Epic North Wales Photography with the Lumix S1RII

I recently took a day trip up to North Wales with one goal in mind: get out, make some images, and see what I could capture with the Lumix S1RII. It’s been a while since I felt that pure excitement for photography, and honestly, this trip reminded me why I picked up a camera in the first place.

Lumix often gets overlooked when people talk about photography. Most people immediately think of their video features, which makes sense because they have some of the most capable video cameras out there. But for photography, especially landscape and stills, the full-frame Lumix cameras like the S5 lineup and particularly the S1 lineup (including the S1RII and S1II) are hugely underrated.

Even though the S1RII is primarily a photography camera, it still has impressive video capabilities. This means it’s versatile enough for creators who occasionally shoot video, but its heart is absolutely in stills. For photographers, that combination of high resolution, colour fidelity, and flexibility is what makes it stand out.

Why the S1RII Works for Photography

One of the things that really stands out for me is ergonomics. The camera feels great in the hand. It is balanced, solid, and intuitive. Buttons and menus are all exactly where you want them, so you can focus on making images instead of fumbling around. For me, that’s one of the most important things with a camera: you need to want to pick it up, trust it, and know your way around it easily. Shooting with confidence makes a huge difference, especially on a day hopping between locations and chasing light.

Then there’s the image quality. The S1RII’s 60MP files are incredible. They capture insane detail, perfect for landscapes or anyone who likes to print their work. The colours, dynamic range, and overall image rendering make shooting a real joy. I can trust that what I see in the field will translate beautifully in post-processing.

A Day Out in North Wales

The trip itself reminded me why I love landscape photography. Wales has a way of throwing everything at you: moody clouds, shifting light, vast coastlines, and towering mountains. At the first stop, I immediately noticed how well the S1RII handled tricky light. The shadows, highlights, and subtle tones were all captured beautifully.

As I moved from location to location, I was reminded how much the right camera can free your mind. The S1RII almost disappears in your hands, it’s just a tool that helps you focus on creating. Even when the weather changed (classic Wales!), the camera’s robust build and weather sealing meant I could keep shooting, and the image stabilisation helped me get sharp handheld shots when I didn’t have time to set up a tripod.

Rediscovering the Joy of Photography

Sometimes it’s easy to feel a bit flat or stuck creatively. This trip reminded me that often the best way to reignite that spark is simply to go out and make photos. Pick a place, take your camera, and just shoot. The combination of being present in the landscape and having a camera you trust makes all the difference.

For me, the S1RII is that camera. Its handling, image quality, and flexibility allow me to focus fully on photography, without worrying about gear getting in the way. It’s a camera that inspires confidence and lets you capture the world exactly as you see it.

Final Thoughts

The Lumix S1RII is a truly capable photography camera. It’s ergonomically excellent, produces stunning files, and is flexible enough that if you need to record video, it’s ready. But at its heart, it’s made for photographers — and days like this in North Wales prove it.

If you’d like to see the S1RII in action and follow the day’s photography adventure, I’ve put together a video from the trip:
👉 Watch the video on YouTube

Sometimes all it takes to fall back in love with photography is a day out in the car, a camera in your hands, and a landscape that makes you stop and look. For me, North Wales did exactly that.