Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic S1: Which Camera Deserves a Spot in Your Bag?

As someone who has handled thousands of cameras over the past 15 years, from entry-level point-and-shoots to full-frame beasts, I find that the devil is often in the details - the specs sheet never tells the whole story. Today, we’re going to dig deep into two distinctive Panasonic offerings aimed at photography enthusiasts keen on a compact, affordable system: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1.

Though similar in some ways - both pack 12MP sensors and come from the same brand family - these cameras serve wildly different use cases. In this comprehensive head-to-head comparison, I’ll unpack their strengths, drawbacks, and real-world usability across various photography realms, helping you pinpoint which one aligns with your needs and budget.

Grab your favorite cup of coffee, and let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Size, Build & Handling

Right out of the gate, these two cameras couldn’t be more different in how they feel and fit in your hands.

The Panasonic GF2 sports a classic rangefinder-style mirrorless body with Micro Four Thirds (MFT) interchangeable lenses, while the Panasonic S1 is a compact fixed-lens camera resembling a bulky pocket camera more than a system camera.

At 113x68x33mm and 310g, the GF2 is surprisingly slim and light, especially considering it offers full manual control dials and interchangeable lenses. Conversely, the S1, though smaller at 99x59x21mm and 117g, feels more toy-like given its all-plastic construction and absence of dedicated control wheels.

In my hands, the GF2 felt much more “camera” - the textured grip provides enough purchase for solid handling during prolonged shoots. The S1’s compactness makes it a tempting grab-and-go, but I missed having proper physical controls outside the menu system.

Ergonomics-wise, the GF2 wins for serious shooting comfort, while the S1 caters to extreme portability enthusiasts or casual shooters.

Once you peek at their tops, the GF2 offers typical DSLR-style controls with dedicated mode dial, exposure compensation, and shutter release. The S1, designed more like a casual point-and-shoot, opts for minimal buttons and a two-way rocker, compromising quick exposure or focus adjustments.

Sensor, Image Quality & Performance Under the Microscope

No camera comparison would be complete without diving under the hood to the heart of image quality - the sensor.

The GF2 houses a 12.1MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor (17.3 x 13 mm) featuring the Venus Engine FHD processor. This sensor is significantly larger than the S1’s 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor (6.08 x 4.56 mm) - a major advantage when it comes to image quality, dynamic range, and noise control.

In more practical terms, the GF2 produces cleaner images, richer color gradations, and better low-light performance. Its DxOMark scores - 54 overall, 21.2 bits color depth, and 10.3 EV dynamic range - are solid for its class, especially considering it launched back in early 2011.

The S1, with a small sensor and an older CCD design, struggles with noise and loses detail rapidly as ISO climbs beyond 100-200. Panasonic hasn’t submitted the S1 to DxOMark officially, but anyone who’s used one knows its limited high-ISO usability.

You’re getting the inherent quality benefits of sensor size here - the GF2’s imaging hardware simply wins outright.

Autofocus & Shooting Speed: Chasing the Action

Autofocus (AF) prowess can make or break your shooting experience, especially if you’re photographing moving subjects like wildlife or sports.

The GF2 features a contrast-detection AF with 23 selectable focus points and face detection, enabling fairly accurate AF in good light. It supports AF single, AF continuous, and AF tracking modes. Continuous shooting clocks in at 3 fps, which, while modest by today’s standards, is workable for casual action.

The S1’s AF system is more rudimentary, with only 11 contrast detection points, no face detection, no continuous AF, and no tracking. Its shutter speeds only go to 1/1600s max - limiting your ability to freeze fast-moving objects.

In practical tests, the GF2 locks focus crisply on faces and stationary subjects - though it tends to hunt in lower light. The S1 often stalls focusing or hunts noticeably, frustrating for anything beyond simple snapshots.

If you’re chasing wildlife, sports, or kids on the move, the GF2 provides a more professional and reliable AF experience.

Composition & Viewfinding: How You See Matters

A camera’s rear screen and viewfinder define your shooting ergonomics as much as the sensor.

Both the GF2 and S1 lack built-in viewfinders, relying solely on their rear LCDs. But here’s where the GF2 distinguishes itself:

The GF2 flaunts a 3-inch fixed TFT touchscreen with 460k-dot resolution and wide viewing angles - crisp for critical framing and easy-to-use touch AF. Touch-to-focus and touch-shutter simplify operation for beginners and pros alike.

The S1 sports a smaller 2.7-inch non-touchscreen LCD, with only 230k-dot resolution. It’s dimmer, harder to see in bright daylight, and inferior to the GF2’s screen for framing and reviewing shots.

For a camera designed for some creative control, the GF2’s back screen simply makes more sense and greatly enhances your ability to shoot intuitively.

Lens Systems: Micro Four Thirds vs Fixed Lens

Lens selection is a critical aspect of camera versatility.

The GF2’s Micro Four Thirds mount opens the door to over 100 lenses, spanning primes, zooms, macros, and fast optics from Panasonic, Olympus, Sigma, and third-party manufacturers. This kind of ecosystem unlocks creativity, letting you adapt your rig for portraits, landscapes, sports, or macro photography.

The S1 offers a fixed 28-112mm F3.1-5.6 zoom lens (4x zoom, 35mm equivalent). While the equivalent focal range covers wide-angle to medium telephoto, the variable aperture and mid-range zoom limit creative depth of field and low-light reach.

The S1’s optical image stabilization partially compensates for slower apertures but can't rival the flexibility and image quality potential of the GF2’s interchangeable lenses.

If you enjoy experimenting with lenses or want a long-term investment, the GF2’s MFT mount is a clear winner for versatility.

Real-World Photography Disciplines: How These Cameras Excel (Or Don’t)

Let's break down how each camera performs across major photography types.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones & Bokeh

• GF2: The MFT sensor delivers pleasing skin tone reproduction with accurate colors and subtle gradations. Paired with fast prime lenses (like a 25mm f/1.7), the GF2 produces smooth, creamy bokeh for nuanced portraits. Its face detection AF locks quickly on eyes - great for expressive close-ups.
• S1: The small sensor and slower lens make portraits flat and less vibrant. Background separation is minimal, and face detection is absent. Expect less sharpness, muddy colors, and little artistic control.

Landscape Photography: Detail & Dynamic Range

• GF2: Dynamic range is decent, capturing rich shadows and highlights. The 12MP resolution is adequate for moderate enlargements or prints. Weather sealing is absent, so carry covers in rain.
• S1: Limited sensor size hampers detail and dynamic range. Images feel washed out with less tonal depth. Not built for rugged outdoor use.

Wildlife & Sports: Speed & Tracking

• GF2: Autofocus tracking and 3fps burst provide entry-level capabilities. Combine with telephoto MFT lenses for better reach.
• S1: Struggles with autofocus and shutter speed limits make it unsuitable for anything action-related.

Street Photography: Discretion & Portability

• GF2: Sleek and quiet enough to shoot candidly. Touchscreen quick controls help.
• S1: Ultra-compact but limited controls reduce creative spontaneity.

Macro Photography: Precision & Magnification

• GF2: Excellent when paired with dedicated macro lenses. Manual focus assists detailed work.
• S1: Fixed lens close-focus of 5cm is okay for casual macros but lacks sharpness and control.

Night & Astro Photography: ISO Performance & Noise

• GF2: Reasonable high-ISO up to 6400 and RAW support aid low-light shooting. Noise is manageable.
• S1: Poor high-ISO behavior and no RAW output severely limit night capabilities.

Video Capabilities

• GF2: Offers Full HD 1080p up to 60fps with AVCHD formats. No mic or headphone ports, but acceptable for casual video.
• S1: Maxes out at 720p video, no audio inputs, limiting video quality.

Travel Photography: Versatility & Battery Life

• GF2: Good battery life (approx. 300 shots), interchangeable lenses for varied use.
• S1: Smaller battery life (240 shots) but very pocketable. Limited camera system flexibility.

Professional Workflow

• GF2: RAW output supports advanced post-processing workflows; USB 2.0 and HDMI ports aid tethered shooting and quick image transfer.
• S1: No RAW, limited connectivity make it ill-suited for professional workflow integration.

Build Quality & Weather Sealing

Both cameras lack professional-level weather sealing or ruggedness. Neither is waterproof or dustproof, so treat them gently in inclement weather.

The GF2’s build feels more robust with metal and textured plastics; the S1 is light but plasticky.

Connectivity & Wireless Features

Neither camera sports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS. The GF2 has USB 2.0 and HDMI out; the S1 has USB only.

This lack of wireless connectivity is expected given their age and market segment.

Battery Life & Storage

• GF2: Rated for 300 shots per charge with single SD/SDHC/SDXC slot.
• S1: Rated for 240 shots per charge; supports internal storage plus SD cards.

If you require long shooting sessions, the GF2’s battery edge is notable but still below modern standards.

Price-to-Performance Ratio: Value for Your Money

At launch, both were budget-oriented, with the GF2 retailing at approx. $330 and the S1 around $270.

Given what you get:

• The GF2 justifies its price with flexible system lenses, better image quality, and usable manual controls, making it a worthwhile buy for photography learners or hobbyists.
• The S1’s limited performance and fixed lens position it more as a casual travel snapshot tool, suitable for cheapskates who value compactness over control.

Sample Images and Performance Scores: Seeing Is Believing

Let’s look at real sample images side by side, plus overall camera scoring to seal the deal.

Panasonic GF2 front Panasonic GF2 screen back Panasonic S1 front Panasonic S1 screen back

Clear differences in sharpness, color fidelity, and noise control favor the GF2.

GF2 scores notably higher on image quality, autofocus, and usability.

GF2 leads in all photography types except absolute portability.

Pros and Cons Summary

Who Should Buy the Panasonic GF2?

If you’re a budding photographer or an enthusiast seeking:

• A compact mirrorless camera with serious photographic control
• Flexibility of interchangeable lenses for diverse shooting styles
• Decent image quality, decent low-light performance, and RAW files for post-processing
• A camera that feels like an actual camera in your hands, not just a fancy point-and-shoot

The GF2 is my top pick. It balances affordability with capability in a way that’s still relevant today for beginners or backup gear.

Who Is the Panasonic S1 Right For?

The Panasonic S1 will appeal mostly to:

• True cheapskates wanting a tiny camera for snapshots without fuss
• Casual travelers who prioritize pocket size above all else
• Those uninterested in manual controls, interchangeable lenses, or RAW editing

If image quality, speed, and creative flexibility aren’t high priorities, the S1 is a lightweight, simple grab-and-go.

Final Thoughts: Putting It All Together

The Panasonic GF2 and S1 represent two VERY different cameras aimed at different users.

• The GF2 is essentially an entry-level mirrorless system, delivering versatility, higher image quality, and serious creative options at a bargain price.
• The S1 is a fixed-lens compact with limited controls and middling image quality, targeting casual snappers craving portability.

From my extensive testing and hands-on experience with both, I can say that unless you have very modest expectations and need ultimate pocketability, I recommend the Panasonic GF2 over the S1 hands down. The price difference is justified with better autofocus, image quality, lens choices, and shooting experience.

As always, consider what kind of photos you want to make, how much control you crave, and how important portability is. If you want a gateway into creative photography and don’t mind carrying a lightweight lens or two, the GF2 will reward you for years to come.

Thanks for reading my comparison - happy shooting out there!

Note: These models are now considered vintage and mainly available used. If you’re buying brand new, consider current Panasonic Lumix mirrorless models for improved modern features.