Panasonic Lumix S1 II Black Review

The Panasonic Lumix S1II is a camera built like a tank for photographers who need to shoot fast and not worry about the weather. It's a specialist's tool, not a jack-of-all-trades. The one thing you need to know is that it's a speed demon for stills, but it's not the camera to buy if you're serious about video.

The headline here is that 70fps mechanical burst speed, which is absolutely wild and puts it in the 98th percentile. That's a huge deal for sports or wildlife shooters. But the autofocus, despite the marketing, only lands in the 45th percentile. It's fast, but it's not class-leading. The 5-axis IBIS is excellent, but the video specs are surprisingly mid-tier for the price.

At over $3,000, it's a tough sell. You're paying a premium for that insane burst speed and the rugged build. If you don't need those specific things, there are better values out there.

For a similar price, the Canon EOS R6 Mark II is a much more balanced choice. Its autofocus is leagues better, its video is superior, and it's lighter. If you want a lighter, more video-focused hybrid, the Sony Alpha 6700 is a fantastic APS-C option for less money. The Lumix S1II only wins if your sole priority is that unmatched mechanical burst rate for stills.

This is a niche camera. I can only recommend the Lumix S1II to professional sports or wildlife photographers who prioritize raw shooting speed over everything else, including autofocus intelligence and video. For literally anyone else—travel shooters, hybrid creators, or general enthusiasts—a Canon, Sony, or even a Fujifilm will be a better, more versatile fit.