Panasonic takes on Canon with the full-frame, 45-megapixel S1R II mirrorless camera

Panasonic’s mirrorless cameras are greatest recognized for his or her video powers, however with its newest mannequin, the corporate is lastly getting critical about pictures as properly. The $3,300 full-frame Lumix S1R II will not be solely the corporate’s first digital camera able to 8K video however can hearth off 40 fps bursts of high-resolution (45 megapixel) RAW photographs. It additionally presents a extra superior autofocus system, placing it squarely into the dialog with Sony, Canon and Nikon.

I’ve had a pre-production unit for a number of days now and to this point, I’m impressed. The unique S1R was a chunky 2.24 pound monster, however the S1R II is way lighter at 1.75 kilos and significantly smaller in measurement. That makes it much less burdensome than earlier than — although nonetheless a bit larger than the Nikon Z8 and Canon R5 II. It additionally has one of many fattest grips I’ve ever seen that gave me a agency, safe maintain on the digital camera.

Panasonic made different substantial adjustments to the physique, eradicating the highest show and shifting the mode dial from prime left to prime proper. Within the latter’s place a devoted burst mode dial and picture/video/S&Q change was launched, whereas a brand new autofocus dial was positioned on the again. Dealing with is now close to the highest amongst high-end full-frame cameras in my e book, matching and even beating my favourite, the Sony A1 II.

The rear 1.8-million-dot show was additionally overhauled and never solely flips out for content material creators but additionally tilts up and down for photographers — placing it on par with the wonderful display on Sony’s A1 II. The digital viewfinder has the identical 5.76-million-dot decision and 120Hz refresh price as earlier than, however now presents a extra pure one hundred pc magnification.

The S1R II helps each SD UHS II and quick CFexpress Kind B playing cards (relatively than XQD as earlier than) with a slot for every, whereas additionally permitting SSD recording through the USB-C port just like the S5 IIX and GH7. Different inputs embrace mic, headphone and a full-size HDMI slot, together with a 10Gbps USB-C port. The battery is similar because the one on the GH7 and G9 III however delivers simply 350 photographs max on a cost, until you purchase the optionally available DMW-BLK22 battery grip. The S1R II may even supply full-float 32-bit audio recording, however solely with the optionally available DMW-XLR2 audio accent.

Capturing efficiency is dramatically higher with as much as 40 fps (RAW 12-bit) burst speeds with steady autofocus enabled, in comparison with a relatively pitiful 6 fps on the earlier mannequin. It might probably additionally hit 10 fps speeds in mechanical mode or 9 fps with 14-bit RAW output. That matches the lower-resolution Canon R1 (although that mannequin does it in 14-bit RAW mode) and is just beneath Sony’s A9 III that may hit a mind-boggling 120 fps burst speeds in RAW mode.

Panasonic additionally overhauled the phase-detect autofocus system so as to add extra velocity and AI smarts. It might probably now lock onto a topic’s face and eyes faster and comply with their actions extra easily, but additionally detect and mechanically change between people, animals, vehicles, bikes, bikes, trains and airplanes. From my observations to this point, it’s not fairly as much as the velocity and fluidity of Sony and Canon’s newest fashions, however Panasonic is almost there.

With regards to picture high quality, JPEG photographs look pure with sensible colours, although I wasn’t in a position to open RAW information on this pre-production digital camera. One huge enchancment is at excessive ISOs in low gentle due to the twin ISO sensor that retains noise below management all the best way as much as about ISO 12800.

On the video aspect, the S1R II now helps inside ProRes RAW and 8K video seize, however not each on the similar time. ProRes RAW captured to CFexpress or USB-C is proscribed to five.8K however makes use of the total width of the sensor, so it’s an excellent resolution for 4K productions. As with different Panasonic cameras, the S1R II may shoot 6.4K open gate utilizing your complete sensor. 8K, in the meantime, can solely be captured in 4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP MP4 codecs at 30 fps (4K tops out at 120 fps in Sluggish & Fast mode).

That compares to 60 fps max on the Canon EOS R5 II and Nikon Z8, and each of these cameras can do this format in RAW. Sony’s A1 II, in contrast, may do 8K 30 fps video however doesn’t help RAW recording in any respect. And naturally, the S1R II helps 10-bit V-Log recording and guarantees as much as 14 stops of dynamic vary, barely lower than the S1R. It’s going to additionally permit for exterior ProRes RAW recording at as much as 8K to Atomos recorders through a firmware replace coming after the preliminary launch.

Panasonic’s up to date stabilization system guarantees as much as 8 stops of shake discount, however there are just a few vital updates. It reduces edge distortion for video with out cropping, although there’s a small quantity of vignetting in the event you do this. As earlier than, it helps e-stabilization at common and excessive strengths, and now presents the high-strength mode for anamorphic lenses.

That raises the problem of rolling shutter, because the S1R II doesn’t use a stacked sensor like its essential opponents, the Nikon Z8 and Canon R5 II. Distortion is certainly extra outstanding than on these fashions, however readout speeds are comparatively fast so it’s not offensive besides when doing whip pans or filming very fast paced topics.

At $3,300, the S1R II is priced properly beneath the $4,300 Canon R5 II however practically on par with the Nikon Z8, which might at the moment be discovered at $3,400. It’s now on pre-order at B&H Photo and elsewhere, with delivery set to begin on the finish of March 2025.