Panasonic has announced its latest full-frame mirrorless camera. The Panasonic LUMIX S1R II features a new 44.3 MP sensor and offers internal video recording up to 8K resolution.
New sensor
The Panasonic LUMIX S1R II has a newly developed 35.8 mm by 23.9 mm 44.3MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor. This delivers an ISO range of 200 to 51,200 for video and 40 to 102400 for still photos. The sensor also promises up to 14 stops of dynamic range.
Also, the LUMIX S1R II features a high-performance processing engine with L2 Technology. L2 Technology comes from the business alliance between LUMIX and Leica.
Video features
The LUMIX S1R II offers internal video recording in 8K (7680 x 4320) at up to 30 fps. You can record this resolution in a 4:2:0 10-bit Long GOP H264 file format. The camera also shoots 4K up to 120 fps in 8-bit or 10-bit formats.
In addition, as a first for the LUMIX S series, the camera supports 5.8K Apple ProRes RAW HQ and ProRes RAW internal recording to a CFexpress Type B card. Open Gate recording with the S1R II has been enhanced, supporting recording in a 6.4K resolution using the entire sensor. Panasonic has promised a future firmware upgrade to support 8.1K and 7.2K Open Gate recording as well.
Video assist tools
The LUMIX S1R II has a set of advanced video assist tools to help you ensure your video looks great. These features include false color, waveforms and vector scopes for exposure and color monitoring. You can also apply real-time LUTs (Lookup Tables) which is useful to see how your graded footage will look when shooting log video.
Image stabilization
The LUMIX S1R II offers sensor-shift five-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS) which delivers up to eight stops of stabilization. If you use an L-Mount lens with optical image stabilization, the camera also gives you up to seven-stops of Dual IS, even in the telephoto range. And the advanced video stabilization features cropless electronic image stabilization (E.I.S.) video distortion correction. Panasonic says that this reduces peripheral distortion while preserving the original angle of view. This should be great for wide-angle shooting.
Autofocus
The LUMIX S1R II features an improved real-time recognition Phase Hybrid autofocus. This incorporates 779-point PDAF (Phase Detection Autofocus) for quick, precise focusing. The S1R II’s autofocus system also delivers improved eye and face detection and AI-driven tracking accuracy for people. Panasonic says that this will follow a subject’s movements smoothly.
Inputs and outputs
The LUMIX S1R II has a 3.5mm stereo input so you can use an external microphone for better audio. There is also a 3.5 mm stereo output so you can monitor your audio with headphones.
Interestingly, the S1R II also offers 32-bit float audio recording via the optional DMW-XLR2 adapter. With 32-bit float audio, you don’t need to worry about recording levels. This is because it has such a large dynamic range that in practice it’s impossible to get the audio to clip. Also, there’s a full-size HDMI for use with an external monitor or recorder, and a USB-C port.
Build
At only 1.75 pounds (0.79 kg), the LUMIX S1R II is nearly half a pound lighter than the first-generation model. This is because the new camera uses a magnesium alloy construction for lightweight durability. The S1R II also offers sealed buttons and a weatherproof design to give it dust, splash, and freeze resistance.
Other features
The LUMIX S1R II features a 4-axis 3.2-inch tilting LCD touchscreen LCD with a 1.89 million-dot resolution. There’s also a 5.76 million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder for ultra-sharp and color-accurate previews. The S1R II has dual memory card slots, one for CFexpress Type B and one for SD UHS-II. In addition to external recording via HDMI, you can record direct to an external SSD via the USB-C port for high bitrate footage.
What we think
The new Panasonic LUMIX S1R II has the impressive specifications you would expect from a flagship full-frame mirrorless camera. Features such as internal 8K recording, Open Gate and ProRes RAW mean that you can capture very high-quality video without needing an external recorder. Tools such as false color, waveforms and vector scopes are also useful to ensure that your footage looks great.
Additionally, the eight-stop IBIS and AI-enhanced autofocus are to be welcomed. One exciting development is the option for internal 32-bit float recording, even though this needs an optional adapter. The Panasonic LUMIX S1R II is going to excite a lot of video makers.
Pricing and availability
Panasonic says that the new LUMIX S1R II will be available in late March for $3,299.
