Panasonic Lumix S1R II Debuts With New, Fast Reading Sensor

The Panasonic S1R II is the first update to the original high-resolution L-mount camera, the Lumix S1R from 2019. The Lumix S1R II comes with a brand-new 44MP BSI CMOS image sensor that shaves a couple of megapixels off the original’s 47MP chip, but adds a host of features, including faster readout, phase detection autofocus, and 8K video. On the outside the updated body is far smaller and lighter, all while keeping the same full-frame sensor size and L-mount mirrorless lens support.

New Sensor Makes Its Debut

The Lumix S1R II is built around a full-frame sensor, a 44MP BSI CMOS chip with a full-frame format, no optical low pass filter (OLPF), and dual native ISO. Most high-res chips omit the OLPF, an overlay that slightly blurs detail in order to avoid color moiré artifacts. High-resolution chips don’t show much moiré on their own. Dual native ISO helps to curb image noise and improve dynamic range when snapping pictures or rolling video at high ISO, and is a factor in the S1R II’s very wide sensitivity range. It has a native ISO 80 sensitivity and can range from ISO 40 all the way up to ISO 102400.

(Credit: Panasonic)

Panasonic declined to provide technical detail on sensor architecture, however, PCMag looked at the provided specs and believes the chip to be the Sony Semiconductor IMX366AJK. The specs line up point for point, and the S1R II marks the first time this particular chip has been used in a consumer camera. Sony Semiconductor provides image sensors for multiple manufacturers, and we’d not be at all surprised to see it come to other cameras in the future.

A representative from Panasonic tells us that sensor capture the highest dynamic range for stills among “any camera we’ve produced” and describes its rolling shutter to be “very similar to the Lumix S5 II.”

And it looks like a pretty good sensor overall. The wide ISO range makes it a versatile option for scenes as varied as long exposure waterfalls and sports action under gym lights, and provides a speedy enough readout rate to support 40fps continuous capture with focus and exposure for every frame with its fully electronic shutter. A mechanical focal plane shutter is included too, the 44MP chips is speedy, but apparently not fast enough to sync with off-camera flashes, so the focal plane shutter is still required.

(Credit: Panasonic)

The sensor is stabilized too, which is an expected feature for this class of camera. The 5-axis stabilizer steadies any attached lens to better support jitter-free handheld video and long exposure pictures without a tripod. The stabilization system is good enough to support multi-shot sampling too, the S1R II is able to capture several images in rapid succession, shifting the sensor slightly between each, in order to sample every color channel.

Images are stitched together in-camera for 177MP Raw and JPG output in-camera, and the multi-shot mode works with or without a tripod. Granted this is only a viable option for still life subjects, but it’s handy when you need some extra room to crop or are photographing a subject with fine, exquisite detail.

Panasonic is a tech leader for video recording in mirrorless cameras, but high pixel designs often suffer from slower readout and rolling shutter distortion. We’ll have to test the S1R II to see how it compares with cameras with even faster reading sensors like the 45MP Stacked CMOS Nikon Z 8, but since faster readout is touted as a feature of the new sensor, we hope that it solves the issue. 

The S1R II’s video specs are pretty fantastic on their own, with 8K30 at UHD or DCI aspect ratios, open gate (3:2) 6.4K30, 4K60 with sound, and 4K120 slow motion, all with 10-bit color sampling. The camera supports H.264, H.265, and ProRes 422 encoding to a CFe memory card or SSD. One caveat, ProRes maxes out at 5.8K resolution, so you’ll have to fall back to H.265 for 8K. Panasonic promises to add 8.1K and 7.2K open gate via a firmware update slated for release later this year.

(Credit: Panasonic)

It also ships with a new smartphone companion app just for video, Lumix Flow, which includes tools for scripting, storyboarding, and shot list creation. When you plug your phone into the camera’s USB-C port you can associate clips with your shot list and script. The app will add XML editing information to your memory card so you can import clips into Adobe Premiere Pro CC or Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve and already have a rough cut assembled, based off your shot list.

The S1R II also supports live streaming via a smartphone via another app, Lumix Lab, and the RTMP protocol at up to 1080p60 wirelessly or at 4K30 over USB-C. The camera also works with Capture One Pro for tethered image capture to a PC or Mac, good news for photographers who work in a studio.

Lighter Body With Dual Hinged LCD

The original S1R was a hefty camera, tipping the scales at 2.2 pounds without a lens. The S1R II cuts weight down to 1.8 pounds and uses a body that’s just a smidgen bigger than the Lumix S5 II, making it a pretty average size among full-frame peers (4.0 by 5.3 by 3.6 inches HWD). Ergonomics are improved too, the S1R II uses a dual articulating touch screen that tilts straight up or down, and can also flip out to the side and face forward. The 5.8 million dot OLED viewfinder continues from the previous generation, but comes with improved optics and a faster 120fps refresh rate.

(Credit: Panasonic)

The lighter body should prove to be more comfortable to carry in the field. Outdoor use is no problem, like most full-frame models the S1R II includes dust and splash protection, and Panasonic also says that it’s rated to work in freezing cold temperatures.

The camera uses the same battery pack as the Lumix S5 II and S9, the Panasonic BLK22. The battery is rated for up to 350 exposures per charge using CIPA’s very conservative test methodology, which puts it in the middle of the pack for battery life among versus its closest competitors. It’s about the same as the the Canon EOS R5 Mark II and Nikon Z 8 (both rated for 340 exposures), and not as good as the Sony a7R V (530 exposures).

Pricing and Availability 

The Panasonic Lumix S1R II debuts at a $3,299.99 body only price. An optional battery grip with vertical controls, the DMW-BG2, is also coming, but we don’t have its pricing at this time. The camera is expected to start shipping in late March.

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About Jim Fisher

Lead Analyst, Cameras

Images, and the devices that capture them, are my focus. I’ve covered cameras at PCMag for the past 13 years, which has given me a front row seat for the DSLR to mirrorless transition, the smartphone camera revolution, and the mainstream adoption of drones for aerial imaging. I have extensive experience with every major mirrorless and SLR system. As a Part 107 Certified drone pilot, I’m licensed to fly unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for commercial and editorial purposes, and am knowledgeable about federal rules and regulations regarding drones. You can find me on Instagram @jamespfisher.

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