Panasonic GX9 vs Panasonic S1: A Deep Dive to Find Your Perfect Camera

Choosing the right camera can be a daunting task, especially when comparing two Panasonic models that belong to very different classes - the Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9, an advanced mirrorless camera designed for enthusiast photographers, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1, a compact fixed-lens model from an earlier era aimed at casual shooters. As photographers ourselves who have handled thousands of cameras, we’ll guide you through a thorough comparison of these two options to highlight how they perform across various photography types, technical specs, and real-world usability.

Let’s unpack what each camera offers, and which one might be the best fit for your creative journey.

First Impressions: Size, Design, and Handling

Before diving into specs, the physical feel of a camera greatly affects your shooting comfort and style.

• Panasonic GX9: A compact rangefinder-style mirrorless with a serious grip and classic control layout. The magnesium alloy body gives it durability without excessive weight - around 407g. It’s an excellent size for street, travel, or even casual professional work.

• Panasonic S1: An ultra-compact point-and-shoot weighing only 117g. Its fixed lens and pocket-friendly design make it super portable but at the cost of ergonomic controls and handling flexibility.

What this means for you: If you appreciate a camera you can hold comfortably for extended shoots with physical dials and customizable buttons, the GX9 excels. The S1 is great as a lightweight, grab-and-go snapshot camera but may feel limiting in handling for more serious photography.

Controls and User Interface: Intuitive vs Simplified

Looking closer at how each camera communicates with you through its control layout:

• GX9 offers a tactile experience with dedicated dials for exposure compensation, shutter speed, and aperture control. Its touchscreen tilt-screen adds versatility for creative angles.

• S1 features a minimal button setup and no touchscreen. Its fixed-lens compact design means fewer manual controls and no interchangeable lenses to worry about.

Takeaway: The GX9’s extensive manual control appeals to enthusiasts wanting direct access to settings. The S1’s simplicity suits beginners or those prioritizing ease of use over customization.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Capture

Image quality fundamentally depends on the sensor size, resolution, and the processing engine. Let’s compare:

What does this mean?

• The GX9’s much larger Four Thirds sensor gathers more light, leading to better dynamic range, lower noise at higher ISOs, and greater detail rendering - especially crucial for low-light and landscape photography.

• The S1 uses a small 1/2.3-inch sensor common in compact cameras and smartphones, which restricts its ability to capture fine details and maintain image quality under challenging lighting.

• The absence of an anti-aliasing filter in the GX9 helps produce sharper images at the cost of some moiré risk, while the S1’s filter reduces moiré but softens details slightly.

Autofocus Capabilities: Precision and Speed

A strong autofocus (AF) system can make or break your capture, particularly for moving subjects.

The GX9’s hybrid AF combines the snappiness of phase detection with the accuracy of contrast detection, ideal for tracking fast-moving subjects in wildlife or sports photography. Face detection autofocus can help in portraiture for razor-sharp eyes, which the S1 lacks.

In contrast, the S1’s contrast detect system is slower and less effective for tracking or continuous AF, which will matter if you frequently shoot action or wildlife.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

• Neither the GX9 nor the S1 offer weather sealing or rugged environmental protection. The GX9’s metal body is more durable but still requires careful handling in harsh conditions.

• The S1, being a compact fixed-lens camera, lacks weather sealing and is primarily meant for casual use under fair weather.

Ergonomics and LCD/EVF Technology

Your framing and review experience depends on the LCD screen and viewfinder quality.

• GX9 has a high-resolution 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 1240k-dot resolution, plus an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.76M dots and 100% coverage - excellent for composing shots in bright light or when precision is required.

• S1 sports a fixed 2.7-inch TFT LCD with a low 230-dot resolution and no EVF. This limits visibility in bright conditions and constrains precise framing options.

Lens Ecosystem and Flexibility

One key strength of the Panasonic GX9 is its Micro Four Thirds mount, which benefits from a vast selection of lenses - over 100 options from Panasonic and Olympus, plus third-party manufacturers.

You can easily swap lenses from fast primes to telephotos or ultra-wide options, expanding your creative potential from portraits to wildlife and macro work.

The S1 features a fixed zoom lens (28-112 mm equivalent, f/3.1-5.6 aperture), great for casual shooting and travel snapshots but limiting for specialized photography genres.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery life is comparable, though you might find the GX9 consuming more when using the EVF and Wi-Fi features. Both rely on a single card slot, so consider your storage needs.

Connectivity and Modern Features

• The GX9 shines here with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, enabling easy image transfer and remote control from mobile devices - valuable for social media enthusiasts and quick sharing on the go.

• The S1 has no wireless connectivity and only USB 2.0, hampering seamless data transfer.

Video Performance

The GX9 supports 4K recording and 4K Photo modes, allowing you to extract stills from video footage - a feature popular with content creators. Its 5-axis sensor stabilization helps maintain steady footage.

The S1’s video capabilities are basic with max 720p recording and older compression formats, not suitable for serious videographers.

How They Perform Across Photography Disciplines

To give practical context to the specs, here’s a breakdown of their strengths and weaknesses in common photography genres.

Panasonic GX9 front Panasonic GX9 screen back Panasonic S1 front Panasonic S1 screen back

Portrait Photography

• GX9 benefits from accurate face and eye detection AF for crisp portraits. The large sensor delivers smooth skin tones, excellent bokeh, and fine texture detail especially when using fast lenses.

• S1 cannot track eyes and its smaller sensor results in less subject isolation and flatter skin tones.

Landscape Photography

• The GX9’s dynamic range and resolution facilitate capturing wide tonal gradations and landscapes with fine detail. Weather sealing is missing, so care is needed outdoors.

• S1 struggles with dynamic range limitations and resolution, producing softer images.

Wildlife Photography

• GX9’s AF speed and tracking, coupled with the vast choice of telephoto lenses, make it viable for hunting wildlife shots, although the Four Thirds sensor is smaller than full-frame alternatives.

• S1 lacks continuous AF and a telephoto zoom, restricting its use to casual wildlife snapshots.

Sports Photography

• With a 9 fps burst and reliable AF, GX9 can track mid-speed action reasonably well.

• S1 cannot shoot bursts or track moving subjects effectively.

Street Photography

• The GX9’s compact size, quiet shutter, tilting screen, and excellent image quality make it a great street shooter.

• S1 is very discreet and pocketable but its slower AF and image quality make it less appealing for serious street work.

Macro Photography

• The GX9 supports focus stacking and bracketing, and can use dedicated macro lenses via Micro Four Thirds mount.

• The S1’s fixed lens macro focusing to 5 cm is limited in magnification and lacks advanced macro capabilities.

Night and Astro Photography

• The GX9’s high ISO performance and long exposure abilities paired with the manual control are solid for night/astro work.

• The S1’s ISO maxes out at 6400 and noise control is weaker, limiting night photography.

Video and Vlogging

• GX9’s 4K video, 5-axis stabilization, and Wi-Fi for remote control make it suitable for vloggers and hybrid shooters.

• The S1 only does 720p video with no mic input or advanced stabilization - more a casual video companion.

Travel Photography

• While the GX9 is larger, its versatile lens system and image quality justify the slightly bulkier size.

• The S1’s ultra-lightweight build is superb for casual travel photos but with compromises on image quality and flexibility.

Professional Use

• The GX9 supports raw files, manual exposure modes, and customizable controls enabling workflow integration for professional workflows.

• The S1 is too limited in control, file output, and features to cover professional demands.

Overall Scores and Ratings

Combining all aspects, here is a summarizing performance scorecard based on hands-on testing and technical evaluation:

Ideal Photography Genres and User Recommendations

Who Should Choose the Panasonic GX9?

• Enthusiast photographers ready to explore manual controls.
• Those wanting a compact yet powerful mirrorless system with interchangeable lenses.
• You shoot diverse subjects: portraits, landscapes, street, wildlife, video.
• You want strong autofocus, 4K video, and image stabilization.
• You prefer a camera that grows with your skills, offering creative flexibility.

Who Should Consider the Panasonic S1?

• Casual photographers seeking a super compact, pocketable camera.
• Budget-conscious users wanting basic imaging for family, travel snapshots.
• Those who prioritize portability over image quality or advanced features.
• Beginners wanting a simple camera without lens management.

Final Thoughts: Which Panasonic Camera Fits You?

After dissecting these two Panasonic offerings, the choice depends mostly on your photographic ambitions:

• The Panasonic GX9 stands out as a formidable tool for creators who value image quality, flexibility, and performance. It is a tried-and-true hybrid capable of handling a broad range of photographic challenges with finesse. From street photography to 4K video production, the GX9 is a versatile companion for serious photography enthusiasts and semi-professionals.

• The Panasonic S1, while limited today by modern standards, is a handy lightweight option for casual shooters or those wanting a simple compact without fuss. Its small sensor and fixed lens restrict creative possibilities, but its portability is unmatched.

Getting Started and Accessorizing Your New Camera

If you decide on the Panasonic GX9, consider exploring:

• Fast primes like the Panasonic 25mm f/1.7 for portraits.
• Telephoto zooms for wildlife and sports.
• External flashes and remote apps for creative control.
• Extra batteries and UHS-I SD cards for extended shooting.

For the Panasonic S1, your options are more limited, but investing in a high-speed SD card and protective case will help maximize your experience.

In Summary

We hope this detailed guide helps you make an informed choice. Both cameras tell different stories in photography: the GX9 invites you on an expansive creative journey, while the S1 offers simple, quick snapshots. Whichever you choose, remember that mastering your camera is the key to capturing remarkable images.

Happy shooting! Check out your favorite camera store for hands-on trials, and explore the Panasonic lens lineup to find the perfect setup tailored to your photographic ambitions.