The new Panasonic Lumix DC-S1RII is a high-resolution full-frame mirrorless camera, with improved autofocus and 8K video capabilities, that’s also both lighter and more compact than its predecessor. It is similar in size to the S5 and S5II and features a newly developed 44MP sensor.
A more compact, more robust competitor
The new, more compact Panasonic Lumix DC-S1RII joins a highly competitive market with three established players. The Canon EOS R5II, the Nikon Z8 and the Sony a7RV. The Panasonic offers some of the speed of the Sony, but at a lower cost than Canon and Nikon.
The new Panasonic Lumix DC-S1RII is lighter than its predecessor by 225g, and more compact: 134×102×92mm versus 149×110×97mm. In fact, it is almost identical in size to the S5II. The camera is natively compatible with all L-mount lenses, including those from Leica and Sigma. It is constructed from magnesium alloy for lightweight durability, features dust, splash, and freeze resistance for reliable performance in harsh environments, and sealed buttons and weatherproofed design to protect internal components.
Putting speed into focus
Panasonic has chosen to go with a slightly lower resolution but faster 44.3 MP dual-gain full frame sensor with improved processing from the L2 Engine. The dual conversion gain can be manually selected to which of its two readout modes you prefer. This choice will surprise many enthusiasts who had been expecting a 60MP sensor in similar to that in Leica’s SL3.
Improved highlights and shadow detail
This provides an expanded dynamic range for better highlight and shadow detail, up to 40 fps shooting with AF-C/AF-S, making it ideal for sports and wildlife photography. A high-resolution mode allows you to produce 177MP composited stills even while shooting handheld, and images of up to 177MP when used in high-resolution mode.
Improved image transfer and storage
ProRes 422 and ProRes RAW capture are also included, along with CF Express Type B, UHS II SD and external SSD, Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth v5.0 (Bluetooth Low Energy).
Improved phase detection accuracy
The Panasonic Lumix DC-S1RII comes with a 5.76MP EVF viewfinder, and 4-axis 3.2in tilting touchscreen LCD flip-out and tilt rear screen with touch controls and 1.89m-dot screen resolution.
It features second generation phase detection 779-point (PDAF), ensuring fast and precise autofocus with improved subject recognition, to bring its performance closer to its competitors. The algorithms are trained to recognize human beings, animals (birds, cats, dogs), cars, motorbikes/bicycles, trains, and aeroplanes. It is also quicker to find the intended subject and better at continuing to track it, even when the subject turns away from the camera or is partially obscured.
The improved stabilisation system offers a remarkable 8-stop shutter speed compensation and a newly developed cropless EIS video distortion correction, which stabilised without cropping the angle of view. Even in the telephoto range, the camera offers 7-stop compensation with Dual IS, with compatible lenses.
The LUMIX S1RII will be compatible with the LUMIX Lab smartphone 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 organisation. The LUMIX S1RII integrates with third-party software such as Frame.io for more efficient post-production and collaboration. Furthermore, for the first time in LUMIX history, the LUMIX S1RII supports tethering via Capture One, assisting various creators across various production scenarios.
Improved video
The S1R II brings cinema-quality video capabilities to the Lumix line up for the first time. With 8K resolution, advanced colour science, and RAW recording, this camera delivers exceptional detail, dynamic range, and post-production flexibility.
Latest reviews
Price and availability
The new Panasonic Lumix S1RII (body only) will cost l £2,999 l €3,599 l $3,299 l and will be available in April 2025.
More on the Lumix range
Panasonic Lumix S range
Lumix S5 and S5II
L-Mount Alliance
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I’m sure the smaller body is what the market demands, but I have 4xl glove size hands and the s5 body is very cramped for me whereas the SL, SL-2S and S1r fit me well.
I think I’ll skip this one.
Doesn’t seem like a top of the range body to me…
It would appear to be in the same market place as the SL3s?
Only with double megapixels and better specs and price?
Better display and weight than SL 3. And …….. sensor protection is possible!!!
Yes the sensor protection is something we forgot to mention. Thanks. It’s in one of the videos, though.
They have apparently nailed it!
So, is all the Olympus gear going into the Atlantic?
Thanks Jono. The comments come from DPR in the “How it compares” section of their review of the camera. I’m sure it’s an excellent camera, but I bow to DPR who had hands on the camera while we waited for the official press release to come from Panasonic.
Hi Jon
I think this is a fine camera, without the disadvantages of the Sony A7RV (slow readout and rolling shutter) or the Sony A1, EOS R5 II and Nikon Z8 (with their stacked sensors, reduced dynamic range and less good high ISO ).
It’s also already noticeably cheaper than those cameras.
Should I buy one instead of a Leica SL3? I could trade in my S5II to save a couple of hundred.
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I guess you might take it if you need the faster readout and AF and better video, but I suspect the SL3 will still be the camp in terms of interface and image quality!
Or even champ!
Thanks, Jonathan. I knew you’d have the answer. Seriously, I have always liked the S5II and this seems to be a worthy successor, more than an S1 successor as we expected. But, despite the price and weight advantages, the SL3 user interface is compelling.
I will give you a Tenner for your S511, maybe even a bit more!
So kind of you, Don.
This looks like a wonderful camera, but – I quote:
“”The new, more compact Panasonic Lumix DC-S1RII joins a highly competitive market with three established players. The Canon EOS R5II, the Nikon Z8 and the Sony a7RV. The Panasonic offers some of the speed of the Sony, but at a lower cost than Canon and Nikon.””
This is pretty misleading, on 3 counts!
The EOS R5II and the Nikon Z8 both have stacked sensors, which means a much faster AF speed, but it also means worse dynamic range
The Sony A7RV has the same old 60mp sensor (a good one) as the SL3, and will have bags of dynamic range (but a very slow readout time).
Stacked BSI sensors have downsides in terms of High ISO and Dynamic Range – non stacked sensors have slower readout and are prone to Rolling Shutter.
What Lumix seem to have done here is to find a sweet spot with this new sensor (which is probably the same as in the DJI Ronin 4D drone). It has a much faster readout time than the Sony A7R5 (or the Leica SL3) at 1/50th second (the Sony is 1/10th second)
So the AF should be pretty good, the dynamic range also pretty good.
It looks like a jack of all trades – and pretty good at all of them as well
I think they have really nailed it this time!
Sorry DJI Ronin 4D. is a video camera, not a drone!
I agree that it’s an attractive camera. I find in interesting that most of us assumed the S1R would be similar in most respects to the SL3, with at last 60MP of sensor resolution. Instead of a new S1R we seem to have a new S5II which is now taking S1R badge. Will we see a further development of the S1R with a higher-density sensor?
The new camera is reasonably priced and, of course, will be cheaper within a few months (weeks?). It’s a compelling choice for anyone sitting on L lenses. I think I’d miss the SL3 UI and relative simplicity of controls, but this is definitely a nice camera to have. I’d take it over the Sigma BF!
Points noted on the Nikon, Canon and Sony.