ISSUE 122
6 / NEWS
LUMIX LATEST
Panasonic’s phase craze continues at the double
Fast Lumix zoom
The Lumix S 24-60mm f/2.8 is a compact yet fast standard lens option and costs just £899. It is designed as a small, lighter and cheaper version of the Lumix S Pro 24-70mm f/2.8. The Pro model has a wider zoom range, 11 aperture blades rather than nine of the new optic but costs twice the price. The new 24-60mm lens has a less complex build but still boasts 14 elements in 12 groups, is lighter at 544g and just 99.82mm long. When paired with select Lumix S cameras, a Hybrid Zoom function can extend focal length digitally up to 187mm. The lens is the first from Panasonic to use a
dual-function focus ring, which can be reassigned to control aperture or exposure compensation and reversed for a custom feel. It’s dust, splash and freeze resistant too. The minimum focusing distance is 19cm, with a maximum magnification of 0.3x.
Advanced autofocus comes to the new Lumix S1 II and S1 II E
burst mode using the electronic shutter – ideal for wildlife, action or sports photography. The sensor also enables rapid data readout, helping reduce rolling shutter distortion for crisp results, even with fast-moving subjects. It’s capable of 4K/120p and 5.1K 60p video, and offers up to 15 stops of dynamic range and internal Apple ProRes Raw video recording. The slightly cheaper £2399 S1 II E uses a 24.2-megapixel sensor inherited from the S5 II and delivers continuous stills shooting at up to 30fps. Its image quality benefits from the new Dynamic Range Boost mode, allowing finer tonal control in high-contrast scenes. For video, it offers 8.1K and 6K/30p open- gate recording, as well as more than 14 stops of dynamic range in V-Log.
Both L-Mount models benefit from Panasonic’s Phase Hybrid AF system, which uses deep-learning AI to enhance subject recognition. Eye, face and head tracking are refined, and there’s now subject recognition for urban sports like parkour. Both models offer in-body image stabilisation claimed to be up to eight stops. The S1 II and S1 II E feature mechanical shutters rated for up to 400,000 actuations, a high- resolution 5.76-million-dot EVF and a 1.84-million-dot tilt-and-free-angle rear monitor for flexible composition. Panasonic has also revealed free firmware updates to unlock major new features for the S1R II, including 8.1K video, Arri LogC3 video colour, focus stacking and tethered workflows.
Panasonic’s second-generation Lumix S1 mirrorless range has
grown with the addition of two models that adopt the latest phase-detection autofocus. The Lumix sit alongside the recently launched Lumix S1R II, but take a different approach by offering lower resolution for faster operation. The pricier £2899 Lumix S1 II features a 24.1-megapixel, partially stacked CMOS sensor paired with Panasonic’s latest-generation Venus Engine. Designed for speed, it enables stills capture up to 70fps in high-speed
FLASHING LIGHTS Power boost for Profoto hybrid range
Profoto’s new B20 and B30 compact flashes are the latest and improved additions to the B10 range, featuring faster performance and a powerful LED that can be used as a modelling light or for video. With the launch of the 250Ws B20 and 500Ws B30, Profoto’s battery- powered location lights feature faster
recycling and a grippy rubberised surface, with a more robust casing. For hybrid creators, the bicolour LED now offers 50% more output, and the units are compatible with Profoto’s Light Shaping System of more than 120 modifiers. The B3 is priced at £2095 and the B20 at £1739. profoto.com
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