It’s a double win for Panasonic, as its extremely versatile Lumix S1 II not too long ago scooped TechRadar’s Camcorder of the Year award, and has now simply taken the highest spot in our information to the very best camcorders.
Both praises are nicely deserved. I examined the digicam for over a month and for me it’s the most full worth for cash video digicam of any model, and that features highly effective rivals from Blackmagic, Sony, Canon and Nikon.
Supreme high quality in a fiercely contested area
Of all of the digicam sorts, for me it was video cameras that noticed essentially the most dramatic enhancements in 2025, so credit score goes to the Lumix S1 II for being our prime decide in an more and more hotly contested class.
Canon made its cinema line smaller and extra reasonably priced with the small EOS C50, Nikon made large steps after its acquisition of RED, particularly with the latest ZR, whereas Blackmagic delivered the highly effective Pyxis 6K. I additionally hope Sony will get into motion very quickly.
I feel the Lumix S1 II is the very best general alternative for most individuals who aren’t particularly searching for a movie digicam, beating out rivals just like the Nikon Z6 III (and the brand new ZR). It shares what is probably going the identical partially stacked 24MP full-frame sensor as these Nikon fashions, permitting it to change into Panasonic’s quickest Lumix up to now. However, there are some lesser-known options that give it a real-world edge over its rivals.
Beating the Nikon, we get open-gate 6K video recording, which helps a bunch of video codecs (taking over 11 pages within the digicam menu) plus double-gain ISO for clear video high quality day or night time.
Dynamic Range Boost mode takes issues to the subsequent stage for many who need natural-looking 6K movies with the best quantity of element in highlights and shadows – the standard straight out of the digicam is nothing wanting skilled.
I’ve additionally at all times appreciated Panasonic’s real-time LUT characteristic, which lets you assign customized colour profiles in-camera to provide the look you need for movies and photographs. I’m not the one one who would favor real-time LUTs to Fujifilm’s movie simulations.
We additionally get extremely efficient physique picture stabilization for video; I’ve but to expertise a greater full body different. Panasonic’s autofocus now additionally performs significantly better towards its rivals, which is one much less motive to miss Lumix cameras.
The design of the S1 II would not notably excite me, however there is not any denying that it is a extremely purposeful video digicam that gives the instruments filmmakers demand. I particularly favored its dual-axis vari-angle display, which is similar to the design of the Sony A9 III / A1 II, and one thing that Canon and Nikon miss. I want the display was greater, but it surely positive is flexible.
Overall, there are particular areas the place sure rivals from Sony, Nikon, Blackmagic and Canon fare higher, but it surely’s consistency throughout all areas that makes the Lumix S1 II the very best for me.
Is the Lumix S1 II the right bundle?
Well, not precisely. There are just a few causes which may imply a rival video digicam is healthier for you.
For one, battery life is mediocre, definitely in comparison with Sony options. For a typical day of taking pictures with the Lumix S1 II, I’d like to hold two spare batteries and have the added safety of USB-C charging on the go, simply to be secure.
Additionally, the 3-inch rear touchscreen feels slightly small now that I’ve used the Nikon ZR with its beneficiant 4-inch display, to not point out the Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K’s huge 5-inch display. Even the Nikon Z6 III has a 3.2-inch display.
Given the dimensions of the display, if the Lumix S1 II grew to become my day by day workhorse (and it might be), I’d positively join an exterior monitor to it, akin to my Atomos Ninja (5-inch).
To unleash the Lumix S1 II’s floating 32-bit audio recording, you may want the non-compulsory Panasonic DMW-XLR2 microphone adapter. Sure, it is an superior characteristic to have entry to (even when the Nikon ZR affords these skills with out an adapter), however that is one other accent to think about.
Extra batteries, an exterior monitor, that XLR adapter – these equipment add up and The S1 II is unusually costly for a Lumix, particularly since Nikon upped its online game after buying RED, providing glorious worth camcorders that make it the very best finances possibility in the present day.
That mentioned, the Lumix S1 II has the very best in-body video picture stabilization efficiency of any digicam I’ve examined, that means it is the one digicam I’d probably use handheld without having a gimbal.
Overall, I feel the Lumix S1 II has the sting. It’s the whole bundle when it comes to dealing with and high quality. Just consider these potential extra outlays, plus the price of respectable L-mount glass if you happen to do not have already got some lenses.
