Panasonic LUMIX BS1H review | To cube or not to cube?

I test out the Panasonic LUMIX BS1H to find out if this camera is any good for handheld, run and gun work. Test footage shot on the LUMIX Pro 24-70 f/2.8 and the LUMIX 50mm f/1.8. All footage shot in V-log, mix of 4K 25fps and 1080 50fps. This is not an exhaustive technical review, it's an attempt to look at how practical this camera is to use in the field for the type of work I shoot (doc stuff, run and gun, handheld).
Eternal thanks to my partner for being patient in front of the camera.
Vlog shot on Panasonic LUMIX S5, DZOFilm Vespid Prime 50mm.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
00:47 - BS1H Summary
01:25 - Sample footage
02:58 - Initial thoughts
03:38 - Camera rig set-up
04:00 - Portability
05:21 - Stabilisation
06:26 - Mounting points
07:16 - Thoughts on image quality and sensor
07:38 - Audio
07:58 - Variable ND adapter
08:35 - Cost
09:07 - Conclusion and final thoughts
10:30 - How did I do?
Follow me on Instagram: / prossered
Panasonic provided the BS1H camera but did not pay me or have any editorial input on this video.

[@ImNotGonnaUseThisAnymore]

Absolutely monstrous work on that footage😮

[@EdProsser]

Wow thanks! I loved this camera - if I ever find one super cheap I'd probably pick one up just for the fun of it.

[@FoolishSwamii]

Just got one of these and your video just makes me even more ecstatic! Great footage, of all the tests, this one stood out and encourages me most when it comes to the images I'll be able to get out of this cam. That closeup at 7:27 is stunning. Thank you!

[@EdProsser]

I'm glad it was helpful! Thanks for stopping by. This was the camera that got this KZbin started and I really loved the image from it. Good luck with it and have fun!

[@rubiotv]

Would love to see a follow up after a bit of you using the bs1h. I have the s5 and I think this bs1h would be my next purchase.

[@EdProsser]

The S5 is a killer cam, I'm always impressed with what it can capture. I really loved the BS1H - if I didn't have the S5 & EVA1 I'd definitely pick one up, the size is just awesome.

[@ThomhoffmanUk]

Great video. Awesome shots. I've been mixing a Sony A7iii and a canon C100 and feel ready to upgrade to some good new cinema style camera. Not sure what though...

[@EdProsser]

oh god, yeah it's a great time to be in that position... but an agonising decision, but guess you can't really go wrong. The Sony FX6 is a good all rounder, I love my EVA1 - which you could probably get very cheap nowadays, but it's a few years old. The Black Magic URSA 12K could be cool... but heavy.

[@jerry.cray..]

Your work with these cameras are stunning pieces of cinema. I am always in awe. I know this is a loaded question, but how in the world do you do it??? I see people posting footage from Arri and RED on KZbin that still looks like they’re shot on run-of-the-mill photo-video cameras. Yet, here you are, sometimes taking bargain cinema/hybrid cameras and turning them into cinematic gold. What is your exposure philosophy? What should I be using to get rid of that video look in camera and/or in post? I shoot on the BMPCC4K and edit in Resolve if that helps for reference at all. Thanks for sharing your work!

[@EdProsser]

Hey Jerry - thanks for the lovely feedback, it means a lot! Generally - its a few things I guess - I like to shoot with natural light a lot - so I tend to preference earlier and later in the day where the light is softer and warmer - and I also try to position subjects so that there's some contrast between light and dark - often placing light to side or back lighting. Generally protecting highlights when shooting - because in post I do tend to pull things down a fair bit - as I find brighter images look more video / commercial. You can experiment with stuff like lens diffusion - and then also adding a bit of grain in post too!

[@jerry.cray..]

@@EdProsser Okay, I will certainly practice working on those tips! Thank you so much for taking the time to thoughtfully respond. And I’m looking forward to seeing more of your beautiful work!

[@eifionjones8513]

Lovely work and nice little review. I wish panasonic had another way to connect the audio xlr unit other than sitting it on the hotshoe right in the way. I love shooting with a top handle like your setup here but the xlr unit will foul the mounting points. A relocation cable would be good (a bit like the ones for canon side grips).

[@EdProsser]

Thanks Eifion - yeah that would be my gripe too I think. I'm hoping the LUMIX division announce some sort of full frame compact cine cam with NDs etc. I think i'd snap one up. I'd like to try out a Komodo but I think the file sizes would be a hassle.

[@eifionjones8513]

@@EdProsser yeah I had the s5 for a while as a B cam for my C200 and was tempted to try to rig up the S5 as an A cam but I couldn't get round the audio frankenrig issues. I ended up selling the C200 for C70 and getting an R6 as B cam. A few shoots in and Im enjoying the C70 for doc stuff so far - solves many of headaches from the C200 raw workflow. I think LUMIX offers a lot of value for money and a really great image though.

[@EdProsser]

Interesting, yes the C70 looks like a solid choice, how are you finding it? Is the AF as great as people bang on about? I saw it got a new RAW update recently and I guess you can expand to FF with a speedbooster. Lots of versatility there. If BlackMagic announced something that sat between the URSA and Pocketcinema lines, I'd be very tempted.

[@eifionjones8513]

@@EdProsser The C70 is nice and compact for documentary style stuff. I've had some neat, thin mini xlr cables made up with right angle connectors and it all fits nicely with the smallrig top plate and handle kit. The 10 bit codec looks nearly as good as the c200 raw (and new C70 raw) even in 2k and it has more dynamic range which is nice. I haven't really used the AF because I manually focus unless I'm on a gimbal and I usually use the R6 for quick gimbal bits. I'm actually pretty impressed with the R6 in Clog3, it's not as solid an image as the S5 but it's possible to make it look quite organic and match the C70 pretty well. There's not much to complain about with the canon's other than the price. I love blackmagic, the fairchild sensor on the pocket and the original cinema camera still have my heart but the anxiety and faff using them on doc and corporate stuff sent me to Canon with original C100. Love the Ursa image and 6k pro image and yeah a compact setup that sits between those two would be interesting for sure.

[@BretMiller]

Which nato rail and top handle did you use? That nato rail looks like it is the perfect size for the camera

[@EdProsser]

I think it's a 70mm Small Rig Nato rail with the SmallRig HTN2362 Nato Top handle!

[@paulbvid]

For me no ibis is the biggest reason not to use this camera . Good review .

[@EdProsser]

thanks for watching - yeah there aren't any box cameras that will have IBIS - if you rig it out and shoot with that in mind, you can still get great results. The S1H or S5 are good alternatives if IBIS is a deal breaker, for me the S1H is too big and bulky, the S5 is a great compromise.

[@ultimateladdernyhcsxe3434]

IF there was ibis wud u use it bro

[@Wildridefilms]

The problem with the BS1H is the lack of ibis combined with the problematic rolling shutter. At 9:20 you can see some very weird jello. This wasn't a problem with the S1H due to the stabilization

[@EdProsser]

Yeah that jello is stabilisation in post I think. But yes this sensor is not great with RS - it's in a lot of cameras including the new black magic cam

[@Wildridefilms]

@@EdProsser Would love if the S1Hii and subsequently the BS1Hii (wow that's a long name lol) get a much faster sensor. Atleast 60p uncropped if not 120p. Hopefully they don't go the higher resolution route (8k). 6k is more than enough for most.

[@EdProsser]

@@Wildridefilms yeah I'd rather have faster sensor read out than 8k (if it had to be a choice). I think the problem is that they don't make their own sensors so they're limited to what is on the market... Which is usually from Sony. I think for their next flagship video centric camera they really really need to solve this.

[@officialtiimo]

Do you find it frustrating to rig the box cameras up with accessories that need lots of cables vs having those functions built in the EVA?

[@EdProsser]

Not really,.I'd be using an external monitor with the EVA1 anyway plus have radio mics or similar bolted to it going into XLRs so still have lots of stuff hanging off that... It's nice to be able to strip it back if you don't need all the elements, i.e XLRs etc if you're not needing to capture sound or capturing externally.

[@Phogo]

It's a cute little camera, but it gets pretty long once you fully rig it out. How the weight?

[@EdProsser]

It was fine. With a big zoom, large battery and monitor, still very light. If you consider you probably have to add all those things to an S1H as well, which is already far heavier than the base BS1H unit then it's amazing.

[@ultimateladdernyhcsxe3434]

That's what she said hahahahahah!!!

[@ultimateladdernyhcsxe3434]

Phased plasma rifle in the 40watt range?

[@markschultze]

Nice colours/grade, far too much washed out faded de-saturated stuff around these days for my taste- I think your video is excellent and very tastefully done. My only concern is the possibility of getting cat hairs on your sensor never mind the dust..... I can't bear to look.... :)

[@EdProsser]

Thanks for the comment, yeah decided to go rich and contrasty with this one! I hear ya on the cat hairs, I had my lens blower close to hand! Have you tried the BS1H?

[@markschultze]

@@EdProsser Hi, no I haven't but I completely see the point of it, I saw loads of people slagging it off when it came out asking why get one etc. when the S1H has loads more built in but they're obviously missing the point, for Pros like you it's a no-brainer. You didn't mention that it can run PoE so you can just have one small cable running to it to power and control it if you need to, I thought that was useful but obvs not so much for run'n'gun. I think a more relevant question is why get an EVA1 when you can have this... it can be a studio cam, a drone cam, a handheld, a remote, a gimbal cam etc. etc.

[@EdProsser]

Yeah I avoided the more studio-esque applications such as PoE as didn't use that. Like you say it's a super versatile camera. I think the EVA1 is still a super sensible buy, esp. as you can pick one up pretty cheap these days. The image is still superb and I recon you could get a bargain. The EVA1 paired with the BS1H would be a killer combo, it's just a shame they don't both share an L-Mount.

[@TrenchfootSalvador]

How is the autofocus? Is it any better than the S5?

[@EdProsser]

Honestly didn't test it out too much, it's "okay" - same as S1H.

[@TrenchfootSalvador]

@@EdProsser oh so it is the under S5 autofocus. I see

[@tracybumpers7194]

What is the cost for the battery

[@EdProsser]

New I think they're around £200 but I got a used one a while back for £50!

[@caseymiller8040]

𝔭𝔯𝔬𝔪𝔬𝔰𝔪

[@ChrisFlores22]

Dude! I’ve watched this video so many times and I understand why you went Komodo! I was thinking of selling my Bs1h and getting another s1h but recently i experimented with my Bs1h rig and added 2 monitors. So far, it’s made using the Bs1h fun to use. Wish I would have thought Of it sooner! Lol kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKOWYn-meMeUo9U

[@EdProsser]

Thanks man! Yeah the camera makes much more sense once you rig it out (like the Komodo) I genuinely loved the BS1H it was just a little too lightweight and preferred the Komodo image overall. But I still think the S1H / BS1H has one of the best images out there.

[@Mr_Kenneth]

If Black magic slapped their logo on this cutr cube, KZbinrs would spaz out. I love the design.

[@EdProsser]

Me too, just makes it very easy to build out in diff ways rather than the monstrosity that is the pocket camera line

[@MockeryManor]

Well….you predicted the future 😆