Panasonic LUMIX S1 → Panasonic LUMIX S1 II
Is the upgrade worth it? Every change on the spec sheet, and an honest read on who should bother.
The bottom line
The Panasonic LUMIX S1 II is the direct successor to your Panasonic LUMIX S1, released 6 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 8 items and steps back on 3. The changes that matter most: burst jumps from 9fps to 60fps; 4K goes from 60p to 120p; subject-detection AF is added. The Panasonic LUMIX S1 II lists at $2,999 (the Panasonic LUMIX S1 launched at $2,499, and older bodies typically sell for well under launch price on the used market). If several of the gains below map to how you shoot, this is a substantial step up; if none do, your current body keeps doing everything it does today.
Upgrade to the Panasonic LUMIX S1 II if…
- ✓You shoot action, sports or wildlife — 60fps burst plus dedicated subject-tracking AF keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 9fps would drop frames.
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings smoother 120p 4K vs 60p and 10-bit internal colour.
- ✓You shoot in low light or indoors — AF that focuses down to -7 EV gives it the edge after dark.
- ✓You value portability — at 780g (1.72 lb) it's noticeably lighter than the 1020g (2.25 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
Stick with the Panasonic LUMIX S1 if…
- •None of the headline changes map to what you actually shoot — the camera you own doesn't get worse when a successor launches.
What changed (20 items)
↑ 8 improved · ↓ 3 stepped back · → changed without a clear better/worse
| Spec | Panasonic LUMIX S1 | Panasonic LUMIX S1 II |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| →Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | Partially-Stacked CMOS |
| ↑Effective Resolution | 24.2 MP | 24.5 MP |
| Exposure Control | ||
| →Electronic Shutter | 1/8000 | 1/16000 |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| ↑Continuous Shooting | 9 fps | 60 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| →Max Resolution | 4K | 6K |
| ↑4K Recording | Up to 60p | Up to 120p |
| ↓1080p Recording | Up to 180p | Up to 120p |
| ↑10-bit Internal | No | Yes |
| Focus | ||
| ↑Phase Detect Points | 225 | 779 |
| ↑Low Light AF | -6 EV | -7 EV |
| ↑Vehicle AF | No | Yes |
| Monitor | ||
| ↓LCD Resolution | 2.10M dots | 1.84M dots |
| Interface | ||
| →Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| →Bluetooth | v5.0 | v5.2 |
| →USB | USB-C 3.1 | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| →Memory Card Slots | 1x XQD / CFexpress Type B + 1x SD UHS-II | 1x CFexpress Type B + 1x SD UHS-II |
| General | ||
| ↓Price (MSRP) | $2,499 | $2,999 |
| →Dimensions | 148.9×110×96.7 mm | 136×99×88 mm |
| ↑Weight | 1020g (2.25 lb) | 780g (1.72 lb) |
| →Battery Type | DMW-BLJ31 | DMW-BLK22 |
What stayed the same (26 items)
Everything below is identical on both bodies — if these are what you buy a camera for, the Panasonic LUMIX S1 already has them.
Ready to buy?
Panasonic LUMIX S1 (keep or buy used)
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Panasonic LUMIX S1 II
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Frequently asked
Is it worth upgrading from the Panasonic LUMIX S1 to the Panasonic LUMIX S1 II?
The Panasonic LUMIX S1 II is the direct successor to your Panasonic LUMIX S1, released 6 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 8 items and steps back on 3. The changes that matter most: burst jumps from 9fps to 60fps; 4K goes from 60p to 120p; subject-detection AF is added. The Panasonic LUMIX S1 II lists at $2,999 (the Panasonic LUMIX S1 launched at $2,499, and older bodies typically sell for well under launch price on the used market). If several of the gains below map to how you shoot, this is a substantial step up; if none do, your current body keeps doing everything it does today.
What are the biggest improvements of the Panasonic LUMIX S1 II over the Panasonic LUMIX S1?
Across the spec sheet the Panasonic LUMIX S1 II improves 8 items. The most significant: 60fps burst plus dedicated subject-tracking AF keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 9fps would drop frames. it brings smoother 120p 4K vs 60p and 10-bit internal colour. AF that focuses down to -7 EV gives it the edge after dark. at 780g (1.72 lb) it's noticeably lighter than the 1020g (2.25 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
What does the Panasonic LUMIX S1 still do just as well as the Panasonic LUMIX S1 II?
26 spec items are identical between the two, including sensor size (Full-Frame), image processor (Venus Engine), lens mount (L-Mount), iso range (native) (100 – 51200), iso range (extended) (50 – 204800), mechanical shutter (1/8000). If those cover your needs, the older body remains fully capable.
Does the Panasonic LUMIX S1 II give anything up compared to the Panasonic LUMIX S1?
Yes — 3 items on the spec sheet move the other way: 1080p recording (Up to 180p → Up to 120p), lcd resolution (2.10M dots → 1.84M dots), price (msrp) ($2,499 → $2,999).
Full side-by-side spec table →Panasonic LUMIX S1 II full specs →