Panasonic’s long-awaited S1 II has finally arrived after six years, and it brings plenty to the table. Geared toward content creators, it offers up to 5.8K ProRes RAW internal video recording—a serious upgrade. It also happens to be Panasonic’s fastest full-frame camera yet, boasting 70 fps burst shooting and reduced rolling shutter, thanks to a newly designed partially stacked 24-megapixel sensor. Most notably, the addition of an AI-driven hybrid phase detect autofocus system addresses a key weakness of the original S1.
However, there’s one surprising drawback: the price. At $3,200, the S1 II closely mirrors Nikon’s Z6 III in specs—right down to its sensor tech and internal RAW video—but comes in at $700 more. Nikon’s model is not only more affordable, but also frequently goes on sale. This is unusual for Panasonic, a brand that typically prices below the competition. After spending a month testing it, I’d say the S1 II’s value really hinges on what features matter most to you.
Panasonic S1 II Review: A Top-Tier Creator Camera with a Price to Match
The Panasonic S1 II stands out as the brand’s most powerful camera for content creators, offering 6K RAW video, superior stabilization, and professional-grade features. However, its high price tag puts it above many of its rivals.
Pros
- Rapid burst shooting
- Exceptional handling
- Stunning video quality
- Industry-leading image stabilization
- Advanced video-centric tools
Cons
- Short battery life
- Premium price point
- Priced around $3,200
Design & Handling
The S1 II shares its refined design with the high-resolution S1R II and the more budget-friendly S1 IIe. It’s a notable improvement over the original S1—lighter at 1.76 pounds and more compact overall, making it easier to carry and use for extended periods. The deep, textured grip provides secure handling, although it’s a bit more angular and firm compared to Canon’s EOS R6 II, which may affect comfort during long shoots.
Panasonic gets high marks for its intuitive control layout. Every key button and dial is within easy reach, including a responsive joystick, customizable control dials, a dedicated switch for toggling between photo, video, and S&Q modes (each with independent settings), and a specific AF switch. There are two record buttons for video, 10 programmable buttons, and a tally light to indicate recording status.
Navigating menus is a breeze, thanks to color-coded tabs, a responsive quick menu, and touchscreen or joystick access. Personalization is simple, with customizable controls that can be saved to a memory card for backup or transfer.
Display & Viewfinder
The electronic viewfinder delivers a crisp, detailed experience with 5.76 million dots and 0.78x magnification, on par with Nikon’s Z6 III. The rear display offers added flexibility by swiveling and tilting, allowing for high and low-angle shots with ease—something Nikon’s screen lacks.
Battery Life
Battery performance is one of the S1 II’s weak spots. Expect around 360 shots per charge, or 320 when using the EVF. While this matches Nikon’s Z6 III, Canon’s EOS R6 II easily outlasts both with up to 760 shots. Even the non-stacked S1 II offers slightly better endurance at 380 shots.
To enable RAW video capture, the Panasonic S1 II features a CFexpress Type B card slot alongside a slower SDXC UHS-II slot. Like the S5 IIx, GH7, and some Fujifilm models, it also supports high-bandwidth RAW recording directly to an external SSD via its USB-C port.
The camera includes a full-sized HDMI port that works with Blackmagic and ProRes RAW capture, plus dedicated microphone and headphone jacks. For pro-level sound, you can record 32-bit float audio using the optional XLR2 adapter, helping prevent audio clipping. Additionally, the S1 II incorporates a carbon fiber sensor curtain—similar to recent Canon and Sony cameras—that drops down to shield the sensor when the camera is powered off.
Performance
In mechanical shutter mode, the S1 II shoots at a modest 10 fps, but switches to an impressive 70 fps in RAW with the electronic shutter. Worried about image distortion? No need. Thanks to its partially-stacked sensor, the S1 II achieves a readout speed of around 12 milliseconds, which keeps rolling shutter effects to a minimum—even in fast action shots like sports or wildlife.
The camera also offers a pre-burst capture mode, which begins shooting as soon as you half-press the shutter button. This feature saves up to 1.5 seconds of images prior to the actual shutter release, letting you catch moments you might have otherwise missed. However, the buffer fills quickly, limiting continuous shooting at 70 fps to around three seconds or 220 shots.
Autofocus performance has seen a major leap forward. The hybrid phase-detect AF system is the most refined on any Panasonic camera so far. Still, it doesn’t quite reach the speed and precision of Sony or Canon systems, and it slightly trails the Nikon Z6 III. When shooting at maximum burst rates, expect a few missed focus shots, especially with fast-moving subjects.
The Panasonic S1 II features a variety of AI-powered autofocus modes — including tracking for animals, birds, and vehicles — in addition to human eye-detection. In my experience, results were mixed. The camera occasionally struggled to lock focus on the eyes of certain birds and marine animals at the Vancouver Aquarium. However, it performed much better with more common animals like dogs, cats, horses, and geese. Panasonic has also introduced a new Urban Sports autofocus mode, designed to improve subject tracking during high-movement activities like breakdancing, skateboarding, and parkour. When testing this mode with skateboarders using the fastest burst settings, I achieved a sharp focus in over 90% of the shots.
Stabilization is one area where Panasonic clearly stands out. The S1 II now offers up to eight stops of image stabilization — just slightly behind the Canon R6 II’s eight and a half stops. This allowed me to capture sharp handheld shots at shutter speeds as slow as half a second. And when it comes to video stabilization, the S1 II sets a new benchmark.
Image Quality
Panasonic’s recent advancements in color science have been impressive. The color rendering is on par with Nikon, delivering some of the most accurate tones across any camera brand. In contrast, Canon tends to produce warmer images, while Sony cameras like the A7 IV often struggle with blue and green accuracy.
JPEGs from the S1 II come out looking vibrant and balanced, with a solid blend of sharpness and noise reduction — though noise reduction can become a bit too aggressive at high ISOs. For those who shoot RAW, the files provide a lot of flexibility, retaining detail in both shadows and highlights, which is ideal for post-processing. However, be aware that using the electronic shutter in burst mode lowers the RAW bit depth from 14-bit to 12-bit.
One drawback of the stacked sensor design is the increased noise, and the S1 II is no exception. At higher ISO levels, you’ll notice more grain compared to Panasonic’s S5, which shares the same resolution but uses a conventional sensor. Still, the S1 II performs comparably to the Nikon Z6 III in low light and even outperforms many other fully stacked sensor models in this regard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Panasonic S1 II best known for?
The Panasonic S1 II is highly regarded for its advanced video stabilization, strong autofocus system with AI modes, and excellent image quality — making it ideal for creators and professionals.
Does the Panasonic S1 II support animal and human eye-tracking autofocus?
Yes, it includes AI-powered autofocus modes that detect and track humans, animals, birds, and even vehicles with improved accuracy.
What’s new in the Urban Sports AF mode on the S1 II?
Urban Sports mode enhances autofocus tracking during fast-action activities like skateboarding, breakdancing, and parkour, resulting in more in-focus shots during high-speed bursts.
How good is the in-body image stabilization (IBIS) in the Panasonic S1 II?
The S1 II offers up to 8 stops of stabilization, allowing handheld shots at shutter speeds as slow as 0.5 seconds — perfect for low-light photography.
How does Panasonic’s color science compare to Canon or Sony?
Panasonic matches Nikon in color accuracy. Its tones are natural and balanced, while Canon tends to be warmer and Sony sometimes struggles with blue-green hues.
Is image quality consistent at high ISO levels?
Image quality remains solid, though noise reduction can become too aggressive. At higher ISOs, some grain is noticeable, especially due to the stacked sensor.
What’s the difference between JPEG and RAW output on the S1 II?
JPEGs are sharp with pleasing colors and moderate noise reduction. RAW files offer excellent dynamic range, enabling extensive editing flexibility.
Does the electronic shutter affect image quality?
Yes. When using the electronic shutter in burst mode, the RAW bit depth drops from 14-bit to 12-bit, which slightly reduces editing headroom.
How does the Panasonic S1 II perform in low light?
Despite the stacked sensor adding some noise, the S1 II handles low-light situations well and is comparable to the Nikon Z6 III — and better than many other stacked-sensor rivals.
Is the Panasonic S1 II a good camera for video creators?
Absolutely. It’s considered top-tier for video stabilization and offers extensive video-centric features, making it a favorite among filmmakers and content creators.
Are there any major weaknesses in the Panasonic S1 II?
The main drawback is price. It’s a premium camera with a high cost, which may not suit hobbyists or those on a tight budget.
Who should consider buying the Panasonic S1 II?
Professional photographers, videographers, and serious content creators who prioritize image quality, autofocus, and stabilization — and who are willing to invest — will find it an excellent choice.
Conclusion
The Panasonic S1 II is a powerhouse designed for serious creators, offering top-tier autofocus performance, exceptional image quality, and industry-leading video stabilization. Whether you’re shooting high-speed action, cinematic video, or detailed portraits, this camera delivers with precision and consistency.
However, its premium features come at a premium price. For those who can afford the investment, the S1 II stands out as one of the most capable hybrid cameras on the market today. But for budget-conscious creators, its excellence might come with a pause.
