Panasonic S1 II vs S1 II E

Six years have passed since the original S1; Panasonic is now making a strong return to the full-frame scene with the S1 II, which ticks all the right boxes. The sensor still offers 24.1 MP, but the new semi-stacked design speeds up readout, tames rolling shutter, and pushes burst shooting to 70 fps. The electronic shutter now reaches 1/16,000 s, freezing even the fastest action without the need for an ND filter, while the body weighs in at 717 g with battery included. The revamped DMW-BLK22 battery lasts a bit longer than its predecessor.

The slim-down hasn’t compromised the essentials. The 5.76 MP OLED viewfinder remains a joy to use, now paired with a 3-inch fully articulating screen (1.84 MP) that makes low-angle and vertical shooting much easier. As for controls, Panasonic stays true to its philosophy: dual SD UHS-II + CFexpress B card slots, a USB-C charger in the box, and a weather-sealed body ready to face the elements. The ISO range of 100–51,200 (expandable to 50–204,800) remains untouched—no need to fix what isn’t broken.

Where the S1 II truly stands out is in video. With the full sensor active, it records open-gate 6K 30 fps in 3:2 with internal 10-bit recording, all stabilized on 5 axes and paired with floating 32-bit audio. Add to that a 1.5 s pre-burst mode, a 96 MP handheld pixel-shift mode, and direct SSD recording—this hybrid can just as easily shoot a football match as a short film. The only catch: performance comes at a price.

The Panasonic Lumix S1 II E is a full-frame hybrid camera designed to meet the needs of photographers and videographers alike. Inheriting many qualities from the S1 II, it boasts a robust, weather-sealed construction; 5-axis stabilisation offering up to 8 stops; a 5.76-megapixel OLED viewfinder; a tilting screen; and dual slots for UHS-II SD and CFexpress cards. The 24.2 MP full-frame sensor, coupled with the Venus Engine, ensures beautiful colour reproduction and excellent ISO performance, with settings usable up to 12,800. The high-resolution handheld mode enables you to capture 96 MP images, and the burst rate can reach 30 fps with AF/AE tracking.

The main difference between the S1 II and the S1 II E lies in the sensor. The lack of a stacked version slightly limits burst performance (30 fps instead of 70 fps) and removes Dynamic Range Boost. However, the dynamic range remains impressive at over 14 stops. In video mode, the S1 II E offers up to 6K resolution in Open Gate at 30p and introduces a 2.4:1 CinemaScope format at 60p without cropping. Although it doesn't reach the 4K 120p of the higher-end model, it compensates with internal recording in Apple ProRes RAW and an 'urban sports' autofocus mode designed to track fast-moving subjects.

This model hits the mark, combining the efficiency of the S5 II with refinements borrowed from more advanced cameras. Compact yet ambitious, it offers unbeatable value for money as an entry point into the world of high-end hybrids for those who want a complete work tool that is stripped of excess yet doesn't compromise on the essentials.