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The Panasonic Lumix S1R II is the brand new flagship mannequin for Panasonic’s Lumix S sequence of full-frame mirrorless cameras, changing the unique, 2019-released S1R.
Constructed before everything for capturing large quantities of element (the ‘R’ in its title presumably referring to ‘decision’), the S1R II encompasses a new full-frame 44.3MP CMOS sensor and may report 8K video at as much as 30fps, to not point out 4K video at 120fps – a major decision and body price enchancment over its predecessor.
Panasonic is trumpeting significant advances in different areas too, most notably autofocus, steady taking pictures velocity and picture stabilization, all whereas lowering the general measurement and weight of the digital camera physique compared to the Lumix S1R.
Having had a few days to place a few of these claims to the check utilizing a pre-production assessment pattern, I’m able to share my first impressions of the Lumix S1R II. Learn on for my hands-on assessment – and don’t overlook to examine again quickly for a full, in-depth and intensive last assessment of Panasonic’s new vary topping mirrorless digital camera.
Panasonic Lumix S1R II: value and launch date
- Lumix S1R II physique solely: $3,299 / £2,999 / AU$5,499
- UK-only Lumix S1R II with 24-105mm lens bundle: £3,799
- On sale March 2025
The Panasonic Lumix S1R II will probably be out there from March 2025 priced at $3,299 / £2,999 / AU$5,499 physique solely. Within the UK, it’s going to even be out there in a package with a 24-105mm f/4 customary zoom lens for £3,799. These are roughly the identical as the unique Lumix S1R value upon its launch in 2019, so it is laborious to have too many complaints concerning the pricing.
Moreover, Panasonic is launching a battery grip accent, the DMW-BG2, alongside the digital camera. This will probably be out there from March 2025 additionally, priced at $349 / £299.
specs
|
Sensor: |
Full-frame, 44.3MP BSI CMOS |
|
Video: |
Open gate, 8K 30p / 5.9K 60p / 4K 120p |
|
Cont. taking pictures |
10fps (mechanical), 40fps (digital) |
|
Viewfinder: |
OLED, 5.76m-dot, 120/60fps |
|
LCD: |
3-inch vari-angle, 1.84m-dot |
|
Battery: |
350 photographs (customary) 1100 photographs (eco) |
|
Weight: |
28.04oz / 795g |
|
Dimensions: |
134.3 x 102.3 x 91.8mm |
Panasonic Lumix S1R II: design and dealing with
- Comparatively compact and simply 795g
- Giant, detailed OLED viewfinder
- Entrance and rear tally lamps
The unique Lumix S1R was a big and ponderous digital camera, typically annoying so – however I don’t really feel the identical method concerning the S1R II. With a considerably lighter (over 200g) and extra compact physique than its predecessor, it feels way more like a digital camera you might take out with you day by day somewhat than on particular events. That does rely considerably on the lens you select, after all: the 16-35mm zoom Panasonic despatched me for this assessment is a hefty piece of glass – however the 85mm prime makes for a way more manageable and agile setup.
The traditional DSLR-style form is a pleasure to deal with and the bodily controls are all properly positioned in my view. There’s a dial to flick shortly between photograph, video and S&Q (gradual and fast) taking pictures modes, entrance and high report buttons and greater than sufficient dials to make sure any setting will be swiftly adjusted. The unique S1R’s high plate LCD information panel has gone right here, which helps preserve the dimensions down on this its successor – however I suppose some individuals may miss it.
The on-screen UI, in the meantime, will probably be instantly acquainted to anybody who has used a latest Lumix digital camera. The three-inch display screen itself is a reasonably customary affair, in a position to tilt and swivel properly in nearly any path, whereas the big, ultra-sharp OLED viewfinder is a spotlight and a pleasure to carry your eye in opposition to.
Connectivity could be very strong. There’s a full-size HDMI plus USB-C, mic, headphone and wired distant sockets, now every with their very own protecting door. On the storage entrance, there’s a single SD card slot plus an extra slot for high-performance CFexpress Kind B playing cards.
Lastly, there are entrance and rear tally lamps to point when recording is energetic. It would seem to be a primary characteristic, however so many cameras skimp on it.
Picture 1 of 4
Panasonic Lumix S1R II: options and efficiency
- Section hybrid autofocus
- Twin I.S. 2 picture stabilization
- 10fps / 40fps burst taking pictures
The S1R II comes with quite a few efficiency enhancements over its predecessor. First and presumably foremost is its part hybrid autofocus system, which is quicker, smoother and extra correct than the contrast-based system on the outdated mannequin. It’s notably nice for video use, slickly preserving topics in sharp focus with none of the looking that was typically seen on older Lumix fashions. It may well additionally establish and robotically monitor quite a lot of topics, from people to animals to bikes. I’ve solely examined it with people and cats to date, however discovered it extremely efficient with each.
Picture stabilization is Panasonic’s Twin I.S. 2 selection, combining sensor-shifting in-body and lens-based stabilization with user-configurable digital stabilization tailor-made to particular taking pictures situations. Panasonic does stabilization notably properly and from my testing to date that appears to be the case right here too, with vlogging and handheld video gaining an nearly gimbal-like stability at the price of a crop to the body. Panasonic claims the system provides as much as 8 stops of shutter velocity compensation, versus 5.5 stops on the unique S1R.
Capturing velocity has likewise been given an enchancment. With the mechanical shutter, it’s risen from 9fps to 10fps with AF-S and 6fps to 8fps with AF-C, whereas switching to digital shutter now permits for 40fps bursts with AF-C.
Bucking the pattern, battery life seems to be barely worse than that of the S1R, however you’ll be able to nonetheless anticipate round 350 photographs on a full cost – or over 1000 when utilizing the Energy Save LVF mode.
Panasonic Lumix S1R II: picture and video high quality
- 44.3MP stills and 8K/30p video
- 177MP high-resolution mode
- 10-bit shade depth and wide selection of bitrates for numerous qualities / file sizes
The S1R II is the decision king for Panasonic’s Lumix S vary, and each pictures and movies are extraordinarily wealthy intimately and dynamic vary.
Images are captured at 44.3MP which, whereas marginally smaller than the 47.3MP photographs captured by the S1R, are greater than sufficiently detailed for creating large prints or heavy cropping. Pixel peepers have completely nothing to worry from the pictures right here: I discovered them richly detailed even when zoomed proper in, with easy shade gradation and excellent dynamic vary. I shot each in JPEG and RAW, processing the latter in Adobe Lightroom.
I haven’t but examined the hand held high-resolution taking pictures mode, which mixes a number of photographs into one large 177MP photograph, however sit up for seeing simply how convincingly it stitches issues collectively.
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On the video entrance, the digital camera can report 8K footage at as much as 30fps, in addition to quite a lot of ‘lesser’ resolutions at larger body charges. It has an Open Gate recording possibility, which makes use of all the floor of the sensor and leads to as much as 6.4K video now – with 8.1K or 7.2K choices being promised by way of a future firmware replace later in 2025. It additionally affords an choice to report video in Apple ProRes RAW and RAW HQ codecs at as much as 5.8K internally, supplied you employ a CFexpress Kind B card. Panasonic claims movies can exhibit as much as 14 stops of dynamic vary too.
Sadly, I haven’t but had sufficient time with the S1R II to totally check out its video capabilities. From my restricted vlog and b-roll recording of 6.4K and 4K video, although, I’m already very impressed, not solely with the element, shade and dynamic vary on show however with the digital camera’s fantastically assured picture stabilization and easy, correct hybrid autofocus.
How I examined the Panasonic Lumix S1R II
- Pre-production mannequin with newest firmware
- Paired with wi-fi mic gear
- Vlogging and pictures in a spread of situations
Panasonic loaned me a pre-production mannequin of the Lumix S1R II operating the newest firmware (the firmware that will probably be on the retail models on launch day), plus two L-Mount lenses: a 16-35 f/4 zoom and an 85mm f/1.8 prime.
I’ve used the digital camera for vlogging, each testing its inside mics and pairing it with a DJI Mic 2 wi-fi mic package. I’ve additionally taken a lot of pictures in several situations, together with a sundown stroll alongside the East Kent coast and a day journey to Canterbury.
First reviewed February 2025