Panasonic S1 FIRMWARE 1.6! Amazing Auto-Focus! | Figmento Films

Panasonic released their latest firmware across all Lumix S cameras, I test out the updated auto-focus for the Panasonic S1, does it hold up?
-----------------------------
-----------------------------
The 1.6 update is due to be followed up by a 2.0 update early next year which will make the S1 a formidable workhorse. Today however we put the camera through some simple tests to see how tracking worked in both photo and video modes.
-----------------------------
-----------------------------
Contact - [e-mail]
Website: www.figmentofilms.com/
Facebook: / figmentofilms
Instagram: Luke_figmentofilms
#Panasonic #S1 #firmware

[@ericbeaton7211]

I am not even an amateur photographer never mind a professional . I am just someone who likes to take photos with the best gear I can afford at the time. In September I sold all my Sony gear and bought a nearly new S1 and an S5 with the kit lenses. I totally agree that for what you get you get for your money Panasonic cannot be beat. I upgraded the firmware in both cameras to the latest versions and I could not be happier with them. It is god to see someone. Being positive about Panasonic rather than negative.

[@KeithsTVHD1]

I have the S1H and the auto focus has really improved with the new firmware, in my opinion.

[@antonisdavis2288]

its not sony

[@davidsanchez1]

@@antonisdavis2288 Thank God

[@KeithsTVHD1]

@@antonisdavis2288 I never said it was

[@eyeballbilly]

just love the colours!

[@ThePhenomenalLife]

Great video! on a motorized slider, it worked perfect, both dolly and tracking it worked amazing!

[@snesoey]

Still pulsing when stationary.

[@unickolay]

Hi, thanks for your review. And what lens did you use during shooting this review?

[@mannypvd2296]

did you adjust your focus settings? there's some tips on best settings on youtube some where

[@valentinaacrement1331]

I got huge problem with S1R after update 1,6 ((( front focus like it is old camera((( or not focusing at all, so I call to shop, they advise me to reset all settings and do again as it is new camera as

[@nerdMike]

Autofocus seems good, the problem is that DFD creates very distracting clips in this case, you can see clearly the focus and defocus working clearly. Focus behind on the trees and then back again on the face. For stills is solid on most cases by the way.

[@LukeBrownFigmentoFilms]

Very true, I'm more than happy to use this for my vlogs but if I was vlogging full time I might consider looking elsewhere. As for films I much prefer manual focus.

[@dturina2583]

Retinas in our eyes do not have embedded PDAF sensors. Our natural ability to focus is faster and more precise than any camera with PDAF and it is actually contrast based. So I think there is no need to mutilate sensor with hundreds of dead spots in it. Panasonic has to make AI inside the camera aware of 3D space in the scene just like our brain is.

[@DoubleGauss]

Isn't that amazing. Our eyes' AF is faster than the fastest Canon or Sony whizbang AF. It's instantaneous.

[@LukeBrownFigmentoFilms]

I see where you're going with your logic but our eyes are also vastly mor superior to camera lenses in many other areas too. As far as cameras go until Pany can match or beat PD or DP autofocus hey should go with an AF system that is proven to be many times faster and more reliable.

[@dturina2583]

@@LukeBrownFigmentoFilms Autofocus is not suitable for professional video production and vloging is a niche market so I don't see why on Earth should they pay attention. There may be better autofocusing cameras out there but still, their AF performance is just not good enough.

[@ScreenFiends]

@@dturina2583 The industry is vastly changing as the DSLR and mirrorless market shrinks. The truth is those vloggers begin to make up a sizable market percentage, not only that but businesses, particular smaller businesses or professional individuals can levy the power of social sites and KZbin to help promote themselves. Video is an essential marketing tool so professionals looking to make simple pieces to camera marketing will benefit from the improved AF. Besides the tech should always be moving forward and where AF isn't needed like controlled conditions on a shoot then they can simply be switched off. I used to shoot exclusively in manual but now can see the value in good AF systems. Kind of a win win scenario in my book.

[@kristoffergo6294]

I have the S1R, better autofocus but I got the EVF bug where it flickers while focusing, and it's having hard time focusing.

[@thomasgunn4146]

I may be able to provide some help. I'm having this same issue on my S1. In AF-S specifically (continuous AF seems to be faster after the update and seems to work well). The brighter the lighting is, the worse it gets and how often it does it. (I only tested indoor artificial lighting. Haven't tested daylight yet) From what I can tell it appears to be an bug in the firmware when the electronic viewfinder is set to 120fps in the menus. When I set it to 60fps, at least for me the issue goes away. This is with using my Sigma 35mm 1.2 which is my only native L-mount lens I currently own that I can test this with. The other lenses I own are Sigma SA mount lenses adapted via the MC-21 adapter. Those lenses seem to work flawlessly on AF-S as they did before the update. Hope this might make your situation a bit more manageable. If your situation is the same as mine, please call panasonic and notify them of the issue so they can escalate the case to the update department. I did this today and they said the more people who call in about the same occurrence will bring awarenesses to this being a widespread known issue and will speed up the process of getting the issue resolved in the next firmware update.

[@LukeBrownFigmentoFilms]

@@thomasgunn4146 I'll do some more stringent tests but it does sound like a Firmware issue so should be fixable. Really hope they address this in the next update. I didn't see an issue but I haven't had the opportunity to shoot as much as I'd like since the update and quite a few people have mentioned the same issue. Fingers crossed it gets patched soon.

[@DoubleGauss]

It's so frustrating that I won't benefit from the 1.6 because I use Canon EF lenses with the Sigma MC21 adapter which doesn't support AF-C. Come on Sigma, do something !

[@LukeBrownFigmentoFilms]

Totally agree. It will still help with the AF but they defo need to add that AFC.

[@klarion]

I hope you have better luck than I. Updated the s1 and the AF is hunting in most modes, slow, fails to track... and the camera freezes as well. Terrible.

[@JimmySaul888]

I'm starting to think there are Sony and Canon corporate trolls spreading misinformation about Panasonic. Which modes specifically? I updated and mine is working great. Wasn't bad before to be honest. The camera is freezing too? What are the odds??!!

[@klarion]

@@JimmySaul888 Lots of linear, vertical and horizontal contrast here and the AF pulses..... kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZmWXmR_hNGDbbs

[@klarion]

@@JimmySaul888 I've not had any problems with any of my cameras in 25 years... so the odds must be stacked up against me. But here I am. Tried it in several modes, continuous AF and single shot AF... most produce this glitch where the AF element pulses quickly and then gives up. Video AF is better, but I hardly every shoot video...

[@klarion]

@@JimmySaul888 Had two freezes. One system freeze when switching from review mode to shooting mode and another function freeze when the AF system continued to try and focus when my finger was off the shutter button (I shoot photos only).

[@JimmySaul888]

@@klarion That is bad luck. I'd look into your warranty.

[@rafagelzok1746]

I see this focus-defocus annoying mode and that's why I changed my Lumix to Sony over year ago.

[@LukeBrownFigmentoFilms]

For video work I would never rely soley on AF no matter what system I used. For vlogs this is acceptable and for photo the AF is a huge leap. But Sony and Canon are the kings of AF at the moment. If AF alone was a big selling point for me I'd probably have a Sony cam right now but I just find these Lumix cameras offer the best bang for buck in my humble opinion. Happy shooting. :)

[@LetsBuildThatApp]

@@LukeBrownFigmentoFilms Yeah, the AF is spotty at best. It might be acceptable for the first 2 or 3 vlog videos, and after that you'll be so annoyed during the editing process you just give up on it. We've all gone through this with panasonic cameras, I'm sure you've had this experience already with the previous firmware.

[@gracefullygraceful9776]

This is not got for a Pro camera. Hope they can close the gap on there competitors

[@LukeBrownFigmentoFilms]

I'm happy to use it for pro purposes but certainly agree a move to dual pixel AF or phase detect would be more ideal.

[@pierreraz3144]

Pro camera is video quality before AF...Lumix s5 and s1 have the best pro video quality at this price range. You prefer best AF at 8bits before 6k Raw video? I prefer to buy lumix s5 or s1 + atomos V...vs sony a7sIII

[@gracefullygraceful9776]

@@pierreraz3144 seen comparisons using the 2.0 firmware and the competition blows it away. You are correct about the pricing and i actually got excited about it. but you can get a new sony a7R iV for £2200, which in my view is better. Have you seen the price for Panasonic prime lens?