Panasonic's S1 II is its most powerful creator camera yet
With the same body as the S1R II, the S1 II is considerably smaller and lighter than the original S1 while still offering a large grip and full complement of manual controls. It also comes with a display that both tilts and flips out, a high-resolution 5.76 million-dot electronic viewfinder, CFexpress Type B and SD UHS-II card slots and optional support for Panasonic's 32-bit float audio.
Photographers get up to 70 fps burst shooting speeds in electronic shutter mode and 10 fps with the mechanical shutter (along with 1.5s pre-burst capture). They can also take 96MP high resolution shots (with no tripod needed), along with live view composites, multiple exposures and timelapse animations. Autofocus is via Panasonic's latest AI Phase Hybrid AF with Eye/Face AF, AF tracking and detection of animals, vehicles and a new category, "urban sports" (ie breakdancing).
On paper, though, this is more of a video-oriented camera camera. You can shoot ProRes and ProRes RAW video at up to 5.8K and 3:2 "open-gate" video at 5,952 x 3,968 resolution, along with 4K at 120 fps. It supports V-Log / V-Gamut capture with dual native ISO at 640/5000 and up to 15 stops of dynamic range. In addition, you get anamorphic video modes plus external RAW HDMI recording in either ProRes or Blackmagic formats.
Panasonic boosted in-body stabilization to 8.0 stops via it's Dual I.S.2 system, while also offering the cropless IBS mode introduced on the S1R II. Optical smoothing can can be enhanced with electronic stabilization when more aggressive smoothing is required for walking or quick camera movements.
Other key features include video monitoring tools like false color and exposure review, live streaming, wired webcam supports via USB-UVC/UAC (a first for Panasonic) and support for the Lumix Flow app that lets you do things like creator storyboards and shot lists for quicker editing. And as with other recent models, the S1 II supports real time LUTs and the Lumix Lab app, letting you download creator designed film looks that can be baked in to your video or added later in post. Panasonic will also introduce ARRI LogC3 so that the S1 II, S1R II and S1 IIE can be used in conjunction with ARRI digital cinema cameras.
The Panasonic S1 II is now available for pre-order at $3,199 (body only) with shipping set to start on June 16th. That price is high next to its main competition, the Nikon Z6 III, which retails for $2,497 and is often on sale.
Panasonic does have an answer to that: the $2,499 S1 IIE that has the body and features of the S1 II but lacks the stacked sensor and high-speed photo bursts. Panasonic also introduced an interesting lens, the Lumix S 24-60mm f/2.8. It offers the features and most of the range of its $2,000 Lumix S 24-70mm f/2.8 lens but in a smaller and lighter size and at a lower $1,200 price tag. I've had the S1 II for a short time now and have been impressed so far with its speed and capabilities, so stay tuned for a full review with final firmware.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Digital Trends
6 hours ago
- Digital Trends
You Asked: Panasonic W95A vs OLED, HDMI Cables, and Soundbar Upgrades
On today's episode of You Asked: Is the Panasonic W95A for less than $400 a good deal, or should you go with a more expensive OLED TV? How do you determine which HDMI cables are best? And when is it time to upgrade your soundbar surround system? Panasonic W95A vs OLED Chuck asks: I have now watched every dang one of your videos twice, a few even more! I am sold on the Panasonic (processor, history, your raves, and the fact I have been using a Fire TV Cube for 10-15 years and I am comfortable with it). I can get a factory refurbished 55-inch W95 A mini LED for $377 or a Z85 OLED for $677 (from BuyDig ). I was aiming for 500 range but I can stretch it. This will replace a 50-inch Sony Bravia LED. I can also get a new mini-LED for around $600. Two hours of streaming per day, movies and programming. Dimly lit, but not dark room, generally watch the TV angled out on a wall mounted arm, while sitting at the kitchen table. I listen through head phones. Desires: contrast, true color, detail, brightness, in that order. My worry with the OLED is that bright scene will just look dull, and that perhaps it is outdated tech. My worry with mini-LED is that I won't see that much improvement in picture quality. Thank you for all that you do to make our choices more clear. First of all, Chuck, you win the award for painting the best picture of your setup and goals. That helps a lot, especially since there's a lot to consider here. Without seeing the exact amount of light in the room, it's hard to nail down how bright you need to go. But you mention it's dimly lit, so I think the OLED should be fine. Not to mention, you listed contrast and true color as your top priorities—and that's where OLED is going to be a clear step above a Mini-LED TV. Throwing in my two cents: the only TV I've put eyes on myself in this scenario is the W95A, and I like it a lot. With its added brightness, HDR content looks great with plenty of sparkle in the highlights, and you get considerably more brightness with SDR viewing. So truly it comes down to two things: contrast vs. brightness. As long as the Z85 OLED is bright enough, it's going to be the winner for you. But if it's not, the W95A's contrast should still satisfy you and be a step up from the 50-inch LED TV it's replacing, assuming it's just a plain LED and not Mini-LED. Personally, I'm a better-safe-than-sorry guy. If I didn't want the hassle of getting the OLED, finding it not bright enough, and then returning it, I'd go with the W95A and call it a day. But if you know you'll always wonder what could have been, go with the Z85—especially since you put such an emphasis on contrast, and OLED is as good as it gets. Mini LED vs OLED for an Upgrade @s1mplyjhe says: I'm still torn between Mini-LED and OLED for my upgrade. Currently looking at the LG C4 and G4 or the Hisense U8NQ. What do you think? I'm viewing from 10 feet away in a spacious living room. I like these options. You didn't mention a budget or your current setup, but if money isn't a big factor, go OLED—and specifically, get the LG G4. It's a phenomenal TV and one of the best we saw last year. Rich colors, all the contrast you could ask for, and the brightness of an MLA panel make it an absolute stunner. If size and price start affecting the decision, I'd still lean OLED unless there's a huge size difference. For example, if it's a 100-inch Hisense versus a 65-inch LG OLED, that might sway me. For reference, I have a 65-inch TV in my living room with an 8–10 foot viewing distance, and I love it for movies—especially with the lights off and the TV dominating the room. Between the C4 and G4, I'd go with whichever one you can get at least in 65 inches. If your budget allows a larger C4 over a smaller G4, you might even consider going bigger for a more immersive experience. 65-Inch C4 vs 55-Inch G4 @auggersc asks: Would you recommend a 65-inch LG C4 or 55-inch LG G4? Both are about the same price and I keep going back and forth on it. Straight up, my vote is 65 inches. If you put them side by side, you might see a difference between the C4 and G4, but that's not to say the LG C4 isn't a great TV. Far from it. Year after year, LG's C-series TVs are attractive because of their price-to-performance ratio. You're not breaking the bank for the absolute best OLED, but you're still getting a gorgeous picture that's plenty bright. In this case, the size will benefit you more than the step up in picture quality. HDMI Cables, Soundbar Lifespan, and Moving Large TVs John H asks: With all the generations of HDMI cables, what's the best way to distinguish them? I've been online to look for specific words on the cables—high-speed, high-speed with ethernet, super, etc.—but there has to be a better way, especially when there's no wording. Do you have any suggestions other than plugging them in one by one? Second, you guys mentioned that the TV replacement timeframe to see major differences is about five years, if I didn't misquote you. What about replacing soundbars or sound systems? I have an LG G4 with a Vizio 5.1.2 soundbar surround system. It has ARC connectivity, and after updating it to work well with the TV, I'm wondering if I should upgrade now or wait for newer advancements. And third, what's your recommendation for moving TVs bigger than 65 inches on swivel and mount stands? Specifically, with the LG G4, I grab from the top and bottom to pull it out to swivel. But when putting it back, I have to use the same spots and push from the screen side. Any advice? HDMI Cables: I'm pretty simple with this. I go with what's recommended by the devices I'm connecting. For example, my PS5 uses officially licensed PlayStation cables, and they've delivered the best performance. To be safe, look for cables labeled Premium Certified, which are licensed to pass 4K content. Monoprice offers solid, affordable options. A good rule of thumb: if it works, it works. If your cable is passing a signal properly, there's no 'better' cable that will make it perform more. So look for Premium Certified, avoid overpaying, and buy from somewhere with a good return policy in case it doesn't work. Soundbar Replacement: Since you've got your current system working smoothly, I'd say ride it out unless you're upgrading to something significantly better. Moving from wired to wireless or adding new components at a good price can make an upgrade worthwhile. But if you're happy and it's working, keep using it until something breaks or a major leap tempts you. Moving Large TVs: Honestly, you're doing fine. TVs are more durable than you think. I've seen the condition of some of the boxes that come off trucks, and issues are rare. As long as you're not really stressing the screen, you're okay. If it bothers you to put hands on the panel, use a microfiber towel for extra protection.
Tom's Guide
13 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
I'm a TV expert who's picky about performance — these are the 5 TVs I'd buy for under $500 right now
As a TV expert, I field my fair share of questions about the best TVs money can buy, but I get asked about cheap TVs from friends, family and readers more than anything else. It makes sense: Not everyone is looking for high-end performance or fancy features they might not ever use. With the summer winding down and the season of sales rapidly approaching, I thought I'd put together an up-to-the-minute, top-five list of my favorite TVs under $500. They're not peak performers, but they're much better than flimsy, bottom-of-the-barrel sets. My name is Michael, and for over ten years I've been the person everyone in my immediate circle asks for advice when the time comes to upgrade their TV. I don't mind, though, because affordable TVs are often the hardest to shop for. There's a thin line between an low-cost, reliable TV and a cheap, undependable one — and I'm quite familiar with it. The Samsung Q7F is on deck for testing, so we can't speak to its performance metrics, but I've seen this TV in person and I'm confident that it's a reliable pick for folks shopping at or below $500. The Q7F doesn't feature local dimming (or Mini-LEDs, for that matter), so if you can justify the extra $50, I still recommend the Panasonic W95A and the TCL QM6K over it due to their superior display technology. Nevertheless, the Q7F is a quantum dot-enhanced Samsung TV, which should fit the needs of someone who's especially appreciative of the Samsung aesthetic. Remember: No Samsung TV supports Dolby Vision, so adjust your expectations accordingly. The Samsung Q7F isn't as flashy as some of the other TVs on this list, but if you're a fan of Samsung software and design, it'll meet your needs for under $500. Just keep in mind that this TV doesn't support Dolby Vision, the most popular enhanced HDR format. This is by far my favorite TV on this list. The Panasonic W95A impressed me when it debuted last year at $1,299. Now that it's below $500, I think it's one of the best-kept secrets on the market. The W95A not only delivers exceptional brightness (which is critical if you get a lot of watching done during the day), it also features terrific backlight control. These two performance features put it well ahead of every other TV on this list. I should mention that the W95A is a Fire TV, meaning it leverages Amazon's Fire TV operating system for all of the built-in streaming features. Fire TV is not my favorite platform, as its UI is relatively cluttered and navigation can be sluggish at times. Still, at this price point, the W95A's sensational performance makes it easy to look past these shortcomings. Panasonic's fantastic Mini-LED TV has never been more affordable, so it's worth pouncing on this right away. You're not just getting a great sale price with the W95A, you're also getting a superb, 55-inch Mini-LED TV loaded with extra features. We dug this TV when it was over a thousand bucks, and we really dig it now that it's below $500. If you're shopping at the 55-inch size point and the Panasonic W95A doesn't suit your taste, check out the TCL QM6K, another Mini-LED TV that's currently on sale for a hair below $500. You can peruse our TCL QM6K review for a full report, but here's what I love about this TV: It's just bright enough for the average living room and it comes with Google TV baked right in. For most people shopping in this price range, Google TV is a great software suite to have in one's back pocket. It's easy to use and offers top-tier app support. If the inclusion of Fire TV scared you away from the Panasonic W95A, the 55-inch QM6K might be a better choice. The QM6K represents one of the most affordable ways to land a Mini-LED TV at the 55-inch size point. Google TV is available right out of the box, and the TV's relatively modest Mini-LED backlight keeps scenes visually appealing. It also comes with a handful of useful gaming features. Roku TVs tend to be laser-focused at the type of TV-shopper who just wants a dependable, easy-to-use smart TV, and the 65-inch Roku Plus Series is just that. Why do I love the Roku experience so much? There are three reasons: Its app support is among the best you'll find, there are minimal ads across the user interface and, as mentioned, it's incredibly easy to use. From a performance standpoint, this TV isn't as impressive as the previous two, but you are getting quantum dot-color for your troubles. The Roku Plus Series' superb software is the real selling point. The Roku Plus Series is a perfect fit for folks who just need an easy-to-use TV above all else. Thanks to Roku's excellent app support and minimal ad experience, the Plus Series is the most user-friendly TV on this list. If you passed on the aforementioned, 55-inch TCL QM6K because you're looking for a 65-inch model, why not go for the step-down QM5K? Full disclosure: We haven't tested the QM5K yet, but given its place in TCL's 2025 TV lineup and some of its specs, I'm confident that this set is worth a look. Like the QM6K, the QM5K arrives with Google TV. It also features Mini-LED backlighting (though it probably doesn't wring as much out of this feature as the higher-end QM6K). Still, it's a 65-inch TV for under $500, so it's worth checking out. The QM5K arrives with built-in Google TV features for all of your streaming needs, plus Dolby Vision support. Its handiest feature is its Mini-LED backlighting. If the 55-inch QM6K is too small, the 65-inch QM5K is a good compromise for around the same price.
Fast Company
4 days ago
- Fast Company
Panasonic announces new CEO, a former Boeing executive
TECH Kenneth William Sain will be Panasonic's president and chief executive, effective April 2026. FILE – A businessman walks past a corporate logo of Japanese electronics maker Panasonic Corp. at Panasonic Center in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 10, 2009. [Photo: Shizuo Kambayashi, File/AP Photo] BY Listen to this Article More info 0:00 / 2:13 Japanese electronics and technology company Panasonic has chosen a new chief executive after eking out a 1.2% rise in its first quarter profit. Kenneth William Sain, a former Boeing executive, will replace Yasuyuki Higuchi as Panasonic's president and chief executive in April 2026, the company said Wednesday. Sain joined Panasonic in 2019 as CEO of Panasonic Avionics. 'Ken is an exceptional leader with extensive global experience and a deep understanding of business and technology,' Higuchi said in a statement. Panasonic Holdings Corp.'s April-June profit totaled 71.46 billion yen ($483 million), up from 70.6 billion yen. Its quarterly sales declined 10.6% from last year to 1.9 trillion yen ($12.8 billion). The Osaka-based maker of home appliances, solar panels and batteries for Tesla vehicles kept its full year profit forecast unchanged at 310 billion yen ($2.1 billion), down 15% from the previous year. Panasonic said the impact from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs was not yet fully factored in. The company said it will try to minimize the effect on its operating profit with cost cuts and other measures. Consumer electronics sales were strong in Japan, Panasonic said, while they were also healthy in China, supported by subsidies. On the positive side, it said demand for AI servers and air-conditioners was expected to grow. But concerns remain about slowing demand for electric vehicles because of U.S. tariffs and the ending of tax credits. Panasonic also said it's planning to get rolling later this year its new lithium-ion battery factory in Kansas, whose start has been delayed. Panasonic said in May that it was slashing its global workforce by 10,000 people, half in Japan and half overseas, to become 'lean.' The job cuts amount to about 4% of its workforce. Yuri Kageyama is on Threads: —Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer The early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is Friday, September 5, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today. Sign up for our weekly tech digest. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Privacy Policy Explore Topics CEO japan Panasonic
