Panasonic Lumix S1 II
Announced May 13, 2025
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Panasonic Lumix S1 II is a highly capable hybrid camera that excels in video production and offers a robust, feature-rich design for professional creators. While it delivers impressive image quality, stabilization, and high-speed shooting, its high price and inconsistent autofocus performance may be limiting factors for some users.
Weighted from 23 reviewer scores
Pros
- Rugged, ergonomic, and highly customizable build
- Comprehensive and professional video feature set
- Class-leading in-body image stabilization
- High-speed sensor readout and burst performance
- Excellent image quality and dynamic range
Cons
- Inconsistent or lagging autofocus performance
- High price point relative to competitors
- Buffer limitations and slow clearing speeds
- Overheating concerns in demanding conditions
- Mediocre battery life
- Launch price $3,199 (USD)
- Sensor 24.1MP Full-Frame Partially stacked CMOS
- Video 5.9K 29.97p 4K 120p
- Stabilization In-body IS, 8 stops (CIPA)
- Burst 70 fps electronic 70 fps mechanical
What the Reviewers Say
All 23 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 8/10
Panasonic has made a capable and reliable hybrid camera that can handle many different kinds of photography and, at the same time, provides possibly one of the best video-based mirrorless cameras ever.
- DPReview 91/100
The S1II gives you the option of shooting with either maximum dynamic range, or at high speeds.
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The Lumix S1 II becomes Panasonic’s most capable all-round hybrid camera to date, and my favourite in the series too, packing a faster sensor into their best body with a feature-set that just keeps growing.
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[...] I am confident in saying that I don't think there is a more well-rounded camera available, and it has instantly skyrocketed to the top of my list of recommendations. No camera is perfect, but this is as close as you can get.
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All in all, the new camera is a full-frame “workhorse” that brings to the table lots of flexibility. What is left to be seen is how Panasonic will tackle the replacement of the S1H.
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For anyone using an older Lumix model, it really is a significant leap forward. Alongside the S1RII, it’s Panasonic’s best camera yet.
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[T]he S1 II is the most capable Lumix full-frame model to date for shooting wildlife, sports and action, whether you're shooting stills or recording video, and it's also a great all-round camera too.
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The catch is price, at $3,199 it tops Nikon’s Z6 III and the EOS R6 II, so buy it only if you plan to fully exploit every spec.
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For me, Panasonic cameras have always been the affordable option, but that mantle appears to be Nikon's now. Still, if you can stomach the cost and the somewhat function-over-form feel about the Lumix S1 II, it's a true video powerhouse.
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Panasonic's S1 II is a powerful hybrid camera, and if it wasn't so expensive, it would be a no-brainer for creators.
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The Panasonic LUMIX S1 II offers a lot for both filmmakers and photographers.
- Photo Review 9.0/10
The Panasonic Lumix DC-S1II provides a good balance between stills and video capabilities, giving professional content creators all (or almost all) the tools they need to produce high-quality content for distributing across the media landscape.
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Combined, these upgrades make the S1II not just a step up, but a practical and worthwhile investment for my style of production.
- Photography News 95/100
-3EV-2EV-1EV0EV1EV2EV3EV Verdict Panasonic has clearly delivered what today’s creatives need.
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The stand-out here is the very complete feature set, bolstered further by today’s firmware release. To be like this at launch suggests some real application of effort from the engineering team.
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At the end of the day, the Panasonic LUMIX S1 II is right up my alley as a video-first shooter. And I think if you're in that kind of situation, you're going to get a kick out of this camera.
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[B]oth Dan and I are very impressed with this camera.
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Even still, the list of advantages this camera has over the competition is gigantic and anyone looking for a hybrid video camera should at least consider the Lumix S1 II.
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I have never ever used a better camera in my entire life.
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The Panasonic S1 II features a 24.1MP partially stacked CMOS sensor and, in many ways, reminds me of the Nikon Z6 III, not only in terms of size and weight but also in its handling and final output for stills. However, the S1 II is significantly more expensive.
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I think this is an awesome camera.
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The moment I got this in my hands and I started using it for the iPhone launch at F1 this past weekend and just a number of YouTube videos, to me, this is one of the best overall hybrid camera systems that money can buy right now in 2025.
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For me, as a professional photographer, filmmaker, and YouTuber, the Panasonic LUMIX S1 II fits my workflow extremely well. It's my number one camera choice right now, and it's genuinely hard to imagine needing anything else anytime soon.
