Panasonic S1H vs Panasonic GX8: A Hands-On Deep Dive Into Two Mirrorless Worlds

Choosing between Panasonic’s Lumix DC-S1H and the Lumix DMC-GX8 feels like deciding between a robust Swiss Army knife and a slick, nimble multitool. Both are mirrorless cameras sharing a lineage but catering to quite different photography philosophies, needs, and budgets. Having put dozens - if not hundreds - of hours behind each, I’m excited to share an informed, real-world comparison that prioritizes your photographic goals over mere spec sheets.

We’ll traverse every major photography genre (from portraits to astrophotography), dissect the tech inside, reflect on ergonomics, and ultimately help you find your best fit, whether you’re an ambitious pro or an enthusiast upgrading your arsenal.

First Impressions and Physical Handling - Size Matters…or Does It?

I’ll begin by addressing what hits you first when you hold these cameras side-by-side: their physical presence and handling ergonomics.

The Panasonic S1H is an unapologetic full-frame professional mirrorless powerhouse. It tips the scale at just over 1 kg (1052g) and boasts dimensions that echo the heft and grip of a traditional DSLR, designed for solid handholding stability during long shooting sessions. The solid metal construction, combined with comprehensive weather sealing, tells you it’s ready for serious outdoor assignments.

By contrast, the GX8 dances to a different beat: lightweight (~487g), compact, and more discreet with a rangefinder-style body. It feels like an extension of your hand when wandering city streets or traveling light, perfect for shooters who prize mobility over exhaustive feature sets.

The difference isn’t trivial - it’s nearly double the weight and volume for the S1H. However, that heft buys you a more pronounced grip, weather sealing, and a control layout designed with pro shooters in mind. The GX8 opts for portability and simplicity, a distinct advantage if you’re trekking or shooting street photography where subtlety counts.

The Design and Control Deck - How Do They Feel Under Your Fingers?

Let’s peek under the hood of the user interface and controls, where the GX8 and S1H reveal their character.

On the S1H, Panasonic has included a top LCD status screen, which - if you’ve ever wrestled with menu diving at critical moments - you’ll appreciate for glanceable feedback on exposure, ISO, shutter speed, and battery. Its illuminated buttons help in dim environments; tactile dials feel precise, supporting fast adjustments without looking away from the viewfinder.

The GX8’s top deck is cleaner and simpler without the dedicated info screen. While you do get dual dials and key buttons at your fingertips, it's clear this camera targets more casual or enthusiast users who prefer a lighter control footprint.

The articulating touchscreen on both cameras is fully movable, but the S1H’s 3.2-inch, higher-resolution panel (2330k dots) offers superior clarity over the GX8’s 3-inch, 1040k dot screen, lending confidence during critical focusing or reviewing high-res previews.

Sensor Technology: The Heart of Image Quality - A Tale of Two Formats

Now for the tech that defines image quality: the sensor.

The S1H sports a full-frame 24MP CMOS sensor measuring a generous 35.6 x 23.8 mm, translating to 847.28 mm² sensor area. The GX8 utilizes a Four Thirds sensor, considerably smaller at 17.3 x 13 mm (224.9 mm²). This is not a new story - sensor size correlates directly with light-gathering ability and native image quality potential.

In practical terms, the S1H’s full-frame sensor delivers:

• Superior dynamic range, crucial for landscapes and HDR blending.
• Better high ISO performance, which shines during night or low-light shooting.
• Shallower depth of field control for portraits, enabling creamy bokeh.

The GX8, conversely, while limited by a smaller sensor area, is notable for delivering respectable color depth and quick responsiveness. The DXOMark scores support this - 75 overall for the GX8 - but the S1H pushes beyond that with a more robust sensor architecture and no official DxOMark score for yet.

I found in real-world shooting that the S1H offers finer details and cleaner files at ISO 6400 and above, where the GX8 starts to introduce visible noise. For someone shooting indoor events or night skies, that matters. But for casual outdoor shooting in good light, the GX8 can hold its own very well.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking in Action

One of the most debated aspects of Panasonic cameras has been their autofocus approach, particularly in the earlier hybrids.

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus only - no phase-detect pixels - meaning they “hunt” a bit more in complex situations compared to hybrid or phase-based AF systems on rivals. The S1H improves on this by implementing 225 focus points with face detection and touch AF, while the GX8 has 49 focus points.

What does this mean in practice?

• The S1H, although slower to lock focus compared to some phase-detection competitors (like Sony’s A7 III), offers reliable continuous AF tracking in video mode, which is why it’s favored for cinema applications. Its comprehensive AF area coverage means better performance when composing off-center subjects.

• The GX8, while faster in good light, can struggle with fast-moving wildlife or sports, especially under low contrast conditions. The smaller number of AF points and lesser sophistication make tracking unpredictable in demanding scenarios.

Neither is fantastic for high-speed sports compared to specialized APS-C or full-frame phase detect offerings - but the S1H’s AF system still outperforms the GX8 for wildlife or portrait tracking.

Build Quality and Environmental Durability

Panasonic wisely equipped both with environmental sealing, but here the S1H flexes its professional muscle.

The S1H boasts weather sealing against dust and moisture - with a body thickness and heft designed to tolerate rough treatment. I’ve happily shot the S1H under moderate rain and dusty conditions without worry. The GX8 claims some sealing but is less robust; I’d be cautious exposing it to heavy elements for prolonged periods.

Neither model is shockproof or freezeproof, but the S1H’s construction gives peace of mind for cold or rugged environments.

The Lens Ecosystem: Versatility vs. Precision Choices

Given the differing sensor sizes, each camera taps into a vastly different lens library.

The S1H’s Leica L-mount offers around 30 native lenses (with major brands like Panasonic, Leica, Sigma entering the mix), covering everything from ultra-wide primes to cinema zooms. The selection is growing and includes top-tier fast primes and cinema lenses that can leverage the full-frame sensor’s imaging prowess. Plus, L-mount has great third-party adapter support for legacy glass.

The GX8’s Micro Four Thirds mount is a behemoth in its own right, featuring over 107 lenses including extensive primes, macros, and telephotos. MFT glass is known for size, affordability, and variety, making it ideal for photographers who want specialized optics without breaking the bank.

From personal experience:

• The S1H’s lens lineup suits pros needing ultimate image quality and optical precision.
• The GX8 offers unbeatable flexibility and affordability, especially for travel, street, and macro shooters.

Battery Life and Storage - Shooting Time Without Fuss

Battery life on the S1H is rated at 400 shots, exceeding the GX8’s 330 shots. Neither will last a full marathon without recharging or spares, but both perform reasonably well for typical sessions. For video-heavy users, the S1H’s larger battery and power management shine through in longer recording runs.

The S1H sports dual UHS-II SD slots, an essential feature for pros demanding backup redundancy and faster write speeds. GX8 comes with a single SD card slot - good for enthusiasts but a limitation for serious shooters who can’t risk card failure.

Creative Photography Niches: Strengths by Genre

Here’s where the rubber meets the road - how do these cameras really perform across typical photography use cases?

Portrait Photography

• S1H: The 24MP full-frame sensor delivers excellent skin tone rendition, subtle gradations, and creamy bokeh thanks to the sensor size and fast lenses available. Face detection AF helps lock on eyes accurately, though no dedicated animal eye AF yet.

• GX8: The smaller sensor makes bokeh shallower, but with its extensive micro four thirds lens options and good face detect, you can still take beautiful portraits, especially with faster primes.

Landscape Photography

• S1H: Fabulous dynamic range and resolution allow dramatic landscape captures with fine shadow detail and highlight retention. Rugged weather sealing helps on challenging hikes or coastal shoots.

• GX8: Reasonable dynamic range but less noise management in shadows. Still a solid choice for casual landscapes and travel photography, especially with compact lenses.

Wildlife Photography

• S1H: While AF isn’t blazing fast, the 9fps burst rate combined with a high-res, full-frame sensor and long L-mount telephotos (or adapted glass) is a winning combo for careful wildlife shooting.

• GX8: Faster 12fps shooting but smaller sensor and slower AF tracking can limit catch rate on quick animals; good for birds in decent light if you have sharp tele lenses.

Sports Photography

• Here, neither really competes with specialized APS-C/Full-frame sports cameras (Sony A9, Canon R6). The GX8’s faster burst rate sounds promising, but AF tracking is less reliable. The S1H is built more for cinema than sports bursts.

Street Photography

• GX8’s discreet size and light weight win here hands down. Quieter shutter and smaller form enable unobtrusive shooting.

• S1H too bulky and obviously “pro” looking for street discreetness, but superior image quality makes it suitable for deliberate urban portraits or architecture.

Macro Photography

• GX8’s extensive MFT lens range and compact body offer real macro and focus stacking ease, though without built-in stabilisation.

• S1H supports focus bracketing and stacking, plus 5-axis IBIS helps with handholding at close distances.

Night and Astro Photography

• S1H’s full-frame sensor shines due to higher ISO capabilities (up to ISO 204,800 boosted) with manageable noise and dynamic range.

• GX8’s smaller sensor and lower max ISO limit hand-holding star pictures unless paired with a tripod.

Video Capabilities

The S1H is the video standout here:

• Full-frame 6K video recording up to 24fps (5952 x 3988), and 4K up to 60fps.
• Professional codecs (H.265, MOV) with 10-bit 4:2:2 output options.
• Built-in headphone and mic ports, plus excellent IBIS.

The GX8 covers basic 4K 30p and 1080p formats with MPEG4 and AVCHD codecs, suitable for casual shooters but lacking cinematic-grade features.

Overall Performance and Ratings

Based on hands-on use, lab tests, and comprehensive reviews collected over years:

• S1H scores top marks in imaging, video, and build quality.
• GX8 offers solid performance for its class but shows age in sensor tech and AF sophistication.

Performance by Photography Genre - Where Each Camera Shines

To help clarify:

Display and User Interface - The Digital Window to Your Creativity

The S1H’s higher-res, fully articulated screen is a joy - large, bright, responsive touchscreen with superb touch AF area selection. The viewfinder impresses with 5,760k dots resolution for a near-realistic, lag-free experience.

The GX8, while simpler, has a decent 1040k dot display and a 2,360k dot EVF, but the brightness and detail can feel wanting in bright daylight or with detailed manual focusing.

Sample Image Gallery - Real Shots Tell the Tale

Panasonic S1H front Panasonic S1H screen back Panasonic GX8 front Panasonic GX8 screen back

Notice the difference in tonal gradation, sharpness, and noise performance in low-light portraits and landscape detail shots. The S1H’s files render cleaner shadows and more natural skin tones, whereas the GX8’s images introduce some visible noise and less defined details, especially when pixel-peeping.

Connectivity, Ports, and Extras

Both cameras offer HDMI and microphone input, but:

• S1H adds a headphone jack, crucial for professional videographers.
• S1H has USB 3.1 vs. GX8’s USB 2.0, affecting transfer speeds.
• Wireless connectivity: S1H supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi; GX8 has Wi-Fi and NFC but no Bluetooth, limiting fast pairing convenience.

Value Assessment - What Price Are You Paying for What?

The price gap is significant: the S1H retailing near $4000 and the GX8 just under $900.

Is the fourfold price justified? It depends on priorities:

• If top-tier image quality, cinematic video, rugged build, and professional reliability matter - the investment is justified by long-term versatility and output.

• For enthusiasts, travelers, or those on a budget, the GX8 provides a remarkable introduction to mirrorless with flexibility and decent performance.

Final Recommendations: Which One is Your Best Match?

• Choose the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H if:

  • You’re a professional videographer or hybrid shooter demanding full-frame image quality and cinema-grade video.
  • You need weather sealing and rugged reliability for outdoor or commercial assignments.
  • You prioritize ultimate creative control over size and weight.
  • Your workflow benefits from dual card slots and high-end connectivity.

• Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 if:

  • You want a lightweight, street-friendly camera with solid stills and video capabilities.
  • Your budget is tight but you still want good image quality.
  • You’re an enthusiast exploring a broad lens ecosystem for portraits, macro, and travel.
  • Mobility and ease of use trump ultimate image quality and professional features.

Wrapping Up

Panasonic’s S1H and GX8 inhabit very different worlds but share an underlying commitment to quality and user versatility. From my extensive testing, the S1H shines as a professional workhorse and artistic video tool, while the GX8 delights photographers wanting punchy portability and competent still shooting without an arm and a leg attached.

In the end, know your needs, test if possible, and remember: the best camera is the one that inspires you to shoot more often and create images that thrill you.

Happy shooting!

Images credit: Panasonic product images and my personal photography samples.