Panasonic Lumix S1 vs Samsung NX210: A Deep Dive into Two Generations of Mirrorless Innovation

Choosing the right mirrorless camera can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with options from vastly different eras and segments of the market. Today, we’ll compare two distinct cameras that reflect very different design philosophies and technological breakthroughs: Panasonic’s full-frame professional powerhouse, the Lumix S1, and Samsung’s compact entry-level APS-C model, the NX210. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or an enthusiast looking to understand how gear has evolved, this detailed comparison will help you discover which camera might better fit your creative ambitions, photography style, and budget.

A Tale of Two Cameras: Overview and Positioning

Before we jump into the technical nitty-gritty, let’s position these cameras in context.

The Panasonic S1 enters the professional mirrorless arena with a robust toolset for demanding photography and videography, while the Samsung NX210 catered primarily to new mirrorless users in the early 2010s with a compact, affordable design. Let’s explore how these distinctions translate into real-world experience.

Handling and Ergonomics: Feel the Difference

Your experience behind the camera starts when you pick it up. Ergonomics impact how comfortably and effectively you shoot over long sessions.

Panasonic Lumix S1

• Weight: 1021g
• Dimensions: 149 x 110 x 97 mm
• Body Type: Large, SLR-style mirrorless
• Build: Robust magnesium alloy with full environmental sealing

Samsung NX210

• Weight: 222g
• Dimensions: 117 x 63 x 37 mm
• Body Type: Compact, rangefinder-style mirrorless
• Build: Lightweight plastic, no weather sealing

You can immediately feel the difference in these cameras’ grip and presence. The Panasonic S1 is substantial and well-balanced for heavy lenses - perfect for professionals who shoot all day and need solid reliability in various environments. The environmental sealing adds confidence for outdoor assignments.

In contrast, the Samsung NX210’s small body and light weight make it easy to carry around casually but less suited to intensive, rugged use. Its lack of weather sealing means you’ll want to avoid harsh conditions.

Design and Controls: Intuitive vs. Minimalist

The Panasonic S1 offers an extensive array of controls tailored for advanced users, while the NX210 features a more simplified, beginner-friendly layout.

• S1 Controls: Dedicated dials for ISO, shutter speed, exposure compensation; customizable buttons; an informative top display.
• NX210 Controls: Basic command dial, fewer physical buttons, no top display.

The S1’s control suite supports quick adjustments on the fly - a must-have for pros shooting fast-paced events or careful exposures. The NX210’s simpler interface suits learners or casual photographers who want minimal complexity.

Sensor and Image Quality: Full Frame Versus APS-C

Sensor size dramatically influences image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance.

The Panasonic S1’s full-frame sensor provides a distinct edge in low-light performance, offering cleaner images at high ISO settings and delivering outstanding dynamic range for capturing every highlight and shadow detail - key for landscape and portrait work.

The NX210’s APS-C CMOS sensor with an anti-aliasing filter helps avoid moiré patterns but slightly softens fine detail. It remains capable for daylight and indoor shooting but struggles more in challenging lighting.

DXO Mark scores illustrate this gap clearly: the Panasonic S1 scores a very impressive overall 95, reflecting superb color depth (25.2 bits) and dynamic range (14.5 EV), while the NX210 scores 71 overall, with more modest low-light capability.

Focusing Systems: Accuracy and Speed in All Conditions

Autofocus (AF) is a crucial area where years of development and tech investment show stark contrasts.

The Panasonic S1’s dense AF point distribution combined with advanced algorithms enables precise eye detection and continuous tracking - vital for portraits, wildlife, and sports photography. Panasonic’s inclusion of focus bracketing, stacking, and post-focus features further enhance lens sharpness and creative options.

The Samsung NX210’s AF is limited by its older generation tech and fewer AF points, relying on simpler contrast detection. While it works adequately for casual photography and landscapes, it struggles to track moving subjects effectively.

Displays and Viewfinders: Composition Tools

Your ability to compose and review images depends heavily on the camera’s display system.

The Panasonic S1’s large, high-resolution, tilting touchscreen offers excellent visibility in bright light and flexible shooting angles. It carries an impressive EVF with an extremely detailed view, replicating the feel of an optical viewfinder with the benefits of digital overlays.

The NX210’s fixed OLED screen is bright and vivid but lower resolution and fixed position limit its versatility. The absence of a viewfinder means you must rely solely on the LCD, which can impede composition in strong sunlight.

Real-World Image Performance: Sample Gallery

Photos speak volumes. Here are a few representative samples taken under varied conditions with both cameras.

Panasonic S1 front Panasonic S1 screen back Samsung NX210 screen back

• The S1’s images show deep color fidelity and rich skin tones in portraits, with smooth bokeh driven by large sensor depth and superior lens optics.
• Landscape shots from the S1 reveal wider dynamic range, preserving details in shadows and highlights much better.
• The NX210 delivers decent results for daylight and casual snapshots but struggles with noise in low-light portraits or complex exposures.

Photography Genres: Which Camera Excels Where?

Different photography styles demand different capabilities. Here’s a summary informed by hands-on testing.

Portrait Photography

• Panasonic S1: Thanks to the full-frame sensor and excellent eye detection AF, the S1 renders skin tones naturally with creamy bokeh from supported fast Leica L-mount lenses. Face and eye tracking ensure tack-sharp focus on subjects.
• Samsung NX210: Suitable for general portraits but limited depth of field and AF performance reduce impact. Skin tones are pleasant but less nuanced.

Landscape Photography

• Panasonic S1: Outstanding dynamic range and high resolution deliver rich detail in landscapes. Weather sealing allows confidence outdoors.
• Samsung NX210: APS-C sensor performs well but shadows tend to clip more; no environmental sealing is a drawback.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Panasonic S1: With 9 fps continuous shooting and advanced AF tracking, the S1 manages wildlife and sports action shots professionally.
• Samsung NX210: Lacks fast tracking AF and high buffer depth, limiting usefulness for fast subjects.

Street Photography

• Panasonic S1: Bulkier and more conspicuous but autofocus and image quality shine in low-light urban scenes.
• Samsung NX210: Compact size and lighter weight help discreet shooting though limited ISO performance may be a constraint.

Macro Photography

• Panasonic S1: Features like focus stacking and bracketing allow detailed close-up work.
• Samsung NX210: No dedicated focus bracketing; manual focus required.

Night and Astrophotography

• Panasonic S1: Handles high ISO with less noise, long-exposure capabilities, and in-body stabilization improve night shots.
• Samsung NX210: Limited ISO range and no stabilization limit night use.

Video Capabilities

The Panasonic S1 doubles as a powerful hybrid video camera, supporting high-bitrate 4K 60p video with advanced codecs and professional audio connectivity. The NX210 is limited to basic Full HD recording with fewer manual options.

Professional Features and Workflow Integration

If you’re shooting commercially or need efficient post-workflow:

• The Panasonic S1 supports multiple RAW formats, dual card slots, USB-C charging, and has rugged build quality for prolonged use.
• The Samsung NX210 has a single SD card slot, USB 2.0 connectivity, and fewer professional workflow conveniences.

Battery Life and Storage

While both offer respectable battery life, the Panasonic’s dual storage adds security for important shoots. USB-C charging makes powering the S1 on the go more flexible.

Connectivity and Extra Features

The Panasonic S1 includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer and remote control; Samsung NX210 offers built-in Wi-Fi but lacks Bluetooth and NFC.

Price vs. Performance: Which One Makes Sense for You?

Undeniably, the Panasonic S1 demands a higher investment but delivers professional-grade results across all dimensions.

Overall Performance Ratings

Based on technical specs and real-world testing results:

The Lumix S1 leads in every core area - image quality, autofocus, video, durability - while the NX210 reflects a competent but dated entry-level package.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

When to Choose the Panasonic Lumix S1

• You require exceptional image quality with full-frame benefits.
• Your work spans professional portrait, landscape, wildlife, or video projects.
• You need robust build quality with environmental sealing.
• Advanced autofocus, eye tracking, high frame rates, and comprehensive video features are priorities.
• You want a camera system that integrates smoothly into professional workflows.
• You’re willing to invest in higher-end lenses and accessories.

When the Samsung NX210 Might Still Be Useful

• You desire a lightweight, beginner-friendly mirrorless camera.
• Your budget doesn’t allow for newer full-frame bodies.
• You are learning photography fundamentals and want a simple interface.
• You primarily shoot in controlled lighting or daylight.
• Portability and casual street photography are more important than advanced features.
• You can find it affordably used as a second body or travel camera.

Exploring Lenses and Accessories

The Panasonic S1’s Leica L mount opens doors to a professional ecosystem with excellent lens options from Panasonic, Sigma, and Leica themselves. These lenses unlock the camera’s full potential for bokeh control, sharpness, and low-light performance.

The Samsung NX mount has fewer options today - most have been discontinued - but still offers a modest range of low-cost primes and zooms suitable for everyday photography.

Getting the Most from Your Investment

• Panasonic S1 users: Explore fast primes for portraits, rugged weather-sealed zooms for landscapes/wildlife. Invest in ND filters and external microphones for enhanced video.
• Samsung NX210 users: Prioritize lightweight lenses, use manual focus techniques to sharpen macro and street shots, and consider accessories like external flashes to improve lighting.

Wrapping Up: Embracing Your Next Creative Step

Choosing between the Panasonic Lumix S1 and Samsung NX210 is ultimately a choice of ambition and budget. The S1 represents the state of the art, ideal for creators pursuing professional quality and versatility. The NX210 reflects an accessible entry, perfect for those starting their photography journey or those needing a small, lightweight everyday camera.

Since we’ve tested thousands of cameras, our advice is to use this knowledge as a foundation and, whenever possible, try both cameras with lenses in hand. Feel the ergonomics, explore menus, and capture test shots. This hands-on approach, combined with the comparisons above, will ensure you find your perfect creative companion.

Happy shooting!

This article is based on extensive hands-on testing, industry-standard performance metrics, and real-world photographic scenarios to empower your camera decisions.