- The S1 II is the first light camera with a partially stacked sensor
- Its design is identical to that of the price more expensive Lumix S1R II
- It was announced alongside Lumix S1 iie and the new lens 24 to 60 mm F2.8
Panasonic has unveiled a trio of new products, titled by the camera without mirror with Lumix S1 II frame, a video center which offers a series of upgrades on the Lumix S5 II / Lumix S5 Iix, which we currently assess as the best video camera for most people.
The chief among these upgrades is a partially stacked sensor of 24.1 MP – this is the first of its kind for Lumix, but probably the same sensor chip as that found in the Nikon Z6 III, and should offer the fastest performance for any Lumix camera to date.
The result includes 4K and 6K video recording up to 60 frames per second in the complete sensor area (Open Gate), a new 5.1K option, internal pro-recording RAW, a dynamic beach boost mode, plus 70 ball images with the option for 1.5 seconds of pre-cap.
Panasonic also says that the autofocus speed of Lumix S1 II is 1.6x faster than the Lumix S5 II, and it launches a mode of urban sports autofocus, which should recognize the tastes of Parkour football and freestyle – I will start to warm up now.
Regarding the design, Panasonic used the Lumix S1R II body, which means that the Lumix S1 II has an EVF of 5.76 m-beginners, a 1.84m-folding angle touch screen and a durable body with a generous handle-it is probably the best Lumix design to date for prosumators.
The Lumix S1 II body is yours for $ 2,899 / £ 2,899 – it is a cheaper fraction than the Lumix S1 R II, but more expensive than the Nikon Z6 III – and it should be available from June.
The support distribution presents the Lumix S1 iie cheaper-which once again has Lumix S1r II skin, but inside is the 24MP regular sensor as in the Lumix S5 II-plus an objective F2.8 Lem-Mount Le-Mount 24-60 mm.
The Lumix S1 IIe body costs $ 2,499 / £ 2,399, while the lens is £ 899 in the United Kingdom. We have not yet seen the price of Australia for all of the above, as well as the American prices for the objective.
Did Lumix become expensive?
The range of complete Panasonic cameras has become a little more crowded with the launch of S1 II and S1 iie – and more expensive.
There is a natural separation between the new cameras and the Lumix S1R II with its high -resolution 47MP sensor, despite an identical design, while the Lumix Compact S9 is a completely different proposal.
The Lumix S1 II series are two other 24 MP cameras which make the S5 series a little redundant, even if the latter is now a more profitable option.
That said, although there is enough to priced the S1 II with its partially stacked sensor, the “E” variant mainly packs S5 II Tech in a body S1R II, and it costs a more equitable blow. I find it difficult to see a case for that.
The new goal of 24 to 60 mm F2.8, on the other hand, looks like an intelligent addition to L-MOUNT, balancing superbly with the latest full cameras Lumix, as I discovered during a practical session before launch. It is also much cheaper than the 24-70 mm F2.8 pro.
I have a lot of experience with the Lumix S5 II cameras – these are very functional video hybrids. The Lumix S1 II takes things and will probably join our list of the best video cameras.
However, the increase in prices this time feels unusually abrupt for Lumix, a brand that I historically consider as a budgetary choice, in particular compared to Sony and Canon. This budgetary coat may well be claimed by Nikon now – his Nikon Z6 III feels quite similar to the Lumix S1 II, and is cheaper, and should give a filmmakers who are concerned about costs.
I am currently testing the Lumix S1 II, and there is no doubt that it is a powerful camera without a hybrid mirror with a complete suite of video recording modes, image stabilization in the body of the 8ev Top-Drawer, which has just received an update. I will soon share more reflections from my real tests.
