Panasonic LUMIX S1R II - 8K Video with ProRes RAW and High Dynamic Range
[15:03 Tue,25.February 2025 by Rudi Schmidts]
The LUMIX S1R II is Panasonic&s new flagship camera in its hybrid full-frame S-series. For video users, it&s particularly interesting that the S1R II can be switched between photo and video operation via an external selector switch.
Panasonic LUMIX S1R II
The housing is quite similar to its S1 predecessors and is comparably robust (13.4 x 10.2 x 9.2 cm, 795 grams with battery and SD card). The camera features a 44.3MP BSI-CMOS sensor, which enables, among other things, native 8K recording at up to 30 frames per second. This works as a 1:1 readout with "UHD" 8K (7680x4320), but not quite according to the standard 17:9 DCI aspect ratio, because the camera reduces its number of lines to 4288 for this. Panasonic calls this format 8.1K - with a resolution of 8128 x 4288 pixels. Common DCI 8K is actually 8192 x 4320 pixels.
Downscaled to 6K or 4K, the camera can then utilize almost the entire sensor width at up to 60p, and even up to 120p can be recorded in 4K. 3:2 OpenGate formats are also possible, but at launch only with a maximum horizontal resolution of 6K. A future firmware update will also enable up to 8.1K here.
A feature called "Dynamic Range Expansion" sounds particularly exciting. This limits the maximum frame rate to 30 fps and also increases rolling shutter times, but in return should be able to increase the dynamic range when filming from 13 to 14 stops.
Panasonic LUMIX S1R II
Recording is possible in a variety of formats in MOV and/or MP4 containers: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, H.265/HEVC, and Apple ProRes and ProRes RAW; however, the Apple formats are limited to 5.8K, C4K, and 3.3K. In ProRes RAW, a 1:1 readout takes place, which is correspondingly cropped. In ProRes (HQ), on the other hand, the full-frame sensor area can be used. Recording is done either internally on CFexpress Type B or SD-UHS-I/II and alternatively also on an external USB SSD. A future firmware update will also enable external RAW (up to 8K) via HDMI with Atomos and Blackmagic recorders.
The proven phase hybrid AF with real-time detection works in the S1R II with improved AI tracking and should quickly and precisely recognize human eyes and faces. The video stabilization should offer a new cropless E.I.S. correction that reduces distortions in wide-angle shots.
In addition, there are numerous professional operating elements for video production, including a tilting and swivelling monitor, two tally LEDs, false color, waveform monitor, vectorscope, knee control, frame marker, and a false color exposure aid. In the audio section, true 32-bit float recording is possible when using the separate DMW-XLR2 XLR adapter, which does not require manual microphone gain adjustment.
Panasonic LUMIX S1R II
For image control, there is a 7.6 cm (3.0˝) tilting and swivelling LCD touchscreen with 1.84 MP, as well as an OLED viewfinder with 5.76 MP (maximum 120 fps, eye sensor and diopter adjustment).
The camera body (DC-S1RM2E) is expected to be available for €3599 (RRP, incl. VAT), and a kit with the 24-105mm lens should also be available shortly for €4499.
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