Panasonic has announced that its Lumix DC-S1 and DC-S1R full-frame mirrorless cameras will ship at the end of March. The company also disclosed two previously unmentioned features that will be offered on both cameras.
First is a ‘HLG Photo Mode’, which captures photos with high dynamic range using the Hybrid Log Gamma profile. Photos are saved as HSP files, which can be viewed on HLG-compliant devices.
These will be among the first cameras to be able to take advantage of the latest HDR displays: showing a natural-looking image with a wider dynamic range (not squeezing a wide dynamic range into the limitations of older, standard-DR monitors). The movie and broadcast industries have already developed a series of standards for capturing and showing HDR footage but there’s been less progress in the photographic world.
Apple’s recent iPhones can capture and display HDR images but it’s not clear which standard they’re using: the HDR images only currently appear as HDR on the device’s own screen. By adopting the simple and increasingly widespread HLG system (currently used by the BBC and cameras from Panasonic, Fujifilm and Sony), Panasonic could help establish a way for photographers to shoot and edit HDR stills, knowing that some displays will know how to show them correctly.
The second feature is a multi-shot high-resolution mode, that uses the camera’s sensor-shift image stabilizer. The camera moves the sensor a tiny amount to capture eight separate exposures, which are combined into a single image with high levels of detail. A ‘suppress motion blur’ option is available, which we’ll surely be testing once we have an S1/S1R to review.
Lumix S1 sample photos by Daniel Berehulak
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Press Release
Panasonic Announces Additional Key Functions for the New Full-frame Mirrorless Camera at CES 2019
Las Vegas, NV (January 7, 2019) – Following an announcement at Photokina 2018, Panasonic will unveil additional key features of the new LUMIX S full-frame mirrorless cameras at CES 2019. The LUMIX S full-frame mirrorless cameras and lenses will be available at the end of March 2019.*
A Whole New Style of Photo Expression
High Dynamic Range Still Photo – HLG Photo Mode
HLG Photo allows images to be shot with a wider dynamic range. By reproducing both glaring lights and dark shadows that are likely to be overexposed or underexposed, the Lumix S achieves rich, precise color expression as close as possible to visual memory.
HLG Photos are produced as an HSP file. The user can play back these vibrant images on the latest Panasonic HLG-compliant 4KTV via HDMI cable connection or other HLG-compliant devices. It is also ideal for photographers’ photo presentations.
Stunning Details with a Realistic Sensation
High Resolution Mode
Taking advantage of the Body Image Stabilizer. (I.S.) mechanism, eight consecutive images are automatically shot while shifting the sensor. These eight images are synthesized into a single image by the new Venus Engine, which boasts high-speed signal processing. Precise details are faithfully reproduced to be saved as a beautiful, highly realistic image. This mode is ideal for shooting natural landscapes or fine art objects with delicate details.
Considering situations where moving subjects are included in the scene, sub options are available to suppress motion blur, so photographers can use this mode the same as shooting in a normal photo shooting mode.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
