MrSMW

It’s a bit small and lower res in 2025 I think… As someone who will not rig out beyond a cage and a mic and only uses the rear LCD, 3” and 1.6 million dot isn’t great, especially when the ZR has 4” and over 3 million dot screen. OK the Nikon is a bit more cine orientated and the Canon, more hybrid, but I know which I’d choose between the two. Canon just don’t seem to be innovating enough or if they do, still cripple hammering too hard. Looking at you C50. The bodies are also looking more and more old hat unsexy plasticky blobs, even if they are well built. No IBIS is a very hard sell in 2025 to the more mass market. Or maybe they don’t need to sell to the more mass market/prosumer? What do I know… Canon, as it always has been for me, just don’t have that ‘want it’ buzz about them and it was Nikon who used to always seem to play second fiddle to them, but looks like Neekon have jumped them in recent times.

Ah, the forgotten LUMIX. At least by me, but whenever it is mentioned and I am reminded of it, I start to think how I might get and use one. But then I remember it needs rigging out with at least a screen and it dies for me. I suspect for at least the run & gun brigade, the flatter and wider ‘rangefinderesque’ body style is more desirable in 2025? Folks don’t want to rig out which is why the ZR is so popular, the RED association aside, - it’s all about the form factor and that 4 inch screen. It’s the wrong screen of course and should be fully articulated so it can remain behind the body and in line with the lens, but it seems we can’t have everything 😏

I think your current GH7 set up is giving you all of the cinema already, but an S9 could be an exceptional full frame option in a pretty small package. There’s a new TT Artisan 40mm f2 which suits it perfectly and is cheap and has ‘character’. It’s decently sharp and contrasty but also has a certain glow to the highlights reminiscent of a subtle mist filter. Sharp of course is not necessarily a desirable requirement for ‘cinema’ but it’s something that is easier to dial back than add. The main appeal of this set up for me is it’s pretty small and pretty small means more likely to take it everywhere and use it and it has that ability to be both a personal/family camera and decent cine camera as you wish. I had been using mine as an A/B cam for work but now repurposed it as a personal/C cam with either the Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 for cropped video or when I pick it up, this new TT Artisan. Also toying with getting a Thypoc Simera or two for my slightly more pro S1RII’s and turning my S9 back into my working B cam purely for autofocus situations. Options options options…

For me the future of LUMIX lies in; A. will we see an S1Hii and B. if so, what will it be? If there is one in the pipeline and it’s a banger, it won’t ‘save’ the brand anymore than it would for any other manufacturer as it’s a much bigger picture than that, but as a (pro) consumer of this brand, it will at least have demonstrated their short term commitment. Also we have to remember that the sky was falling in on Nikon just a few short years ago and they were utterly doomed…and at the end of 2025, they are the industry darling. Financially how any of them and doing and what their short, medium and long term goals and outlook is, probably even they don’t really know and Panny are probably on the shakiest ground of all, but had a fairly big surge, at least amongst the community bros this year so… Being totally honest, clean sheet tomorrow morning, I’d pick Nikon without hesitation, for my needs, but I think LUMIX/L Mount would still be in second place and really loving my S1RII’s which are arguably the best tools for my specific hybrid needs available today. ZR vs S1RII for stills? Zero contest, easy LUMIX win. For hybrid? LUMIX wins again. Run & gun video? Could make a case either way but unless shooting R2D2-3CPO raw, I think LUMIX has more advantages. As an outright cine camera, maybe the Nikon. As a brand for the short & medium term, probably Nikon is the safer bet, but depending on how invested you already are. Will this pro services thing have any bearing? Well as a pro with Panny for nearly 5 years now, wasn’t even aware of its existence so… 🤷‍♂️

MYPANASONIC ? That would be 6 more letters to fill in with my black sharpie than I already have to and 6 too many. They are not going to change the camera brand from LUMIX. Maybe for some kind of service, but not the brand itself. Unless they have been smoking some serious grade shit and/or are ‘seeing someone’ for their personal difficulties.

A bit small and lacking in res for 2025, but otherwise looks a decent spec overall but nothing especially exciting. That sounds pretty decent though... With a clean sheet, I'd still go Nikon personally, - I just prefer their history and direction they are going in.

The polite version is “no thank you”.

That’s what I ‘converted’ mine to. It no longer had a place in my lineup, the trade in value is a bit shit and my zoom has too much cosmetic damage to realistically sell, so I have mashed the 2 together and made it a C can and personal camera and re. the latter, don’t mind shooting APSC stills. You and me both, but it won’t happen will it. No way will they repurpose an old body, - they would be destroyed by ‘The Community’. If you are not moving forwards, you are going backwards. I think they need to pop it out in a ZR/FX3 body style but have the fully articulating screen and a big one at that a la ZR and done deal, - I’d flip my second S1RII for it at launch. Possibly even my S5II also.

Remembered it now, they are called Nikken Techno and are the official repair centre for France for Lumix cameras…or so I was told and guided to by Panasonic France. Used them twice to date. Very efficient.

I had no idea it existed and send my stuff to a place in Paris and a company whose name I forget… And Panasonic Lumix told me to do this with no mention of these so called pro service so 🤷‍♂️

If only they had opted for the S1H/S1RII/A7RV style mech 🙈 It’s not a dealbreaker (for me) but might just have sealed the deal for me as this kind of fundamental, but so easily could have been included. I work exclusively off the LCD for both photo & video and simply prefer it behind the camera, in line with the lens and not on top or off to one side.

The reality. I am sure you can get more out of R3D than Lumix log, but at 5x the data rate. But then again, I have seen the size of the Lumix raw files and they are over 10x log, so err, no thanks. The actual reality is that no one will notice, especially as all they are interested in these days is the 60 second short on social media that can easily be shot on a phone or action cam...which coincidently, is exactly what I will be doing next year... Should we care? Yes we should...but always within the realms of reality and that reality for me is I'm not going to be shooting data rates 5-10x what I already have that are already more than good enough, because where does it stop? I still love the ZR, - I think it is THE camera of the year, all factors considered, but mainly for it's form factor and rear LCD, although I do wish that was tilt not flip out, but hey ho, not buying one so what does my opinion matter!

I’m not desperate to buy a new camera, but this is what is missing for me also. The A7CR is currently closest but other than format, the A7RV trounced it for me. Ditto the S1RII vs the S9. I can live without the EVF but the lack of mech shutter really caused me issues on the stills side. Sigma FP/L ditto. That camera for me is 2 elements away from being my perfect camera: Mech shutter + hi res tilt/flip LCD. The lack of IBIS used to bother me but I would shoot it on a monopod so not an issue. Tried the Leica TL2 but it was a bit clunky and moved on a bit from APSC anyway and would really only consider full-frame or medium format today.

Or maybe you will not 😂 I still stand by the ‘fact’ that it’s an excellent choice for my needs and the only alternative combo I would switch to right now at the end of 2025, would be Nikon Z8 + ZR + Z6iii (or perhaps 2x ZR’s) vs 2x S1Rii + S5ii and if a fairy waved her magic wand in my direction and said it could happen overnight with zero faff or cost, I’d accept her offer. But as fairies don’t exist, I’ll just have to stick with what I have!

I don't know about the Sony A1 but against the Z8, the S1RII might be? I do think the S1RII is the best of the line. It's more capable than the S5II/X for video and offers quite. bit more than the S1II for stills, so for hybrid users like me, is a bit of a gem. 8k 30p @ 300mpbs video with stellar IBIS, especially if the E stab is switched on with a quality that for every test I have seen, just looks better than the S1II. Or 7.2k 30p open gate as I have been shooting most of this year, but pretty sure I am going to 8.1k 30p next year using the 2.39:1 crop markers (ie, the flexibility in post to do anything within a 17:9 output but see and shoot in pano mode). From a stills perspective, I think my old A7RV had a slight edge, but I had my editing of those files absolutely nailed down to my taste and it's taken a little longer to dial in the S1RII and again, probably going to start using the in camera Jpeg 65x24 crop mode whilst retaining the full 3x2 raw file in case I wish to use it. Having 5 custom photo and 5 custom video settings is fantastic as I have settings for 'everything' now. Factor in the hybrid zoom function for stills (can only use it up to 4k in video mode) and the prime lens equivalent, is great for getting a 1.4x crop whilst still retains the full-size raw file, so again, great for composition. I'm still debating over whether I can get away with just the Sigma 28-70 or whether I do need the 28-105 (for ceremonies and speeches and I probably do), if I start shooting in 65x24 mode where you lose so much height in favour of width, longer lenses tend to be too long for the format... I am going to pick up the new 24-60 f2.8 for sure for video as pretty much every test shows that despite it not being an S lens, it's pretty exceptional for it's size, weight and cost. I think Andrew, you'd come around to the S1RII in time, especially as the prices come down. Better than the OG S5 and S9 easily. I love(d) the S9, but just not quite 'pro' enough for my needs and other than as a C cam, I won't use it as a primary camera in 2026, - too many niggles. Mainly too easy to jog a dial and have your settings off when shooting video and if shooting 1/50th at 30p as I am doing in a PAL region, aaaaaaaaargh, LED light flickering and banding!! Better than the S5II other than for long static stuff. Better than the S1II? I think so also as that I see as a more dedicated video camera or at least one with less stills capability and I think the colour is just better with the S1RII being a different sensor. Would I trade it for a Z8? Easily...but only as a sideways move as there are pros and cons to each... S1RII to Z8 for stills? Probably... My other S1RII for a ZR for video? Possibly, but only for that rear screen and the form factor. S5II for the Z6III? For my static work, pretty equal. Cost to change = not worth it, especially as a sideways move which it would be for me. I loved my S1H and I do see my S1RII(s) as a mash up of the S1R and S1H but more capable than either, in a pretty decent body.

I’m a big believer in both planning and walking when I choose to walk rather than being pushed. Or fading into irrelevance 😉

Maybe, - I couldn't say as there are a lot who say the opposite and say the market is over-saturated and everyone else is undercutting them. I really don't know and pay almost zero attention to what anyone else is doing and never really have! Perhaps another reason why I keep ticking/plodding along? And on that note, back to editing the 4th to last of the season and then 'just' 3 more to go for this year...

Ticking along but still here after 25 years comprising approx the first 10 as a photographer and the last 15 as a hybrid shooter in the wedding industry. 5 more years to go and then I will be packing it in out of choice. In the meantime, just have to make sure I keep my head above water and not overly concerned in that regard as neither AI nor the wannabes can do what I do. Yet, as far as AI goes anyway... Seen a lot of changes but no real challenges as such and for whatever reason, I just seem to have been in a place where I can just tick along and by 'tick along', I don't mean cruise, because I am always working at it and on it. Rather I just don't feel the need to follow every trend and possibly because of that, why I have remained pretty constant whilst I have seen so many come and go.

That would almost have certainly have got me a sale in 2025, but as things stand, I still prefer the Q3 43 and if it did not cost so damn much, I’d have one. I’d get a Sony A7CR with the same sensor and a 16-28mm for the less than 10% of the time I need anything wider than approx 35mm and be done for my stills needs. But as much as I love the rangefinderesque format, I have not yet been able to build a system that suits my needs around it since…well since Fuji’s X Pro2 actually. Q3 43 still sits at the pinnacle for me at the end of 2025, but at about double what I am prepared to pay 😏

Yup, but to be fair, Lumix has had a lot of ‘love’ recently from the shill brigade but a lot of them will now (and have already started) flipping over to the ZR. Soon though, Sony will be releasing the A7V and they will then flop back in that direction and will have gone full circle. Beyond that, perhaps DJI will have popped out their rumored MILC and that will become The Next Big Thing? It’s all inevitable.

Indeed which was why for stills anyway, my 3 most recent cameras have been; S1R 47mp, A7RV 61mp and now S1RII 44mp. I do wish Panny had gone with/been able to use the 61mp sensor from the Sony also used in the Leica SL3 because those 15mp do allow a fair bit more cropping, but hey ho. I have mine set up for Hybrid Zoom and whatever they call the the equivalent for zooms at the 1.4x crop setting so something like my 28-70 becomes a 28-98 and a 50mm f1.8, a 70 and that’s a really good option to have in camera at a flick of a switch. For next season, I am probably going to pick up the Sigma 28-105mm f2.8 as a ‘one & done’ for stills because with hybrid mode engaged, it becomes almost a 150mm lens and allows me to do away with switching to an even bigger and heavier 70-200 and that is a big deal. 24-70 + 70-200 vs 28-105(-147)= A. No lens swaps B. More range in a single lens C. Less weight than a 70-200 and less than 1/2 the weight compared with the duo D. Costs less I don’t think there is a Fuji equivalent so it would be a lens pairing again and medium format for me is now dead unless we ever see something like an f2.8 RF, but I’d prefer to see a fixed lens S1RII rangefinderesque body a la Q3.

All hail the Nikon ZR 4 inch rear LCD

Yes it would, especially if it was high megapixel to allow extensive cropping either in camera or in post. The RF100 came so close for me other than the f4 lens. An f2.8 would have swung it for me but high MP sensors are a good thing IMO. I built my career off Nikon and then Fuji so have a soft spot for them both so like to see them do well. Also, I prefer rangefinderesque style bodies over SLR style humped blocks and whilst L Mount has them in Leica and Sigma flavour, I wish the old Panasonic Pony of Hope would ride into town on one. The Fuji X Pro2 was the camera I probably owned the longest and shot the most work on.

Possibly and from my perspective, yes! But that’s based on my own selfish desires. And then again, since acquiring first one and then a second S1Rii, I ask myself what is missing from those that I need and the answer is absolutely nothing! I loved the design of my S1H and its video capability. The S1Rii beats it. I loved the photo capability of the OG S1R but hated the body. I now have that capability on the S1H ‘lite’ body. I have literally zero complaints. The S9 has limitations however and despite my liking the little fucker, a season’s pro use with it has shown up it’s shortcomings…

Sorry, my mistake, it’s the 18-40 lens of course and not the Titty Artisan lens 🙈 But still a really good looking little kit etc even though it doesn’t have any more capability than any other colour including good old black. There are some other EU only release colours I think. I have a red one. Thought about selling it since I got a pair of S1Rii’s but repurposing it instead as a static extra video unit for those occasions when I could do with such a thing. Rather than pocket £500, makes sense to me as business user.