Panasonic S1H Autofocus Tips and Settings - Can the AF Work?

Full Panasonic Lumix S1H review on our website: https://www.all-things-photography.co...

Panasonic is known for poor autofocus so can we get this working well on the Lumix S1H?

Jump To:

00:00 - Introduction
01:00 - No one size fits all
01:45 - Autofocus settings that worked well for me

I tend not to use autofocus much when filming but I understand the need for fast, accurate autofocus when needed. For example, when using the DJI Ronin M stabilizer, it is virtually impossible to focus manually when "running and gunning".

I found a workable solution for the Panasonic GH5 video autofocus when it was released because "out of the box", it was awful.

Best Autofocus Settings for Panasonic GH5:    • Panasonic GH5 - Best Autofocus Settings  

I think people need to understand that the Panasonic focus ecosystem is different to that of its competitors. Canon are the king of autofocus with their Dual Pixel AF which I love. It works as soon as you switch the camera on.

For whatever reason, the Panasonic Mirrorless range of cameras need more work. Stills photography? Brilliant! No complaints at all with focussing for stills.

There are so many options for focussing in the menu, it can become overwhelming. Admittedly I only had this camera for 10 days when I did this review but I eventually found some settings that worked quite well.

I think with some more tweaking and fine tuning, I will be able to arrange a bunch of custom settings that work well in various environments. For example, filming in a run and gun situation is vastly different to filming an interview or review video such as this one. Horses for courses.

I love Panasonic cameras and am happy to put a bit more effort in to find those settings. The rest of the Panasonic S1H is more than worth that little extra effort required for effective focussing.

Also in this Panasonic S1H series

Panasonic S1H vs GH5 for video quality:    • Comparing the Panasonic S1H to the GH5 for...  
Panasonic S1H Video Quality:    • Panasonic S1H Video Quality Overview and S...  
Panasonic S1H Overview:    • Panasonic Lumix S1H Overview in 2021  
Panasonic S1H "Why you need 4, 6 or 8k Video":    • How to Edit 6 or 8k for Creative Video  

Kit used in this video (affiliate links to Amazon to help this channel)

• Filmed with Panasonic GH5: https://amzn.to/3q4zIyt
• Olympus 12mm f2: https://amzn.to/3gm5K5r
• Zoom H8 Audio Recorder: https://amzn.to/3pTcGKG
• Integral UltimaPro Video Speed V90 128 GB SD Card: https://amzn.to/3pS97nW
• Sony Wireless Mic: https://amzn.to/3gp4ZbY
• Edited with Vegas Pro: https://amzn.to/3gjD653

Buy the Panasonic Lumix S1H from Amazon USA: https://amzn.to/3gpWkpy