Simon Young

What are you talking about? @DjangoDoesn’t look better than any of the competent full frame mirrorless cameras today. I see blown out hightlights, micro jitters and a fixed focal length. For stills yes maybe it’s worth the price, for video it’s a fucking joke.

Shooting at certain ISO's has been found to be a bad idea as shown in the video above. Example being 1600 iso is cleaner than 800. I think it has something to do with the native ISO's. 1600 is cleaner than 800, 3200 is cleaner than 2500 etc..

The banding issues in VFR seem really common too. It seems 60p is really the only good slo motion option. It does 4k 60p so that is not too shabby of an option though. 

Cinema5D is reporting the S1 to test at about 12 stops of dynamic range using HLG gamma. This actually matches the Sony FS7 tests with SLog-3 gamma. It's hard to know if Panny will allow it's VLog upgrade to gain any more than 12 stops. I suspect they might lock it at 12 stops to give the EVA-1 a 1 or 2 stop dynamic range advantage. Who knows?
There is one very depressing thing that Cinema5D found out....NOISE REDUCTION IS HEAVY AND +/- NR CONTROLLS HAVE ZERO AFFECT!!
Ouch!....that one REALLY stings! If Panny has disabled the noise reduction controlls than we have no way to draw it back and save ourselves from heavy in-camera noise reduction.
As we all know,....noise reduction is a 100% DESTRUCTIVE PROCESS....once it's applied, it's artifacts can never be removed in post.
Im hoping their firmware just had a bug that Panny will fix soon.

I’m mostly concerned about the internal noise reduction, I really hope it’s not as aggressive as the one seen in the a7III at iso 6400 and above, even when dialed all the way down. If the S1 retains more detail  but with slightly more noise in the aforementioned iso:s it’s an instabuy for me.

Overlooked in the first articles about this camera is the 4K H.265 mode of the Panasonic S1. Similar to the Fuji X-T3, this will allow 10bit internal recording in HEVC with launch firmware version 1.0 - no need to wait for the paid 10bit update.
3840 x 2160 is available in 10bit at 24p, 25p and 30p with no crop - it is full frame.
The later paid update is for a higher bitrate 10bit 4:2:2 mode and V-LOG, but in the meantime 10bit H.265 provides the silky smooth colour of 10bit with HDR and much smaller file sizes.
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For long-time GH1 to GH5 shooters like myself, loyal from the beginning, at a time everyone else was shooting Canon, the S1 is a milestone. I have a bit of an emotional attachment to it already, being the first Panasonic full frame camera. It is not my first L-mount camera though. I’ve been shooting with the Leica SL for a few years now and it is still the most clean, ergonomic, minimalist full frame mirrorless body. It cannot, however, match the sheer size of the feature-set on the £2000 Panasonic S1.
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So basically nothing since the initial firmware (I've tried on Photokina last year) and an external recorder doesn't help either and H265 doesn't cause waxy skin with little to no definition and temporal noise reduction fighting against any signs of texture. Well - if you like it, it's all yours... So disappointing. 

@Geoff_L Sounds like the Z6 will be a perfect match for you. I forgot to write this but when it comes to stills quality between the two, there’s no contest.

Ah, must be quite convenient to see the things you do not understand as "troll" !
I have owned a GH4, Fujis XE2, XT1, XT2 XT3 (briefly), and various dslr from Nikon and Canon. I maintain my feeling concerning the XT3, especially compared to the rest. I'm OK if you see that as trolling, but it won't affect the reality that me and others have encountered. Plus, everybody agrees this little guy is a beast.... just some concerns about build quality, nothing else.

I don’t think it’s about releasing an “unfinished” product. It’s because our minds are stuck in pre-computerised concepts. Nobody would accuse Apple or Microsoft of unreleasing unfinished products just because they update the OS now and then. And it’s not only about fixing bugs. If you have a software system which you can improve, why wouldn’t you? I’d go so far to say there should be some regulation so that any product can be pushed as far as possible in firmware before releasing subsequent products. It’s horribly wasteful to do otherwise.
Its only quite recently that the nature of software is starting to make an imprint in a wider sense. We are hardware minded in general. I know, for example, more recently in airplane software there are structures making sure flight critical software is completely separated from other software. This way systems can be upgraded continuously without the entire system needing to be re-tested and certified. So the concept of upgrade is built in to the core architecture from the start. We’re still quite a few years away before the nature of software is fully absorbed. To treat software based technology, like digital cameras, as if they’re fixed hardware objects from days old will look equally ridiculous as early cars that looked like horse carriages look to us now. In a sense the current transition is even weirder.
I would say all cameras should be continuously updated. The camera makers may charge for that. I would not expect it to be free of charge. The failure to properly valorise software is of course another remnant of old thinking. People don’t want to pay for these things which is, of course, totally absurd. 

I dont understand these comments about the X-T3 feeling like it could fall apart. Ive owned tons of Fuji’s as well as Panasonics, Sonys and Nikons, ove never felt the Fuji were somehow cheaply made. I think this is just becoming troll central.

So I just got my second X-T3 after having sold my first to get a Z6, but then got struck by remorse and rebought the Fuji. 
After getting used to the Z6 and being able to compair them side by side some things are worth taking into consideration if you’re looking to buy one of these cameras (sensor size notwithstanding).
1. The build quality of the Nikon is second to none. The X-T3 feels flimsy and wonky next to it, and my copy has a slightly misaligned lcd. The previous one had a slightly misaligned grip cover. Feels cheap and not very confidence inspiring. And the lcd on my current copy is almost impossible to clean from fingerprints whereas the Nikon lcd wipes off super easily. Very strange. But I don’t think this is due to the assembly in China, the Japan made Fuji cameras I have owned have never felt well built with various bugs to complement them.
2. Easy of use. The Nikon switches very smoothly between stills and video with separate settings stored in each mode respectively etc. The Fuji is a mess.
3. Heat management. When shooting 4K 400mbps all-i (h264 or h265), the Fuji gets very hot very quickly. Has anyone tried to record a longer interview or concert with the X-T3, internally? I imagine it will overheat around the 45min mark.
The Nikon never gets more than slightly warm.
4. Autofocus. This is where the Fuji shows it’s a more mature mirrorless system with a smaller sensor: with the newer lenses it’s faster, more accurate and more reliable than the Nikon, both in video and stills. In low light it’s autofocus obliterates the Z6 in all modes.
5. Auto white balance. The Nikon is amazing and never manages to get it really wrong, even in difficult mixed lighting. The Fuji is fine in daylight. But I absolutely love the fact that you can lock the auto white balance on the Fuji, such a handy feature in a pinch.
6. Video quality. The X-T3 is by far a more capable video camera with outstanding codecs with less artefacts. The rolling shutter performance is noticeably better and the Eterna profile with DR400 looks stunning out of the camera with a beautiful highlight roll off compared to the Nikon. The colors of the Nikon is very appealing though, it feels less instagramish than the x-t3.
7. Sexiness. Despite all its shortcomings and frustrations the Fuji is more fun to use, I feel. As Andrew noted, the Z6 and Z7 are very utilitarian and a tad too big for my liking. Very subjective matter this, ofc.
Final thoughts:
If I were to rely on a camera as a working tool, day in and day out I would keep the Z6, but as I’m not making a living off of the camera I might sell it. But I was almost shocked when I got the X-T3 again, it literally feels like it’s gonna fall apart in my hands compared to the Nikon (and I imagine the Canon EOS R).

@Geoff_L Sounds like the Z6 will be a perfect match for you. I forgot to write this but when it comes to stills quality between the two, there’s no contest.

Thank you Simon, great points, and exactly my feelings. Before I buy the Z6, I've ordered an XT3, as I was using an XT2.
I've opened the box, took the camera out of its cocoon and, before mounting a lens, inspected the sensor, as I read that some people found dusts stuck under the first layer (do not remember which filter it is), and had to send it back to Fuji for repair. And, I was lucky enough to find a big dust in the middle of the sensor ! So, I've grabbed my rocket blower, trying to remove the spot. As I was blowing, the part around the sensor (do not know of what it is made, but it looks like dark fiber "paper"/cardboard) was moving like hell. Oh, I couldn't believe it, was like a toy made of paper... I sent if back asap, and waited for the Z6 to be in stock and compare it to the A7iii.
I've loved so much things in the XT2, but hated more. The Z6 fulfills those bad points (for my usage at least), despite, I know, having less sexy video appealing. I want a robust hybrid for photo + video, and the Z6 is a better choice for me. I agree with your and Andrews view, it feel more like a tool (exactly what the big dslr feel like, to me). Plus, I absolutely hate the plague of the instagramish style ?
Seriously, the image out of the XT3 is really beautiful, and I might reconsider it later, as I will buy a second camera, more video oriented, to complement the Z6. I will look at the bmpcc4k, bmpcc, gh5s and the XT3 (or XH2 if it come out one day).

There are a lot of great options for us ; just need to find what suits you best.

So I just got my second X-T3 after having sold my first to get a Z6, but then got struck by remorse and rebought the Fuji. 
After getting used to the Z6 and being able to compair them side by side some things are worth taking into consideration if you’re looking to buy one of these cameras (sensor size notwithstanding).
1. The build quality of the Nikon is second to none. The X-T3 feels flimsy and wonky next to it, and my copy has a slightly misaligned lcd. The previous one had a slightly misaligned grip cover. Feels cheap and not very confidence inspiring. And the lcd on my current copy is almost impossible to clean from fingerprints whereas the Nikon lcd wipes off super easily. Very strange. But I don’t think this is due to the assembly in China, the Japan made Fuji cameras I have owned have never felt well built with various bugs to complement them.
2. Easy of use. The Nikon switches very smoothly between stills and video with separate settings stored in each mode respectively etc. The Fuji is a mess.
3. Heat management. When shooting 4K 400mbps all-i (h264 or h265), the Fuji gets very hot very quickly. Has anyone tried to record a longer interview or concert with the X-T3, internally? I imagine it will overheat around the 45min mark.
The Nikon never gets more than slightly warm.
4. Autofocus. This is where the Fuji shows it’s a more mature mirrorless system with a smaller sensor: with the newer lenses it’s faster, more accurate and more reliable than the Nikon, both in video and stills. In low light it’s autofocus obliterates the Z6 in all modes.
5. Auto white balance. The Nikon is amazing and never manages to get it really wrong, even in difficult mixed lighting. The Fuji is fine in daylight. But I absolutely love the fact that you can lock the auto white balance on the Fuji, such a handy feature in a pinch.
6. Video quality. The X-T3 is by far a more capable video camera with outstanding codecs with less artefacts. The rolling shutter performance is noticeably better and the Eterna profile with DR400 looks stunning out of the camera with a beautiful highlight roll off compared to the Nikon. The colors of the Nikon is very appealing though, it feels less instagramish than the x-t3.
7. Sexiness. Despite all its shortcomings and frustrations the Fuji is more fun to use, I feel. As Andrew noted, the Z6 and Z7 are very utilitarian and a tad too big for my liking. Very subjective matter this, ofc.
Final thoughts:
If I were to rely on a camera as a working tool, day in and day out I would keep the Z6, but as I’m not making a living off of the camera I might sell it. But I was almost shocked when I got the X-T3 again, it literally feels like it’s gonna fall apart in my hands compared to the Nikon (and I imagine the Canon EOS R).

@thephoenix are you trolling?

Here's my top 5 cameras of 2018.
Of course we all know "there's no such thing as a 'bad' camera" any more but there is such a thing as a dull, boring rip off. Then there's the stuff that has a shelf life of a few months, that you just know is a stepping stone before the real deal arrives. In many ways 2018 was a good year to keep hold of what you have and wait for the dust to settle. An eventful one for technology, especially in the second half where we saw some glimpses of the future. In 2018 we had six truly great cameras for filmmakers and a few that didn't make my top list like the RX100 VI but which are nevertheless still useful in one way or another.
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On a wide lens (24mm) it’s barely noticable and very usable I think, besting the a7III.

Sure, if I can’t open the aperture any further. Of course I will apply more gain when it is required. But my point was that same gain can look different depending on exposure. 

Still not following you I'm afraid.
Are you saying that the image is noisier at ISO 4000 1/50 F4 than ISO 4000 1/50 F1.8?
In that case your exposure is brighter by nearly 2 stops due to F1.8 vs F4 so you cannot be exposing both shots the same with both the 50mm and 24-70.
A brighter exposure always shows less noise at high ISOs, no matter what the camera.

Here’s a quick play with high ISO... both internal and external to a Ninja V. There are no official Luts from Nikon yet. No noise reduction applied. I had some trouble getting good manual focus in low light... but that’s on me. 
 

I think he misses the point at the end. Neither of the cameras he mentions are FF with 10 bit output. Iirc only the Nikon Z can currently do FF 10 bit out? 
Personally, I’m liking the output from the Z more than the competition right now. That might change. The new Panasonic and Fuji offerings look compelling. I wonder if Sony will sit this one out? I don’t think they’ll have a choice but to answer.

Hi all,
Very long time lurker, first time poster.  I’ve got my z6 in hands since the beginning of the week, and thought I could share some first impressions. Bought it in kit with 24-70s + ftz + a free XQD card, and a 50 1.8G. There was a good sale in a big French store, and I managed to buy it with almost a 550€ saving (regular price was 3099€ ; xqd reg price = around 180€ ; sale was a lense + a mirrorless = non negligible discount % ; 50€ cashback for the 50 1.8G).
Here are some first impressions, after a couple of short hands on tests:
        PROS:
Handling is great, especially the grip. Its feels like a “mirrorless dslr”. It’s build like a tank, and I’ll certainly feel more confident with it in the field, compared to my former fujis Button layout is OK: I can operate with only the right hand (“i” button, menu, iso etc.) The viewfinder is gorgeous, big and bright. Same for the rear lcd screen Touchscreen function seems well implemented, but I need to use it more The AF seems OK for my use, which implies landscape/nature and documentary photography. Manual focusing is really great, both in photo and video Video AF is great with the native 24-70s, but I did not explore it much, so I can’t tell more. It seems less effective with the 50 1.8G adapted with FTZ The dedicated video and photo modes that keep the settings in memory is just perfect ! The 24-70s kit lens is really a bargain! Very sharp, small form factor, convenient etc. For longer lenses, I believe the 300PF, the new 500 and zooms like the sigma 100-400 will pair wonderfully with Z serie cameras. Image quality in video surprised me in a good way. I quickly tweaked the picture profiles, and it appeared to be wonderful, even at high iso. I’m used to fuji gorgeous output right out of the camera, in video mode, but I think this one will be a step above. Really. The IBIS is quite effective, in fact more than I hoped for. With the 50 1.8G adapted, which is supposed to lead to only 3 axis, I manage to obtain a really steady image. Impressive in fact. I watched videos on youtube, with awful funky stuffs, like wobbles, kind of warp effects etc. and people in the comments moaning about how bad the ibis is compared to the sony a7iii. I've tried to replicate this... with success :  with the Electronic VR turned on ! With IBIS alone, it's perfect. And I don't know why, but in those videos I saw, they said the Electronic VR was turned off. I don't think so...         CONS:
The FTZ design is… questionable! The bottom with the tripod screw attachment is longer than the camera body. Thus, making the use of arca swiss plate on the camera with the FTZ attached complicated. A turn around seems to use a Peak Design “micro” plate, which appears to be just well sized. Anyway, I’ll attach my arca plate to the FTZ, and won’t bother much. In video mode, you can’t have both the histogram and the horizon level at the same time. I have to press the “disp” button to bring on the histogram, set my exposure, and press again until the level appears. I hope for a firmware update politic à la fuji ; a dpreview forum member explained that he talked with a Nikon Z development team member, during and event, and they are aware of the fuji successful firmware politic, and will try to offer the same. Fingers crossed! Another firmware-able fix problem (i hope): zebras only work in autofocus mode. If I switch the lens on manual focus, zebras disappear… I need to read the manual more, to check if it is setting relative or not. A lot of people are complaining about hot or white pixels on the sensor on brand new Z cameras. I got that too. An easy fix is to launch the sensor cleaning via the menu, two times in a row. It seems to trigger the pixels mapping stuff. Worked for me! Others are complaining (see the photographylife’s review of the Z7 and dpreview forum) about the coating of the grip peeling where the fingers are, close to the 2 function buttons. From what I understand, it affects people with large hands and long nails. Personally, my fingers don’t even reach this area… so, I hope it’ll be OK ! Video AF with the 50 1.8G attached, as I said before, is not really good. But, it’s a right out of the box test that I did, so maybe if I dive into the menu and the manual, I’ll find a way to make it better. Anyway, as a result, the 50 1.8G is always trying to focus, and seems to fail a lot, which leads to a lot of loud “buzzing” noises. That’s all! Before I choose the Z6, I was shooting with only a fuji X-T2. And, before that, with an X-T1 + a GH4 (and before that… only photography with a Nikon D610). I’ve been shooting  with my backup LX100 since the beginning of 2018. Not enough time and a will to spend my energy to learn more about editing, grading etc. leads me to be cameraless for months. I ditched my X-T2 because I was unhappy with the photo output (as a landscape photographer), not very fond of fuji colors (except for video… don’t know why, but love the colours of the video output, but hate the photo files). More important, I ruined a lot of video shots, because of crappy bug at that time (wobbles and “warp” effects due to the image distortion correction etc.). So, as I started again to think of buying a camera, helped a lot with all of your great contributions here, my choices were: a7iii, gh5, bmpcc4k and Z6. Gh5 and bmpcc4k were ruled out as a first “hybrid” camera (maybe next year, as a second cam), as photo is equally important as video to me (for the moment!). Then I choose Z over a7, because I operate mostly in the mountains (I live in the French Alps and spend a lot of time in northern Scandinavia), with cold, snow, bad weather, and I knew, because of my previous Nikon cameras, that  Nikon do not disappoints on the “toughness” side.  I’ve read too much stories of dead Sony A7’s during trip with similar conditions as what I operate in (and, to be fair, I've read the same with big 5dmiii and Nikon d810). I know, weather sealing is not such a big deal, but, still… a wide bottom opens on the sony would really scare me! And I’m no Chris Burckard, I do not have 200 sony a7 waiting to replace the ones you ruin during an arctic trip!
So, here I am with this little Z. Next step is to buy and Atomos ninka V, and some lenses. I’ll read posts from @Geoff CB and @IronFilm, I think I’ll find some great Nikkor lenses ideas
Sorry for this long and first post. Hope it’ll help some of you. I’ll be happy to answer questions or try things on the camera if you want. I’ll also share footages. But, for now, I’m taking the camera outside, because it’s sunny and the snow has arrived.
 

Noted, brilliant input.

All handheld, and honestly, I was getting jostled about a fair bit, so I was please with the results.
I used the 35mm Z lens. 
As for weather the Kipon adapters will be good for video... well I hope so, our Schneider Xenon FF cinema primes are Canon mount and I would love to use them on this Nikon when using our motion control system.
I have been examining the footage from this Nikon with a critical eye. Comparing it to other cameras we have own/owned. While different in character, it can match quite well with the C200. I’m really liking the output from this camera. 
Without any raw support from Lightroom or CaptureOne we cannot fully judge the stills quality. But so far it looks good imo.