When Panasonic’s hybrid camera, the S1, was launched in 2018, it surprised many. Although it can do most things accurately, numerous reviewers noted it still needed a transformation. After all these years, it seems Panasonic has finally heard their requests, as well as those of the customers. Why, you may ask? Because Panasonic is working towards just that. According to a new report, a Panasonic spokesperson was interviewed at the Shanghai P&I 2024 show, and they shared insights into what the company has in store for its highly anticipated Panasonic S1 II.
According to L Rumors, who saw the news on Asobinet, Panasonic highlighted some of the reasons behind the delay of the new camera. Before we get into the specs, let us remind you of the issue with the Panasonic S1. In our review by Editor Chris Gampat, the author notes that the camera’s bulky size has been a bummer. “My hands even have a bit of difficulty reaching around it fully and holding the camera. To clarify that statement, I held the camera for shooting, not just to hold it. It’s comfortable, but I believe those with larger paws will feel more at home with this camera,” he expressed. Other than that, he also added that the “autofocus isn’t nearly that of a modern camera,” however, with a firmware update, “that’s changed a lot.” As for low light AF, he also commented that its “outdone by pretty much every other brand.” The camera may be nice, but it was not exactly the best of the best.
Panasonic S1’s Successor’s Updates
According to the report, Panasonic S1’s successor is being designed to cater to the growing video needs of today’s users –which is fascinating because they also have the S1H. The company aims to develop 8K recording at 60fps minimum, but they did say they may use 30fps as a “compromise.” The manufacturers are hoping to give users 120fps, too, ideally, but that may not be possible to design so soon. Moreover, the report also adds that Panasonic and Arri will work together in the future, thanks to the incorporation of Arri LogC3 on the GH7.
Another aspect of the re-design is the lenses. The company wants these lenses to “match the body”; however, there is no clear indication of what that may mean. It was also said that the initial Panasonic S1 series featured a “large” build and lenses to fit the body. However, with the release of the Panasonic LUMIX S5, the company prioritized smaller and medium-sized lenses, resulting in a significantly lighter body.
Although the company doesn’t say much about the Panasonic S1’s successor’s body size, it remains to be seen what they will do. If it matches the dimensions of the S5, perhaps users would finally be happy. The same goes for AF, which, as we noted earlier, wasn’t the best among the competitors. At the same time, the price point has been a problem, too. S1 was $2,497.99 at the time of its release, which would make anyone think twice before the purchase. The Sony a7 and a9 line-up provide users the best of both worlds. If Panasonic wants to win the audience back, they must produce something that can live up to Sony’s expectations. The Panasonic S1 II, thus, has to be a worthy successor not just technically but also in terms of being a more affordable option.
The S1R Needs Some Love, Too
While the company is thinking of the S1, we couldn’t help but wonder about a more still-based entry from the company: the S1R. Two years after the S1, Panasonic released a pure photography-based device that could compete with Sony. However, like the other model, the S1R was the “antithesis of what mirrorless cameras are supposed to be,” as our Editor remarked. The camera features a 47.3-megapixel Full Frame 4K UHD sensor, but that can’t justify its design, akin to Canon 7D. With the lens on, the S1R looks much more bulkier. Another issue was the AF. “In good lighting the Panasonic S1R performed very well. But when the light starts to get dim, it’s going to suffer,” Gampat wrote in his review.
If the Panasonic S1 comes with upgrades, then the S1R also deserves the same love. The latter was the first of its generation, and as Gampat expressed, it’s “a very good step into the current generation of cameras on the market.” While good image quality is essential for photographers, so is its weight, ergonomics, and dimensions. The DSLR generation anyway gave many of us bad back aches, but with mirrorless, that is now a thing of the past. We hope that Panasonic listens to its customers and focuses on developing a generation of truly exceptional cameras. Additionally, Panasonic cameras have a competitive advantage with the L-mount alliance, especially considering the range of lenses available from Leica and Sigma. Only time will tell, but we are optimistic that Panasonic will take the necessary steps in the right direction.