ISSUE 123
42 / GEAR
TESTED: PANASONIC LUMIX S1 II
Panasonic finally finds a flagship
£2899
panasonic.com/uk
Stacked sensor technology with 70fps stills and phenomenal video capability makes the Lumix S1 II a true all-round great
design, but the difference compared to the older Lumix S5 II is huge. Readout speeds are more than twice as fast, rolling shutter artefacts are massively reduced and, vitally, you get blackout- free high-speed bursts. The S1 II can shoot photos at a blistering 70fps with the electronic shutter or 10fps mechanically. Buffer limits mean the fastest modes are best used sparingly, but even so, this is a huge jump for the Lumix line and puts it in the same conversation as Sony’s A9 III. For sports and action shooters who previously had to look elsewhere, this speedy new camera now deserves some serious consideration. It’s also curious that Panasonic doesn’t offer more mid-range burst speeds. You can shoot at 10fps or leap all the way up to 70fps, but there’s nothing in between. Future firmware updates might address this, but it’s an odd omission. For more deliberate subjects, Panasonic also offers a 96-megapixel, multi-shot, high-resolution mode. By shifting the sensor one pixel at a time and combining four frames, you can generate files with extraordinary detail. This is great for landscapes, still life and product photography. Cleverly, the camera can even detect moving areas in the scene and substitute single- frame data, to avoid ghosting. Resolution isn’t everything, and Panasonic has opted for balance. At a relatively modest 24.1 megapixels, the S1 II delivers detailed, flexible files without the penalties of massive data loads or high-ISO compromises. Dynamic range is excellent, with plenty of latitude in the Raw files, and colour rendering is rich but natural. Low-light performance is another strong suit for the S1 II. Thanks to the included dual native ISO technology, still images are clean and usable right up through ISO 6400 and beyond, while lower ISO settings reveal exceptional detail levels. Panasonic’s new Venus Engine processor does a superb job of controlling noise while keeping textures intact. JPEGs are attractive and punchy straight out of camera, with a choice of looks and the ability to load custom LUTs if you want to fine-tune. But it’s the Raws that really impress, holding
Panasonic has thrived on its reputation for video innovation
in mirrorless cameras. Its GH series Micro Four Thirds cameras were the first to show mirrorless’s capabilities for filmmaking. For many content creators, the Lumix badge became synonymous with advanced moviemaking tools. But for stills photographers, especially those looking at the brand’s full-frame series, there’s always been a sense that the cameras weren’t quite perfect. Old-school contrast detection AF, frame rates that felt a step behind and sensors that weren’t stacked made them a less compelling buy. The new Lumix S1 II changes all that. It’s the first truly convincing full-frame flagship from Panasonic – not just for filmmakers, but for photographers who want speed, image quality and reliability. With a new partially stacked sensor, vastly improved autofocus and a sweet-spot resolution of 24.1 megapixels, the S1 II finally brings stills performance up to the same high level as its class-leading video features. And it adds some other truly tasty, unique features too. New sensor brings speed At the heart of the new Lumix S1 II is Panasonic’s first partially stacked, back- side illuminated CMOS sensor. It might not carry the cachet of a fully stacked dual native ISO technology, still images are clean and usable right up through ISO 6400 and beyond Thanks to the included
SHARP SHOOTER The semi-stacked sensor produces great images with stunningly natural colours and lots of detail
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