Panasonic Lumix S1RII debuts with series-first 8K recording and ~177MP High-Res handheld mode

Panasonic touts its latest full-frame camera as the most compromise-free Lumix to date, thanks to its support for 8K recording at 30 frames per second (fps) with 14 stops of dynamic range to boot. 

The Lumix S1RII (or S1R Mark 2) has a new sensor rated for a resolution of 44.3MP, although that can be upscaled to about 177MP for optimal immersion and detail in its handheld high-resolution mode.

Panasonic also claims to have "redefined" Phase Hybrid AF for the S1RII with AI to track humans, and the improved detection of eyes and faces. The camera has in-body image stabilization (IBIS) with 8.0-stop shutter speed compensation - and also electronic image stabilization (EIS) to keep the image steady without cropping.

The S1RII also has mechanical and electronic shutter modes, which kick in in ~10fps High Speed Plus and 40fps shooting modes respectively for speed and/or precision in sports- or wildlife-type situations.

On that note, Panasonic's Open Gate makes a return in the S1RII, conferring the ability to record in a 3:2 aspect ratio at a high resolution, thereby unlocking the potential to crop to 6:19 in finer detail than usual.

Open Gate on the S1RII will be boosted to 6.4K out of the box, and is slated to upgrade to 7.2K or even 8.1K over time with firmware updates. 

The camera will also be compatible with potentially professional-friendly formats and facilities such as ProRes RAW or 5.8K Apple ProRes RAW HQ recording direct to a CFExpress type-B card; Lumix-first Capture One tethering and Frame.io support, underpinning Panasonic's drive to make the S1RII the most versatile, all-in-one machine of its line to date.

To that end, it can also do things such as using the smartphone an owner would already have on them as an external monitor for improved workflow and storyboard monitoring in the field.

The S1RII has been released to pre-order via channels such as Amazon at a recommended price of $3,299.99, and is set to ship from March 17, 2025.