Panasonic - Lumix S1RII - Black

As a long-time Panasonic user, I was eager to get my hands on the new S1Rii, and it hasn't disappointed. Right out of the box, the improvements over the original S1R are noticeable. The autofocus is significantly more accurate and responsive, making capturing those fleeting moments at events or nailing focus in the studio an absolute breeze. This alone is a game-changer. What truly surprised me is how much more fun this camera is to use. The smaller size and lighter weight make a tangible difference during longer shoots. My shoulders and back certainly appreciate it after a full day covering an event! It's also much more convenient to carry around. While the highly anticipated 8K Open Gate and external RAW video features are still on the horizon (slated for release later this year), the S1Rii already boasts excellent upgrades to its available codecs and resolutions. The image quality is stunning, and the flexibility in post-production is fantastic. Panasonic markets this as a hybrid camera, and it certainly has the potential to be a strong contender in that space. However, in its current state, I still find it more beneficial to professional photographers. The incredible detail, robust build quality, and significantly improved autofocus cater directly to our needs. While serious videographers will appreciate the advancements, it currently lacks some of the dedicated film-centric features found in the S1H, such as an Optical Low-Pass Filter (OLPF) and the exceptionally well-managed thermal performance for very long recording sessions. That being said, the S1Rii does offer some compelling advantages for video users, including False Color monitoring, a welcome addition for exposure control. The much less cropped 4K 60p codec is a significant improvement, providing a wider field of view. Furthermore, the advanced cropless Image Stabilization is remarkably effective, delivering smooth handheld footage. Overall, if you're a serious photographer who occasionally dabbles in video, or a hybrid shooter looking for a highly capable camera that leans slightly towards photography, the Panasonic S1Rii is an absolute beast. For under $4,000, it offers a compelling blend of exceptional image quality, vastly improved performance, and promising video features that could evolve even further with future firmware updates. While dedicated cine cameras like the S1H still hold their ground for hardcore filmmakers, the S1Rii strikes an impressive balance and is a joy to work with.

Pretty great over all autofocus definitely better than my s5iix and skin colors are truly better Also you can see the difference in those extra 20 megapixels or so.

Great Camera. Had some issues with temp warnings, and if you are a “fast photographer” (sports, auto/racing, etc), Id skip for the S1II or another stacked sensor option.

The quality for both photos and videos is incredible!! The autofocus has come a long way as well, I’m definitely not scared of taking this camera with me to any type of event.

Great body. 44.3 MP body takes sharp and crisp photos. Also it's a powerhouse of a hybrid camera.