The brand new LUMIX S1II from Panasonic is a video-first hybrid digital camera with loads of spectacular options for occasion videographers, content material creators and extra. We put it to the check to see what it has to supply by way of options and efficiency.
Contained in the LUMIX S1II
At its core, the LUMIX S1II contains a new-to-Panasonic, partially stacked, 24-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor. The brand new sensor design guarantees 3.5 occasions sooner readout over earlier sensors, but it avoids a number of the pitfalls typical of stacked sensors, like a smaller dynamic vary.
The LUMIX S1II shoots in resolutions as much as 6K open gate (5,952 x 3,968 pixels) at as much as 30 frames per second (fps). At 5.1K open gate (5,088 x 3,392 pixels) it captures as much as 60 fps. Open gate taking pictures permits for video seize utilizing the total top of the sensor. This ends in a picture with a 3:2 side ratio that may be cropped and stabilized as wanted.
Video choices
Together with 6K and 5.1K open gate, the S1II gives dozens of different resolutions and body charges. These embrace Full body 6K (5,952 x 2,512 pixels) at as much as 60 fps, Cinema 4K (4,096 x 2160 pixels) and UHD 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) at as much as 120 fps (with a 1.17 crop), Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) at as much as 240 fps and all the pieces in between. One observe on the crop issue when recording 4K120p: Sure, it’s there and can must be thought-about. Nonetheless, it’s not vital sufficient to be a problem in most conditions.
There are 19 menu pages of video high quality choices. Don’t fear; you possibly can filter by body charge, decision and different key attributes to seek out what you want sooner. Plus, there’s an possibility so as to add your most-used resolutions to a favorites listing for simpler entry. Most video codecs seize 10-bit 4:2:0 shade with some bumping it as much as 4:2:2 for extra correct shade replica.
Out there file codecs for video embrace MP4, MOV, Apple ProRes and ProRes RAW. Nonetheless, as is to be anticipated, some codecs can’t be recorded to SD card. As a substitute, you’ll want to make use of CFExpress, SSD or an exterior recorder. The digital camera helps ProRes RAW video recording internally at as much as 5.8K30p. As for HDMI RAW, it’ll output resolutions as much as 6K open gate. When recording externally, proxies might be configured to document concurrently to inner media. Media saved on one card can be copied to a different card for backup.
We talked about open gate taking pictures, however the S1II additionally helps full-frame, APS-C and cinematic 2.4:1 video side ratios. This provides you loads of flexibility to seize the framing that most closely fits your use case.
Lastly, Panasonic has since launched Firmware Model 1.1 for the S1II, and it’s a free obtain. The replace brings in-camera focus stacking for deep depth-of-field pictures, a multi-frame show that allows you to preview as much as three aspect-ratio guides directly and wi-fi tethering to Seize One over Wi-Fi or a USB-LAN adapter. In the event you additionally need ARRI LogC3 to match Alexa footage, you possibly can nonetheless add it with the DMW-SFU3A paid key.
Picture high quality
Total, the digital camera provides you that cinematic LUMIX look we’ve come to anticipate from LUMIX cameras. The footage seemed nice straight out of the digital camera, but it surely was additionally simple to paint grade in post-production.
With V-Log and V-Gamut image profiles, the S1II guarantees 14 or extra stops of dynamic vary. We will affirm that the digital camera captured element in each the shadows and highlights, even when there have been brightly sunlit and closely shaded areas within the body collectively — when a small herd of free-range cows lumbered into the shadow of an oak tree, for instance.
The LUMIX S1II boosts low-light efficiency with its twin native ISO system. This newest iteration contains a larger upper-level native ISO to lower noise in low-light conditions. To check this, we steadily elevated the ISO whereas letting the digital camera compensate for publicity. We discovered that noise was not a problem, even on the highest ISO.
The digital camera’s Dynamic Vary Increase Mode extends its dynamic vary even additional. It data one video streams at two ISO ranges concurrently. This mode is barely accessible in sure resolutions and body charges. Plus, honest warning, it’s more likely to present extra rolling shutter impact with fast-moving topics than different recording modes.
AI-powered autofocus
Like earlier LUMIX cameras, the S1II options AI-powered Section Hybrid autofocus. Human topic detection nonetheless comes with face/eye and full physique choices, however the S1II provides an City Sports activities mode that may acknowledge the human type even in uncommon orientations. Suppose breakdancing, BMX or skateboarding. This helps seize in-focus footage when different topic detection modes don’t see your topic as human-shaped.
On our first outing with the digital camera, we saved AI topic detection off and relied on customary AF and handbook focus — and we remorse it. Taking pictures with topic detection turned on is far simpler and rather more dependable. After we did lastly activate topic detection, we principally leaned on the human and animal detection modes.
The AI isn’t excellent, but it surely labored 90 % of the time, giving us rather more confidence in shortly capturing clear, sharp footage. The occasions it didn’t work, the topic was most definitely too shut or too far-off for the system to precisely acknowledge.
The S1II helps topic detection AF recording in resolutions all the way in which as much as 6K. For prime body charge recording, topic detection is out there in 4K at as much as 96 fps. We had enjoyable pairing excessive body charge recording with animal topic detection to seize gradual movement video of some calico cat antics.
Picture stabilization
The LUMIX S1II supplies as much as eight stops of in-body picture stabilization. That’s sufficient for handheld taking pictures with a fairly regular hand. Sooner-paced strolling pictures, although, can profit from the S1II’s cropless digital picture stabilization possibility. This, because the title implies, can stabilize video footage with out loss in decision.
The digital camera additionally gives a particular stabilization mode for anamorphic taking pictures, complementing the in-camera anamorphic desqueeze choices.
Image Types for cinema manufacturing
For log taking pictures, the S1II helps the acquainted V-Log and V-Gamut image profiles and introduces a brand new profile, Cinelike A2, which gives a large dynamic vary and wealthy shade gradation. These complement present image profiles like customary, vivid, pure, flat, Cinelike D2 and V2 and others.
There’s even an possibility to use the LUT of your selection in actual time by loading the LUT you need to use into the digital camera after which utilizing the Actual Time LUT image model. The LUMIX Lab App is a handy option to handle LUTs and likewise supplies a hub for creating, sharing and looking user-created LUTs.
For photographers, too
The LUMIX S1II is a real hybrid digital camera. Photograph and video modes are utterly separate, so your settings for every keep constant whenever you swap modes utilizing the swap on the highest of the digital camera.
Like video, photograph high quality advantages from the brand new partially-stacked sensor and its sooner readout speeds. It gives 10 fps blackout-free burst taking pictures, which is flash-validated to sync up with industry-standard flashes. In the case of digital burst seize, the S1II can seize as much as 70 frames per second with as much as 1.5 seconds of pre-burst buffer.
The S1II’s Hello-Res Shot Mode provides you a 96 MP picture, stitched in-camera with out the necessity for a tripod. Together with Hello-Res Shot Mode, the S1II additionally options Reside View Composite Mode for capturing startrails and creating gentle work. Multi-exposure images, in addition to timelapse and cease movement video, can all be created throughout the digital camera.
The LUMIX S1II additionally provides the HEIF format, which helps excessive dynamic vary photos which can be robotically detected by most sharing and enhancing platforms.
Apart from AI autofocus, the S1II additionally options AI-assisted auto white steadiness when enhancing RAW picture information in-camera. This makes it simpler to painting correct colours when recording in combined gentle, akin to, a room with each heat indoor lamp lighting and cooler daylight from an uncovered window.
Kind issue and choices
The brand new LUMIX S1II is barely smaller than the unique S1, however nonetheless barely larger than the S5IIX. And not using a lens, the digital camera weighs round 800 grams or 1.76 kilos when loaded up with a battery and an SD card.
Mud, splash and freeze-resistant, the S1II is supplied with a free-angle, full-tilt LCD rear monitor. Meaning it could actually each tilt and rotate to accommodate a lot of taking pictures angles, together with selfies. Total, the digital camera feels stable out within the subject. Throughout testing, we took it with us on a reasonable hike in rugged Northern California. It was a heat day with loads of wind, mud and, at one level, even some stray water droplets from a small waterfall. The digital camera carried out nice.
When you’ve got giant palms or want extra battery life, there’s an non-obligatory battery grip accessible for the S1II. Not like the grip for the LUMIX S1R II, this grip doesn’t unlock another options past extending the battery and making the digital camera extra snug to carry in sure positions, like taking pictures vertically. Nonetheless, the battery contained in the grip is hot-swappable, so with sufficient batteries, you could possibly conceivably lengthen the battery life indefinitely.
High quality of life
Together with the core options already mentioned, the LUMIX S1II gives some options with extra area of interest attraction. For occasion videographers, the S1II is prepared for Bluetooth wi-fi timecode sync.
For anamorphic shooters, the S1II gives in-camera anamorphic desqueeze, which is now a staple for LUMIX cameras. And for cinematographers, there’s an choice to activate the acquainted VariCam person interface.
Lastly, livestreamers will recognize wired and wi-fi direct-to-RMTPS streaming and the power to attach the S1II to a pc as a USB webcam. The digital camera additionally options tether assist for the Seize One photograph enhancing app, direct camera-to-cloud workflows via Body.io and compatibility with the LUMIX Move and LUMIX Lab cell apps.
Pricing and worth
Total, the Panasonic LUMIX S1II feels good to make use of and delivers an excellent picture. Priced at $3,199, it isn’t low cost, however the wealth of options makes it value it. The S1II will particularly attraction to skilled occasion videographers and high-end content material creators who need a cinematic picture, regardless of the surroundings.
Panasonic LUMIX S1IIE
For the budget-minded cinematographer, Panasonic can be releasing the LUMIX S1IIE. This “necessities” digital camera makes use of the identical APS-C sensor from the S5IIX however provides a lot of the performance of the S1, together with open gate 6K, the S1II shutter mechanism and the choice to unlock ARRI LogC3 with a paid firmware improve. That makes the S1IIE probably the most inexpensive digital camera to assist LogC3 at $2,499.
Each cameras are slated to ship on June sixteenth, 2025.
Strengths
6K open gate
Eight stops of in-body picture stabilization
ProRes RAW assist
Stacked, 24-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor
Weaknesses
Rolling shutter noticable with fast paced
Tech specs
Lens mountL-MountSensor resolutionActual: 26.8 megapixelEffective: 24.1 megapixelImage sensor35.8 x 23.8 mm (full-frame) CMOSSensor crop (35 mm equal)Crop issue: 1x*Further crop happens in choose video modesImage stabilizationSensor-shift, 5-axisBuilt-In ND filterNoCapture typeStills and videoShutter typeMechanical focal aircraft shutter and digital rolling shutterShutter speedElectronic entrance curtain shutter1/2000 to 60 secondsMechanical shutter1/8000 to 60 secondsBulb/time modeBulb mode (As much as half-hour)ISO/acquire sensitivityDual base: 100 / 800*Native: 100 to 51,200 (50 to 204,800 prolonged)*Base ISO relies on chosen shade spaceMetering methodCenter-weighted common, spotlight weighted, multi-zone, a number of, spotExposure modesAperture Precedence, Auto, Guide, Program, Shutter PriorityExposure compensation-3 to +5 EV (1/3 EV steps)Metering range0 to 18 EVWhite balance2500 to 10,000 KPresets: AWB, Cloudy, Colour Temperature Filter, Daylight, Flash, Incandescent, Shade, White Set 1, White Set 2, White Set 3, White Set 4Continuous shootingUp to 70 fps at most resolutionSelf-timer2/10-second delayAspect ratio1:1, 2:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9, 65:24Image file formatHEIF, JPEG, RAWInternal recording modesProRes RAW/ProRes RAW HQ4800 x 3600 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97 fps [1.9 Gb/s]5760 x 3040 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97 fps [4.2 Gb/s]3328 x 2496 at 23.98/24.00/29.97/59.94 fps [1.8 Gb/s]4096 x 2160 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps [1.9 Gb/s]3840 x 2160 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps4096 x 1728 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps [4.2 Gb/s]1920 x 1080 at 23.98/24.00/29.97/50/59.94/100/120 fpsH.264 ALL-Intra/H.264 Lengthy GOP 4:2:2 10-Bit3328 x 2496 at 23.98/29.97/47.95/59.94 fps [800 Mb/s]4096 x 2160 at 23.98/29.97/47.95/59.94 fps [800 Mb/s]3840 x 2160 at 23.98/29.97/47.95/59.94 fps [800 Mb/s]4096 x 1728 at 23.98/29.97/47.95/59.94 fps [800 Mb/s]1920 x 1080 at 23.98/29.97/47.95/59.94/120/240 fps [800 Mb/s]H.265 Lengthy GOP 4:2:0 8/10-Bit5952 x 3968 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97 fps [200 Mb/s]4800 x 3600 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/47.95/48.00/50/59.94 fps [300 Mb/s]5088 x 3392 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/47.95/48.00/50/59.94 fps [300 Mb/s]5888 x 3312 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/47.95/48.00/50/59.94 fps [300 Mb/s]5760 x 3040 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/47.95/48.00/50/59.94 fps [300 Mb/s]5952 x 2512 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/47.95/48.00/50/59.94 fps [300 Mb/s]3328 x 2496 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/47.95/48.00/50/59.94/120 fpsDCI 4K (4096 x 2160) at 23.98/25/29.97/47.95/50/59.94/96/120 fps [300 Mb/s]3840 x 2160 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/47.95/48.00/50/59.94/120 fps [300 Mb/s]4096 x 1728 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/47.95/48.00/50/59.94/96/100/120 fps [300 Mb/s]1920 x 1080 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/47.95/48.00/59.94/100/120/200/240 fps [800 Mb/s]Exterior recording modes4:2:0 10-bit by way of HDMI4096 x 2160 at 120 fps1920 x 1080 at 59.94 fpsFast-/Sluggish-motion supportYesRecording limitNoIP streamingRTMPS1920 x 1080 at 59.94p (8.0 Mb/s)Constructed-in microphoneStereoAudio recordingMOV: Two-channel 24-bit 48 kHz LPCM audioMedia/reminiscence card slotSlot 1: CFexpress Sort BSlot 2: SD/SDHC/SDXCVideo I/O1x HDMI outputAudio I/O1x 1/8-inch / 3.5 mm TRS stereo headphone output1x 1/8-inch / 3.5 mm TRS stereo microphone inputPower I/O1x USB-C inputOther I/O1x USB-C information output (shared with energy enter)Wireless5 GHz Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)Cellular app compatibleYes: Android and iOSApp title: LUMIX LabGlobal positioning (GPS, GLONASS, and so forth.)GPS*Through related smartphoneDisplay size3 inchesResolution1,840,000 dotDisplay typeFree-angle tilting touchscreen LCDTypeElectronic (OLED)Resolution5,760,000 dotEye point21 mmCoverage100percentMagnificationApprox. 0.78xDiopter adjustment-4 to +2Focus typeAuto and handbook focusFocus modeAutomatic, Steady-Servo AF, Guide FocusAutofocus pointsPhoto, VideoContrast Detection, Section Detection: 779Built-in flash/lightNoFlash modesAuto, Auto/Crimson-Eye Discount, Compelled On, Compelled On/Crimson-Eye Discount, Off, Sluggish Sync, Sluggish Sync/Crimson-Eye ReductionMaximum sync speed1/250 secondFlash compensation-3 to +3 EV (1/3 EV steps)Devoted flash systemTTLExternal flash connectionShoe mountBattery1x rechargeable lithium-ion, 7.2 VDC, 2200 mAh (included)Shoe mount1x sizzling shoeTripod mounting thread1x 1/4-inch-20 feminine (backside)Working conditions14 to 104°F / -10 to 40°C at 10 to 80% humidity (advisable)Dimensions (W x H x D)5.29 x 4.03 x 3.61 inches / 134.37 x 102.36 x 91.69 mm (with out protrusions)Weight1.58 lb / 717 g (physique solely)1.76 lb / 798 g (with battery, recording media)
