The Lumix digital camera household has a brand new full-frame flagship member: The Panasonic S1R II. Unveiled on February 25, the S1R II stays a high-resolution choice over the S5 sequence. However, in contrast to the predecessor, the S1R II carries an inventory of specs poised to earn the flagship designation with 40fps high-speed pictures and high-end video options. The primary Panasonic digital camera with 8K at 14 stops of dynamic vary, the S1R II carries a spec sheet that’s evenly divided over photograph and video options sufficient to be thought-about a hybrid digital camera.
The Panasonic Lumix S1R II makes use of a newly designed 44.3MP full body sensor in addition to the model’s newest processor, an L2 engine. These specs truly give the second technology digital camera three megapixels much less decision than the sooner mannequin, however the digital camera as an alternative makes vital steps ahead in each high-speed pictures efficiency and video capabilities. In the meantime, the replace can be smaller and lighter than the unique S1R, which was launched again in 2019.
The Panasonic S1R II improves efficiency for nonetheless pictures
The place the unique might solely shoot 9fps at full decision and solely 6fps with steady autofocus, Panasonic says that the S1R II is able to burst speeds as much as 40 fps when utilizing the digital shutter. That’s not simply at full decision but additionally with steady autofocus and a blackout-free viewfinder. Switching to the mechanical shutter drops the velocity all the way down to 9 fps when capturing higher-quality 12-bit RAW information, however a ten fps velocity is offered for 10-bit RAW information as nicely.
A quick burst velocity wants an autofocus system that may sustain and Panasonic says the autofocus has improved on the second technology digital camera as nicely. The S1R II sports activities a section detection hybrid autofocus system with 779 factors. Panasonic says the digital camera locks on about 1.6 occasions sooner than the earlier technology, whereas the human eye detection is twice as correct. Monitoring has moved to a devoted focus mode for smoother operation and a much less cluttered viewfinder.
The S1R II additionally has Panasonic’s pre-burst choice, which begins taking images with the digital shutter as much as 1.5 seconds earlier than the shutter launch is absolutely pressed, a function that aids in timing genres like sports activities and wildlife. A couple of different stills options that have been lacking on the primary technology have additionally made a reappearance on the S1R II, together with in-camera double exposures and stay composite.
One other Lumix first is that the S1R II will assist tethering with Seize One, permitting a wired connection to ship the photographs straight to the photograph editor. Digital camera to cloud performance via body.io may even be supported.
The S1R II additionally sports activities a number of options that followers have come to count on from Panasonic. The S1R II can use LUTs for customized in-camera colours, together with a brand new Cinelike A2 coloration profile. Stabilization improves to eight.0 stops, and seven.0 stops utilizing Twin IS lenses. Excessive Res shot, one other function attribute of Panasonic cameras, is offered for pictures as much as 177MP, together with handheld pictures and the power to avoid wasting RAW, JPEGs and a typical 44.3MP decision model of the identical picture.
With 8K and ProRes, Panasonic is now calling the S1R II a hybrid digital camera
Whereas the unique digital camera was geared extra in the direction of nonetheless pictures, Panasonic is now calling the S1R II a hybrid, including an extended checklist of latest video capabilities to the high-end digital camera. The S1R II isn’t simply the primary Panasonic digital camera with 8K at 14-stops of dynamic vary; that footage will probably be out there in Open Gate with a later firmware replace (Open Gate is 6.4K at launch). Open Gate makes use of your entire digital camera sensor, permitting for extra flexibility to crop to totally different side ratios in submit. One other Lumix first is the power to document 5.8K Apple ProRes HQ internally to the CFExpress card quite than an exterior SSD.
The rest of the S1R II’s checklist of video specs now reads extra just like the model’s hybrid cameras just like the S5 II, together with C4K 60p downsampled from the complete sensor decision, 10-bit inside recording, V-Log and Panasonic V-Gamut. 8K assist for ProRes RAW is coming with a later firmware replace, Panasonic says, however it’ll require a particular exterior recorder, with Atmos and Blackmagic to supply suitable equipment.
A dynamic vary growth mode will provide 14 stops of V-log video, the place a 13-stop mode is designed to cut back rolling shutter. Livestream will probably be supported in FHD wirelessly, or in 4K 30p when plugged right into a smartphone’s USB port.
Like Panasonic’s different hybrid cameras, the S1R II would not put a strict restrict on the video recording occasions. A brand new battery grip permits for warm swaps and simultaneous energy provide when recording to an exterior SSD. A DC coupler – additionally offered individually – permits the digital camera to be powered via USB-C.
The S1R II is definitely smaller and lighter than the primary technology
Picture 1 of 2
Regardless of the lengthening of the digital camera’s spec sheet, the Panasonic S1R II is each smaller and lighter than the predecessor. Panasonic says the high-end mannequin is now “inside millimeters” of the scale on the S5 IIX. The digital camera weighs in at 796g in comparison with the primary technology’s 1016g.
The S1R II adapts a brand new LCD display screen much like the GH7 that may tilt up and down from the again of the digital camera but additionally nonetheless rotates out to the aspect, making it a hybrid tilt and vari-angle design. The digital camera ergonomics have additionally been up to date to incorporate a brand new video, photograph and gradual and fast or S&Q mode change. A brand new purple document button on the entrance of the digital camera is designed for simpler entry when utilizing cage equipment. (For stills photographers, the button will also be programmed like a customized button.)
The digital camera retains the anticipated weather-sealed design and magnesium alloy body of a high-end mannequin. However, new to the sequence is the power to shut the shutter over the sensor when the digital camera powers off, a function that helps stop mud from increase on the sensor when swapping lenses. The function requires a remake of the shutter, shifting to carbon-reinforced blades and steel gearing that additionally brings the next 400,000 shot shutter depend sturdiness ranking.
The battery life, nonetheless, hasn’t moved a lot from the unique, rated at 340 pictures utilizing the rear display screen, 240 pictures with the viewfinder, or 950 pictures in energy save mode.
The Panasonic S1R II physique carries a retail checklist value of $3,299 / £2,999 / AU$5,499 for the physique solely, with anticipated availability in March 2025.
You might also like
Browse the finest L-Mount lenses or the finest full body cameras, or try what different bulletins we count on from CP+ 2025.