Panasonic has released firmware updates for its LUMIX S1RII, S1II and S1IIE full-frame mirrorless cameras. The headline improvement is that the cameras can now manage their internal temperatures better, which delivers longer video recording times.
Thermal control algorithm
The new firmware for the LUMIX S1RII is version 1.3, while for the S1II and S1IIE it’s version 1.2. As part of the updates, Panasonic has improved the cameras’ thermal control algorithms. As a result, the video recording time is less affected by environmental factors. What this means in simple terms is that the cameras will be able to record for longer on warm days. Previously, overheating issues had limited the maximum record times with these LUMIX cameras.
Improved record times
Panasonic has shared some test results from cameras running the new firmware, and the results are impressive. The tests were carried out using the 10-bit H.265 Long GOP file format and recording full-frame video.
LUMIX S1II
Previously, with thermal management set to Standard, the LUMIX S1II would record Cinema 4K at 60 frames per second (fps) for around an hour using an SD card. If you used an SD card and a CFexpress card, you could only shoot for 30 minutes. However, after the firmware update, you can now shoot without any limit other than the capacity of your storage.
Cinema 4K at 120 fps was previously limited to 20 minutes with an SD card and 15 minutes with both SD and CFexpress cards. These times have now been improved to 30 minutes and 25 minutes, respectively. In addition, with thermal management set to High, these times have been boosted even further to 60 minutes with just an SD card and 30 minutes with a CFexpress card.
LUMIX S1IIE
With thermal management set to Standard, the LUMIX S1IIE could record for 20 minutes at 6K 60 fps if you were using SD and CFexpress cards. However, after the update, you can now record for 30 minutes before the camera overheats. Also, with the thermal management on High mode, you can shoot unlimited on an SD card alone, or up to 60 Minutes when using both SD and CFexpress cards. There is also no limit if you record Cinema 4K at 60 fps in the cropped APS-C mode.
LUMIX S1RII
With thermal management set to Standard, the LUMIX S1RII can now shoot in 8K at 30 fps for 25 minutes using an SD card, up from 20 minutes. If you want to use a CFexpress card as well, the maximum record time is also 5 minutes longer now at 20 minutes. However, using the High thermal management setting gives you up to 50 minutes recording with an SD card only and 30 minutes with both card types.
Recording in Cinema 4K at 60 fps has similarly been boosted to 25 minutes with an SD card, and 20 minutes with an SD card and a CFexpress card, when set to Standard thermal management. Setting the mode to High gives you up to 30 minutes of shooting with either card combination.
Plus, you can now record without limit using an SD card and a CFexpress card at 30 fps in Cinema 4K with the thermal management set to High. You can record in Standard mode for 50 minutes.
Other new features
The firmware updates add the option to record in option for the low-bitrate video format MP4(Lite) to all three cameras. You can shoot in 3.8K (3840×2560) at 29.97 fps or 25 fps with a data rate of 50Mbps. For still photography, a lower-speed option has also been added to SH burst shooting, including pre-burst shooting, for the S1II and S1RII. Additionally, there have been autofocus improvements, including enhanced tracking stability through algorithm improvements.
What we think
The Panasonic LUMIX S series of cameras are great for video shooters who also need the option to shoot still images. However, the cameras have suffered from overheating issues, which limited the maximum record times. It’s therefore great to see that Panasonic has taken steps to improve the situation via these firmware updates.
In addition, the company said that user feedback played a key role in shaping this update. Credit is due to Panasonic for listening to its user base and acting accordingly. If you shoot with the LUMIX S1RII, S1II or S1IIE, you should update your camera’s firmware as soon as possible.
Pricing and availability
Firmware update 1.3 for the LUMIX S1RII, and 1.2 for the S1II and S1IIE are available to download now from the Panasonic website.
