14 Oct
Blog

Panasonic Lumix S1H Review: Still the Video Champ

panasonic lumix s1h review dm 1

"It looks like a still camera, but the S1H is a camouflaged cinema camera – and a very good one."

  • 4K and 6K full screen video

  • 5.9K RAW output

  • Exceptional workmanship

  • Unlimited intake

  • Image stabilization in the body

  • Continuous AF often slow, imprecise

  • 4K / 60 is cropped

  • Big, heavy

One year in its life, the Panasonic Lumix S1H is no longer alone when it comes to professional mirrorless video cameras. Recently, the 8K shots Canon EOS R5 and 4K / 120p Sony A7S III stole headlines, but the world of pro video isn't all about high resolutions and frame rates. The Lumix S1H remains unique in its role as a true workhorse video camera.

In some ways, the S1H is even more noticeable today thanks to the presence of younger competitors from Sony and Canon. The comparatively modest performance – 6K / 24p or 4K / 30p in full screen format, 4K / 60p in full screen mode – is a signal of Panasonic’s focus on reliability. Sure, there are things the S1H can't, but for the filmmaker who just needs detailed, clean 24p footage, this camera is the obvious choice. Both in physical design and in software functionality, it is designed to meet the requirements of real production.

In fact, I'd argue that the S1H is less of a mirrorless hybrid camera than it is a small movie camera, despite having the form factor of the former. As such, it's definitely not for everyone – but the $ 4,000 price tag probably made that clear.

Designed for real life, not a datasheet

The S1H is based on the same platform as Panasonic's other S1 cameras such as the Lumix S1 and S1R and has a bulky, albeit ergonomic, design. Physically, it differs from the S1 in a key area with an additional fan between the back and the LCD screen. This fan is what makes the S1H so special. Where other mirrorless cameras can quickly overheat when recording high-resolution videos or videos with a high frame rate, the S1H can continue to tick indefinitely.

Also unique is the LCD screen, which rests in a double hinge mechanism with which it can be tilted directly up and down or folded to the side. The added flexibility makes it easy to maneuver around microphone and HDMI cables or anything else connected to the camera. The top LCD is also larger and shows more information than its counterpart on the S1 and S1R.

All of this makes the S1H even bigger and heavier than its cousin, the Lumix S1. At 2.56 pounds, it's not exactly in the same league as the 1.35 pound Sony A7S III. The S1H is a camera that you can best operate on a sturdy tripod. Again, it is better to think of a miniature cinema camera than a mirrorless hybrid camera. Yes, you can take great photos with it – but you probably won't want to.

Otherwise, the S1H carries over pretty much all of the design features of the S1, including weather protection, abundant physical controls, and the beautiful 5.7 million dot electronic viewfinder. There is an additional difference: if the S1 and S1R have an SD card slot and an XQD / CFexpress slot, the S1H uses two SD cards. High-speed V90 SD cards are perfectly fine for 6K videos too. However, this means that if you transfer footage to a computer, you are missing out on the insanely fast transfer speeds of CFexpress.

A mixture of resolutions and frame rates

Panasonic has provided the Lumix S1H with a plethora of resolution and frame rate options, many of which are sub-standard and all come with unique limitations. It's a bit of a mess, but I'll do my best to explain how it's used.

Let's start with 6K. The highest resolution that the S1H can offer with its 24 megapixel sensor, 6K, is recorded at 5952 x 3968 pixels, an aspect ratio of 3: 2 that uses the entire sensor area, a recording mode known as "open gate" becomes. That means you'll have to crop the footage in the post to achieve the standard 16: 9 aspect ratio. However, you have some space to customize the frame. If you're outputting to 4K, you can also crop flexibly.

Despite these freedoms, 6K is not the automatic choice. It is limited to 24 frames per second (24p) and uses the h.265 codec with 10-bit 4: 2: 2 colors and a data rate of 200 megabits per second (Mbit / s).

Next up is 5.9 KB (5888 x 3312). This corresponds to 6 KB with an aspect ratio of 16: 9. This uses the same codec as 6K, but the slightly lower resolution allows frame rates of up to 30 fps. If you're shooting a 24p project, you may want the added flexibility of the 3: 2 6K footage. However, on 30p projects, 5.9K is your limit.

Then there is 5.4K (5376 x 3584), another 3: 2 option. In contrast to 6K, this records a cropped area of ​​the sensor and enables frame rates of up to 30p.

Two flavors of full-width 4K are available: Standard Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) and DCI (4096 x 2160). Both can be recorded at 24 or 30 fps with 10-bit 4: 2: 2 colors at 400 Mbit / s. You can also capture cropped 4K images at up to 60 frames per second from an APS-C or Super 35 area of ​​the sensor. This reaches a maximum speed of 200 Mbit / s. There are also 4: 3-4K anamorphic modes (3328 x 2496) that can be reduced to cinematic aspect ratios when using anamorphic lenses. All of this makes 4K the sweet spot resolution for the S1H.

But Panasonic didn't stop there. Almost a year after its announcement, the S1H received a firmware update that added 5.9KB RAW video output over HDMI (and yes, the S1H has a full-size HDMI port). Using an Atomos Ninja V or other compatible recorder, the footage is saved in Apple ProRes RAW format. RAW video is not for the faint of heart, but this feature has made the S1H even more valuable to professional customers.

Interestingly, the same 5.9K RAW output is also used for the newer and much cheaper Lumix S5.

Recording experience and video quality

I recorded a mix of 4K / 24 full screen and 4K / 60 full screen and was really impressed with the results of both. The S1H offers the “real” Panasonic V-Log profile, not the GH5 series V-Log-l, which means that it should match a Panasonic VariCam cinema camera. The company claims to have 14 levels of dynamic range, which is just fantastic for internal non-RAW shooting. From skin tones to vivid details, I like the colors that come out of the S1H. Note: I couldn't get an Atomos recorder in time for this test, so I haven't tested the RAW output yet – although I'm not sure my 8 year old computer is even suitable for this task.

In fact, I don't think many people will need 6K mode. For most of us, it's an exaggeration. But I'm glad Panasonic picked it up. For one, some customers will love the 6K open-gate capture's crop and refresh capability. Also, by outputting 5.9 KB instead of 4 KB for RAW, Panasonic can avoid the line-skipping problems with the Nikon Z 6, another 24-megapixel camera with RAW output that has a Resolution is limited to 4 KB. When only 8 megapixels are needed and 4K is output from a 24MP sensor, many pixels are simply ignored, resulting in a softer image than 4K actually can.

Internally, the S1H uses the same codec as the GH5, but its larger sensor and use of the full V-Log profile allow you to get more out of it. Assuming you started with a reasonably decent exposure and white balance, you have no problem evaluating the footage to get the look you want.

I said the S1H is best used on a sturdy tripod, but I shot most of it with the handheld. Thanks to the stabilization in the body, the handheld material is fluid and natural, but the weight of the camera – especially with the large Lumix S 24-70mm f / 2.8 lens provided by Lensrentals for this test – certainly will excite Limit the use of handhelds as much as possible.

The large top LCD and the placement of the controls make for a great user experience. Buttons can be easily reprogrammed by holding them down and selecting a new option from the menu that appears. The user interface is one of the smarter designs of any camera and makes navigating the S1H's many settings and submenus a breeze.

If there's a possible red flag, it's auto focus. Panasonic's unique focusing system, Depth from Defocus, simply cannot compete with the phase detection systems from Sony and Canon. An upcoming firmware update will bring the improvements to the Lumix S5, which is certainly to be welcomed, but I've still found this camera to lag behind the competition.

To be clear, I don't think the kind of fast, accurate, eye-tracking autofocus needed by one-person YouTube crews in the world of professional video and cinema that Panasonic is targeting with the S1H aims really is a must. There is something to be aware of, however, as it will limit the situations in which the S1H can be effective.

Our opinion

The Lumix S1H is a camera that only Panasonic would make. Like the Micro Four Thirds Lumix GH5S, the S1H has a narrowly defined target customer in the video professional and yet takes over the entire photo functionality of a high-end hybrid camera. That makes it a little strange, and some filmmakers will no doubt be wondering why they shouldn't just invest in a movie camera – but where can you find a full frame 5.9K RAW camera with image stabilization for $ 4,000? You will not. Even after factoring in the cost of an external recorder, starting at around $ 600, the S1H is a steal for what you get.

There's a reason Panasonic hasn't cut the price of the S1H after a year in the market, even if the Sony A7S III is below that at $ 3,500. No other hybrid camera has placed such emphasis on reliability and practicality or mixed them with such a variety of standard and anamorphic frame sizes. I wish 4K / 60 could be shot without cropping, and Panasonic's autofocus leaves room for improvement, but that's not a problem in most of the production environments this camera is intended for.

If I were to start a YouTube channel, I'd reach for the A7S III – but if I were to produce a film, there wouldn't be a camera I'd rather have on set than the Lumix S1H.

Is there a better alternative?

Some developers may prefer the Sony A7S III if they need a higher frame rate 4K image or more reliable auto focus. The most fascinating alternative, however, comes from Panasonic's own warehouse. The Lumix S5 will get a RAW 5.9K output later this year, which should offer the same video quality as the S1H for those who don't mind using an external recorder. You'll have to settle for the pathetic micro-HDMI port, but at only $ 2,000, that's not bad business.

How long it will take?

The S1H is a professional machine that meets the needs of these customers. While 8K cameras are on the go – and no, you don't need one yet – 4K and 6K will continue to offer more than enough resolution for the foreseeable future. There's no reason the S1H won't be viable for many years to come.

Should you buy it?

Yes. Buy the Panasonic Lumix S1H when you need a video camera that offers not only excellent image quality, but also professional reliability and flexibility.

Editor's recommendations




13 Sep
Blog

Panasonic HomeHawk Window Review: See The Color of The Night

The homehawk window was mounted in a window

Panasonic HomeHawk window

"The Homehawk window offers amazing color night vision without the need for a headlight."

  • Easy to install

  • Easy to move

  • Slim profile

  • Amazing color night vision

  • Motion tracking in recorded videos

  • The app is terrible

  • Night shots are grainy

  • Videos are stuck on the memory card

There is no shortage of security cameras on the market today. I've seen a lot of them. If a camera surprises me, I notice it. The Panasonic Homehawk Window is one such camera, and it's a three year project.

On its surface, the HomeHawk window is a surveillance camera mounted on the window. Not a big surprise. Cameras like the Logitech Circle 2 have been doing this for years. The standout feature of the Homehawk window is its night vision capabilities. The 150 degree camera has a proprietary sensor that delivers color night vision at just 0.2 lux. This is really impressive, so I wanted to find out how they did it.

exceed limits

HomeHawk engineers had to overcome two major obstacles to deliver a window-mounted camera with night vision capabilities. The first was to design the case so that the sensor is protected from reflections inside the house. Most exterior windows are double panes, so there is a pane of glass on the inside and one on the outside with an air cushion in between. It's easy to block reflections inside, but the outside is more problematic. The 16: 9 aspect ratio of the camera body matches the ratio of the sensor, so the body blocks most of the reflection.

The second problem occurs in the form of color night vision. The Arlo Pro 3 has colored night vision, but only because of the built-in floodlights. Most cameras use an infrared light and a sensor to provide a black and white image. The problem with IR with window-mounted cameras is that the glass causes a lot of glare in the image, which interferes with night vision. HomeHawk engineers have consulted with other departments at Panasonic, namely Lumix engineers and Panasonic's professional security department, to find out how to overcome this obstacle. The result was a proprietary, highly sensitive, high dynamic range CMOS sensor.

Night mode like with smartphones

The result is astonishingly good. The easiest way to describe it is to compare it to something like Night Sight on a Pixel phone. The difference is that Night Sight uses a series of long exposures made with A.I. to deliver a brightly lit scene. The HomeHawk delivers this with real-time video. If that sounds wild, it's because it is.

You can see three pictures below. The first is taken with a Pixel 4a with the night vision device turned on. It took about 30 seconds to get this shot, which is why it looks like a strange panda monster with a ponytail for its face. The second is recorded with an LG V60 with night mode turned on. It's less great. The third is a still image from the HomeHawk window. The fact is that even at 4 a.m. the picture is always so bright that no loss of detail occurs during the day either.

  • 1.
    Pixel 4a (night vision)
  • 2.
    LG V60 (night mode)
  • 3.
    HomeHawk window

The video is not perfect. At night the resolution is quite low and pixelated. You can still see enough detail to identify people, especially when they're close enough to the camera to actually pose a threat to your home. During the day that's no problem at all. The video is crisp and clear.

I would also like to see Panasonic do something about the fish-eye effect. A camera like the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro has a wider field of view with a less pronounced fish-eye look. Overall, though, it's a pretty good compromise considering how good night vision is.

The easiest way to describe it is to compare it to something like Night Sight on a Pixel phone.

The HomeHawk window comes with the camera itself and includes detailed assembly instructions for temporary and permanent fixtures, power cords and hooks for cable management. Thoroughly clean your window. To attach the camera to your window, remove the film from the suction mount, place it firmly against the window and pull the lever to activate the suction. That's it. Plug in the cable, insert a microSD card (up to 32GB) if you want to record, then attach the back plate.

The camera is firmly in place after assembly. An LED on the back indicates that the power is on and glows red while recording is in progress. There is a fan in the camera that can be heard when you are near the camera, but it is not distracting. That covers the hardware.

A disorganized app

Unfortunately I have to tell you something about the app now. It's not great, but there are some highlights. You have a lot of control over when your camera records an event, be it motion, people only, or 24/7 recording. When you record new footage, old footage is discarded. According to Panasonic, you will get around 10 days of footage with 32GB of storage.

However, it is difficult to tell the camera when to record automatically. The first time you enter the app, you'll see a "Basic" icon at the top that doesn't tell you what it is. I ignored it for the first few days. I accidentally tapped it once and suddenly I was able to configure which mode the camera should go into, which in turn defines what is being recorded. As you can imagine, this was a turning point.

On the surface, it's a good idea to have presets that determine when the camera records video. However, the user interface is not at all intuitive. I came across this literally by accident. However, automatic recording of events is essential as that is all the camera will do. It can be set to record 24/7, but that's also hidden behind that button that I didn't know was a button.

Keep local

The Home Hawk does not have a personal or other cloud storage subscription. What you get on the memory card, you get, and that's fine. However, there is no way to move a video to your phone. You can take snapshots that will be saved in your photo album. However, videos remain on the memory card. This is a very basic function and it seems like a missed opportunity.

Navigating between pages in the app is slow and often results in a loading animation. The app also has some organizational problems. For example, you can access camera settings using several different paths. Overall, the app is honestly just a weird experience that seems to be thrown together at the last minute.

HomeHawk Windows from the side.

The app has a few highlights, however. You can stream live footage from the camera. that is easily accessible. And you can access the live stream and recordings through the app when you are not at home to catch up on things. The videos you have recorded can be organized by the hour they were recorded. You can filter your recordings by motion, person or manual recordings. As the footage plays, the app will show you what has moved by drawing a blue box around it. This is smart and will let you know what to look out for.

There are tons of other software features, including a network strength indicator, which I found a nice touch. A common occurrence is that you place a camera and only later discover that the WiFi coverage is not good enough. You can also set limits and sensitivity for motion detection. Finally, the HomeHawk window integrates with the Google Assistant and Alexa, which is always a win in my book.

Our opinion

Overall, this is an impressive first attempt at creating a window-filling camera with really good night vision. Panasonic has to do with the app and the resolution of the camera at night, but I don't think that colored night vision is a party trick. I see it as a halo feature that other manufacturers should honestly strive for. At $ 150, the camera is on the lower end of the mid-range price range. This is very bad.

Is there a better alternative?

Are there better cameras? For sure. The Ring Spotlight Cam gives a much better picture at night, but this color video requires a spotlight. Overall, the industry seems to have decided that a spotlight or black and white is good enough for the night, and I can't say I totally disagree. In addition, both work in total darkness. If you are good at these solutions, there are a variety of good alternatives.

How long it will take?

The camera comes with short and long term assembly instructions. The app also contains a maintenance notification that can be sent to your phone to reset the camera from time to time. The housing is made of plastic, so it's not the most durable camera on the market, but it feels sturdy. The camera comes with a one-year guarantee.

Should you buy it?

Yes. Overall, this is a decent camera. It's not the only one attached to a window, nor is it the only one with colored night vision. But it's the only option that offers both. The ease of installation and portability make this camera a very nice low profile camera to fit behind the blinds. It's easy to maintain and it's in your home so you don't have to worry about the elements, external power sources, or charging batteries.

Editor's recommendations




03 Sep
Blog

Panasonic Lumix S5 review: A True Enthusiast’s Camera

Panasonic Lumix S5

"The Lumix S5 is the miniature S1 that we have always wanted."

  • Excellent design, build quality

  • Improved face / eye autofocus

  • 96MP high resolution mode

  • Unlimited 4K / 30 recording

  • 30 minutes 4K / 60

  • Low resolution EVF

  • The auto focus lags behind the competition

  • Slow continuous shooting

When Panasonic launched the full-screen Lumix S series in 2018, one thing became very clear: This was not a Micro Four Thirds (MFT). The obvious change in format aside, the S1 weighed well over 2 pounds – outperforming most DSLRs – with a massive handle, viewfinder bulge, and battery. There was no doubt about it.

The smaller Panasonic Lumix S5 turns this idea on its head.

At 1.5 pounds, the S5 is not only the lightest full-frame camera from Panasonic, it's even lighter – barely – than the Lumix GH5, the company's flagship MFT. It's not quite the lightest full-frame camera, but it has a fully weatherproof magnesium alloy body.

Starting at $ 2,000, I think the S5 is the camera many Panasonic fans have been hoping for in 2018. It is dimensioned and inexpensive to compete with the Canon EOS R6, Sony A7 III and Nikon Z 6. The question now is whether this is the case enough to withstand this competition in 2020. Panasonic is still catching up in some areas, but the S5 brings a lot to the table that helps it stand out.

Design and handling

The Lumix S5 is smaller than the GH5 in every dimension and a bold move for Panasonic that customers will undoubtedly take to worry about the fate of Micro Four Thirds. Personally, I still think MFT cameras have a place, and even the 3 year old GH5 has some advantages over the S5 when it comes to recording speed and video.

Panasonic Lumix S5

There is no doubt, however, that the S5 is a tempting full-screen upgrade for MFT shooters.

Fortunately, while the S5 is smaller, it broadcasts most of the buttons and dials like the S1, allowing it a significant amount of random access control. There are a couple of buttons down, but the bigger change is the removal of the top LCD display, which now houses the mode dial (interestingly, the mode dial doesn't lock, but at least has strong resistance between positions). .

Overall, the camera feels great. Even as someone over 6 feet tall with fairly large hands, I found the S1 a little too big for me, but the S5 is just perfect. The weight saving is clear, but it still feels reassuringly dense, reminding you that this is actually a progressive camera.

There's a new battery too, as the S1's huge 3,050mAh literally doesn't fit inside the S5 (it's as tall as the camera's deck height). The new battery has a capacity of 2,200 mAh, but is designed for 470 photos (1,500 in energy-saving mode), which is about 100 more than an S1.

How is that possible? This is where the bad news comes in.

Most of these energy savings are likely due to the lower resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF), which has only 2.36 million pixels. To be fair, it's still an OLED display and looks a lot better than I expected, but compared to the staggering 5.7 million point EVF in the S1 cameras, it's significantly worse. It's usable enough, but low-resolution viewfinders don't belong on a modern $ 2,000 camera in 2020. I'm not sure why Panasonic hasn't given the S5 at least a 3.69 million EVF commonly used by many brands, which would still have left a noticeable spec gap between it and the S1.

Autofocus and recording speed

If there's one thing that has bugged Panasonic cameras for years, it's a little piece of technology called Depth from Defocus (DFD). Invented by Panasonic, this auto focus system relies on lens profiles stored in the camera, which contain information about the blurring pattern of each lens so that the camera can determine whether an image is in front or back focus. In other words, it knows which direction to move the lens in to get focus, reducing the hunt and speeding up focus time. It sounds like a complicated process, but it has helped Panasonic overcome the usual limitations of autofocus with contrast detection.

It was also never enough to keep up with cameras with faster phase-detection focus. Unfortunately, that's still the case with the S5 – but that doesn't mean Panasonic hasn't made great strides.

Daven Mathies / Digital Trends

For still photography, DFD now works much more reliably for continuous autofocus (AF-C). As Panasonic explained to me, with older cameras, DFD does not stay active during AF-C because it takes too much processing power and they are forced to fall back on standard contrast detection. This is still the case with S1, S1R and S1H. As it turns out, most complaints with DFD may not affect DFD at all.

However, these processing problems appear to have been resolved. Now DFD remains permanently active in the S5 in AF-C.

The detection of subjects has also seen some pretty dramatic improvements thanks to updated algorithms. The S5 can recognize bodies and faces that are half the size of the S1 – as small as 2.5% of the frame – and the camera can now recognize a human head separated from the face and body.

The detection of subjects has also seen some pretty dramatic improvements thanks to updated algorithms.

That sounds like a good, duh feature at first, but Panasonic told me that head detection was critical in improving the overall reliability of the focus on object detection. If the camera loses sight of a face, it can remain fixed on the head while the previous system had problems switching from face to body recognition. (And if you're wondering, yes, the S5's AF enhancements will roll over to the S1 cameras via firmware updates later this year.)

Daven Mathies / Digital Trends

In practice, the S5's autofocus worked well most of the time, and I immediately noticed the improvements in AF-C and subject tracking. Unfortunately, it remains far from perfect. DFD is exceptionally fast, but occasionally misses focus for no apparent reason. When you zoom in in AF-C mode, the camera turns off, causing a significant lag in focus even if the subject hasn't moved. It is best to set the zoom before half-pressing the shutter button to avoid this. However, in some quick situations, this is simply not possible.

The autofocus cannot keep up with continuous shooting. The S5 reaches a top speed of 7 frames per second and drops to 5 with continuous autofocus. So the AF-C focus has improved, but you can't move it very far.

This is one area where the Panasonic GH5 outperforms the S5. The Micro Four Thirds camera can shoot up to 12 fps or 9 with AF-C. I don't know why AF-C performance is so different between the S-series and the G-series.

DFD will also delight videographers, at least YouTubers and vloggers who rely on autofocus. As Panasonic explained to me, DFD cannot work faster than the sensor's refresh rate. In photo mode, Panasonic can rotate up to 480 frames per second. However, in video mode, in which the sensor is actively recording and reading pixels, it only achieves 30 fps or 60 in APS-C crop mode. This gives DFD a fraction of the samples to work with, and the autofocus predictably suffers from it.

Nevertheless, the video autofocus of the S5 has been improved compared to the S1 cameras. I was able to test it side by side with an S1H, and the S5 tracked my face and eyes much better as I moved through the frame (the S1H was all but useless). However, it still struggled when I moved out of direct light or when I got too close to the camera too quickly. Compared to the incredibly good autofocus on Sony cameras, the S5 still cannot be stacked despite notable improvements. Fortunately, there are other video features that redeem it that I'll get into later.

Image stabilization and high resolution recording

The S5 uses a redesigned sensor shift stabilization system to accommodate its smaller body. Fortunately, it's still a good performer, rated for 6.5 stops of blur reduction with a compatible stabilized lens, just half a stop behind the S1. I don't think there will be much of a difference in the real world. With the 20-60mm kit lens that is not stabilized, I shot down to 1/6 of a second with impressively sharp results, but 1/3 of a second was suddenly in the unusable zone. As always, performance varies from shot to shot and lens to lens. However, don't expect a second-long hand exposure to come out sharp.

The S1's high-resolution 96-megapixel mode made it into the S5 as well, turning the humble 24-megapixel camera into a resolution monster. You can't get more resolution by far.

Somewhat more surprising is that the S1's high-resolution 96MP mode made it into the S5 as well, turning the humble 24MP camera into a resolution monster. This makes it the only full-frame mirrorless camera worth $ 2,000 with pixel shift resolution mode. If you have a tripod and immobile subjects, you simply can't get higher resolution anywhere near this price point. (You can also use it on moving subjects where you want motion blur, such as waterfalls or trails of light. However, it only increases resolution in non-moving areas of the image. If the moving areas are blurry, it probably isn't Problem.).

Panasonic's implementation of high resolution recording is also more user-friendly than Sony's (which is only available on the A7R series) because it processes the file in the camera and delivers either RAW or JPEG. No special software is required and you can check the high resolution composite directly on the camera monitor.

picture quality

Panasonic emphasized that the S5 uses exactly the same sensor as the S1. That means 24 megapixels and no optical low-pass filter. A low-pass filter like the one used on the S1H subtly softens the image to combat moiré. This is an issue I encountered while reviewing the S1 which is still a potential issue with the S5. Personally, I'd rather have a slightly softer image than the risk of moiré as the difference is minimal, but that's me. Most manufacturers nowadays do without low-pass filters.

I haven't been able to view the RAW files yet, but based on my experience with the S1, there shouldn't be anything to complain about. This camera delivered excellent performance all round. A new function is Live View Composite, in which the highlights from a sequence of long exposure images are merged in order to create light trails and at the same time control the ambient light in stationary subjects. It's great for shooting stars and unlike similar modes in other cameras, it can actually save the composite as RAW, which is pretty neat.

The 20-60mm f / 3.5-5.6 kit lens is an interesting look. I like the focal length, which starts at a much wider angle than most kit lenses, but the variable maximum aperture is a problem with video recording. If you don't set it to f / 5.6 or less, your exposure will change as you zoom.

Fortunately, I was also able to test the S5 with Panasonic's Lumix S Pro lenses with 24-70mm f / 2.8 and 70-200mm f / 2.8, which were provided by Lensrentals for this test. While these lenses are almost ridiculously large on the S5, they are beautiful and show what the camera is really capable of. Thanks to the Leica and Sigma, there are many extraordinary L-mount lenses to choose from – but avoid the Leicas if you want money.

Video

As a video camera, the Lumix S5 is like a pickup. It's not flashy or quick, but it works reliably and you can trust it to get the job done.

Daven Mathies / Digital Trends

At a time when overheating complaints were the main focus, mainly due to problems with the Canon EOS R5, but also with the video-focused Sony A7S III, Panasonic took a conservative approach to the S5, but its functions largely met expectations of 2,000 US- Dollars match camera. There's no 6K like the S1H, let alone 8K or 4K / 120. It shoots 4K / 60 but not out of full frame, which is a bit of a disappointment, but no different from the S1H.

On the other hand, you can record it in virtually any setting and it won't turn you off. If the S1H has a fan to actively cool the sensor, this is not the case with the smaller S5. Even so, Panasonic tested the camera at 104 degrees Fahrenheit – roughly 30 degrees hotter than most of the manufacturers who test their cameras. Based on these tests, 4K / 60 and all 10-bit options are limited to 30 minutes. Assuming you don't have 104-degree weather, you can start another clip immediately after that 30-minute cutoff. I tested the camera in direct sunlight on a 70 degree day and there were no problems running a second 30 minute clip in 4K / 60.

At lower frame rates at 8 bit, the recording time is only limited by the battery life and the memory card capacity. With dual card slots and USB power support, you shouldn't have a problem with the S5 staying awake longer than possible.

But let me put this brief remark aside: while the camera can take long shots on massive SD cards, the footage is still broken up into 4GB chunks because of the FAT32 file system. "Really?" We haven't found a solution yet? Oh, but we have: The S1H uses the ExFat file system which allows for much larger files (like 16 exabytes). Now I am not entirely clear how Microsoft licenses ExFat. I think it's a flat fee for digital cameras, but there might be a new license required for each model line, or volume restrictions, and the S5, a higher volume camera than the S1H, would make licensing too expensive. Not only is this a Panasonic issue, it's a bit absurd that we are still relying on FAT32 in 2020.

In terms of video quality, you will mainly get S1 level compression options. That means 10-bit 4: 2: 2 at 150 megabits per second. You get both HLG and full V-Log, which is great, but the S1H's all-intraframe codec at 400Mbps is not available. The same codec is also found in the GH5, the other area where the MFT flagship surpasses the S5.

The video above used the S5 at 150Mbps alongside the S1H at 400Mbps, both in V-Log. The main two-shot is the S1H, while the second angle and b-roll are the S5. The two cameras have been edited well together, but you can definitely take the S1H footage further when it comes to color grading. (This shoot was awesome last minute and very rough so please only judge the cameras and not my skills.)

The S5 also lacks other high-end video functions of the S1H. DCI aspect ratios, the option to use shutter angle instead of shutter speed, and some video support tools like a vectorscope are missing.

But here's the crazy thing. Panasonic has already announced a firmware update that will bring all of these things to the S5 later this year. What's even more impressive is that while it doesn't get an intra-frame codec or 6K internal recording, it does get the same 5.9K RAW video output as the S1H. Essentially, it means that you can get S1H quality with a camera that is half the price.

These are all downright niche capabilities, but it gives the S5 a unique edge over its competition. It also makes it the perfect B-camera for the S1H – or the perfect alternative for those of us who can't afford one. An S5 and Atomos Ninja V Recorder would cost roughly $ 2,600, $ 1,400 less than an S1H alone.

You can get S1H quality from a camera that is half the price.

Is Panasonic really okay with this? It just brought out the RAW edition of the S1H earlier this summer, and that's the company's most expensive full-frame camera. It has now been announced that the most affordable full-frame camera will offer the same functionality. It's huge.

As long as you don't mind using an external recorder and don't need a reliable continuous autofocus, the S5 will become a very impressive high-end video camera.

Our opinion

For some customers, the Panasonic Lumix S5 is exactly what the S1 should have been, and it might seem a little overwhelming now, two years later. Late or not, I think the S5 is exactly the camera Panasonic needs, and it should help expand the L-mount to a new demographic.

The camera grew a little more on me every day that I had it. Even with the incomplete autofocus and low resolution viewfinder, this is still a real enthusiast camera. It sits comfortably in the hand and the controls are ergonomic and functional. Panasonic didn't do it stupid, and I really appreciate that. It's a miniature workhorse that can keep up with its larger, more expensive siblings.

Speaking of which, I'm no longer sure what the S1's selling points are.

Is there a better alternative?

The $ 2,000 price range is quickly overflowing with excellent options. For the still photographer, the Sony A7 III and the Nikon Z 6 are valid alternatives. Both offer autofocus with phase detection and faster continuous shooting. However, none of them can match the video quality of the S5. The Z 6 offers RAW video output via a firmware upgrade that is subject to a fee, but only with 4K resolution without line transition.

How long it will take?

This may be a “Mini S1”, but it's still built to withstand professional wear and tear. It should take at least 2 years for a replacement model to arrive. However, expect it to last many years longer if you don't feel the urge to keep updating. Panasonic has a spectacular history of supporting cameras through firmware updates for years.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Lumix S5 is a great hybrid camera at a fair price. However, vloggers, YouTubers, and sports photographers who rely on reliable continuous autofocus should carefully consider the alternatives.

Editor's recommendations




29 Jul
Blog

Panasonic RB-M700 Review: Subwoofers For Your Head

Panasonic RB-M700 headphones

Panasonic RB-M700 XBS Deep headphones

"If only the other features of the RB-M700 were as good as their monumental bass."

  • Very convenient

  • Incredibly powerful bass

  • Perfect for films

  • Expensive

  • Mediocre ANC

  • Short battery life

  • Not good for calls

If you're looking for active noise canceling (ANC) wireless headphones, there is certainly no shortage of choices at the moment. Models start well below $ 100 and range up to $ 600 or more. There are dozens and dozens to choose from. However, if you really need wireless ANC headphones that deliver a lot of deep, skull-shaking bass, the Panasonic $ 180 RB-M700, which has a unique "bass reactor" device, deserves your full attention.

Here is our full report.

design

Panasonic RB-M700 headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The RB-M700 (available in satin black or beige) is inspired by one of the best headphones in the world: the Sony WH-1000XM3. The RB-M700 reproduces Sony in a number of ways, from the headband with integrated metal adjustment sliders to the ear cup pins that fit seamlessly into the headband and ear cups for a very smooth look.

Put them side by side and these similarities are even more obvious, except for one thing: The massive, round ear cups and ear cushions from Panasonics.

Their size and shape are the only visual indication that they are not like all other wireless headphones.

I happily carried the RB-M700 for several hours without a hint of discomfort.

A circle of tiny ventilation openings surrounds the diameter of the outer ear cups and makes them look as if they had been lifted out of an old Braun hair dryer.

The comparison is not purely cosmetic. These vents, like the Braun ones, help move the air, which is useful when working with big bass sound.

These large, swollen ear pads look and are comfortable. I have worn the RB-M700 for several hours with no signs of discomfort, although it is 11.2 ounces heavier than many wireless over-the-ear headphones.

There are two minor tradeoffs for all of this comfort. First, they feel a little less secure on your head. The headband provides a decent clamping force, but cannot prevent these huge ear cushions from moving slightly when you move your head quickly.

Personally, it didn't bother me at all, but if you hope to take the RB-M700 and its giant bass to the gym, you'll need to be prepared to readjust them quite often.

Second, they look huge on your head, especially when viewed from the front or back. Sci-fi fans will undoubtedly see the resemblance to Princess Leia's double pastry hairstyle from Episode 4, as well as Doctor Who's Cybermen.

Those with smaller heads will be happy to know that although these cans look big, the minimum headband setting is actually quite small. For a white man 5 feet 8 inches tall, I have a ridiculously small head. Most headphones only fit me at the smallest setting, and yet I had to widen the headband a little so that the ear cups were at the correct height.

Control and ease of use

Panasonic RB-M700 headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

All controls for the RB-M700 are located on the right ear cup. It's a simple and straightforward layout that uses a three-button cluster for all the important functions like power supply, volume, skipping tracks, answering / ending calls and accessing voice assistants.

Unfortunately, the edges of the middle button are not well defined, making it difficult to find them quickly.

ANC is controlled via a two-way on / off switch – there are no setting levels for the level of noise suppression and no transparency mode for the intake of outside noise.

Near the bottom of the right auricle is a two-button rocker control for adjusting the bass reactor function. It offers three levels of bass enhancement as well as an off level. What is strange is that the plus and minus buttons are arranged opposite to the volume buttons, which makes the use not intuitive. Every time I thought I would increase the reactor effect, I reduced it. You get used to it, but it's a strange choice.

The RB-M700 does not have a wear sensor. You must therefore pause your music manually before you can take it off.

Battery and charging

With just 20 hours of operation on a full charge (and assuming the bass reactor function is turned off when the ANC is on), the RB-M700 won't win endurance awards compared to other wireless headphones, but it's still more than enough time for a full day's work plus one Way to work and even a trip to the gym or shop.

The charging specifications of these cans are also somewhat inadequate for wireless headphones. They use USB-C and it takes four hours to fully charge. With a 15-minute quick charge option, you have an hour and a half playtime when you run out.

The much cheaper Taotronics TT-BH060, for example, lasts 30 hours on one charge and a five-minute quick charge gives you two hours of playtime.

Noise cancellation

Panasonic RB-M700 headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The noise reduction on the RB-M700 is mediocre. Constant, booming sounds like fans, which ANC headphones are usually the easiest to deal with, are reduced by about half their normal volume – certainly a welcome improvement. However, Panasonic's ANC circuit introduces a very noticeable noise at the same time.

If you're looking for ANC headphones that give you peace and quiet in noisy environments without playing music, you'll be fed up with the hiss.

Panasonic's ANC circuit introduces a very noticeable noise.

Oddly enough, the RB-M700 with ANC can do much better when playing music.

Enabling ANC even at moderate volume levels appears to change the EQ, making bass and mid frequencies more pronounced while emphasizing the higher frequencies less.

While this doesn't add much to the overall sound quality, it does help offset the ANC noise, which is primarily high frequency sound.

I feel that Panasonic's ANC technology is not so much responsible for the mediocre noise reduction, but rather the design of the RB-M700 earcups.

These circular vents, through which air can enter and exit the pinna, are likely to let in external noise. Since the effectiveness of ANC depends on good sound isolation, there is likely to be a hard limit on how good ANC can ever be on a headphone that allows so much sound.

portability

Panasonic RB-M700 headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Most headphones these days are equipped with some kind of hinge or swivel system that allows them to be folded, folded flat – or both – to make it easier to store while traveling. The RB-M700 is a flat collapsible variant with ear cups that can be rotated 45 degrees inwards.

The flatter profile makes it easier to insert these headphones into an available backpack slot, but still takes up a lot of space.

Panasonic does not offer a hard or soft shell travel bag, so be careful when storing it.

The strange design is that it only works when you are not wearing the RB-M700. In other words, when the ear cups are worn around the neck, they rotate only slightly and cannot lie flat against the collar bones.

Call quality

Calls on the RB-M700 were acceptable, but only in quiet environments. The moment my voice had to compete with other sounds like traffic, wind, or even nearby bird sounds, it became much more difficult for my caller to hear me.

Without a transparency mode, it was more difficult to hear my own voice through the ear cups.

In other words, use these headphones when you need to, but don't expect excellent call quality.

Sound quality

Panasonic RB-M700 headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

As a result, the RB-M700 may not have excellent ANC, battery life, or even portability. But they do one thing really well: they can produce an incredible amount of low-end bass, and thanks to their bass reactor mechanism, this bass can be calibrated from warm to wowza.

Panasonic doesn't go into the technical aspects of the bass reactor (which is also available in the $ 150 step-down) RB-M500 headphones), but as far as I can tell from the company's marketing material, it's a separate component that behaves much like a subwoofer in a home theater.

EDM, rap and hip-hop fans will love the club-level vibrations that go through your head.

Because it is separate from the RB-M700's 40mm drivers, you get a much cleaner low-frequency sound that doesn't affect the overall sound quality at all.

At the lowest gain setting, the bass reactors provide a subtle extra swing that complements most music genres and picks up and amplifies the headphones' already impressive bass response.

Levels two and three are a completely different story. These settings are not for jazz or classical music lovers, but fans of EDM, rap, and hip-hop will love the club-level vibrations that go through your head. Many headphones claim you can "feel" the music, but with the RB-700 it's not just an empty marketing language, it's the real deal.

Perhaps more than any other headphone I've tried, the RB-700 is made for movies. Turn the bass reactors to level three and then start the fight scene between Thanos and The Hulk in the opening sequence of Avengers: Infinity War, and you'll know exactly what I mean.

Every blow, every body slam and every explosion creates a sound that you hear and feel at the same time. The bass reactors move so much air that you can feel them trying to escape the boundaries of the ear cups.

As impressive as this head-up subwoofer effect is, I was just as surprised at how balanced the RB-700 is when you turn off the bass reactors and just use them to enjoy music.

Without a smartphone app, there is no way to change the EQ. However, as long as you enjoy a sound that tends to bass, this is not a problem in my opinion. They do a decent, if not quite outstanding, job by separating the mids from the highs and the sound stage being comfortably wide.

The bass-driven signature keeps everything warm and full, but can also affect the genres somewhat and benefit from precision such as acoustic guitar, folk rock, jazz and classical.

They sound good, but are overpriced at $ 180. It is clear that Panasonic believes the bass reactor function is worth the extra money.

Our opinion

Although ANC and travel suitability may not be their strong suit and battery life is only very long, the very convenient Panasonic RB-700 delivers amazing bass levels that you can feel, making them the ideal companion for movies and music genres that normally require one Club attitude to be fully appreciated.

Is there a better alternative?

If larger-than-life bass is your jam, look no further. We have never seen headphones that affect the low-end format so badly.

Given the drawbacks of the RB-700 in some other areas, you should check out our full list of the best noise canceling headphones for models that offer better ANC, better overall sound quality, and in some cases, better price.

How long will they last?

The RB-700 comes with a one-year warranty from Panasonic. They are well built and made from decent materials. However, the lack of a hard-shell carrying case or a soft travel bag can mean a shorter lifespan if you don't take care not to damage them when you stow them in your bag.

Should you buy them

Only serious bass heads who want to feel every low note (and a few more) should consider the Panasonic RB-700. Your ANC won't inspire you, but the bass will. For everyone else, you will find a better balance of the functions of the competition.

Editor's recommendations




14 Jun
Blog

Panasonic RZ-S800W Earbuds Review: Worth the Wait

panasonic rz s800w review rzs500w with iphone 11 pro

Panasonic RZ-S500W earbuds review: better late than never

"The Panasonic RZ-S500W offers excellent sound, which is supported by a solid battery life and an attractive price."

  • Nice, neutral sound

  • Good battery life

  • Comfortable to wear for a long time

  • Good everyday noise cancellation

  • Competitive price

  • Bulky, bar-like design

  • Spotty call quality

When you talk about Panasonic, you might think of TVs or cameras rather than headphones, but that will change with the RZ-S500W, the company's first pair of true wireless earphones. Yes, we know. This is another pair to consider and a fairly late entry into the game. So what makes this tempting?

Currently available in the UK and soon to be available in the US, they cost £ 169 or an estimated $ 199. This is a strong value considering that they have active noise cancellation on board, while rivals like Sony's WF-1000XM3 cost $ 239 and Apple's AirPods Pro $ 249. Then the question arises whether they have the audio chops to take them over.

The Panasonic RZ-S500W have been in my ears for about a week (not permanent, but you understand my meaning), and so they are.

design

It is very difficult to make real wireless earphones attractive. Sony hasn't really accomplished this feat, and Apple shares the opinion with the AirPods. Panasonic has taken the path to make them look like bolts, and while they aren't exactly pretty, they definitely feel good.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Most of the RZ-S500W sits outside of your ear, rather than forming around your inner ear like the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus, and relies on the tip to hold it in place. The balance is excellent and the 7 gram weight means they don't pull your ears or feel like they're falling out. Five sets of silicone tips of different sizes are included to help you find the best fit for your ears.

If they're in your ears, don't expect them to be subtle. Everyone around you will notice that you are wearing the RZ-S500W, not least because it sticks out of your ears at some distance, but also because the blue LED in the left bud flashes. They don't look more ridiculous than most other real wireless headphones, but they don't drive the industry by introducing a chic new design.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The buds are in a plastic housing with three LEDs under the hinged lid, which indicate the charge status. Attaching the earphones inside is a bit of a hassle, as they are not as easy to fit as the offers from Apple or Sony. Once attached, they are magnetically pressed and the top closes securely over them. There's a Type C USB charging port on the back of the case. Although it's smaller than the Sony WF-1000XM3 case, it's not as compact as the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus case or as wonderfully high quality as the shiny metal case from Master & Dynamic for the MW07 Plus.

The RZ-S500W has a simple, no-nonsense design and functional case, none of which attract admiring glances, but do the job they are designed for very well. This may reflect the reasonable cost, but that's okay because the money went where it belongs: the audio.

sound

The sound is transmitted through an 8mm driver with a neodymium magnet in each earphone. The resulting audio quality is bold, bright and very pleasant. Panasonic has decided to tune the RZ-800W more neutrally, which means that the bass has not been artificially amplified and the vocals in the sound stage are ahead of headphones with a brand-specific tone like beats.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Don't consider this a lack of bass, as it's the opposite. The bass is precise and controlled and deep if need be, but it never overwhelms mids or vocals. The earbuds are not overwhelmed by the deep bass during the opening of KLF's What Time is Love, the Tokyo Tower remix that has more than enough subbass to feel. However, the RZ-S500W sounds best when you play songs that rely on strong vocals.

In Keyakizaka46's Hiraishin, the earphones wonderfully capture the group's voices as they circulate the soundstage without becoming too bright while delivering the track's strong bass line. Some headphones lose the main voice in Gang Parade & # 39; I need you, I love you, I want you to be on the beat, but that's not the case with the RZ-S550W, which balances it out very well.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Band Maids Choose Me focuses on the lead singer's vocals, but never lets up on the lead and bass guitar, which makes for exciting listening. Jidenna's Long Live the Chief and Moses Mayfield's Fall Behind are treated the same way as Choose Me, with focused vocals and hard bass. While still a great listening experience, it's clear that the Panasonics love women's pop and rock.

Although the RZ-800W sounds great, they can't quite keep up with the wonderful, involved, and perfectly balanced Sony WF-1000XM3. They come much closer to Master & Dynamic's MW07 Plus, but focus more on the vocals. I found that they came closest to the over-ear ATH-M50x of the Japanese audio brand Audio Technica in terms of sound and soundstage, which is respected for its studio-like neutral sound signature.

The only disappointment is the lack of codecs. Panasonic has only added AAC to the RZ-S500W, which means they can be used with most mobile devices, but does not offer the additional quality advantages that some expect from AptX or AptX HD or a low latency connection with AptX LL.

Noise cancellation, app and control

For the RZ-S800W, Panasonic uses a dual hybrid noise canceling system that mixes feedback and feed-forward microphone systems to remove unwanted noise from inside and outside of the earphones. I thought it was great for general use, but didn't find it to be as isolated as the best models. Even without active ambient mode, I could still hear myself speaking to ANC, but the traffic and general noises in the house were effectively muted.

Panasonic RZ-S800W with the app "class =" m-carousel - picture dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/panasonic-rzs500w-app-640x640.jpg "srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Panasonic RZ-S800W with noise reduction setting in the app "class =" m carousel - picture dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/panasonic-rzs500w-noise-app -640x640. jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Panasonic RZ-S800W with app equalizer function "class =" m-carousel - picture dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/panasonic-rzs500w-equalizer-app- 640x640 .jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The noise cancellation settings are adjusted via the touch-sensitive control panel on the right earphone, which is switched between on, off and ambient mode by a long press. You can also play and pause music with the touch controls, and they're decent too. I was concerned about using multiple gestures this way, but I'm happy to say that they didn't mess up and mostly responded the way I wanted them to. A long press on the left bud activates Siri or Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa is also available with a software update.

Download the Panasonic Audio Connect app and control the noise cancellation effect through 50 different levels. I found it made little difference to my use – I either want noise cancellation or not – and if more outside sound was required, the ambient mode served the purpose better. The sound quality is slightly affected by the ANC because the music takes on a warmer, bassier tone. The app also has a Bass Enhancer setting, which was not essential when the ANC was on, but did help round out the sound when it was off. A five-band equalizer completes the range of functions.

The RZ-S500W doesn't expect the world's best noise cancellation because it can't match the amazing isolation of the Sony WF-1000XM3, but it's great for everyday city life and traffic. Due to movement restrictions, I was unable to test them using public transportation or airplanes.

Battery and connectivity

According to Panasonic, the playback time when the ANC is switched on is 6.5 hours, with a charge of 19.5 hours, a total usage time. Charging the earphones with the case takes approximately 2 hours. There is a battery meter in the app that shows the individual battery levels for each earphone. A 15 minute charge offers a usage time of 70 minutes.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

At the time of my review, I have no reason to doubt these numbers, but I doubt the accuracy of the battery meter. For most of the review period, I had a longer listening session of at least 4 hours. During that time, the app still indicated that 90% of the battery was still available, making it difficult to estimate the performance more accurately.

However, the case was empty after at least 20 hours of operation until the last LED light, which means that battery life is an important reason for buying the RZ-S500W. The battery life is longer than that of the AirPods Pro and roughly corresponds to that of Sony. This allows them to commute easily for at least a week and occasionally listen before they need to be fully charged. This is a huge advantage.

I used the earphones connected to an iPhone 11 Pro, and the Bluetooth 5.0 connection was solid with no interruptions or jerks when I was within 10 meters of my phone in my apartment. Panasonic has introduced an independent connection system for each earphone that is more stable and efficient. I had no problems with delays or breaks between the earbuds.

The connection was also stable during a call, but the sound quality for the person called was not particularly good. I have been told several times that my head sounded like it was in a pocket, but I can confirm that I never carried a pocket during one of the calls. However, the call quality for me as a caller was great.

Price, guarantee and availability

The Panasonic RZ-S500W cost £ 169, which is $ 213, and has been announced in the UK and Europe. A release in the U.S. is likely in the near future, where the price is expected to be $ 199. Panasonic grants a one year warranty on its audio products and offers free repair or replacement.

Our opinion

Given that the RZ-S800W is Panasonic's first widely used true noise canceling wireless headphones, it is an outstanding achievement. The excellent neutral sound makes it very easy to hear, especially for those who love singing. Overall, the experience isn't particularly detailed, but it's fun, engaging, and helps you enjoy your music. Noise cancellation may not be the best, but it is still effective for general daily use. Add the competitive price, and the Panasonic RZ-800W is an enticing purchase.

Is there a better alternative?

You're spoiled for choice when you watch real wireless headphones today. We recommend spending a little more to purchase the $ 230 Sony WF-1000XM3, which has a warmer tone, smarter design, and the best noise cancellation system available. Apple's $ 249 AirPods Pro are also worth considering.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus for $ 149 doesn't offer noise cancellation, but it offers great value for money in terms of sound quality, compact design, and long battery life. There are so many different models that you should also check out our list of the best real wireless headphones you can buy to find more alternatives.

How long it will take?

The Panasonic RZ-S500W has IPX4 waterproofness, so they are protected from rain and sweat. In addition, the plastic housing feels durable and strong. The lifespan of all real wireless headphones is determined by the battery inside, which deteriorates and ultimately returns less useful life. However, this is unlikely to be a problem over several years. Panasonic is an established, trustworthy brand and these headphones meet expectations in terms of quality and workmanship.

Should you buy it

Yes. The competitive price, decent noise cancellation and wonderful neutral tuning make it easy to overlook the slightly dorky design.

Editor's recommendations