Lumix S1II First Impressions: Same Body, Totally New Beast
Just as we were starting to really get to know the Lumix S1RII, Panasonic went and dropped two new cameras — the S1II, the S1IIE, and a brand new 24–60mm f/2.8 lens.
In this post, I’m focusing on the S1II, and honestly, this one’s a bit of a game changer — especially thanks to its brand new partially stacked sensor. It might look like the S1RII from the outside, but under the hood, it’s a very different camera.
So… What’s a Partially Stacked Sensor Then?
Let’s start with what makes the S1II stand out — the new 24MP partially stacked sensor. It’s Panasonic’s first, and it makes a big difference.
That new sensor brings much faster readout speeds — we’re talking 3x faster than the S1RII — which means:
Way less rolling shutter
Snappier performance all round
And seriously improved autofocus, even in high frame rates
You also get 70fps blackout-free shooting with the electronic shutter (yes, 70!), plus 10fps with the mechanical shutter if you want that classic feel. There’s even a new AF mode designed for urban sports — we tried it out with BMX riders and dancers in Lisbon and it handled really well.
Honestly, it feels like the smoothest, fastest Lumix I’ve used so far.
Same Look, Totally Different Inside
On the outside, the S1II looks almost identical to the S1RII — same solid build, same great EVF, same controls, same flippy screen. The only visual difference is the missing “R” on the badge.
Part of me does wish Panasonic had given it a slightly different vibe — something more like the FX3 just to set it apart for video shooters — but at the same time, the S1 design is tried and tested. It’s comfortable, it’s tough, and it works.
What’s really exciting though is what’s happening inside…
Video Features That Go All Out
Panasonic have packed this thing with features that feel aimed squarely at creators who want to do a bit of everything:
5.1K 60p Open Gate
4K 120p
ARRI LogC3 support
Internal ProRes recording
6K RAW output via HDMI
And a lovely new 2.4:1 aspect ratio mode for that proper cinematic widescreen look straight out of camera
There’s even direct SSD backup and recording, which is perfect if you want to offload footage quickly on the go or shoot straight to a drive.
Hybrid Shooters, Rejoice
To me, the S1II feels like Panasonic doubling down on proper hybrid shooting — not just adding video as a bonus, but making it a real priority alongside photography.
This isn’t a replacement for the S1RII — it’s more like its partner. The S1RII still rules when it comes to resolution and detail-heavy stills, but the S1II leans more into speed and versatility. It’s built for people who want one camera that can do everything well — without feeling like a compromise.
Final Thoughts
If you’re already using the S5II or S1RII, the S1II sits right in between — but with that stacked-ish sensor, it might actually be the most well-rounded of the lot.
📺 You can watch my full video with sample footage and more thoughts right here 👇
What do you reckon? Does the S1II tempt you, or are you still team S1RII? Drop a comment on the video — I’d love to hear your take.