MrSMW

He also made a few mistakes regarding certain things such as the C-AF beep cannot be switched off. I highly doubt that.
And menus, - no one really likes anyone else's menus and he's a Canon/Sony boi so...
He says he is going to make a couple of other videos about a few things but I can tell you the end summary now which is he wouldn't spend his own money on it over a Canon R5ii or a Sony A7anything_recent_or_imminent.
They should have asked me to go. I could have had a free S1Rii/S5iiR. Except I don't have a YouTube channel. Or rather I do, but my cat video has yet to go viral.

This is just it. As of today, the new LUMIX is ‘the latest thing’ but tomorrow it won’t be. Not necessarily literally tomorrow, but probably within weeks as I believe the Sony A7V is up next and it will inevitably garner more adoration than the Panny.
The influencers lurch like lemmings from one thing to another, but there will be a core of loyalists.
I don’t remain loyal to any brand for loyalty sake but rather because they offer a combination of the best/least compromised tools that do the job I need them to do combined with the financial cost.
It is arguable that the new Panny is not quite ‘flagship worthy’ in terms of build and I agree. It’s pretty good, but IMO, compared with what existed before within the brand and what else is out there, it’s not quite what I expected, but maybe has to be at this level for financial reasons?
Thinking about it further, it’s more like a larger sensor evolution of the S5ii so really it’s an S5iiiR but I guess using S5iii so soon would suggest the S5ii is outdated and it is far from that.
Spec-wise, it’s not far off what I expected. Personally, I would have preferred full-frame 6k 60p open gate. And stopped there. Make that fantastic and willfully ignore 8k even if the sensor can do it. At least with this model.
And then the sensor. I wonder if they could not use the 61mp sensor or whether they could and this was a deliberate choice, but it’s an odd one of so to go from 47mp to 44mp after what, 6/7 years and call that progress.
And yes, I am aware, more pixels is not the be all and end all but personally, for my own photography needs, I did want want more and 44mp is borderline for how I work and want to work. 60 or more is where I want/need to be and I know all the blah blah blah “on social media posts it’s irrelevant” etc but that comment is irrelevant to me because I wish to be able to produce work up to a standard set by myself, not opinion.
So as a value proposition, is it good value? And is the brand dying?
I think brand new, it’s not the best value option out there unless it suits your specific needs and you are already heavily invested in the L Mount system.
I think its value will be used in 6-12+ months time. Especially 12+ months time.
Would I buy one new?
Yes, if I did not already own an A7RV and have all the glass I want for that.
Do I think it’s as good owning S5ii and A7RV?
No.
Is the brand dying?
Probably. A slow but inevitable silent death.
The products are not crap. They are highly competitive and these last few days, the influencers are all over them but the simple reality of business is you have to be relevant 365 days a year, not for 'your week in the sun' once every few years. It is not enough.
L Mount is a niche player.
To be a successful niche player, you have to have something different and stand out for that, not by being ‘good enough’. Because it is not enough.
If there is to be any kind of S1H successor, it will be received as the original was and every subsequent LUMIX camera has been, - news for a few days.
Within L Mount, Leica exist because they play their design, build and heritage card.
Sigma exist because they play their slightly crazy Japanese card.
LUMIX play their slightly dull but worthy card.
And that I think is the root of their issue and will be their undoing.
You can fly out all the influencers you want (and you should), but the product HAS to be more exciting.
Because if it is not, someone else WILL eat your lunch. Breakfast and dinner.

Some of these youtubers use multi fake accounts on forums and L-M43-Sony rumors site to upvote themselves or downvote other people, this also allows them to have an army of virtual minions to support then even when they talk nonsense, like when the Hybridshooter said the IBIS of the A7III/A7IV was as good as on the S5/S5II. 
2 years ago, he mixed up his accounts on L-rumors while responding to a guy, he quickly deleted his post, but sadly for him, someone made a screenshot before he deletes his post.
Most youtubers must really be taken with a big grain of salt, even Gerald Undone who was really hard on Panasonic in the past and concentrated most of his reviews to point out the negative aspects of their cameras and lenses without talking too long about their positive sides. But for people using both Panasonic and Sony cameras , its bias was clear.
However I must admit I'm a bit disappointed by Panasonic products since 2022.
I use their cameras since a long time, I loved the GH4 and GH5 and I liked the S1, but everything after looked much less refined. The GH4 and GH5 had groundbreaking features and like the NX1, these cameras were ahead of their time.
The GH6, althouht it had great color science, was a total failure. In Europe, the price was cut down by almost an half after only some months ...
At this time they also changed their video engine making fine details in 4k looking like an oversampled 1080p, the S5II's 4k almost looked like smartphone footage, especially when using the 709 profiles and when the image was slightly underexposed leading to a waxy look when shoothing people face. I had absolutely not the feeling to use a Panasonic camera, this camera was really pointed toward influencers and smartphone users. So yes they have good IBIS and they have Open Gate, but still ... 
To come back about the S1RII, even if Panasonic fanboys are angry and even if they do the most they can to prove that everything is great and most flaws are not so important, the truth is this S1RII is the replacement of a 6 years old camera, and after 6 years Panasonic can't even reach the spec of the R5 from 2020 ? This is not serious, the R5 has much better rolling shutter, 8k internal raw without crop, and yet it is a camera from 2020 !
What we will get with the hypothetic S1HII ? During 6 years Panasonic used and re-used the same A7III sensor from 2018, so maybe we will just get a clone of the A7SIII ? I'm barely kidding.
Now you can find the R5 for less money than the S1RII (in Europe the price of the S1RII is close to 3600€), and if you want something better, of course in spending more money, you can get the great Nikon Z8, even the cheaper Z6III looks sometimes most interesting than the new Panasonic camera. And what about the lenses, why Panasonic stopped to make new S Pro lenses since 2019 ? We only have one S Pro prime. I don't see the point to invest to the L-mount for most people at this point and the S1RII will not help.
Since 2019, the wait to get a flagship camera was really too long, especially to get a camera "almost" as good cameras from 2020/2021.
I'm afraid it will be a total failure like the GH6 and there is a big chance the camera will be much cheaper in some months. I hope I'm wrong. 
On the positive side (according to some reviews), the crunchy/smartphone looks of the S5II is not present in the S1RII, as well as the waxy skin texture.
Like someone said earlier, it still can be a good upgrade from the S1 for people who are already heavily invested in the L-mount system.
 

Indeed. S5iiR would be more logical than S1Rii as it's far closer to an S5ii than the S1R, but hey ho.

This is just it. As of today, the new LUMIX is ‘the latest thing’ but tomorrow it won’t be. Not necessarily literally tomorrow, but probably within weeks as I believe the Sony A7V is up next and it will inevitably garner more adoration than the Panny.
The influencers lurch like lemmings from one thing to another, but there will be a core of loyalists.
I don’t remain loyal to any brand for loyalty sake but rather because they offer a combination of the best/least compromised tools that do the job I need them to do combined with the financial cost.
It is arguable that the new Panny is not quite ‘flagship worthy’ in terms of build and I agree. It’s pretty good, but IMO, compared with what existed before within the brand and what else is out there, it’s not quite what I expected, but maybe has to be at this level for financial reasons?
Thinking about it further, it’s more like a larger sensor evolution of the S5ii so really it’s an S5iiiR but I guess using S5iii so soon would suggest the S5ii is outdated and it is far from that.
Spec-wise, it’s not far off what I expected. Personally, I would have preferred full-frame 6k 60p open gate. And stopped there. Make that fantastic and willfully ignore 8k even if the sensor can do it. At least with this model.
And then the sensor. I wonder if they could not use the 61mp sensor or whether they could and this was a deliberate choice, but it’s an odd one of so to go from 47mp to 44mp after what, 6/7 years and call that progress.
And yes, I am aware, more pixels is not the be all and end all but personally, for my own photography needs, I did want want more and 44mp is borderline for how I work and want to work. 60 or more is where I want/need to be and I know all the blah blah blah “on social media posts it’s irrelevant” etc but that comment is irrelevant to me because I wish to be able to produce work up to a standard set by myself, not opinion.
So as a value proposition, is it good value? And is the brand dying?
I think brand new, it’s not the best value option out there unless it suits your specific needs and you are already heavily invested in the L Mount system.
I think its value will be used in 6-12+ months time. Especially 12+ months time.
Would I buy one new?
Yes, if I did not already own an A7RV and have all the glass I want for that.
Do I think it’s as good owning S5ii and A7RV?
No.
Is the brand dying?
Probably. A slow but inevitable silent death.
The products are not crap. They are highly competitive and these last few days, the influencers are all over them but the simple reality of business is you have to be relevant 365 days a year, not for 'your week in the sun' once every few years. It is not enough.
L Mount is a niche player.
To be a successful niche player, you have to have something different and stand out for that, not by being ‘good enough’. Because it is not enough.
If there is to be any kind of S1H successor, it will be received as the original was and every subsequent LUMIX camera has been, - news for a few days.
Within L Mount, Leica exist because they play their design, build and heritage card.
Sigma exist because they play their slightly crazy Japanese card.
LUMIX play their slightly dull but worthy card.
And that I think is the root of their issue and will be their undoing.
You can fly out all the influencers you want (and you should), but the product HAS to be more exciting.
Because if it is not, someone else WILL eat your lunch. Breakfast and dinner.

Indeed. S5iiR would be more logical than S1Rii as it's far closer to an S5ii than the S1R, but hey ho.

Which is pretty much what every LUMIX user wanted, not 8k.
Even if it’s 8k capable, IMO they should have launched it with up to 6k spec and left everything 8k for the future firmware upgrade.
Except they botched yet another release.
With the S9, it was that stupid f8 lens.
I think 8k at this time is a similar scenario because you want folks talking about what it CAN do.
LUMIX has a problem with the number 8.

That ^ is Dave, well known camera reviewer and influencer.
Normally ends his reviews by smashing the kit to pieces.
And here is a pic below after he went on the Matt Granger diet.

He also made a few mistakes regarding certain things such as the C-AF beep cannot be switched off. I highly doubt that.
And menus, - no one really likes anyone else's menus and he's a Canon/Sony boi so...
He says he is going to make a couple of other videos about a few things but I can tell you the end summary now which is he wouldn't spend his own money on it over a Canon R5ii or a Sony A7anything_recent_or_imminent.
They should have asked me to go. I could have had a free S1Rii/S5iiR. Except I don't have a YouTube channel. Or rather I do, but my cat video has yet to go viral.

Which is pretty much what every LUMIX user wanted, not 8k.
Even if it’s 8k capable, IMO they should have launched it with up to 6k spec and left everything 8k for the future firmware upgrade.
Except they botched yet another release.
With the S9, it was that stupid f8 lens.
I think 8k at this time is a similar scenario because you want folks talking about what it CAN do.
LUMIX has a problem with the number 8.

Indeed. S5iiR would be more logical than S1Rii as it's far closer to an S5ii than the S1R, but hey ho.

Which is pretty much what every LUMIX user wanted, not 8k.
Even if it’s 8k capable, IMO they should have launched it with up to 6k spec and left everything 8k for the future firmware upgrade.
Except they botched yet another release.
With the S9, it was that stupid f8 lens.
I think 8k at this time is a similar scenario because you want folks talking about what it CAN do.
LUMIX has a problem with the number 8.

Which is pretty much what every LUMIX user wanted, not 8k.
Even if it’s 8k capable, IMO they should have launched it with up to 6k spec and left everything 8k for the future firmware upgrade.
Except they botched yet another release.
With the S9, it was that stupid f8 lens.
I think 8k at this time is a similar scenario because you want folks talking about what it CAN do.
LUMIX has a problem with the number 8.

Which is pretty much what every LUMIX user wanted, not 8k.
Even if it’s 8k capable, IMO they should have launched it with up to 6k spec and left everything 8k for the future firmware upgrade.
Except they botched yet another release.
With the S9, it was that stupid f8 lens.
I think 8k at this time is a similar scenario because you want folks talking about what it CAN do.
LUMIX has a problem with the number 8.

Why the hell would you put an OLPF in a photography focused stills camera? Obviously this is geared for photography so is it surprising the video performance isn't what we want for the S1H II ? RS isn’t as big a deal as you seem to make it for the rest of us but whatever. If anything all this does is show me what we might be able to expect from the next model that IS for pro level video. 

I think so but as a LUMIX, it has to have a gazillion video options.
I get why most manufacturers believe they need to appeal to the broadest base possible, but at the same time, they miss the mark as a result.
Personally, if I was Mr LUMIX, I’d offer 2 cameras at the same time and say, this one is the photo one and this one is the video one and both would be able to tread on each others toes a little, but would otherwise be clearly defined.
Here though we have folks running 8k 1 hour plus tests and calling something a failure because it overheats.
FFS, who needs to record continuously in 8k?

Never mind no; grip, IBIS, second card slots, 4k 60p and all that, this one doesn't even allow for any kind of video or photo capture but simply has a voice recording device so you can describe the scene or quote poetry.
 

I think so but as a LUMIX, it has to have a gazillion video options.
I get why most manufacturers believe they need to appeal to the broadest base possible, but at the same time, they miss the mark as a result.
Personally, if I was Mr LUMIX, I’d offer 2 cameras at the same time and say, this one is the photo one and this one is the video one and both would be able to tread on each others toes a little, but would otherwise be clearly defined.
Here though we have folks running 8k 1 hour plus tests and calling something a failure because it overheats.
FFS, who needs to record continuously in 8k?

I think so but as a LUMIX, it has to have a gazillion video options.
I get why most manufacturers believe they need to appeal to the broadest base possible, but at the same time, they miss the mark as a result.
Personally, if I was Mr LUMIX, I’d offer 2 cameras at the same time and say, this one is the photo one and this one is the video one and both would be able to tread on each others toes a little, but would otherwise be clearly defined.
Here though we have folks running 8k 1 hour plus tests and calling something a failure because it overheats.
FFS, who needs to record continuously in 8k?

Well that’s not very good is it!
And somewhat surprising as I have had my S5ii’s rolling for over an hour @35+ direct sunlight in 6k 30p. Never even had a warning.
Very odd.

I think so but as a LUMIX, it has to have a gazillion video options.
I get why most manufacturers believe they need to appeal to the broadest base possible, but at the same time, they miss the mark as a result.
Personally, if I was Mr LUMIX, I’d offer 2 cameras at the same time and say, this one is the photo one and this one is the video one and both would be able to tread on each others toes a little, but would otherwise be clearly defined.
Here though we have folks running 8k 1 hour plus tests and calling something a failure because it overheats.
FFS, who needs to record continuously in 8k?

I think so but as a LUMIX, it has to have a gazillion video options.
I get why most manufacturers believe they need to appeal to the broadest base possible, but at the same time, they miss the mark as a result.
Personally, if I was Mr LUMIX, I’d offer 2 cameras at the same time and say, this one is the photo one and this one is the video one and both would be able to tread on each others toes a little, but would otherwise be clearly defined.
Here though we have folks running 8k 1 hour plus tests and calling something a failure because it overheats.
FFS, who needs to record continuously in 8k?

I think so but as a LUMIX, it has to have a gazillion video options.
I get why most manufacturers believe they need to appeal to the broadest base possible, but at the same time, they miss the mark as a result.
Personally, if I was Mr LUMIX, I’d offer 2 cameras at the same time and say, this one is the photo one and this one is the video one and both would be able to tread on each others toes a little, but would otherwise be clearly defined.
Here though we have folks running 8k 1 hour plus tests and calling something a failure because it overheats.
FFS, who needs to record continuously in 8k?

I think so but as a LUMIX, it has to have a gazillion video options.
I get why most manufacturers believe they need to appeal to the broadest base possible, but at the same time, they miss the mark as a result.
Personally, if I was Mr LUMIX, I’d offer 2 cameras at the same time and say, this one is the photo one and this one is the video one and both would be able to tread on each others toes a little, but would otherwise be clearly defined.
Here though we have folks running 8k 1 hour plus tests and calling something a failure because it overheats.
FFS, who needs to record continuously in 8k?

Ditto. In a moment of incredible self control, I have decided to pass.
I think it's an upgrade over the OG S1R, probably...
For video, yes, for stills, probably not much if anything in it.
I was looking for and hoping for a 1/2 price Leica SL-3. 
This is close, but not close enough and the benchmark is my A7RV and the new LUMIX does not beat it.
I'm not sure for stills it even equals it, but real world, there would not be so much in that.
I've run the financials and it would cost me approx €1200 to go sideways with less focal range, albeit with less kit and be within one system, but there just isn't enough for me to make it happen.
At least not at this time, but I will look at it again after this next season and before the new one at the same time next year.
In fact, other than flipping my 3rd S5ii for an S9 and possibly getting a few primes for that within the next few months, I'm sticking with what I have and focusing on the craft this year as the tools are already good enough for my needs.
I really hoped between LUMIX and Sigma, they would produce something for me to give up my A7RV, but nope, nothing yet. And I am far from being a Sony fanboi !!
I am however going to do this 😜