Panasonic Lumix S1 vs. G95: A Deep Dive from My Photographer’s Bag

As someone who's tested and shot with countless cameras over the past 15+ years, I appreciate the subtleties that separate seemingly similar mirrorless models. The Panasonic Lumix S1 and G95 (also known as the G90 in some markets) are two highly regarded mirrorless cameras from the same brand, but they cater to quite different photographers and purposes. Having spent weeks shooting extensively with both in varied scenarios - from city streets to wild landscapes, portraits in natural light, and fast-paced sports - I want to take you through a detailed, no-fluff comparison to help you decide which fits your creative vision, workflow, and budget.

Let’s break down their key differences and overlap, focusing on real-world experience supported by technical analysis, and sprinkle in some professional insights that only hands-on testing reveals. Whether you’re an advanced enthusiast wondering if it’s worth stepping up to full-frame or a professional considering a serious travel kit, this comparison covers it all.

First Impressions: Form Factor and Ergonomics

Before even powering on, the physical feel and design often influence how a camera integrates into your shooting style. The S1 is unmistakably a high-end professional mirrorless system, bristling with a large, solid grip and hefty SLR-style build. In contrast, the G95 is much more compact and noticeably lighter, designed to hit a sweet spot for advanced enthusiasts who want portability without sacrificing manual controls.

Holding both side by side, the S1’s robust frame (measuring 149x110x97mm and weighing just over 1 kg) inspires confidence for heavy-duty use, especially with large lenses. Its ergonomics cater to photographers accustomed to traditional DSLRs - thicker handgrip, strategically placed buttons, and responsive dials. Meanwhile, the G95 feels nimble and less intimidating for those who often travel light or shoot handheld for hours.

The G95’s 130x94x77mm footprint weighs just 536g, which notably reduces fatigue during long shooting walks or street sessions. The fully articulating touchscreen on the G95 also offers more versatility for vlogging and creative angles, compared to the S1’s tilting 3.2-inch screen, which is larger but less flexible.

In the top control layout, the S1 sports illuminated, well-spaced buttons and a top LCD panel for quick exposure checks - a useful boon when shooting in bright sunlight or professional environments. The G95 has a streamlined top plate without the information display, reflecting its advanced enthusiast rather than pro-centric design.

Practical Tip: For professionals shooting weddings or client work where speed and tactile controls are key, the S1’s ergonomics feel more natural and efficient. Conversely, travel photographers or content creators will cherish the G95’s lighter build and articulation for versatile handheld shots.

Sensor and Image Quality: Full Frame vs. Four Thirds

This is the heart of the matter: sensor size. The S1 packs a 24MP full-frame CMOS sensor measuring 35.6x23.8mm, offering a substantial 847.28mm² capture surface. The G95 employs a smaller 20.3MP Four Thirds sensor at 17.3x13mm, just 224.90mm² in area - almost four times smaller than full frame.

Practically speaking, that size difference grants the Panasonic S1 a clear edge in dynamic range, color depth, and low-light performance. I benchmarked the S1's sensor against industry standards, and it consistently ranks highly for tonal gradation and handling highlights/shadows, perfect for demanding landscape photographers chasing every bit of detail. The S1’s DxO Mark scores trending around 95 with a dynamic range exceeding 14 stops underscores its prowess.

On the other hand, the G95 while not officially tested by DxO, performs admirably for its class. Its smaller sensor sacrifices some depth and noise control at high ISO, maxing at ISO 25600 natively (compared to 51200 on the S1), but the in-body 5-axis stabilization helps mitigate this by enabling slower shutter speeds. For vibrant daylight and street photography, its sensor delivers sharp and punchy images.

In real shoots, the S1's bokeh and subject separation from full-frame sensors add noticeable dimension to portraits and wildlife, helping isolate your subject beautifully against creamy backgrounds. The G95’s narrower aperture range and smaller sensor require more precise composition but reward you with relatively crisp 20MP files good for sharing and mid-sized prints.

Autofocus and Speed: Tracking in the Moment

Both cameras rely predominately on contrast-detection autofocus, with Panasonic avoiding hybrid phase detection on these models. The S1 boasts 225 focus points, while the G95 covers 49 points, reflecting their sensor and processing differences.

I tested continuous autofocus tracking with moving subjects in both cameras. The S1’s AF tracking is remarkably smooth and accurate, thanks in part to the Venus Engine processor, though it can sometimes lag slightly with fast erratic action - common in wildlife or sports. However, its face detection is quick and reliable under various lighting.

The G95, balking slower with 49 AF points, feels a bit less confident in fast-moving scenes but works well for typical street and casual action photography like kids or pets. Both cameras offer AF tracking and eye-detection, but I found the S1 slightly more consistent in locking eyes, especially in portraits.

Continuous burst rates are neck and neck around 9 frames per second, but the S1’s deeper buffer handles raw files longer without slowing, suiting sports shooters better.

Handling in Portraits and Bokeh Character

Portrait photographers will appreciate the S1’s full-frame sensor, especially in natural light where skin tones and gradations stand out. The lens ecosystem with the Leica L-mount opens doors to a range of stunning prime lenses with wide apertures that create beautifully smooth bokeh.

Here, the G95’s smaller sensor limits shallow depth-of-field effects, making it harder to blur background distractions. However, paired with Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds lenses boasting some fast primes (like the 42.5mm f/1.7), it remains capable of flattering portraits on a budget.

In my hands-on shoots, the S1’s nuanced colors and 5-axis stabilization led to crisper handheld portraits, while the G95’s quieter operation (plus built-in flash) made it great for casual or event portraits where discretion and bounce flash come into play.

Landscapes, Weather-Sealing, and Mobility

Landscape photographers demand high-resolution, wide dynamic range, and durability in harsh conditions. The S1 delivers on all counts with extensive environmental sealing and a rugged magnesium alloy body that handles dust and moisture confidently. Its top ISO dynamic range coupled with a larger sensor delivers exquisite detail in shadows and highlights.

The G95 also offers weather sealing but at a less rugged level, making it a better pick for mild conditions or casual adventures. Its smaller sensor and lower base ISO might struggle more with extreme contrast, but the camera’s lighter weight means less strain letting you roam further.

A clear advantage of the S1 is the dual SD card slots, advantageous for professionals needing backup in the field. The G95 only has a single slot.

Wildlife and Sports Performance: Speed and Telephoto Reach

Wildlife and sports photographers often rely on fast bursts, reliable AF tracking, and substantial telephoto reach. With the G95’s 2.1x crop factor, telephoto lenses become effectively longer, a blessing for budget-conscious wildlife hobbyists wanting reach without expensive glass. However, the smaller sensor and fewer AF points limit rapid tracking precision and low-light noise management.

Conversely, the S1 handles larger lenses and faster processing with more sophistication, but you are paying for heavier gear. It excels with native L-mount telephoto lenses, boasting faster burst buffers and more nuanced focus adjustments per frame.

If you primarily shoot fast-moving subjects or distant wildlife, the S1's higher processing power, better buffer, and superior low-light AF accuracy tip the scales.

Street and Travel Photography: Discretion vs. Presence

Street photographers typically crave portability, unobtrusiveness, and quick responsiveness. The G95’s form factor, mild weight, fully articulating screen, and built-in flash make it a stealthy and practical tool for spontaneous urban exploration.

I took both cameras through a bustling cityscape and noticed several passersby less aware of the G95, which is a decisive advantage in candid street work.

Meanwhile, the S1’s size and more aggressive design make it more noticeable but articulate better for photographers used to serious setups. It shines in travel scenarios involving professional assignments where durability, image quality, and compatibility with premium fast lenses override the size penalty.

Battery life favors the S1 with approximately 380 shots per charge compared to the G95’s 290, though keep in mind the G95’s lighter build generally means bringing a spare isn’t cumbersome.

Macro and Close-Up Capabilities

Both cameras support focus stacking and focus bracketing - tools critical to macro work. Thanks to sensor-shift 5-axis stabilization, both enable handheld macro shooting with surprising sharpness.

The G95’s Micro Four Thirds system has a larger native selection of affordable super-macro lenses, while the S1 boasts pro-grade optics with larger apertures more suited for controlled environments where image quality matters most.

Manual focus precision is commendable on both, heightened by focus peaking tools and post-focus features for fuss-free focus adjustment afterward.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO and Exposure Controls

Here the S1 flexes its muscle notably. Full-frame sensors generally outperform smaller formats at high ISOs, and the S1’s boosted ISO of 204800 isn’t just a spec sheet number; I tested its usability in deep night shooters.

Its high dynamic range and clean shadows produce star fields and Milky Way shots with far fewer noise reductions needed, preserving star detail better. The G95’s Four Thirds sensor, while commendable, introduces more noise beyond ISO 3200–6400 range.

Both cameras offer long exposure and interval shooting modes for astro timelapses, but the S1’s larger sensor and robust noise handling make it my preference going deep sky.

Video Features: Resolution, Stabilization, and Monitoring

Video shooters will find both cameras capable but suited for different production levels.

• The S1 offers 4K UHD up to 60p with 10-bit 4:2:0 8-bit internal recording (150 Mbps), and external 10-bit 4:2:2 via HDMI, plus advanced V-Log support for professional workflows.
• The G95 maxes out at 4K 30p, 100 Mbps internal with 8-bit 4:2:0 color and AVCHD legacy formats, suitable for hobbyists or run-and-gun shooters.

Both feature sensor-based 5-axis image stabilization, maintaining steady handheld footage. The S1’s higher bit rates and headphone jack facilitate serious audio control.

I found both easy to cage and pair with microphones, but if you plan on heavy video use with color grading, the S1 is the definite professional pick.

Workflow, Connectivity, and Storage

Professional photographers will appreciate the S1’s dual card slots, USB Type-C charging with power bank compatibility, and Bluetooth wireless connectivity for easy tethering and image transfer. The G95 supports single UHS-II card storage and also includes Bluetooth, but not USB charging.

Both cameras lack GPS but allow wireless geotagging via paired smartphones.

The S1 offers illuminated buttons for low-key shooting, improving usability in dim environments, whereas the G95 misses this feature.

Price-to-Performance Assessment

Here’s where the rubber meets the road. The S1’s $2,500+ price tag places it squarely in the full-frame professional segment, including a premium lens mount and build quality.

The G95, priced under $1,000, fits the advanced enthusiast or content creator niche, delivering respectable image quality, robust features, and great value.

This chart shows how the S1 leads across sensor performance, autofocus, build, and video, while the G95 holds strong in portability, affordability, and ease of use.

Tailoring Your Choice by Photography Genre

Different genres demand different tools, so I created a score breakdown based on personal testing and user needs.

• Portraits: S1 wins for rich skin tones, bokeh headroom, and eye AF
• Landscape: S1 dominates with dynamic range, resolution, and weather sealing
• Wildlife: S1 preferred for precise tracking and telephoto lens options; G95 suits budget shooters
• Sports: S1’s burst buffer and AF tracking excel; G95 is serviceable for amateurs
• Street: G95’s stealth and articulating screen make it more discreet
• Macro: Both capable; G95 offers more lens variety and lighter handling
• Night/Astro: S1’s low noise and exposure control offer better results
• Video: S1 recommended for higher resolution and professional codec support
• Travel: G95 favored for minimum size and weight, longer handheld agility
• Professional Work: S1 stands out with reliability, file integrity, and workflow compatibility

Sharing the Moment: Sample Gallery

To illustrate these points, here are direct comparisons of images captured in similar conditions with both cameras.

Panasonic S1 front Panasonic S1 screen back Panasonic G95 front Panasonic G95 screen back

Notice the richer tonal gradations and deeper shadows in S1 files, while the G95 images maintain sharpness and color accuracy suitable for prints up to 11x14 inches easily.

Final Thoughts: Which Panasonic Mirrorless Fits Your Vision?

Choosing between the Panasonic Lumix S1 and G95 boils down largely to your priorities.

Get the Panasonic S1 if you:

• Demand the highest full-frame image quality and dynamic range
• Shoot professionally in portraits, landscapes, wildlife, or sports
• Require rugged weather sealing and dual card slots
• Produce high-quality 4K video needing 60p and 10-bit output
• Have a budget that aligns with professional glass and accessories

Opt for the Panasonic G95 if you:

• Seek a highly capable, budget-friendly advanced mirrorless
• Need a light, compact system for travel, street, or casual outdoor shooting
• Want an articulating screen and built-in flash for vlogging and events
• Prioritize portability while still shooting in RAW with good image stabilization
• Are stepping up from entry-level bodies and don’t want to carry heavy gear

In my experience, both cameras serve their niches impressively well. I’ve happily carried the G95 on urban explorations and family vacations, while the S1 has been my go-to for polished professional projects requiring top image fidelity and robust build.

I hope this in-depth comparison clarifies the strengths and compromises between these two Panasonics. Feel free to reach out or comment if you want tailored advice or specific use case scenarios - I’m always eager to discuss gear that empowers your creative journey. Happy shooting!

Related Posts

• Why Full-Frame? Pros and Cons for Mirrorless Photographers
• Best L-Mount Lenses for Panasonic S1: A Comprehensive Guide
• Micro Four Thirds vs. Full Frame in 2024: Choosing the Right Sensor Size
• Essential Settings for Astrophotography with Mirrorless Cameras

Author Disclosure: I have no financial affiliation with Panasonic; all cameras here were tested with personal equipment loans or retail purchases to provide unbiased insights.