Panasonic has taken the first step in developing the next-generation hybrid camera segment. The company has finally released advanced hybrid models: Panasonic Lumix S1 II and Panasonic Lumix S1 IIE. These are the manufacturer’s most advanced developments: high-quality autofocus with AI support, super stabilization—the most advanced in full-frame cameras for 2025—ProRes RAW on a memory card, and 4K 120 fps. The cameras will compete with the new next-generation Sony, Canon, and Nikon products.
Key Upgrades and Differences
Let’s briefly review the main innovations and then discuss each camera separately. The main (but far from the only) difference from the first-generation cameras is that the new cameras have real-time recognition and hybrid autofocus with support for tracking eyes, faces, and people based on AI.
Panasonic has also added a new recognition mode called “Urban Sports.” It is designed to capture dynamic movements in sports, dance, and other areas.
Another major update is a significantly improved stabilization system, which allows for 8 exposure steps to be compensated. At the same time, the Panasonic Lumix S1 II and Lumix S1 IIE cameras received support for the new EIS system, which provides stabilization with frame distortion correction without an additional crop factor.
Both cameras also support internal recording of 5.8K 30 fps and C4K 60 fps Apple ProRes RAW HQ/ProRes RAW to CFexpress Type B memory cards. This gives both cameras dual recording options across two card slots: one SD and one CFexpress Type B.
The S1 II and S1 IIE also feature the new Cinemascope (2.4:1) video format, available at a range of frame rates, including full frame rate and up to 60 fps.
Other improvements, too, include the new display design. The screens of the two new cameras can be tilted and rotated completely. Their resolution is 1.84 million dots. The new cameras also have an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 5.76 million dots.
The shutter mechanism in the two new cameras is designed for 400,000 cycles. The sensor is protected by a carbon fiber curtain that closes when the lens is removed (if the appropriate settings are set).
The Panasonic Lumix S1 II and S1 IIE are compatible with Capture One, Frame.io, and Lumix Lab. This smartphone app makes it easy to transfer, edit, and colour personalise photos and videos for seamless smartphone integration and social media sharing.
The difference between these two cameras is mainly in their matrices. We will now move on to a detailed examination of each Panasonic Lumix model.
Panasonic Lumix S1 II
The Panasonic Lumix S1 II uses a 24.1-megapixel partially stacked full-frame image sensor. Some sources say this is the same sensor as the recently announced Nikon Z6 III. The sensor works together with Panasonic’s Venus processor.
This combination provides high-speed reading and processing. Thus, recording 5.8K at 60 or 4K at 120 fps is possible.
All the hype surrounding the Nikon Z6 III’s “reduced” dynamic range seems to have prompted Panasonic to try to solve this problem.
A special Dynamic Range Boost mode has been added, which increases dynamic range by up to 15 steps in V-Log at 30 fps. However, this mode dramatically increases the rolling shutter effect, which reaches an anti-record value of 25 ms (the lower the better).
The camera has an OpenGate mode (open shutter), which allows you to work with an image from the entire matrix area. This provides more convenient shooting with anamorphic optics. Moreover, OpenGate will enable you to work with a resolution of 6K 30 fps and 5.1K 60 fps.
Photographers can use this partially folded sensor for high-speed continuous shooting at up to 70 fps and pre-sequence shooting for up to 1.5 seconds. It also has an extended continuous shooting mode, “H+ (High Speed Plus),” of approximately 10 fps with a mechanical shutter.
Panasonic Lumix S1II – Highlights
- 24.1MP partially stacked CMOS sensor
- 5.1K Open Gate video at 60 fps
- High-Res Mode captures up to 96MP images
- 8-stop in-body image stabilization
- AFC burst shooting at up to 70 fps
- 3-inch TFT touchscreen display
- Dual card slots: CFexpress Type B + SD (SDHC/SDXC)
- Built-in 5 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
Now about the viewfinder. The OLED EVF display has a resolution of 5.76 million dots, and the fast response time allows the capture of fast-moving objects and the display of rich gradations of subject details thanks to the high contrast ratio of approximately 10,000:1 or higher.
The camera supports IBIS, dual stabilization with in-lens stabilizer, and advanced Boost IS Active and EIS modes. According to published tests, the Panasonic Lumix S1 II camera provides the best stabilizer on the market.
The main innovation in stabilization is the correction of distortions during EIS stabilization. Regarding anamorphic optics, the following modes are supported:
- 2.0X
- 1.8X
- 1.5X
- 1.33X
- 1.30X
The Panasonic Lumix S1 II camera costs $3,197.99 and can be pre-ordered on the B&H Photo and Adorama online stores. This is a reasonably high price, which corresponds to the Sony A7 line (basic series).
Panasonic Lumix S1 IIE
Let’s move on to a more budget-friendly model. The Panasonic Lumix S1 IIE model received a 24.2-megapixel sensor installed in the Panasonic Lumix S5 II camera.
This means that its performance is not as high as the S1 II but is less expensive. The Panasonic Lumix S1 IIE supports 6K open shutter recording at up to 30 fps (3:2).
Panasonic promises 14+ stops of dynamic range in V-Log and high-speed continuous shooting at up to 30 fps with the electronic shutter in “SH/SH PRE” mode, as well as an advanced “H+ (High Speed Plus)” continuous shooting mode at around 10 fps with the mechanical shutter.
B&H Photo and Adorama will sell this camera for $2,497.99. Both cameras will go on sale at the end of June.
Panasonic Lumix S 24-60mm f2.8
Panasonic also announced a compact and lightweight zoom lens, the Lumix S 24-60mm f2.8, for full-frame L-mount cameras. The lens weighs 544g, is 100mm long, has a weather-sealed body, a 77mm filter thread, a focus button, and a control ring on the body.
When developing the Lumix S 24-60mm f2.8 lens, the company set the task of making it as light and compact as possible, releasing an alternative to the existing Lumix S PRO 24-70mm f2.8 zoom. The developers made the focal length slightly shorter in the telephoto position, but made the lens more compact and light.
The new lens weighs 544g and is 100mm long, while the Lumix S PRO 24-70mm f2.8 weighs 935g and is 140mm long.
The hybrid zoom feature uses digital cropping to achieve a focal length of up to 187 mm for both stills and video. The autofocus system uses a dual-phase linear motor. Panasonic promises fast and accurate autofocus.
The lens supports control ring assignment for the S1RII, S1II, and S1IIE, allowing quick access to aperture control and exposure compensation. There is also an assignable focus button on the lens barrel.
Panasonic promises minimal focus breathing. In high-contrast scenes, micro-step aperture control ensures smooth transitions, preventing abrupt changes in exposure. The minimum focusing distance is 19 cm at a focal length of 24-30 mm, and the maximum magnification is 0.3x at 30 mm.
The optical design comprises 14 elements in 12 groups, including 3 aspherical lenses, 1 UED lens, 2 ED lenses. The aperture has 9 rounded blades, ranging from f/2.8 to f/22.
It is also available for pre-order on B&H Photo and Adorama stores at $897.99.
