The Panasonic S1H has been approved by Netflix for use as an 'A' (primary) camera for filming Netflix Originals productions on the platform. It is both the first mirrorless camera and the cheapest camera to join the list of approved cameras.
Other cameras certified by Netflix include such powerhouses as the Arri Alexa 65, Red One and Sony Venice, meaning that the Panasonic S1H gains some serious cachet as a filmmaking tool by joining such illustrious bedfellows.
• Hands on: Panasonic S1H review
As reported by Engadget, Panasonic's cinema-focused camera has been approved for producing Netflix 4K Originals with a number of settings and best practices, including DCI 4K (4,096 x 2,160) or Ultra HD (3,840 x 2,160) resolutions in V-Log with 4:2:2, 10-bit All-I (400 Mbps) encoding.
There are some restrictions, however; the S1H's headline 6K video, for example, can only be used for 'B' camera filming due to the lack of an I-frame codec. Other features such as the in-body image stabilization are also approved with some limitations (in this case a "Not for panning" designation, arguably to counter the 'jelly'-like warping effects sometimes produced by IBIS with panning shots).
The camera is also certified for anamorphic shooting, either in Large Format 3:2 or in Academy Ratio 4:3, which we expect will lead to a surge in anamorphic lenses being produced for or ported to the system.
All of this is a massive coup for the Panasonic S1H; for reference, the only Canon cameras approved for Netflix production are the likes of the Cinema EOS C300 Mark II and EOS C700 FF.
Panasonic certainly does love its alliances. Ten years ago it was a founding member of the Micro Four Thirds group with Olympus, before joining forces with Leica and Sigma last year to form the L-Mount Alliance.
Now, with its ascension to the Netflix Post Technology Alliance, Panasonic is keeping even more exclusive company.
Read more:
• Hands on: Panasonic S1H review
• What is 4K?
• The best 4K camera for filmmaking
• The best cinema cameras
