@photonewspn | photographynews.co.uk
GEAR / 51
Specifications
Sensor 23.8x35.8mm full-frame CMOS, 24.2 megapixels, dual base ISO Stills formats HEIF, JPEG, Raw 10-bit in 1:1, 2:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9, 65:24 Video formats MOV, MP4, Long GOP, All-Intra, ProRes/ProRes Raw/HQ, ProRes Raw 5.7K 29.97fps, H.265 Long GOP 4:2:0 8-bit 6K 29.97fps, H.264 All-Intra 4:2:2 10-bit DCI 4K 29.97fps Slow motion C4K 120fps External recording Raw 6K 29.97fps, 4K 50fps Dynamic range 13+ stops Storage 1x CFexpress Type B, 1x SD/SDHC/SDXC ISO range 100-51,200; 50-204,800 extended; dual base 100/640 Shutter Mechanical and electronic, 60secs-1/8000sec Drive modes Up to 30fps Stabilisation 5-axis sensor shift Lens mount L Screen 7.6cm/3in LCD free-angle articulating touchscreen, 1.84 million dots Viewfinder OLED with 5760k dots, 120fps Connectivity HDMI Type A, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C, Lumix Lab app, Frame.io, RTMPS FHD streaming up to 60p Focusing 779-area hybrid phase detection AF Stabilisation Image sensor shift 5-axis
TESTED: PANASONIC LUMIX S1 IIE The workhorse hybrid £2399 panasonic.co.uk
leans into that, especially for creators who want pleasing skin tones straight out of camera or a dependable starting point for grading. Dynamic range claims can get fuzzy across different brands, but what matters in practice is flexibility and the cleanliness of shadows at usable ISOs. The S1 IIE supports V-Log and uses dual native ISO with base ISO pairs that change depending on profile – most notably, V-Log lists base ISOs of 640 and 4000. That’s exactly the sort of spec videographers care about, as it informs how you light scenes and where you can push exposure without the image falling apart. If you’ve followed Panasonic’s progress in the last few years, you’ll know autofocus has been the make- or-break topic. The S1 IIE uses Phase
The Lumix S1 IIE is more affordable than the S1 II but keeps the handling, colour and pro video workflow that really matter
Dimensions (wxhxd) 134.4x102.3x91.8mm Weight 712g body only
Panasonic has been building one of the most user-friendly full- frame ecosystems around with cameras that prioritise strong colour, image stabilisation, high-end video tools and sensible ergonomics over an extreme spec sheet. The Lumix S1 IIE follows this philosophy. As the more affordable version of the impressive S1 II, it is designed to deliver the workflow and handling the majority of image makers rely on while leaving the more specialist, speed-focused tricks – such as stills at 70fps – to its pricier sibling. When you pick up the S1 IIE, it is immediately clear Panasonic is aiming the product at the enthusiast and pro shooter market. The body is the same as its big brother’s: substantial, with a deep grip and a control layout that feels made for long days rather than quick unboxing videos. At 795g with battery and card, it’s on the heavy side for this class, with a chunky build. But that bulk pays dividends in stability – especially when paired with Panasonic’s great in-body stabilisation – and usability. Buttons are spaced and shaped like Panasonic expects you
Hybrid AF and more specific subject recognition modes like Urban Sports recognition. In practice, this is the kind of AF that finally makes the camera comfortable for fast work when you can’t babysit focus. The S1 IIE can shoot up to 30fps Raw files with the electronic shutter in AFC or AFS, and there is a pre-burst capture feature. The result is a lot of capability for weddings, editorial, events and even sports or wildlife
might be using gloves or wanting to work fast, and that you know what you are doing and what settings you want to change. There is also an active-cooling design baked into the architecture that contributes to the camera’s slightly larger footprint in a bag, but also helps its reliability for longer recording. The rear monitor is a tilt-and-free- angle design, which is handy for hybrid shooters who alternate between tripod framing, gimbal work and shooting stills at awkward angles. Sensor tuned for real work A 24.2-megapixel full-frame BSI CMOS sensor is at the heart of the S1 IIE. This has almost identical resolution to – but is not the same as – the newer, faster semi-stacked sensor in Panasonic’s S1 II. The E model’s sensor is based on the older one from the Lumix S5 II. This 24-megapixel resolution remains a sweet spot. It offers just enough detail for serious stills, without ballooning file sizes or compromising readout as much as higher-megapixel chips can. Panasonic’s colour science is a major part of the pitch, and the S1 IIE
PRO LEVEL The menus are comprehensive but logical, and there’s a full- size HDMI port
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