TechRadar Verdict
Panasonic has rung the changes on this second edition of its full-frame flagship.
The Lumix S1R II improves upon the original S1R in every key area, battery life excepted.
The S1R II isn’t perfect.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
It also requires that you own a pricy CFexpress punch in B card to use some of its features.
The Panasonic Lumix S1R II feels like a big leap over its predecessor and just a brilliantly flexible all-rounder.
Inflation hasn’t had too much of an effect here.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
Panasonic is also launching a battery grip accessory, the DMW-BG2, alongside the camera.
This will be available from March 2025 also, priced at $349 / 299.
Its so much easier to live with, weighing only 795g including a battery and SD card.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
Thats over 200g lighter than the S1R, despite retaining its premium metal body and weather sealing.
The S1R IIs classic DSLR-style shape is a joy to handle.
The fixed rings used here feel a little cheap for a flagship camera.
The on-screen UI, meanwhile, will be immediately familiar to anyone who has used a recent Lumix camera.
Finally, there are front and rear tally lamps to indicate when recording is active.
It can also identify and automatically track a variety of subjects, from humans to animals to motorcycles.
Ive tested it with humans and cats and it’s never been less than effective and dependable.
The on-board image stabilization is Panasonics Dual I.S.
2 variety, combining sensor-shifting in-body and lens-based stabilization with user-configurable electronic stabilization tailored to specific shooting scenarios.
Shooting speed has likewise been given a boost.
Worth noting if you’re somebody who needs to record long uninterrupted videos.
I shot both in JPEG and RAW, processing the latter inAdobeLightroom.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
Panasonic claims videos can exhibit up to 14 stops of dynamic range too.
I was very impressed by the camera’s video capabilities.
4.5/5
Design
A serious camera for serious creatives who value function over style.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
5/5
Performance
Incredible image stabilization, middling battery life and burst shooting speed.
If detailed video is important to you, the S1R II delivers.
Its a genuine hybrid camera that can handle all sorts of situations.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
If youre just starting out on your mirrorless camera journey, pick something simpler and cheaper.
If it’s crucial that you record uninterrupted, this isn’t the camera for you.
On paper, the two full-frame cameras share many similarities; 45MP (approx) stills and 8K video.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
The truth is though, both are very capable hybrids.
You pay twice the price for twice the detail.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
