John Matthews

After ralphing up my lunch from watching rolling shutter comparisons, I can safely say the Lumix S1Rii is pile of crap comparatively speaking. It's completely unusable in this regard and I'm sure Lumix will either be releasing an update or submitting a recall. Here's the proof:

This might sound ironic but I think if he used AI (ChatGPT) to translate for him, it will most likely be near flawless, which is to opposite point I think he's trying to make. I have used it extensively and it rarely makes mistakes. Also, you learn quite a bit from doing it too. Now, I rarely make mistakes when I write in French. AI is exceptionally good with their language models.

In-camera is the key because you need to check it on the spot. Only Panasonic does that in-camera. Again, the key is in-camera and checking your result on the spot. Otherwise, you're going to have to go out again. Also, it takes half the time for long exposures. You watch it as it builds. I reckon a cinema camera would be better then. If you're going to slap a Atomos on it, then you need to add that to the price too. Yes, I understand. However, for the wedding photographer lugging this camera around all day, every little bit helps. It's great to look at the hardware specs, but the software increases the usability massively. Also, Lumix is not shy about their firmware updates. No one actually knows what is going to be in-store for the S1rii as a lot of features might be added.

Wait, I was comparing the S1rii to a Z8. No one knows the specs for the S1Hii (or even if it exists). As far as I know, the Lumix will be have better noise performance in raw photos. Another downer it that the Z8 has baked-in crops in their raw files. When shooting 1:1 square format, you'll only get a raw with those pixels- stupid!

Interesting thoughts on @Andrew Reid's post.

There are some significant negatives on the Z8 versus the S1rii: No Open Gate No IN-CAMERA Live View Composite No IN-CAMERA Pixel Shift No Waveforms No False Color No IN-CAMERA 32-bit audio possibilities No anamorphic modes No anamorphic-specific IBIS Not great IBIS at wide angles No breathing compensation for Z-mount lenses The Z8 is about 100g heavier Maybe, they'll add some of these in a firmware update, but then again I'm rather certain Panasonic will also add stuff. These negatives were just off the top of my head, but I imagine there are more. The crazy thing is that the specs today are so good that it doesn't really matter all that much. All of the cameras will do; some just have a few more features than others. What sucks about reviews in general is that you watch them and you cannot help thinking that they are significantly impacted by how the company treated them in the past or present. Apparently, retribution is a real thing in the camera review business.

Some believe Panasonic is on the verge of shutting down, a narrative that a few users continue to push. I suppose their decision to release the S1R II instead of an S1H II only fuels that perception. The main criticism of the S1R II is its rolling shutter—something even Panasonic has acknowledged, advising those who prioritize it to choose a different camera. Essentially, Panasonic can't win. Pack everything into a camera, and it's too expensive. Leave something out, and it’s not "the very best." The real question is whether it offers good value—and, like most Panasonic cameras (new and used), it clearly does.

I agree. I imagine that by Black Friday, the S1rii will be roughly 2800 euros, but even then, I'd pass against the S5ii.

Why get the S1rii? 1) the versatility of the back screen; 2) open gate; 3) tools; 4) great IBIS; 5) decent AF. You won't find that combination elsewhere. In fact, the only other camera with that is the S5ii, but the S1rii is probably better.

Yeah, it certainly seems more like a S5iiR than anything else. Getting 2 S1H cameras (used) would still be a great starter setup for shooting weddings I imagine.

If the S1R II’s moiré performance is indeed better than the SH1’s, I cannot see any reason to choose the SH1 over the S1R II- except for cost.

I'd like to know how the 120fps 4k in the A1rii holds up to the GH7. Does anyone think it's better? Any tests?

No. He was testing other modes too. Look at the bottom of the screen where it says the mode he's testing (29 seconds in) which was full-sensor readout mode, then he talks about the crop modes. That guy doesn't strike me as the "sensational YouTube guy." As of right now, he's got under 500 subs. Clearly, the S1rii does better at not producing moiré than the S1H (at those distances). I'm sure the S1rii will produce moiré at other distances, just not in this example.

Back then, capturing detailed video was the priority—and the GH4 made that possible. As a bonus, it also eliminated many of the moiré issues we were dealing with. Over time, our focus shifted to achieving high-quality, detailed video with a shallow depth of field. Later, IBIS became the next major step forward. Panasonic has been at the forefront of all these innovations. The only real drawback was autofocus in video, which eventually became the defining feature on YouTube. This killed their sales. Fast forward to today, and most cameras have nearly everything—but Panasonic still excels in IBIS, video tools, and in-camera photographic features. Their autofocus is only slightly behind, if at all (in fact, they lag in AF far less than other brands do in IBIS, video tools, and built-in photography features). Their image quality is second to none. If there’s something drastically better that justifies a significant price jump, I’d love to hear what it is. Sure, rolling shutter can be an issue. So can slow motion. But even Panasonic would probably agree—if those are your top priorities, you might need a different camera. Personally, I’d take slightly worse rolling shutter and slow motion in exchange for that flip-out, flip-up screen—especially if it means saving a lot of money compared to other cameras with that feature. The "do everything" hybrid camera is not that far off. We're an in-camera ND filter and slightly faster sensor away. I bet Panasonic is going to get there first.

For video, this is the most important feature of this high MP camera:

There's a lot of whining about Panasonic not pushing hard enough in raw specs. Yet, many of these critics go silent when firmware updates completely transform the camera's usability. Panasonic focuses on features and tools that don’t generate the same hype as 4K 120fps or internal RAW—but they offer things like false color, shutter angle, and a lower price point. It’s just a different approach.

I think it's clear: if you prefer RS performance over DR and tools, go for the Sony, Canon, or Nikon (and if you don't mind paying significantly more too). I'm sure there will be in-camera workarounds like with the S5ii (shooting in APSC). I'm betting the S1rii will get significant improvements over the next 2 years. Who knows what the final product will be by then. However, Sony, Canon, and Nikon are practically WYSIWYG. To get more features, you'll need to shell out another 3 grand or so after selling the old one.

S1rii looks like a great upgrade over the original- lots of improvements. I won't be getting it as it's too expensive for me, but I think it's going to sell rather well. Don't really care about rolling shutter as long as it's reasonable. Also, it seems that if the rolling shutter performance were much better (like with a stacked sensor), there would be a cost elsewhere.

You're probably right about that for now. Currently, that highest MP count on an L-mount camera is 61MP. If it gets to 100MP, the pixel density will equal the highest resolution M43 sensor (25MP). This would mean you could double a focal length and still have the same output of a M43 camera, effectively "reducing the size" of the lens. Also, the lens size argument really only holds true today for longer focal lengths because the shorter ones have been roughly the same size (for pro zooms). Look at the 20-60 f/3.5-5.6 kit zoom- some would say it renders a 10-30mm f/1.7-2.8 in M43. That's not bad for what it weighs and what it costs. In M43 at the wide end, it's the 15mm and 20mm f/1.7 that are hard to beat (for now), but it'll happen soon enough. I doubt FF will ever be able to have a 24 to 600mm covered in under a kg, camera included. With M43, you could get a used E-M10 iii, Panasonic 12-32mm, Olympus 45mm f/1.8, and Olympus 75-300mm- that's not far off from 1kg. FF can't do that in any system.

Yes, it will. I was talking more in terms of "flagship," whatever that means. I'm really hoping they get the M43 cameras smaller with decent features. I want a small 4k 420 10bit camera with full-sensor readout. It's 2025 and should be possible for them now.

I have to hand it to Sigma for trying new and different designs. This is probably a niche product, but the design seems like the antithesis of Panasonic design. The Sigma BF seems "industrial," more like a solid chunk of metal straight from the machine shop and forgetting that a human is going to touch it. The Panasonic is about the human hand and practical at all cost. It's great to have L-mount as no other mount has this type of variety of design. We now have classic design (Panasonic), minimalist design (Leica), and ultra-minimalist, "industrial" design (Sigma). Also, this should bode well for more pancakes which makes me happy.

From the look of it, I'm just happy that the S1rii definitely doesn't sound like a BS update where everyone will be saying "that could have been done with a firmware update." Sure, they don't release very often, but when they do, they make the most of it. Now, give us some pancakes. Objectively, the S1rii will become the "video camera" over the GH7 in the line-up. It makes me wonder where M43 is going to go after this.

Well for you, it's all about the shutter sound, right? ;-)

Obviously, a main competitor for this camera is the Sony A7r V (also at roughly the same price). I've been looking through the specs and found advantages for the Sony like: webcam capable, maybe slightly better AF, better lens selection, better card slots, and a little more resolution. If these Panasonic specs are correct, the Panasonic will have a host of things: Opengate Maybe better IBIS Dual ISO sensor (couldn't find anything with the Sony) More Pro Codecs 32-bit audio with the accessory High Resolution photo mode, in-camera AND handheld Support for anamorphic Fantastic video tools Realtime LUTs Live View Composite Already, that would be great! Am I missing something?

Yeah, could be amazing, but would it do video? I have serious doubts. Going from the Merrill series taking quite a long time to output 50 shots on one battery to a camera that can output 61MP shots anywhere in the realm of a modern camera with a Bayer sensor would be a stretch IMO. However, going back to any of the previous Foveon equipped cameras, the output was amazing and I'd love to have one.