- The new Lumix S1R II is a major upgrade of S1R with a new 44MP -Sensor
- First camera with full frame with 8K Open Gate Video and 32-bit Float audio recording
- S1R II is launched along with a new Lumix Flow app and costs $ 3,299 / £ 2,999 / AU $ 5,499
Panasonic has revealed its most powerful mirror -free camera with full frame yet, Lumix S1R II. It upgrades 47MP Lumix S1R in almost every respect, although a few megapixels have been shaved with its new stabilized 44MP sensor.
Key upgrades include beef video features such as 8K Open Gate Video recording (coming soon via a firmware update) plus 32-bit float audio recording through a XLR adapter debuting in Lumix GH7.
10-bit 8K video recording up to 30FPS delivers 14ev dynamic range, while it is also possible to detect 5.8K Apple Pro Res Raw Internal-It is a first for Lumix. We also have the usual range of color profiles, including V-Log to maximize details for those who like to classify recordings, plus a Cinelike profile that emulates the popular Rec.709 look.
Of course, 8K video recording is memory-hungry. As such, the possibility of proxy recording is welcome, as is the framework.io support – a tool that can facilitate workflow for collaborative projects.
The Lumix S1R II is also equipped with refined hybrid phase detection autofocus, which Panasonic says is twice as effective as in the Lumix S5 II for its best autofocus performance.
Image stabilization in the body is rated up to 8ev and includes a new crop-less state that we are eager to test correct-you can check out our early impressions in our Lumix S1R II Hands-on Review.
In terms of design, there is also additional Panasonic first: a new multi-wine screen, just as in the Sony A1 II, for easy viewing from any angle in vertical and horizontal format.
There are front and rear numbers, so users know when the camera is rolling, direct uptake from USB-C to SSD portable drives, and grids under 5.76 M-dot EVF to spread heat to impressive video record times.
Photographers can enjoy blackout-free 10FPS-Burst shooting with the mechanical shutter, a speed increased to 40FPS when using the electronic closure, with the possibility of pre-cube capture up to 1. This 44MP resolution can also be raised to 177MP when using High Res Shot mode.
All this is pressed into a dust, spray and freezer-resistant body that is 20 percent less than Lumix S1R and which is almost same size as Lumix S5 II.
Panasonic also announced a new app along with Lumix S1R II: Lumix Flow. A key feature of the new app is the ability to use an iOS or Android phone as a screen over a direct USB-C for USB-C connection. It is currently compatible with the Lumix S5 II, GH7 and S1R II, and users can also judge each roof when they go to streamline the workflow. Another item in the app that is open to any user with any camera is a script, shooting and editing project management tool.
Lumix S1R II costs $ 3,299 / £ 2,999 / AU $ 5,499 Only on Body and is also available in the UK only with Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm F4 Macro OIS lens, for £ 3,799. It is a particularly competitive price against Sony, Canon and Nikon Rivals. So how are the flagship models stacked up?
Go to Side Sony, Canon and Nikon?
As a flagship mirror -free camera with excellent photo and 8K video skills, Lumix S1R II has tough competition with obvious rivals including Sony A1 II, Canon EOS R5 II and Nikon Z8.
Lumix S1R II starts life with super-competitive pricing — that is half the price of A1 II, about 50% cheaper than the Canon EOS R5 II and 25% less than the Z8, although Nikon’s mirror-free camera can now be found for about the same price as Lumix S1R II.
If you come into new to one of these systems, Lumix S1R II offers the best value and I would only expect it to go down in price in the coming months. S1R II also beats these rivals with some of its video functions; It’s the only camera with Open Gate 8K video (comes via a firmware update later in the year) -which means you can use the full height and width of 3: 2 image sensor with # 16: 9 boundary.
It’s also the only camera here with the option of 32-bit float audio recording, albeit via Panasonic’s XLR adapter. There is also the exciting crop-less image stabilization mode, and I expect S1R II to have the best stabilization performance of any flagship full-frames.
Where the Lumix S1R II potentially comes up short against its rivals is that its sensor is a regular backing that is illuminated, while the other models use a faster ‘stacked’ sensor type, which is better equipped to handle rolling shutter distorting. Generally, photographers are probably better taken into account with the other cameras also with features such as even faster Burst shooting, and in Canon’s case a prestigious feature and excellent sports -priored autofocus states.
We are currently undergoing Lumix S1R II and you can read our first impression in our Panasonic Lumix S1R II Hands-on review, with our in-depth review soon to follow. What are you doing from Panasonic’s best Lumix ever? Tell us that in the comments below.
