Panasonic Lumix S1H Becomes First Netflix-Certified Mirrorless Camera

If the Panasonic Lumix S1H didn’t look good enough for serious filmmakers, the company can now boast another feature of the powerful mirrorless camera: certification for Netflix productions as part of the streaming giant’s Post Technology Alliance. Netflix has, in recent times, published its requirements for cameras and settings that must be used when creating Netflix shows, and this list has generally included higher-end (and much larger) cameras. Panasonic is making this level of filmmaking quality more accessible with the S1H, since it is now the first mirrorless camera to make the cut.
Baseline specs for potential certification include a true UHD 4K sensor, a capture format that is, at a minimum, 10-bit with data rates in excess of 240 Mb/s, and a log capture transfer function. That isn’t everything required for certification, because Netflix will consider more subjective aspects such as form factor and workflow compatibility. Being certified isn’t just about hitting some numbers. Among the other factors that went into certification were the inclusion of timecode jamming and the ability to capture a dynamic range of more than 14 stops with V-Log.

The requirements do also ask for pixel-for-pixel readout, which the S1H is able to do with DCI or UHD 4K recording in full-frame or Super 35. The camera then requires the use of the 10-bit 4:2:2 All-I mode at 400 Mb/s to reach needed requirements. Additionally, 4K at 60 fps is supported since it will perform pixel-for-pixel readout using the cropped Super 35 area of the sensor. This makes it extremely capable and a versatile addition to any film production.
Netflix’s requirements for secondary cameras makes this one of the most affordable options on the certified list, and the S1H will excel as a B or C camera. Its compact and lightweight form factor will also be an asset for capturing select shots. Smaller productions may even be able to use the S1H as their main camera, should the production call for it, and it opens the door to many up-and-coming filmmakers wishing to create films.