Panasonic LUMIX S1R II Unveiled

Panasonic will release the LUMIX S1R II mirrorless single-lens camera equipped with a 35mm full-frame image sensor in late March 2025.

LUMIX entered the full-frame market in 2019. The lineup includes the “S1” series, which is highly regarded by top professionals, the all-purpose “S5” series, and the entry-level “S9” series. Among these, the new LUMIX S1R II will be released as the successor to the top model “S1R”.

Target Market

The target users for the LUMIX S1R II are professional photographers who take high-quality landscapes and portraits, amateur users who take pictures of wild birds and vehicles, and others who want to take pictures of their favorite subjects. While maintaining the reliability and advanced performance of the conventional S1R, the new model is significantly smaller and lighter, and is said to be a highly mobile top-of-the-line model that can take hybrid still images and videos.

Equipped with USB-C and HDMI terminals
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CFexpress cards and SD cards are used as recording media.

LUMIX S1R II Features

High-definition 44.3 megapixel image quality

The combination of the newly developed 44.3 megapixel image sensor and the latest engine makes it possible to capture the finest details of the subject. In addition, compared to the original S1R, the standard ISO sensitivity has been increased by one step from 80 to 51200.

The LUMIX S1R II suppresses the amount of noise in the high sensitivity range, where high pixel cameras are weak, and enables natural depiction. In addition, by using the “High Resolution Mode” which depicts images with four times the pixels, it is possible to shoot 177 million pixels. This function is not only compatible with shooting using a tripod, but also with the evolution of the image stabilization function, it is compatible with “handheld high resolution”.

　 　　

Although it is a high-pixel camera, it is also fast. For high-speed continuous shooting, it is possible to shoot 40 frames per second with the electronic shutter, and 10 frames per second with the mechanical shutter, with AF tracking.

　 　　

Improved AF and image stabilization performance

There are two major advances in AF. The first is the improved accuracy of recognizing people, their eyes, and their faces. Advances in AI technology have made it possible to focus more accurately on the eyes, face, and eyes in scenes that were previously difficult to do, such as when the subject is looking to the side or when the face or hands are partially obscured by a microphone.

　 　　

AF Tracking Mode

The second improvement is the performance of the tracking AF mode. When other people are surrounding the main subject, the AF may get lost or move on to another person depending on the scene. Now, with the evolution of AI technology, the camera remembers the characteristics of the subject and tenaciously tracks the main subject even in scenes where multiple people are overlapping.

LUMIX has always been highly praised for its image stabilization function, and the S1R II also achieves 5-axis 8.0-stop performance. In addition, image stabilization suitable for a variety of scenes is possible when shooting video.

There are two types of image stabilization: in-body image stabilization, which applies stabilization by physically moving the sensor, and electronic image stabilization, which applies stabilization to the image output by the sensor. The S1R II has seen an evolution in this electronic image stabilization.

In principle, electronic image stabilization narrows the angle of view captured by the camera, but the S1R II now has a new “cropless mode” that keeps the angle of view unchanged. Cropless electronic image stabilization has the same performance for reducing peripheral distortion as conventional electronic image stabilization, but allows for a wider angle of view than conventional methods.

　 　　

8K video recording and extensive video functions

The S1R II is the first LUMIX camera to support 8K video recording. It is also capable of shooting 8K at full diagonal resolution. In addition to 8K video recording, the S1R II also supports a variety of recording formats.

　 　　

Generally, high resolution cameras are weak in dynamic range performance, but the S1R II has a wide dynamic range performance and achieves 14 stops of V-Log.

　 　　

In addition, the “Photo Style” function, which expands the range of color expression in works without post-shooting editing, has also been enhanced. In addition to the existing video models “Cinelike D2” and “Cinelike V2,” the new model “Cinelike A2” has been added. This model features a wide dynamic range and rich gradation, and is finished in a color that can be used for all-round purposes.

　 　　

ProRes RAW

In recent years, the grain effect seen in music videos and other images has generally been achieved by adding grain during post-production editing. However, now it is possible to add grain effect during video shooting. And now, for the first time in the LUMIX S series, it supports internal recording of ProRes RAW HQ.

　 　　

Reliability and efficiency throughout your workflow

Changes are also being seen in workflows. Links with applications that are more closely related to creative workflows are also being strengthened and improved.

Firstly, it is now compatible with Capture One, a tethered photography software. Capture One is a popular, industry-standard tethered photo editing software, and LUMIX has had many requests for it to be compatible. Now, for the first time, LUMIX is able to link it with the software. To mark the start of this collaboration with Capture One, a 3-month free trial will be offered.

　 　　

The smartphone app “LUMIX Flow” has been newly released. This app is a new release and has two main features.

The first feature is that a smartphone can be used as a large monitor, a feature that is already available in common applications.

　 　　

LUMIX Flow App

The second feature is that it proposes a completely new way of using the app. This app was developed with the assumption that it would be used as a consistent management tool for video production. Video production consists of a series of workflows: the concept stage, the shooting stage, and the editing stage. In the concept stage, storyboards, cuts, and scenarios are created. In the shooting stage, filming is done based on the scenario and storyboard, and reshoots are not allowed. In the editing stage, the filmed data is edited.

“LUMIX Flow” is an application that manages all of these workflows centrally by linking LUMIX cameras with smartphones.

“LUMIX mode” is a mode that assumes that the camera used for shooting is a LUMIX. For those new to video production or those who want to get started more easily, there is also a “smartphone mode” that allows shooting with a smartphone camera. This application will be provided along with the release of the S1R II.

　 　　

Frame.io is a feature that has been added to models such as the S5 II through a version upgrade. It improves efficiency by uploading data directly to the cloud and collaborating with remote editing teams.

Intuitive operation system that responds to your shooting intent

The user interface and operability have also been improved. The newly developed tilt-free-angle LCD allows for comfortable shooting of both still images and videos. It also supports the Real Viewfinder (5.76 million dots) that was highly praised in the original S1R and enables immersive shooting.

LCD monitor open
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LCD monitor tilted up.
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Switches

Next to the viewfinder, there is a “photo/video changeover switch” for the first time on a LUMIX camera. This is intended to allow the camera to be used as a dedicated still image and video camera. A new user interface with independent menu configurations has been added, allowing you to change the function assignments of the function buttons in each mode and divide the menu configuration into video and still image modes.

The photo/video switch is a departure from traditional LUMIX design. However, the adoption of switches is on the rise in the video industry, and the S1R II seems to have followed that industry trend.

　 　　

　 　　

　 　　

Top Performance and Reliability

As an S1 grade camera, LUMIX also pursued particular performance in terms of reliability. One example is the shutter closing function, which reduces the risk of dust accumulating on the sensor when changing lenses outdoors. Other features that were highly praised for their reliability in the original S1R, such as low temperature resistance, dustproof and water-resistant, and a key lock mechanism to prevent operation, have also been inherited by the S1R II.

　 　　

　 　　

DMW-BG2 Grip

The DMW-BG2 battery grip to be released at the same time as the main body provides the same operability as the main body even when shooting in portrait orientation. It also has a function that allows you to replace the battery on the battery grip side without turning off the camera.

Furthermore, by simultaneously supplying power from the battery grip and the camera’s battery, the restrictions on recording modes to SSDs that previously limited recording are eliminated. Modes that previously required the use of a coupler are no longer necessary when combined with this battery grip.

　 　　

　 　　

Lumix S Lenses Also Announced for Leica L Mount

Finally, regarding LUMIX S lenses, as of February 2025, 18 lenses are available for the Leica L Mount, and part of the roadmap has also been made public. The company says it will propose a trinity of body, lens, and app.