K i t Z o n e
110 DIGITAL CAMERA^ AUGUST 2019 http://www.digitalcameraworld.comDigital rendition
To represent the resolving power of these cameras, this is a pair of 2MP crops (1,800 x 1,200 pixels) taken from
the full image. There’s precious little to choose between the S1R and the Z 7, throughout the sensitivity range.ISO
Again, these images are 2MP crops, this time to show JPEG noise at ISO 25,600, the highest standard sensitivity
setting for both cameras. As with our lab tests of raw signal to noise, the S1R produces cleaner images.Exposure and dynamic range
In high-contrast scenes, both cameras retain highlight detail similarly well. The Z 7 tends to give slightly
brighter images with more of a boost in shadow detail. Even so, the differences are often very slight.Colour
Colour rendition is extremely similar from both cameras, and auto white balance often yields near-identical results.
In standard photo style, the S1R’s images can sometimes look marginally less saturated than from the Z 7.Nikon Z 7 Panasonic Lumix S1R
can also boost the maximum speed
to 1/16,000 sec. At the other end of
the scale, the Z 7 has no restriction on
the length of Bulb exposures, whereas
the S1R has a limit of 30 minutes.
Both enable interval and time-lapse
sequential shooting without resorting
to a tricked-up remote controller.
For rapid-fire shooting, the Z 7 tops
out at 9fps, although the figure drops
to 5.5fps in Live View mode. The S1R
matches the 9fps continuous shooting
potential – but only in Single AF mode,
with autofocus locked before the
first shot in a sequence. Switch to
Continuous AF for tracking action and
the maximum burst speed drops to a
more pedestrian 6fps. On the plus side,
the S1R has double the buffer capacity
of the Z 7, at 50 JPEGs instead of 25,
and 40 raw files compared with the Z 7’s
18-23 (depending on size, bit-depth and
compression settings). The S1R also
adds a 6K Photo mode, which enables
you to fire off 18MP shots at 30fps.
Panasonic has a track record of
designing cameras that are equally
adept at shooting movies as stills. You’d
expect nothing less from a company
with such a rich heritage in video
capture and display technology. The
S1R is a video speed demon, delivering
4K UHD at up to 50/60p, whereas the
Z 7 tops out the more usual 25/30p.
However, the Z 7 can shoot UHD using
the entire width of the image sensor,
whereas the S1R has a 1.09x crop factor.
Both cameras deliver sumptuous movie
quality; but, for seriously cinematic
shooters, Panasonic offers an optional
DMW-SFU2 Upgrade Software Key
that enables advanced video capture
quality and functions.Build and handling
There’s absolutely nothing wrong
with the Z 7’s build quality. Although
comparatively slim and light, its
magnesium alloy body is tough and
comprehensively weather-sealed.“ The Z 7 with its
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HEADTOHEAD Nikon Z 7 vs Panasonic S1R
IMAGE TEST