108 DIGITAL CAMERA^ AUGUST 2019 http://www.digitalcameraworld.com
erhaps the key selling point
of mirrorless cameras is that
they’re smaller and lighter
than conventional SLRs.
Sure enough, the Nikon Z 7
packs its high-resolution 45.7MP full-frame
image sensor into a less-than-full-fat casing
that weighs a modest 695g. Throwing
the rule book to the wind, however, the
Panasonic S1R is the size and weight of
a high-end full-frame SLR like the Nikon
D850, tipping the scales at just over a kilo.
Naturally, any system camera is only
as versatile as the range of lenses that are
available for it. It’s a clear win for the Z 7
here, with a growing number of fabulousZ-series optics and an adaptor that gives
access to an enormous catalogue of
F-mount lenses. At the time of going to
press, Panasonic only offers standard and
telephoto f/4 zooms and a 50mm f/1.4
prime for the S1R. However, its L-mount
design means it’s also compatible with
Leica lenses, and Sigma has just launched
35mm f/1.2 and 45mm f/2.8 primes, plus
a 14-24mm f/2.8 zoom. Panasonic itself
has promised to unleash 42 L-mount
lenses by the end of next year.
The S1R marginally beats the Z 7 for
megapixel count, with a 47.3MP sensor. It
also boasts a High Resolution mode, which
we’ve seen in a number of other camerasrecently. This utilises the camera’s IBIS
(In Body Image Stabilisation) system to
incrementally shift the position of the
image sensor through a sequence of
shots, then merges them together into
a humungous 187MP composite image.
Speaking of stabilisation, the Z 7 has
a highly effective five-axis, five-stop
sensor-shift system. The S1R goes one
better, thanks to a recent firmware update,
boosting its five-axis stabilizer to six-stop
effectiveness – and as much as 6.5 stops
in Dual IS mode, when used in conjunction
with optically stabilised lenses. The Z 7 also
enables dual stabilisation with optically
stabilised lenses. None of Nikon’s Z-seriesP
Nikon Z 7
£2,799/£2,999 (body only)
Panasonic Lumix S1R
£3,399/$3,699 (body only)
VS
HEADTOHEAD Nikon Z 7 vs Panasonic S1R
In the battle of full-frame mirrorless heavyweights,
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HEAD TO HEAD