How does the BS1H compare to the Varicam, S1H, & EVA-1?

The full-frame, box-style Panasonic LUMIX BS1H is the camera you get when you combine the LUMIX S1H and the original LUMIX BGH1 MFT box-style camera.
The question is, does this mean the BS1H is inching even closer to that of the Varicam in both colour and functionality? We took this opportunity to see where this camera lands in comparison with the rest of their cinema line.
Special thanks to Cinematographer Carissa Dorson (embarrassingly, I mis-pronounced her name in the shout out as Carissa Dobson) for sharing her experience with me in respect to all these Panasonic cameras.
Carissa Dobson Website - www.carissadorson.com/
#LUMIXBS1H #LUMIXS1H #VARICAM
Cameras Used in this Video available at Vistek
LUMIX BS1H - www.vistek.ca/store/447409/pa...
LUMIX BGH1 - www.vistek.ca/store/441514/pa...
Panasonic AU-EVA1 - www.vistek.ca/store/430436/pa...

[@JaspreetSinghArtist]

I want Blackmagic to put their BMPCC 6k pro into the similar Cube body with internal ND filters. and a mini display on the top just like Komodo, mainly for the menu.

[@Guttz_ShoTit]

Mannnnnnn is BlackMagic did that…. I would 600% buy it

[@hbp_]

They still sell Micro Cinema and Studio models. I wonder what's the reason those models haven't been updated while all the other models have been refreshed since then.

[@AllThingsFilm1]

Not gonna happen. The obsession with cube shaped cameras is as rational as the flat earth belief. Blackmagic makes the best menu of any camera system out there. Such a menu system cannot be squeezed into a tiny screen unless it's stretched out into multiple pages.

[@JaspreetSinghArtist]

@@AllThingsFilm1 they can offer a good quality external monitor with BMPCC menu and a BM app with similar menu which let you control the camera. its a small compromise to have a camera which will be easier to balance on the gimble and will have better battery performance.

[@CarlAustinGregory]

@@AllThingsFilm1 totally agree

[@girafingo9280]

I've rented a Varicam LT and what surprised me was how filmic the image is - it's clearly Panasonic trying to do a take on the Alexa and the footage has a genuine film print like quality - hard to see on KZbin but when you see the footage on a decent calibrated monitor before exporting it looks stunning - I'd say it has 50% of the Alexa wow factor which ain't too shabby. Also the noise pattern is rather pleasing but if it needs to be removed - the camera responds so well to NR. I think with some careful grading of the red channel and maybe a smidgen of magenta removal in the skin - you can get an image that sits in the Arri/Red Dragon ballpark quite comfortably.

[@vistek]

Thanks for the great comment Girafingo. I've noticed precisely the same thing.

[@mipmipmipmipmip]

Oh wow very informative comparison. What's amazing is that Panasonic allows people to grow through the ecosystem from a micro-four-thirds prosumer cam all the way to 30k production cams and keep some consistency in workflow, optics, and color grading. Though maybe Sony and Canon also have a similar wide range.

[@Aviciiz]

I was thinking the same. If I remember correctly I saw and interview a while a go where someone from Panasonic was talking about the S1H and saying how it can help people grow into their bigger cinema line

[@TheTechnoPilot]

Sure Canon and especially Sony do this to some extent, but I would still say Panasonic does a better and more complete job as they don’t strip true cinema and broadcast features out that Canon and Sony both do. Simple things like shutter angle, and more advanced things like advanced image calibration. As much as I just love the consistency and image quality of the A7SIII or FX3, there are still glaring omissions which shouldn’t be lacking because Sony knows better. Panasonic still does this best and probably the only falter is that the BGH1 and other professional MFT cameras only have V-Log-L (though at least expanded on the BGH1), and not full V-Log.

[@Jacobyfilms]

@@TheTechnoPilot I think the V Log L is a limitation of the sensor if I recall correctly.

[@Cinematographer_brenton]

great video guys, I do often see a higher bit depth of colors in cinema cameras like the varicam that are not seen in a specs sheep, but are seen a subtle detail in the final image :) I think a lot of cameras say they can produce 10 bit or even 12 bit color, but lack the A/D converter to do a true 12 bit image like the varicam.

[@charlesjones5210]

What a a/d converter ?

[@BlackWarriorLures]

@@charlesjones5210 analog to digital converter?

[@NoelCJEvans]

I've enjoyed using every panasonic camera available from (apart from S1 and S5). Once I saw that could use the S1H and get the quality in that small package I longed for something that removed all the photo related components. I'd be happy to get a firmware update that removed everything photo related as an option. And now I have that option. Happy camper. The one thing missing is the beautiful varicam highlight rolloff. You do get some of that, it's just not Varicam level. Anyone want to buy a Komodo?

[@marcopervo]

Those colors are close enough to match in post for most shooters, but that Varicam footage is noticeably a step above as it should be.

[@candyartstv]

Would be nice if Panasonic made the colour science more uniform across the product lines similar to how Blackmagic has gen1, gen2, etc. Most likely it's down to the different sensors but it would be nice for them to give it some concern. I have the BGH1 and GH5, either which can be my A or B cam depending on the shoot, and a couple GH4's for studio use, and I'd love to not have to do too much in post.

[@ozielmelendez]

I’ve been using the BGH1 for more then a year rig it with a Meike 12mm 2.2T and honestly even when 10 Bits color it has a super nice color also super portable as you said on gimbal.

[@errolwebber]

This video you made looks great! Of course talent is a major contributing factor, but I'd like to know, which camera did you film this review video with?

[@News_Today]

Half the komodo price, better AF, Netflix certified, full-frame, and no red-owner douchebaggery(smug)? no brainer!!!

[@CallMeRabbitzUSVI]

Better AF? That's the only thing I gotta dimg this comment for

[@SoundSpeeding]

Great summary! ha Can't disagree at all. Just wish it had built in NDs, and few little tweaks such as a built in screen (even if it was only merely a status screen for settings).

[@News_Today]

@@CallMeRabbitzUSVI Better AF than Komodo not Sony LOL

[@gabrielmachadobsb]

@@CallMeRabbitzUSVI the Panasonic cameras are far from having good autofocus but their latest cameras are still better than RED's

[@danielnorris8038]

@@gabrielmachadobsb Komodo is the first RED with AF so I should hope so. And people that use REDs professionally aren't looking for AF so pointless argument anyway.

[@MrMacroJesseSky]

Eva1 owner here. Tempted to buy a used varicam for around $6000, but at the end of the day, on a production that warrants a varicam, I’ll rent one.

[@scottslotterbeck3796]

New the VariCam is about $10k, which is not bad. But yes, rent unless you have a full time production company. You can rent the stunning Arri Alexa Mini LF for about $3500 a week, which is not bad if you shoot fast. And you want Hollywood quality. Which you may not need, say for a doc or corporate use.

[@franckjoly12]

@jesserban9791, are you still using the eva 1 or have you jumped to the varicam lt? I'm curious as I just bailed on a varicam full on kit with everything including lenses and rigs for 8500 euros. Kinda eating my fingers regretting i didn't but curious to know if, with everything new coming out if its still worth buying as a A camera for all types of shoots.

[@JunyNoLimit]

6:02 Eva1 was the winner for me here 🦾

[@EugeneMaynard]

Nice run-through!👍🏾🙏🏾

[@vistek]

Thank you Eugene!

[@quiztasiarocks]

Do you think Panasonic would be looking to update these cameras anytime soon, I'm looking for a great doc camera but wondering between these cams, c200 mk ii (whenever it comes out) and the FX6

[@adventureStaley]

Great review man. Looks very tasty to me...

[@vistek]

It's all so tasty!! Thanks bud!

[@charlescowper]

any lag from the sdi output?

[@jayclas4023]

This is the video I’ve been looking for. I have a S1 but I want to know if the BHS1 has IBIS

[@chrisklugh]

I think for the same price, I think the S1H is the better choice for most people. Unless you really need it in a box.

[@AllThingsFilm1]

I personally find the obsession with box shaped cameras to be quite laughable. I've filmed with DSLR cameras for years, and had no problem rigging them with accessories.

[@pascalkempa8005]

@@AllThingsFilm1 the one thing I miss with my S1H like with all other DSLMs/DSLRs before is the difficulty of shoulder mounting. Hdmi cables sticking out the left side, lag with hdmi viewfinders, weight balance/form factor problems etc

[@Dezdirectz]

@@AllThingsFilm1 Its all just preferences

[@ishfaq2634]

Do box cameras will be weather sealed as DSLRs? How is BSIH compared to S1H? Can we shoot with this like in rain with an umbrella, with some drops on it ?

[@vistek]

Weather sealing is the same as the BGH1. You shouldn't "need" the umbrella - but obviously keeping it dry isn't a bad idea.

[@ishfaq2634]

@@vistek ok.. 😅

[@Aviciiz]

Very nice video. First time I see the S1h (sensor) next to the EVA1 and Varicam. I'd have to say that they look very similair in the indoor shot. EVA1 and Varicam are actually close. In the outdoor shot I actually preferred the BSH1 by quite a bit, looks less contrasty and more saturation. What makes you like the Varicam more?

[@vistek]

Thanks AVICIIZ. I think it's important to note that there are things I saw in the footage that never made it into the video - but that every time I saw the Varicam footage in comparison (in Resolve), there was a highlight gradation similar to that in other cinema cameras (Alexa, RED, Venice). It's subtle, and I'll be honest - it might just be my imagination. That said, if you showed me the BS1H footage and told me it was the Varicam, I'd have no justification for not believing you. Also - these tests I did... they are very cursory. Not a shred of science went into them. Who knows what I may or may not have done with the lighting, the grade, etc that could have drastically changed the image. But the differences in the image were consistent - which was all I was really looking out for.

[@Aviciiz]

@@vistek Thanks for the clarification! I honestly can’t tell a difference in highlight rolloff, but I'm guessing that's caused by KZbin compression. I like how you talk about color a lot, you're review of the S5 helped me buy it! Did you buy the Varicam? Why?

[@vistek]

Great to hear AVICIIZ! I'm happy to know I made a positive contribution. I don't own the Varicam. It was leant to me by Panasonic.

[@DennisSchmitz]

@@vistek would it be possible to upload 10 bit tiff or dpx stills from these comparisons without colorgrading?

[@charlesjones5210]

@@vistek what's highlight graduation mean?

[@witozaar5988]

Can I just say, I love the Intro!

[@vistek]

Thank you Wito!

[@TallyHoTech]

Great stuff. Woof

[@gurugamer8632]

Do you prefer the image from eva1 or bs1h

[@scottslotterbeck3796]

The best color is still film, no question. Second best? Arri Alexa. Then you can take your pick. Venice, Red, Canon C700, Varicam, it's just personal preference. My preference? Alexa, hands down. Next to film, it's the best, the richest, best skin tone.

[@henrik_worst_of_sinners]

BGH1 has GH5S colors (same sensor), not GH5 colors (different sensor).

[@GurmeetSingh-fr8uo]

Which has better image quality, EVA1 or BS1H?

[@Superbustr]

Panasonic is in an unusual position with their camera lineup. Most camera manufacturers bottleneck / limit their cheaper video cameras as to not effect the sales of their more expensive cinema cameras. With Panasonic their Varicam was essentially a commercial failure and Panasonic has for the most part pulled out of the high end cinema camera business. This leaves Panasonic with their cheaper pro-sumer cameras that they have the liberty of packing as many cinema features as they can into since they will not be in competition with themselves on the higher end.

[@npmrc]

IMO what makes Varicam more filmic is the lack of oversampling. Both Eva and S1H have 6k sensors and they look a bit too sharp. I would love to see a comparison where s1h is in pixel to pixel mode.

[@potatorigs2155]

he probably did not turned down the sharpness in camera also the eva1 is a 5.7 sensor

[@AllThingsFilm1]

Yes, but how is the autofocus? I rented the BGH1, and the AF was as unreliable as Panasonic is known for. I own the BMPCC4K, and its a great camera. But, I want a 2nd camera that has reliable autofocus. I think Blackmagic would do a great service to filmmakers by coming out with a camera that has consistent and reliable autofocus. That would be a game changer.

[@inventponsash]

Do a comparison between s1h and bs1h

[@KallusGarnet]

They need to add a display on the body and i will buy it

[@impatrickt]

The varicam looks like it has pretty bad IR pollution.

[@scottslotterbeck3796]

The VariCam has beautiful footage. Really, if you have the $$$ and the need, it's the best color from Panny IMO.

[@nicoleallard2485]

True. But if controlled, the image is top. The build quality too. It's a shame they seem to be letting it slide into irrelevance with a lack of firmware support. Otherwise I'd be buying one myself.

[@ntchi]

A bit more shadow details on the EVA1 and LT. About 1/2 stop. Look at the beard. interesting

[@myblacklab7]

Made in China.