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S1II/e/S1RII launch event feedback & wishes for 2025

dirk

dirk

LMF-Founder
Administrator
Yesterday was a great day for the L-Mount alliance. Panasonic introduced 3 new bodies and together with the other Lumix and Leica/Sigma bodies we have a lot of choice in all different kind of price levels.

I am focusing atm on the new and old Lumix line up.

Here the most important information:

Lumix S1IIe

2.800€. Improved version of the S5IIx. Same 24MP sensor (BSI?), but the rest better (body, AF, speed, processor, EVF, tilting screen etc.). More expensive than launch price of S5IIx to be able to offer both at different price levels. Ability to copy SD/CF card directly to SSD in future FW. User shall decide depending on budget and required tech.

Lumix S1II

3.500€. New 24 MP half-stacked BSI sensor. Improved version of S1H and merger with S1. All features are better than with S1H and it is 800 USD cheaper than the S1H at launch. Same body as S1IIe and S1RII. optimized for video, best rolling shutter of all 3. Highspeed 10/70fps (m/e). Biggest buffer of all 3 (ca. 180 images), but officially not yet a sports camera (why not?). Ability to copy SD/CF card directly to SSD in future FW.

Lumix S1RII

3.600€. New BSI (non stacked) 44MP sensor. Replaces the S1R. In almost all features better than S1R and with some on par (i.e. EVF). AF etc. same as with S1II and S1IIe. Image quality for photography better than S1R and S1II. Not just resolution, also colours etc. Highspeed 10/40fps (m/e). Because of sensor and MP, rolling shutter risk with video and electronic shutter. Smaller buffer than S1II ("only" 70 images). Ability to copy SD/CF card directly to SSD in future FW.

The following 4 (old) bodies stay in the product line. Products now on all price levels for different target groups

S9 (no EVF, street price 1.200€)
S5 (street price 999€),
S5II (street price 1.700€)
S5IIx (street price 2.000€)



And here the feature comparison from Josh's youtube review:

comparison_table_josh.jpg


What is your feedback to the products announced yesterday and the Lumix lineup in genaral? What do you like most (please your individual ranking) and what are you missing the most (again with your ranking)?
 
I am happy with the new line up and features in general.

The biggest positive surprise for me was the announcement about a future FW update, to be able to copy all images from the SD/CF card directly to a SSD card without a PC. That is a big advantage for me. You can make backups during vacation without taking a laptop with you. That is really a huge added value for me.

The biggest negative for me is clearly the missing pixel binning option, which we have in Leica cameras. I do not know whether this is only a FW thing or whether Leica does not allow Panasonic to use it. But this is clearly the biggest negaive and at the same time on the very top of my wish list

I do not have yet another really negative point yet. I have to use my S1RII longer to make up my mind. It could be the buffer/writing speed on the S1RII. But atm I do not see this as an issue, since I use only the mechanical shutter with 10fps maximum. Same for rolling shutter. That does not happen with a mechanical shutter :)

But I find the price gap between S5 (street price 999€) and S5II (street price 1.700€) too big. Maybe we'll get a surprise after all? Something for around 1.400€ with EVF? Maybe a rangefinder style body? ok, now I am dreaming... Z02 Feedtroll
 
I’m a happy S5iiX owner who isn’t interested in buying a new camera anytime soon, but I think the new LUMIX cameras look to be excellent values. I’ll recommend them to others.

My biggest wish is for Panasonic to add Blackmagic RAW recording capability for internal media & external SSD. (I’m aware it can be done using an external Blackmagic Video Assist.) As a firmware update for models S5iiX and newer, and maybe the S5II. It would be OK with me if the firmware doesn’t have room for both ProRes & BRAW; I’d update the firmware to use whichever a project requires (I’d use BRAW most often for compatibility with Davinci Resolve).
 
PJD said:
I’m a happy S5iiX owner who isn’t interested in buying a new camera anytime soon, but I think the new LUMIX cameras look to be excellent values. I’ll recommend them to others.

My biggest wish is for Panasonic to add Blackmagic RAW recording capability for internal media & external SSD. (I’m aware it can be done using an external Blackmagic Video Assist.) As a firmware update for models S5iiX and newer, and maybe the S5II. It would be OK with me if the firmware doesn’t have room for both ProRes & BRAW; I’d update the firmware to use whichever a project requires (I’d use BRAW most often for compatibility with Davinci Resolve).
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100% agree
 
I feel Pana has got a well-rounded lineup at the moment that's offering plenty of options for everyone. From my point of view, I feel that I could pick up literally any Pana camera from this year and be happy with it. They remain the most innovative manufacturer and while I wish they'd promote the photo stuff they do more, I really can't complain at the moment. Having used the S5II since launch I did have moments where I was wishing for higher rez slow-mo or less crop in some video modes and with the S1RII I got all that + IQ and resolution on par with the S1R for stills but with a faster sensor. AF has also improved again so basically all reasons that existed that made me look left or right at other cameras are gone for the moment.

My GAS demon now demands a S9-II, or S8, or whatever, that is as small as the S9 but with a mechanical shutter so I can use it for casual outdoor shooting at events. I'd also love some fast and compact primes that would pair nicely. And I also wouldn't say no to new S Pro lenses from Panasonic.
 
dirk said:
What is your feedback to the products announced yesterday and the Lumix lineup in genaral? What do you like most (please your individual ranking) and what are you missing the most (again with your ranking)?
Click to expand...
I am really pleased to see Panasonic releasing new cameras. Releasing three new models this year for L-mount is phenomenal and I think they have done a great job in targeting different segments of the market.

At this stage I am not planning to upgrade from my S5II to any of the new models. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have any one of them but the S5II does all that I need, in fact a lot more than I need. The features on the new cameras that tempt me are the tilting/flippy LCD screen and the higher-res EVF. These are only "nice-to-haves", not essentials. I don't need any of the new video features, a faster sensor or a higher-res sensor.

I was also pleased to see the new 24-60mm lens but again, it's not something I need. I like smaller and lighter lenses but I need longer reach, and my 24-105mm suits me perfectly.
 
Here is a very good review about the Lumix S1II with great focus on the photography side, AF performance and AF settings for baseball, rolling shutter at 70fps and burst shooting buffer etc.

 
Pats S5 classic lovingly :) One thing I am a bit envious of, is that lovely big, bright EVF on the S1 series. If I'm in a hurry to take a shot and don't get my eye directly centered over the EVF, I tend to end up with offset framing, and cutting off edges at times. But it's not worth the S5 II E $4100 upgrade price to me, for exactly the same image quality. One expensive EVF :)
Hope they sell squillions of them though
 
Holy cr@p -I know it's launch pricing, but there's a sale on here at the moment on the S1RII, for only $800 more :oops::oops::oops:
 
I pre-ordered the S5II, was very happy with it when it arrived but remember feeling quite annoyed at how quickly offers and deals were available. Always seems like a kick in the teeth to early adopters and brand followers. I think it's about to happen again, early signs in the UK too.


Screenshot 2025-05-23 at 09.29.42.png
 
In fairness that offer could be more about moving the 24-70 S Pro, it's been around a while, is due an update and of course there is now the announced 24-60.
 
I think promotions is the name of the game in the whole photo industry. Look at how cheap a Nikon Ziii is now. Actually this is in every industry the same. Look at cars etc.

But it takes time and if you want to use the camera now and not in 1 year, you have to bite the bullet.

I normally buy second hand only. But I needed the S1RII now, not in 6 months.

Interestingly there are no bundles with the 24-60/2.8 available in Germany. No matter at which price.
 
dirk said:
I think promotions is the name of the game in the whole photo industry. Look at how cheap a Nikon Ziii is now. Actually this is in every industry the same. Look at cars etc.

But it takes time and if you want to use the camera now and not in 1 year, you have to bite the bullet.

I normally buy second hand only. But I needed the S1RII now, not in 6 months.

Interestingly there are no bundles with the 24-60/2.8 available in Germany. No matter at which price.
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You needed it, or wanted it right now? Big difference between the two.
Here in Australia, previously Panasonic has had launch or release price discounts or bonus offers. I bought my GX8 for a ridiculous price brand new local stock, with a bonus lens. It cost me just over $700 Au, and that included keeping the bonus lens.
My G9 was a similar story. Got a pretty decent lump sum cashback, even at release. I can't even remember what that was, I've long since forgotten as the camera has given me that much enjoyment I don't care. Bought a couple of G100 bodies brand new, for ridiculous money. Like just under $500 Au each. I was happy shooting what I had, but a brand new, local stock S5 kit popped up in one of my feeds, I bought it.
Let's not kid ourselves here. Need played no part in any of it. They're all just toys. Very very enjoyable toys which have given me a great deal of pleasure.
But I'm not going to try and fool myself that I "needed" them in any way, shape or form to try and justify the expense of blowing the cash on them. I just enjoy using the $h!t out of them, that's all the justification I need.
 
In this case it was a "need" for me. The summer field hockey season for <18 started already and I needed a better solution than last year. I can not wait until the summer season is over. If they play during winter in a hall, this is a different "game" (size of field, lighting, space etc.) with different needs.
 
Markuswelder said:
You needed it, or wanted it right now? Big difference between the two.
Here in Australia, previously Panasonic has had launch or release price discounts or bonus offers. I bought my GX8 for a ridiculous price brand new local stock, with a bonus lens. It cost me just over $700 Au, and that included keeping the bonus lens.
My G9 was a similar story. Got a pretty decent lump sum cashback, even at release. I can't even remember what that was, I've long since forgotten as the camera has given me that much enjoyment I don't care. Bought a couple of G100 bodies brand new, for ridiculous money. Like just under $500 Au each. I was happy shooting what I had, but a brand new, local stock S5 kit popped up in one of my feeds, I bought it.
Let's not kid ourselves here. Need played no part in any of it. They're all just toys. Very very enjoyable toys which have given me a great deal of pleasure.
But I'm not going to try and fool myself that I "needed" them in any way, shape or form to try and justify the expense of blowing the cash on them. I just enjoy using the $h!t out of them, that's all the justification I need.
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Quoted because we can't edit the original.

Anyway, what I forgot to say, was that Panasonic seems to be changing their strategy a bit. High initial pricing to catch the early adopters, but not for long it would appear. The S1R2 II would only be a couple of months old now? Or could just be EOFY sales. Who knows?
Be interesting to see where it goes from here (pricing)
 
dirk said:
In this case it was a "need" for me. The summer field hockey season for <18 started already and I needed a better solution than last year. I can not wait until the summer season is over. If they play during winter in a hall, this is a different "game" (size of field, lighting, space etc.) with different needs.
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Needed or wanted?
 
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