Panasonic just announced the long-awaited successor to the original S1R from 2019 – the Panasonic S1R II! The new camera has a smidge less resolution (44 vs. 47 MP), but it features big improvements in other areas. Most of all, the new S1R II is more portable and gains a major boost in speed and performance.

When I reviewed the original Panasonic S1R several years ago, I was very impressed by the image quality and feature set that it offered. However, the speed of the camera was rather poor, only allowing 6 FPS with full autofocus tracking (9 FPS in manual focus). The AF system in general also left something to be desired, especially its inability to use continuous-servo autofocus in even moderately low light conditions. None of this was helped by how large and heavy the camera was – comparable to a DSLR like the D850, but not as refined as one.

The new Panasonic S1R II is a different beast entirely. Panasonic seems to be targeting cameras like the Canon EOS R5 II, the Nikon Z8, and Sony a7r V with this release. Here are some of the camera’s standout specifications:

• New 44.3 megapixel BSI sensor
• Hybrid AF system with advanced subject recognition and tracking
• Blackout-free 40 FPS burst mode (electronic shutter) or 10 FPS mechanical
• 1.5 seconds of pre-burst RAW
• Dual card slots (CFExpress B and UHS-II SD)
• Base ISO of 80 for better dynamic range
• Up to one stop better high ISO performance than the original S1R
• 8K/30p video recording (and 4K 120p with no crop)
• Internal 5.8K ProRes RAW video onto CFExpress B card
• Real-time LUT mode for video
• The return of RAW sensor-shift mode for up to 177 megapixels with full color data per pixel, now with a handheld mode
• 8 stops of in-body image stabilization claimed (up from 5.5)
• Substantially smaller and lighter – now 795 g (1.75 pounds) with battery and card; previous generation was 1020 g (2.25 pounds)
• Lower MSRP of $3300 (original S1R was $3700 at launch)

Those are some killer features! Whereas the original S1R was a slow and specialized camera for high-resolution applications, the S1R II is much more of a general-purpose camera. It now has great video specs along with a lot of high-speed features for sports and wildlife photographers. Plus, travel and landscape photographers will still find improvements, too. The smaller size, lower base ISO, better image stabilization, and new handheld mode for sensor-shift photography are all very exciting even if you’re not a high-speed photographer.

Are there any drawbacks to the new camera? On paper, nothing major, but there are a few things I’d like to point out. First, the battery life figure is a little low – rated at 350 shots in live view or 300 via the viewfinder – which is actually a little worse than the previous S1R. (Though mirrorless battery life is almost always much better than the official CIPA numbers suggest.) Second, Panasonic has not released official buffer-related specs, which makes me a little nervous given the importance of buffer in a camera like this. (Early reports suggest that the buffer is essentially unlimited when shooting at 10 FPS and offers about 2 seconds of shooting at 40 FPS before slowing down.) And finally, the sensor readout speed on the S1R II appears to be around 1/50 second with the electronic shutter, which isn’t bad, but also isn’t best-in-class. (It’s still fast enough that rolling shutter will only be apparent with the speediest subjects.)

All in all, it looks like Panasonic has taken their game to another level. It seems that the new S1R II has improved upon its predecessor in nearly every area – image quality, focusing capabilities, speed, video, and more. Of course, it all depends upon how the camera performs in practice, but I look forward to testing it!

• You can pre-order the Panasonic S1R II at B&H for $3300. It’s expected to ship as soon as March 17.

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Press Release

Panasonic Announces New LUMIX S1RII Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera

February 25, 2025

Newark, N.J. (February 25, 2025) – Panasonic is proud to introduce the new LUMIX S1RII – the latest high-resolution model of the Full-Frame mirrorless LUMIX S Series.

The LUMIX S1RII features a newly developed 44.3MP BSI CMOS sensor and high-performance engine with L² Technology that work together to deliver impressive stills and videos with LUMIX’s esteemed natural color science. The high-resolution mode, allowing for handheld shooting at approximately 177MP, enables users to enjoy the presence and detail of subjects. With revolutionary video performance, it is the first LUMIX camera to realize 8K video recording at 14 stops ¹ of dynamic range, broadening the possibilities of video creation. The popular Open Gate feature has been enhanced, allowing to shoot in 6.4K, and even up to 8.1K / 7.2K ² with a future firmware update. Furthermore, as a first for the LUMIX S series, it supports internal recording of 5.8K Apple ProRes RAW HQ / ProRes RAW ³ to a CFexpress Type B card. This makes it possible to record high-quality video data with minimal setup and without using external devices or cables, providing greater mobility for one-man operations and small-scale shoots.

Evolved real-time recognition Phase Hybrid AF, now with AI tracking, quickly and precisely detects human eyes and faces and follows a subject’s movements smoothly. With high-speed continuous shooting at approximately 40 fps ⁴ and AF tracking, dynamic subjects can be captured accurately and effortlessly. The SH pre-burst mode even starts taking pictures before the shutter is fully pressed, ensuring you never miss a shot.

Our widely acclaimed image stabilization system continues to improve, with the LUMIX S1RII achieving 8.0-stop shutter speed compensation ⁵ with in-body stabilization, and 7.0-stop ⁶even in the telephoto range with Dual I.S. 2. The advanced video image stabilization features cropless E.I.S. video distortion correction, reducing peripheral distortion while preserving the original angle of view. This allows for greater flexibility in handheld wide-angle shooting. The newly designed compact body and the tilt and free-angle monitor are adaptable to any shooting style, making it an excellent companion for those seeking both mobility and creative flexibility.

The LUMIX S1RII will be compatible with the “LUMIX Lab” smart phone application, enabling you to load LUTs directly into the camera. This streamlines the post-production process, allowing for smoother client deliveries and giving you more time to focus on creativity. A new “LUMIX Flow” app will be launched to enhance production workflows across various scenarios, such as short films, documentaries, music videos, and corporate promotional videos. This app offers a range of features, from storyboard creation and shooting to file organization. The LUMIX S1RII integrates with third party software such as “Frame.io” for more efficient postproduction and collaboration. For the first time in LUMIX history, the LUMIX S1RII supports tethering via “Capture One,” assisting a diverse range of creators across various production scenarios.

Guided by our philosophy of creating technology that fuels creative passion, the LUMIX S1RII is a next-generation mirrorless camera built for creators who want to bring their own unique vision to life.

Main Features

• High resolution and high image quality for both stills and videos with a newly developed sensor and next-generation engine
  • Utilizes a newly developed approximately 44.3MP full-frame BSI CMOS image sensor.
  • Features a 177MP (approx.) handheld high-resolution mode that captures the immersive presence and details of subjects with precision.
  • Offers high-resolution recording that captures the texture and fine details of subjects and supports LUMIX’s first 8K 30p video recording ² with 14 stops ¹ of dynamic range.
  • Supports 5.8K Apple ProRes RAW HQ / ProRes RAW internal recording to a CFexpress Type B card.
• Enhanced core performance that unlocks new creative possibilities
  • Redefined re al-time recognition Phase Hybrid AF with improved eye and face detection and AI-driven tracking accuracy for people.
  • Enhanced 8.0-stop ³ in-body image stabilization (B.I.S.) and newly developed cropless E.I.S. video distortion correction, which stabilizes without cropping the angle of view.
  • High resolution and high-speed continuous shooting, offering approximately 40 fps ² with the electronic shutter “SH” mode, and an extended continuous shooting “H+ (High Speed Plus)” mode of approximately 10 fps ² with a mechanical shutter, allowing you to experience post view blackout-free shooting.
• Powerful apps that seamlessly support the production workflow
  • Compatible with “Capture One,” making it the first LUMIX camera to work seamlessly with the widely used editing software in professional studio photography.
  • Compatible with “Frame.io,” enabling smooth progression from shooting to editing, as well as cloud sharing and collaboration.
  • Supports “LUMIX Lab,” simplifying the transfer, editing, and color personalization of photos and videos for seamless smartphone integration and social media sharing.
  • Supports new “LUMIX Flow,” which assists with storyboard creation, on-site checks during filming, and automatic data organization after shooting to support the video production workflow.
  • LUMIX mode: Assists with storyboard creation, on-site checks during filming, and automatic data organization after shooting to support the video production workflow.
    • Smartphone mode: Experience the joy of video creation, such as scripting and editing a short drama, documentary video or dance video, with just a smartphone.
    • External monitor: Use a smartphone as an external monitor while shooting, allowing you to swiftly change and adjust the camera settings on the mobile device.

DMW-BG2

Panasonic is pleased to introduce the new DMW-BG2 battery grip, designed to match the feel of the S1RII when holding the camera vertically. The battery in the battery grip can be exchanged while the camera is on, and the grip also supports providing power to the camera for shooting in certain extensive modes.

Price and availability

The new LUMIX S1RII will be available in late March for $3299.99 at valued channel partners.

¹ When Dynamic Range Expansion (Log) is enabled.

² 8.1K/7.2K Open Gate recording will be available in the firmware update scheduled for 2025.

³ 8.1K / 7.2K RAW HDMI output will be available in the firmware update scheduled for 2025.

⁴ The continuous burst shooting speed may decrease depending on various conditions such as the lens used, aperture and shutter speed.

⁵ Center: 8.0-stop; Periphery: 7.0-stop. Based on the CIPA 2024 standard [Yaw/Pitch/Roll direction: focusing distance f=60mm when S-R2060 is used. 5-axis.]

⁶ Center: 7.0-stop; Periphery: 7.0-stop. Based on the CIPA 2024 standard [Yaw/Pitch/Roll direction: focusing distance f=105mm when S-R24105 is used. 5-axis.]

• Apple and ProRes are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
• Frame.io, the Frame.io logo, and Camera to Cloud are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe in the United States and/or other countries.
• Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.
• All functions may not be available depending on the situation.
• Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

About Panasonic Corporation of North America

Newark, N.J.-based Panasonic Corporation of North America is a leading provider of Consumer Lifestyle technologies, as well as innovative Smart Mobility, Sustainable Energy, Immersive Experiences, and Integrated Supply Chain solutions. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Holdings Corporation. One of Interbrand’s Top 100 Best Global Brands of 2023, Panasonic is a leading technology partner and integrator to businesses, government agencies and consumers across the region. Learn more about Panasonic’s ideas and innovations at www.na.panasonic.com/us.