A Battle for the Ages!

 Yes, again. No wonder you look bored..

A Lumix ß1 (S1 for those who avoided German im hochscule) has come to contend with the Z6. The fate of the GX7 could also hang on the results!

I recently expanded my s5 v z6 table (below) to see what I really think about the recent choices I've made. Other than bulk, the S1 nearly won out at the beginning - but I wasn't fully aware of the firmware update it received with 2.0. That's a danger of buying old cameras based on their just-out camera reviews: seldom are text reviews updated after firmware 1.0, and video updates are out there but rare.

I could have had an ß1 for $120 less when I grabbed the ß5. And it turned out that the specs were valuable: 2-way tilt and ultra high vf resolution outdid the S5. But I panicked and chose the lower-mass option - and it wasn't a good fit.

With the Z6 I 'cured' many of the S5 issues, and also rediscovered the joys of using a decent 1-touch zoom (Vivitar's 70-150/3.8 Kino). That xx-200mm space has been abandoned by mirrorless models of every brand - and that lens adapts just as easily to any mirrorless body. Good evf resolution is really helpful with manual focus - and that's where the ß1 shines.

And so it comes down to this. Z6  vs ß1!

Comparable lenses will be tested at matching apertures for AF speed, AFc refocus, panning skew in video at 4k30, image qualities of many sorts. 

Winner gets stuck with me - the chronic complainer and perpetual gear switcher.

And on the third hand - or foot - if neither clearly blows me away, both could go! - and the μ43 kit reinforced with higher-end lenses with the proceeds (+ a higher spec body to replace the GX7)..

Stay tuned! Or not!

Preliminary Round (a few adjustments)

My MPB gear swap quote failed to impress anyone, so the 24-85 is coming back to me and not the 24-50Z.  On the L side, the 20-60 will be a while - so I picked up a Meike 35/2.0¹ to compare with the Nikkor 40/2Z instead of kit zooms. They can also each adapt common lenses from Pentax and Vivitar &c. Close enough!

Round One (lenses)

A few shots with the primes to check focus speed and accuracy, lens skills and a bit of color. Both did well enough with focus and color, and adjustments are plentiful to make them match as well or poorly as I choose. On the lens side, the Meike created very nice sunstars at f/16, but a few strong color arcs/blobs were also strong (one could probably work around that with a partly occluded sun). The Nikkor sunstars were indifferent at f/16 but color reflections were fewer. No real issues with either beyond these, though I could wish the Meike were a bit more compact.

In a curious development, I find that the Pentax-M 200/4 works fine with the S1. It does not on the Z6, which suggests a slightly too-long PK-Z adapter! Having the fully operational 200mm means the Vivitar 70-150 is not my longest telephoto for the L mount. Also, the Sigma 21-35 works nicely (and flares like crazy!) on both bodies, but the 20-60 definitely crowds out its space in my kit.

Round Two (bodies)

So it comes to this. Massive or compact, phase or contrast AF, L or Z mount? I confess it's the choice to me comes to other issues than these - however, I have learned that the S1 is not as massive as it appears on paper. As most reviewers noted, the in-hand fit is quite excellent with the S1, which makes the bonus 300g less of a major deal. And since the 20-60mm lens is the best optical option for me in any kit², it's worth noting that the S1+20-60 is in fact lighter than the s5+24-105 or other general-range zooms.

As to those 'other issues', the S1 wins out. Multiple aspect ratios available in stills and video modes that can be seen and composed for in real time, USB live power delivery, many years of Lumix-G familiarity that assist with Lumix-S, friendly 2-tilt screen, highest-res EVF and more battery life. Add to these the S1 grip and several extra batteries with my purchase, and that 20-60mm lens, the Z6 is meeting its match for ergonomics!

Upcoming rounds: I still plan to test rolling shutter at 4k/30, and equal shots with the Vivitar 70-150mm (that would become my L-mount telephoto, for a while). Also the max-mass test of S1 plus Focal 80-200/3.5 (2kg total) should be carried around for a while, as punishment for this audacious move!

¹ The very same day, TTArtisan announced their 40/2 AF lens - 120g lighter, smaller, and ..not available for L mount just yet. Christmas perhaps, or Easter '26? I have learned not to draw conclusions regarding ANY 3rd party lens data on L mount.

² Not for everyone for various reasons, but truly I need not go wider than 20mm - so it saves me another lens to reach 20mm. With Nikon no lens has this range, and Sony's 20-70 may be great but it's less compact, more front-weighted on a miniscule α body, and several hundred $$ more. Even at half the price I'm not convinced the bulk would sway me - especially since the α system was tried more than once and not been ..persuasive for me.