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Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic S1

Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic S1 Key Specs

Panasonic GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Revealed October 2009
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GF2
Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
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Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic S1 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic S1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are produced by Panasonic. The image resolution of the GF1 (12MP) and the S1 (12MP) is pretty similar but the GF1 (Four Thirds) and S1 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor size.

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The GF1 was unveiled 14 months earlier than the S1 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GF1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S1 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a brief summary of how the GF1 grades versus the S1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Panasonic S1

 GF1 S1 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Panasonic GF1

 S1 GF1 
ReleasedJanuary 2011October 2009Newer by 14 months

Common features in the Panasonic GF1 and Panasonic S1

 GF1 S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic GF1 offers physical measurements of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S1 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

See the Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic S1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the GF1 compared to the S1.

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GF1 and S1 is 85 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to see the difference between sensor dimensions just by reviewing specs. The picture underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the GF1 and S1.

All in all, the two cameras have the same megapixels albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The GF1 contains the bigger sensor which will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult. The more aged GF1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF1 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
exports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Street photography info
Panasonic S1 Street photography info
64
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Sports photography camera
44
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
great battery power (380 per charge)
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
no phase detect auto focus
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Travel photography camera
59
great battery power (380 CIPA)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
62
lighter than others in class (117g)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Landscape photography camera
60
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (380 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
32
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic S1 Vlogging highlights
25
has face detection focus
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic port
31
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic jack
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Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF1 and Panasonic S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-10-14 2011-01-05
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 385g (0.85 pounds) 117g (0.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 513 not tested
Other
Battery life 380 images 240 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $400 $269