Verdict

The Lumix S1R II takes the core design and feature-set of the S5 IIx, boosts the resolution of photos and video, upgrades the viewfinder detail and screen flexibility, enhances the subject detection, improves the controls and sprinkles-in some nice new features to become their most powerful hybrid camera to date. Some will be disappointed Panasonic chose not to go with a stacked sensor nor the highest possible resolution, and it’s true there is visible skewing if you throw the camera around while using the electronic shutter or when filming video.

But these in turn have allowed a lower price point while avoiding stepping on the toes of L-mount partner Leica in pure resolution. And lest we forget, unstacked sensors generally perform better in terms of noise and dynamic range, so it’s important you weigh-up which sensor technology best meets your needs.

I was certainly pleased with the photo quality and the chance to generate higher resolution files with the pixel-shifting mode. And while video frame rates incur crops as the frame rates increase, it’s still pretty mild at 1.1x for 60p and 1.17x at 120p. And in terms of genuinely new innovation, the cropless stabilisation is so cunning you could pin a tail on it and call it a fox. If you don’t need the speed of a stacked sensor or single frames measuring over 44 Megapixels, there’s little the S1R II can’t do nor any major features it’s missing.

In terms of competition, there’s a bunch of previously more expensive cameras that have now been discounted to cost only a little more than the S1R II’s initial launch price. Canon’s original EOS R5 appears closest in sensor specs, but the S1R II has active cooling, a more flexible screen, open gate video and over-sampled 4k 60, not to mention access to third party lenses. Sony’s A7S III and A7R V, along with Nikon’s Z-8 are also worth weighing-up, albeit each with quite different overall feature sets. Perhaps the biggest competition will be a future A75 and R6 III, but who knows what specs they’ll have.

So right now, there’s actually little to directly compete against the S1R II, and if you’re already invested in L-mount, it’s positioned nicely between the bargain S5 II and the Leica SL3. It could also represent a nice upgrade from a lower-end or ageing model.

Check prices on the Panasonic Lumix S1R II at B&H, Adorama, WEX UK or Calumet.de. Alternatively get yourself a copy of my In Camera book, an official Cameralabs T-shirt or mug, or treat me to a coffee! Thanks!