Panasonic Lumix S1 II: A Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera for Hybrid Shooters

Panasonic has just released the new Panasonic Lumix S1 II. A camera that excels at shooting both videos and photos. If you want excellent performance and versatility, go for it. But first, let’s jump in and see what it offers.

[Related Reading: Panasonic Lumix S1 IIE is a “Baby Lumix S1”]

That New 24.1MP Sensor is No Joke

Panasonic Lumix S1 II has a new 24.1MP full-frame CMOS sensor that’s partially stacked. Maybe that’s a fancy way of defining its benefits. This sensor gives faster read speeds, improved low-light performance, and less rolling shutter effect. Panasonic combines this sensor with its L2 engine and a feature called Dynamic Range Boost. Together they provide cleaner images, even at higher ISO settings.

Additionally, there’s a handheld option for capturing high-resolution 96MP images. It might sound like a gimmick, but it works well if you can keep yourself steady. Drinking less coffee can help you with this as well. :)

A Legit Video Powerhouse

When I say it is good at covering videos, I mean it. This isn’t just an average stills camera. Panasonic Lumix S1 II can shoot 6K at 30 frames per second using the full sensor, 5.1K at 60 in a 4:3 aspect ratio, and even 4K at up to 120 frames per second for smooth slow motion. It also provides 10-bit internal recording with no limits on recording time. It is excellent to avoid overheating issues.

You’ll find V-Log and V-Gamut profiles that provide over 13 stops of dynamic range. This also includes real-time LUT support, which allows you to apply your preferred look while shooting. Panasonic also claims refined highlight retention with Dynamic Range Boost for video. I mostly prefer to shoot flat and do color grading later. In this aspect, this feature seems ideal to me.

The full-size HDMI output and built-in support for Frame.io Camera to Cloud will significantly help you while working on professional projects. This feature is an excellent step towards modernizing your workflow.

Autofocus That (Finally) Delivers

Panasonic has historically struggled with autofocus when tracking moving subjects. Panasonic Lumix S1 II solves this with a new Phase Hybrid AF system and AI-driven subject detection. It features 779 autofocus points and can keep track of everything from human eyes to motorcycles—yes, motorcycles. Isn’t that interesting?

In everyday use, the autofocus is quick, reliable, and surprisingly accurate, even if your subject is moving or partially obscured. It also performs better in low-light conditions than you might expect. Vlogging and filming become easier this way.

Built Like a Tank (but a Smart One)

Panasonic Lumix S1 II features 5-axis in-body stabilization that works up to 8 stops. With Active I.S. added, you can shoot smoothly even without a gimbal. For burst shooting, it can reach an impressive 70 fps without any blackout during continuous focus. Yes, that’s seventy frames per second. It’s perfect for sports and action photography where capturing every moment is key.

I liked that this camera is weather-sealed and can handle cold temperatures down to 14°F. It also has a large tilting/free-angle LCD screen. You get dual card slots (one for CFexpress Type B and one for SD UHS-II), ensuring speed and backup options. Plus, this camera is compatible with both Capture One and Lumix Lab.

Specs

Lens Mount	L-Mount
Sensor Resolution	Actual: 26.8 Megapixel
	Effective: 24.1 Megapixel
Image Sensor	35.8 x 23.8 mm (Full-Frame) CMOS
Image Stabilization	Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis
ISO/Gain Sensitivity	Dual Base: 100 / 800*
	Native: 100 to 51,200 (50 to 204,800 Extended)
	*Base ISO Is Dependent on Selected Color Space
Internal Recording Modes	ProRes RAW/ProRes RAW HQ
	4800 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 fps
	4096 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 fps
	H.264 ALL-Intra/H.264 Long GOP 4:2:2 10-Bit
	3328 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 Long GOP 4:2:0 8/10-Bit
	5952 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 fps
	DCI 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]
	Show More
External Recording Modes	4:2:0 10-Bit via HDMI
	4096 x 2160 at 120 fps
	1920 x 1080 at 59.94 fps
Media/Memory Card Slot	Slot 1: CFexpress Type B
	Slot 2: SD/SDHC/SDXC
Video I/O	1x HDMI Output
Audio I/O	1x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Headphone Output
	1x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Microphone Input
Power I/O	1x USB-C Input
Other I/O	1x USB-C Data Output (Shared with Power Input)
Wireless	5 GHz Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Display Type	Free-Angle Tilting Touchscreen LCD
Battery	1x Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 7.2 VDC, 2200 mAh (Included)
Imaging
Lens Mount	L-Mount
Sensor Resolution	Actual: 26.8 Megapixel
	Effective: 24.1 Megapixel
Image Sensor	35.8 x 23.8 mm (Full-Frame) CMOS
Sensor Crop (35mm Equivalent)	Crop Factor: 1x
	*Additional Crop Occurs in Select Video Modes
Image Stabilization	Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis
Built-In ND Filter	No
Capture Type	Stills & Video
Exposure Control
Shutter Type	Mechanical Focal Plane Shutter and Electronic Rolling Shutter
Shutter Speed	Electronic Front Curtain Shutter
	1/2000 to 60 Seconds
	Mechanical Shutter
	1/8000 to 60 Seconds
Bulb/Time Mode	Bulb Mode (Up to 30 Minutes)
ISO/Gain Sensitivity	Dual Base: 100 / 800*
	Native: 100 to 51,200 (50 to 204,800 Extended)
	*Base ISO Is Dependent on Selected Color Space
Metering Method	Center-Weighted Average, Highlight Weighted, Multi-Zone, Multiple, Spot
Exposure Modes	Aperture Priority, Auto, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority
Exposure Compensation	-3 to +5 EV (1/3 EV Steps)
Metering Range	0 to 18 EV
White Balance	2500 to 10,000K
	Presets: AWB, Cloudy, Color Temperature Filter, Daylight, Flash, Incandescent, Shade, White Set 1, White Set 2, White Set 3, White Set 4
Continuous Shooting	Up to 70 fps at Maximum Resolution
Self-Timer	2/10-Second Delay
Still Image Capture
Aspect Ratio	1:1, 2:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9, 65:24
Image File Format	HEIF, JPEG, Raw
Video Capture
Internal Recording Modes	ProRes RAW/ProRes RAW HQ
	4800 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 fps
	4096 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 fps
	H.264 ALL-Intra/H.264 Long GOP 4:2:2 10-Bit
	3328 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 Long GOP 4:2:0 8/10-Bit
	5952 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 fps
	DCI 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]
External Recording Modes	4:2:0 10-Bit via HDMI
	4096 x 2160 at 120 fps
	1920 x 1080 at 59.94 fps
Fast-/Slow-Motion Support	Yes
Recording Limit	No
IP Streaming	RTMPS
	1920 x 1080 at 59.94p (8.0 Mb/s)
Built-In Microphone	Stereo
Audio Recording	MOV: 2-Channel 24-Bit 48 kHz LPCM Audio
Interface
Media/Memory Card Slot	Slot 1: CFexpress Type B
	Slot 2: SD/SDHC/SDXC
Video I/O	1x HDMI Output
Audio I/O	1x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Headphone Output
	1x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Microphone Input
Power I/O	1x USB-C Input
Other I/O	1x USB-C Data Output (Shared with Power Input)
Wireless	5 GHz Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Mobile App Compatible	Yes: Android & iOS
	App Name: Lumix Lab
Global Positioning (GPS, GLONASS, etc.)	GPS
	*Via Connected Smartphone
Monitor
Display Size	3″
Resolution	1,840,000 Dot
Display Type	Free-Angle Tilting Touchscreen LCD
Viewfinder
Type	Electronic (OLED)
Resolution	5,760,000 Dot
Eye Point	21 mm
Coverage	100%
Magnification	Approx. 0.78x
Diopter Adjustment	-4 to +2
Focus
Focus Type	Auto and Manual Focus
Focus Mode	Automatic, Continuous-Servo AF, Manual Focus
Autofocus Points	Photo, Video
	Contrast Detection, Phase Detection: 779
Flash
Built-In Flash/Light	No
Flash Modes	Auto, Auto/Red-Eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-Eye Reduction, Off, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-Eye Reduction
Maximum Sync Speed	1/250 Second
Flash Compensation	-3 to +3 EV (1/3 EV Steps)
Dedicated Flash System	TTL
External Flash Connection	Shoe Mount
General
Battery	1x Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 7.2 VDC, 2200 mAh (Included)
Shoe Mount	1x Hot Shoe
Tripod Mounting Thread	1x 1/4″-20 Female (Bottom)
Operating Conditions	14 to 104°F / -10 to 40°C at 10 to 80% Humidity (Recommended)
Dimensions (W x H x D)	5.29 x 4.03 x 3.61″ / 134.37 x 102.36 x 91.69 mm (Without Protrusions)
Weight	1.58 lb / 717 g (Body Only)
	1.76 lb / 798 g (With Battery, Recording Media)

Pricing and Availability

Panasonic Lumix S1 II will be available soon in June for $3,197.99.

The S1 II might be more than you need. It’s a bit costly but worth the price. It works well for casual weekend portraits or travel photos. If you often switch between taking photos and shooting video, this camera is designed for you.

The autofocus works well now, the video capabilities are impressive for the price, and it feels professional in your hands. I think this is Panasonic’s best hybrid camera yet. A university student like me suffers a lot with projects. Most of the time, I get stuck when it comes to recording a documentary. I guess this camera would be my next purchase. Because it covers short documentaries, takes high-resolution photos, or does both during a busy shoot.

​

---