Lumix S1RII coming soon

[Al Dolega]

If this cam does replace S1R and S1H, I bet the next "surprising" camera that has been hinted at will be almost completely video-leaning, with internal NDs, maybe a more conventional video shape/layout. So then probably bulkier too, S1H size or bigger. Might be a smart strategy, if the price and performance are competitive I think there are probably a lot of people who want/need something that is small-ish like a mirrorless/hybrid, but with internal NDs. I know there are a lot of Sony shooters who want something between the FX3 and FX6, for example.

[Davide DB]

Updated rumors:

Quote

 

8k30p

4K120 without crop

8,1K Open-Gate will be released later with a Firmware Update

 

 

[ac6000cw]

28 minutes ago, Al Dolega said:

If this cam does replace S1R and S1H, I bet the next "surprising" camera that has been hinted at will be almost completely video-leaning, with internal NDs, maybe a more conventional video shape/layout. So then probably bulkier too, S1H size or bigger. Might be a smart strategy, if the price and performance are competitive I think there are probably a lot of people who want/need something that is small-ish like a mirrorless/hybrid, but with internal NDs. I know there are a lot of Sony shooters who want something between the FX3 and FX6, for example.

I suspect there's a decent market for an L-mount 'camcorder-style' body if they get the specs and the ergonomics right. Panasonic has the video pedigree to sell something like that, I think.

[ntblowz]

3 hours ago, ac6000cw said:

I suspect there's a decent market for an L-mount 'camcorder-style' body if they get the specs and the ergonomics right. Panasonic has the video pedigree to sell something like that, I think.

Yeah, give us the EVA2 in L mount and all the updated spec!

[ND64]

4 hours ago, Davide DB said:

Updated rumors:

 

So the bottleneck is the CPU, not the sensor. 

[newfoundmass]

It looks like 8.1K is real, as at the end of this video Zach says something along the lines of "by the way, all the talking head footage in this video was filmed in 8.1K... but you'll find out more about that next week."

I really don't have a need for 8K, so that really doesn't excite me. Most of us aren't even really using 4K to it's max with our small TVs and computer screens! But I know others will be pumped.

[newfoundmass]

8 hours ago, ac6000cw said:

I suspect there's a decent market for an L-mount 'camcorder-style' body if they get the specs and the ergonomics right. Panasonic has the video pedigree to sell something like that, I think.

I would love this so much, though I know i'd never be able to afford it! 

[KnightsFan]

9 hours ago, ac6000cw said:

I suspect there's a decent market for an L-mount 'camcorder-style' body if they get the specs and the ergonomics right. Panasonic has the video pedigree to sell something like that, I think.

Or a box camera with 1st party accessories to make it camcorder-like. Take a BS1H body, add a new side handle with full control, a single cable USB C monitor (or compatibility with Blackmagic's!), Panasonic's existing XLR module, and you've got a similar setup to a C400, ergonomically. All that's missing are ND's, which require a bigger body--not that I mind!--or some kind of eND adapter for EF/PL lenses. Of those, ND's are probably the only one that's particularly difficult to develop, if Panasonic thought they had the market for it.

[IronFilm]

On 2/20/2025 at 9:44 AM, John Matthews said:

Count on people saying "it doesn't have internal NDs" or "only 44MP".

Honestly not a bad thing it's 44MP, that's still a lot. And I'd rather they chase other photographic / video improvements than megapickles. 

It's ok for the S1R Series to not have internal NDs, but I will be a little mad if the GH8 or S1H mk2 lacks internal NDs.

On 2/20/2025 at 3:11 PM, newfoundmass said:

I am kind of surprised that it's "only" 44MP. I'm not complaining, it's just not common that you go with less resolution in a mark II vs. the original is it? Granted it's only like 3 MP difference. Will S1R shooters be angry? I've never been someone who takes/needs to take high resolution photos, so I'm genuinely curious.

Nikon D7200 to Nikon D7500 dropped from 24 megapixels to 20 megapixels (well, 20.9MP). And they've kept it there ever since, with the Z50 mk1 and mk2 also being 20 megapixels. (even the Nikon Zfc and Nikon Z30 as well)

17 hours ago, ac6000cw said:

If it's intended to be a replacement for both the S1r and S1h, it'll be interesting to see what the rolling shutter performance is like.

There is a rumor towards it being called "S1X" which might perhaps cool off the complaints from photographers that it it is not a true S1Rmk2 with mega mega pickles for a sensor, while also being a name that's a nod towards it's top notch video capabilities. 

14 hours ago, Andrew Reid said:

But merging S1H with the S1R series doesn't make sense.

It kinda doesn't, but yet Panasonic is a niche player in what is itself a niche market, who are also trying to juggle maintaining two entirely different systems (MFT & L Mount) at once, thus they might be wanting to slim down their offerings to just a core three of S9 vs S5 vs S1X

14 hours ago, Andrew Reid said:

Let's hope there is an S1H Mark II also on the way with a lower 6K megapixel count and better low light, plus the other video goodies like ergonomics more suited for filming and e-ND of some sort.

That's the dream! 

Or maybe Panasonic will just release a "Panasonic BS1X", which is an update to the BS1H (it's been discontinued?), that's simply stuffing all the goodness of the "S1X" into a box format camera with hopefully the extra goodies we wish to see (better implementation of SDI with zero delay, and built in eND, etc). Rather than releasing an entirely separate S1Hmk2 camera, which they might not have the R&D to support. 

  

12 hours ago, Al Dolega said:

If this cam does replace S1R and S1H, I bet the next "surprising" camera that has been hinted at will be almost completely video-leaning, with internal NDs, maybe a more conventional video shape/layout. So then probably bulkier too, S1H size or bigger. Might be a smart strategy, if the price and performance are competitive I think there are probably a lot of people who want/need something that is small-ish like a mirrorless/hybrid, but with internal NDs. I know there are a lot of Sony shooters who want something between the FX3 and FX6, for example.

Thus my theory/dream/hope that this is a new S1X, that merges the goodness of the S1R and S1H series together, then in six months time they release an updated "Panasonic BS1X" to replace the discontinued BS1H, which gives you everything you wanted, and is positioned in between a FX3 and FX6.

  

8 hours ago, ntblowz said:

Yeah, give us the EVA2 in L mount and all the updated spec!

Blackmagic PYXIS says hi. 

 

11 hours ago, ac6000cw said:

Panasonic has the video pedigree to sell something like that, I think.

Yes, they have the pedigree and history, but no longer the dedicated broadcast/cinema division for it 😞 😕 Do they even still have the people to pull off a modern 2025 version of the EVA1 mk2 / Varicam LT mk2? 

2 hours ago, KnightsFan said:

Or a box camera with 1st party accessories to make it camcorder-like. Take a BS1H body, add a new side handle with full control, a single cable USB C monitor (or compatibility with Blackmagic's!), Panasonic's existing XLR module, and you've got a similar setup to a C400, ergonomically.

Bingo!

[Andrew Reid]

On 2/20/2025 at 1:02 PM, Walter H said:

Triple agree regarding no S5 body and the importance of ergos. Maybe quintuple agree.

It looks like Panasonic are trying to copy Sony and do a one-body design suits all as in case of a7 series.

So looks very much like it will be in the S5 mould with extra buttons.

It will be a pity if that means losing the top-LCD display.

Styling wise, ergonomics wise, they seem determined to make something quite charmless.

[newfoundmass]

I might be in the minority but I don't mind the S5 body, though I do like the S1H body the most out of all the Lumix cameras I've used. My only two complaints about it really are the screen (I'd like the S1H screen) and the lack of lock that can turn off certain buttons that I'm accidentally hitting while recording accidentally. 

[MrSMW]

Well comparing that pic to one of my S5ii’s the body looks near identical except slightly thicker from front to rear by around 5mm?

The rear is either heavily disguised or deliberately blurred out it seems so no guesses on the type of rear screen.

It’s looking very S5ii-ish though for sure!

[John Matthews]

I think what we're seeing from the S5Rii might be Panasonic moving to more broadly appealing cameras rather than the more video centric cameras. I don't think there's going to be a S1Hii because it's too niche. This camera could be "the one" though, a super-capable photo and video beast with many of the usability functions many like.

1 hour ago, newfoundmass said:

I might be in the minority but I don't mind the S5 body, though I do like the S1H body the most out of all the Lumix cameras I've used. My only two complaints about it really are the screen (I'd like the S1H screen) and the lack of lock that can turn off certain buttons that I'm accidentally hitting while recording accidentally. 

I also like the S5 and S5ii/x bodies, except for not having a flip up screen. Otherwise they're great. I really just want a smaller, more-efficient flip-up and out GH6 style of screen on the back. It's not a deal-breaker though!

[KnightsFan]

I'm definitely a "wait and see the official announcement" person, but some of these rumors are somewhat strange.

8K sensor with 6K60 raw? Maybe it only shoots raw in a crop, or maybe it also does 8k FF but not at 60 and the leaker doesn't mention that. Also curious whether "4k120 without crop" means it's line skipped, because that would be a shame. Although if it also includes 4k120 crop without skipping, that would be awesome.

Anyway, it has my interest, so looking forward to the announcement!

[Simon Young]

The three single most important things to a beautiful image is low rolling shutter, minimal artefacts such as moiré and a nice highlight roll off. The S5(II)(x) perform abysmally when it comes to both low RS and moiré. The moiré on those cameras make them borderline unusable. I truly hope this new Lumix will perform better but I’m not holding my breath.

Otherwise a big fan of Lumix when it comes to colors, DR, reliability (beautiful active cooling solution on the s5ii(x) and overall video features. Shame they only put a low pass filter in their varicam line and S1h.

[Robert Patts]

Well. Looks like I was pretty spot on with my predictions.

Quote

Chris Niccolls posted on Insta Stories of the camera, so it will share the same body of the S5IIX

It will be high megapixels...that is a fact...which means at least 8K shooting.

Since every single camera from Panasonic has had opengate...you can guess 8k Opengate 

If it can do 8k opengate, do the math, it can probably shoot downsampled 6k + 4k.

It is an RII series, so most likely no Internal ND's.

 

[eatstoomuchjam]

1 hour ago, Simon Young said:

The three single most important things to a beautiful image is low rolling shutter, minimal artefacts such as moiré and a nice highlight roll off.

First, "three single" is a silly phrase.

Second, no.

Any time somebody tells you "the single" or "the three most important" or whatever, they are talking straight out of their ass.  I'd say that, for me, dynamic range is (often) more important than low rolling shutter.  Correct skin tones is also important.  Beyond that, composition, lighting, and any number of factors go into a beautiful image.

Anyway, claiming that there are a small number of things that are essential to a beautiful image makes it sound like you get your information from YouTubers who post videos with names like "Cinematic footage from (insert camera here)" with slot motion footage of plants in their own backyard - and then they tell you that the secret to lighting the human face is to use reverse key lighting (can look nice, but it's one of about 100 ways to light a human face and have it look nice), etc.

Lots of beautiful stuff was filmed on the 5D Mark II and that camera had, what is by modern standards, horrible rolling shutter and poor highlight rolloff.

[newfoundmass]

I shoot action sports (professional wrestling) with my S5II X and rolling shutter isn't an issue at all. I notice it, yeah, cause I'm a video guy, but no one watching it has ever commented on it or complained. 

[Simon Young]

1 hour ago, eatstoomuchjam said:

“I'd say that, for me, dynamic range is (often) more important than low rolling shutter.  Correct skin tones is also important.  Beyond that, composition, lighting, and any number of factors go into a beautiful image.”

Wow, this sounds extremely generic. Are you a bot? What do you mean correct skin tones? And have you ever shot positive film? Really huge dynamic range 😂

Regurgitating basic statements you’ve seen in the pseudointellectual “serious film making space” on YouTube like:“COmPoSitioN and liGhtiNg” is IMPORTANT, is absolutely void of any meaning in this discussion since I was talking about image quality from a technical point of view with regards to a particular camera, not an artistic and subjective one.

[IronFilm]

7 hours ago, Andrew Reid said:

It will be a pity if that means losing the top-LCD display.

Sad to see that it appears the new Panasonic camera won't have this 😞

Ever since I first got to experience the joy of a top LCD display (ages ago when I started using my GF's Nikon D90) I've been saddened how most cameras lack this feature 😕 

Wish this was more commonplace, and we should by now in 2025 (remember, this is a camera from 2008!) have brilliant, bright, color e-ink displays on the top of our cameras! So we can see at a glance all the vitally important camera info even if it is turned off.