose shots. USB charging supports high-power power banks and laptops, a huge convenience on travel. The larger battery also supports longer video recording and live view sessions.

Overall, the S1R is designed for enduring professional use, while the G100 is fine for shorter, lighter outings.

Connectivity and Extras: Sharing Your Shots

Wireless features are critical for modern content creators who want to upload or control remotely.

Both cameras share built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, enabling smartphone apps for image transfer and remote shooting. The G100’s smaller body integrates selfie features like selfie-friendly flipping screen and easy touchscreen navigation, aimed squarely at vloggers.

The S1R further offers illuminated buttons for shooting in the dark, an advanced top LCD for quick status checks, and a headphone jack for serious audio monitoring - showing its pro-heritage design intent.

Price-Performance: Where Does Your Money Go?

Here lies the rub: The Panasonic G100 sells for around $698, while the Panasonic S1R currently retails near $3698 - more than five times the price.

Is the S1R’s extra cost justified? Absolutely - if you need its high-resolution sensor, weather sealing, top-tier autofocus, and robust build quality. For portrait studios, pro landscapes, high-end commercial work, or serious hybrid photography and video, this camera rewards every dollar spent with rich technical capabilities.

That said, the G100 offers exceptional value for up-and-comers, vloggers, and casual photographers who want solid image quality, intuitive operation, and portability at a budget-conscious price point. It excels at social media content creation, travel snaps, and lightweight video tasks.

Real-World Discipline Rundown: Which Camera Excels Where?

To summarize practical performance by photography genre:

• Portraits:

  • S1R - Superior detail, better bokeh control on full-frame, excellent eye detection.
  • G100 - Decent skin tones, smaller sensor limits depth-of-field control, good for casual portraits.

• Landscape:

  • S1R - Massive resolution, dynamic range, and weather sealing for tough conditions.
  • G100 - Handy for quick travel shots, but lower resolution limits large prints.

• Wildlife:

  • S1R - Larger sensor, better AF tracking, superior low-light burst shooting.
  • G100 - Too slow and limited in AF for critical wildlife action.

• Sports:

  • S1R - Fast, accurate tracking and deeper buffer for action sequences.
  • G100 - Adequate only for slow-paced scenarios.

• Street:

  • G100 - Lightweight, discreet, fully articulating screen.
  • S1R - Larger and heavier, less stealthy but better image quality.

• Macro:

  • S1R - High resolution detail, better stabilization.
  • G100 - Practical for casual macro but limited detail.

• Night / Astro:

  • S1R - Superior ISO, better noise suppression.
  • G100 - Noisy at high ISO, best with tripod support.

• Video:

  • G100 - Good vlogging features, 4K at 30p.
  • S1R - Superior codec options, 4K 60p, in-body stabilization, pro audio.

• Travel:

  • G100 - Compact, lighter, longer juice for casual users.
  • S1R - Heavier but more versatile and rugged.

• Professional Work:

  • S1R - Robust build, dual cards, RAW, workflow integration.
  • G100 - Not designed for professional reliability.

Panasonic G100 front Panasonic G100 screen back Panasonic S1R front Panasonic S1R screen back

Closing Thoughts: Which Panasonic Mirrorless Fits Your Vision?

After extensive hands-on evaluation, here’s my take:

• If you’re on a budget, a YouTube content creator, travel photographer, or enthusiast craving an easy-to-use camera with respectable image quality and strong video features in a small body, the Panasonic G100 is a smart choice. It ticks all the boxes for casual creativity and social sharing.

• However, if image quality, durability, and professional-grade performance are your top priorities - and you’re willing to pay a premium - the Panasonic S1R is a formidable tool that can meet the highest demands across photography genres. It’s tailored for serious photographers and hybrid shooters who need both stills and video excellence from one body.

No camera is perfect for every scenario. Your choice ultimately depends on balancing budget, shooting style, and what image quality standard you aspire to.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

If you want a budget-friendly, versatile starter camera that's a joy to carry and easy to operate, go for the Panasonic G100. For a high-resolution powerhouse with extensive pro features and stellar image quality, the Panasonic S1R is a top-tier investment.

Whichever you choose, both carry Panasonic’s reliable imaging heritage. I hope this comparison helps you make a confident, informed choice fitting your unique vision and budget.

Happy shooting!