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No multi custom settings is wild on a hybrid although not uncommon on most cine cams which the R5C video OS is based upon. Great that battery life was finally addressed and seems to be adequate.. for XFAVC at least! At this point I wonder if a Z8 is not a better solution for 45MP / 8K60p RAW hybrid? You loose some of the nice video assist tools and LUT support but gain a stacked sensor, ProRes options, custom settings and long battery life.

Testing NRAW HIGH Zlog 8K 60P at Night using ISO4000 (the alleged second base ISO): HDR 8K. Nikon Z 40mm f2 lens.

And final decision made… The S1H is staying and the S5IIX going back without breaking the seals of the packaging never mind the box. I went into this weekends 3 day shoot edging towards the 3 identical camera body approach, which I would prefer in principle, plus smaller, lighter, faster, newer has certain benefits, but… The S1H is just too good a stills camera. Yes, stills. It’s meant to be ‘The Video One’ but actually excels as a stills camera for shooting people and events because it’s that little bit less critically sharp than the others without The OLPF. And then there is build, the ergos, the feel of the thing to use and the shutter sound is just sublime. The S5ii by comparison feels and sounds tinny. So decision made. I can’t sell or not use the best camera I have ever used. At least not until a genuine replacement comes along. When or if that happens, but otherwise the S1H is being reconfigured in my line up as principal stills with occasional video and the S5ii’s becoming more video specific and less stills. Same kit, just re-jiggled about a bit! I think the gimbal is going though. Just not getting any real use out of it and the S5ii is pretty good in that department for my limited needs.

It has a great feature set for the purpose but, for me, more so as a holiday camera. The magnetic mounting pendant is very good for staying in the moment of what you are doing on holiday whilst still filming. The pre-record function is particularly good for using it in that way as you won’t actually have to worry about missing anything. Let’s face it, trying to do holiday videos with a “real” camera is a pain in the arse for EVERYONE concerned and is actually a contradiction in terms as it’s no holiday when you are titting about with lenses and ND filters and offloading footage. Let alone carrying it all and making sure it’s safe. It always ends up with the bulk of the footage coming from the first day and tailing off to nothing after a few days as it’s too much hassle to keep up. The AI editing is good too not just for taking out the tedium of doing editing but likely for taking out the tedium of the actual end result for whoever has to watch your holiday videos. No full size HDMI port means it will be a hard pass for a lot of people on here of course.

My cat wants one now.