Panasonic LUMIX S1R → Panasonic LUMIX S1R 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 S1R II is the direct successor to your Panasonic LUMIX S1R, released 6 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 10 items and steps back on 4. The changes that matter most: burst jumps from 9fps to 40fps; 8K video arrives; subject-detection AF is added. The Panasonic LUMIX S1R II lists at $3,299 (the Panasonic LUMIX S1R launched at $3,699, 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 S1R II if…
- ✓You shoot action, sports or wildlife — 40fps burst plus dedicated subject-tracking AF keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 9fps would drop frames.
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings 8K capture (up to 30p) and 10-bit internal colour.
- ✓You shoot in low light or indoors — a higher native ISO ceiling (51,200) and AF that focuses down to -6 EV give it the edge after dark.
- ✓You value portability — at 795g (1.75 lb) it's noticeably lighter than the 1030g (2.27 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
Stick with the Panasonic LUMIX S1R 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 (25 items)
↑ 10 improved · ↓ 4 stepped back · → changed without a clear better/worse
| Spec | Panasonic LUMIX S1R | Panasonic LUMIX S1R II |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| →Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | Partially-Stacked CMOS |
| ↓Effective Resolution | 47.3 MP | 44.3 MP |
| Exposure Control | ||
| →ISO Range (Native) | 100 – 25600 | 80 – 51200 |
| →ISO Range (Extended) | 50 – 51200 | 40 – 204800 |
| →Electronic Shutter | 1/8000 | 1/16000 |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| ↑Continuous Shooting | 9 fps | 40 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| →Max Resolution | 4K | 8.1K |
| ↑4K Recording | Up to 30p | Up to 60p |
| ↑1080p Recording | Up to 60p | Up to 120p |
| ↑10-bit Internal | No | Yes |
| Focus | ||
| ↑Phase Detect Points | 225 | 779 |
| ↑Low Light AF | -5 EV | -6 EV |
| ↑Animal AF | No | Yes |
| ↑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) | $3,699 | $3,299 |
| →Dimensions | 148.9×110×96.7 mm | 134.3×102.3×91.8 mm |
| ↑Weight | 1030g (2.27 lb) | 795g (1.75 lb) |
| ↓Battery Life (EVF) | 380 shots | 340 shots |
| ↓Battery Life (LCD) | 400 shots | 380 shots |
| →Battery Type | DMW-BLJ31 | DMW-BLK22 |
What stayed the same (23 items)
Everything below is identical on both bodies — if these are what you buy a camera for, the Panasonic LUMIX S1R already has them.
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Panasonic LUMIX S1R (keep or buy used)
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Panasonic LUMIX S1R II
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Frequently asked
Is it worth upgrading from the Panasonic LUMIX S1R to the Panasonic LUMIX S1R II?
The Panasonic LUMIX S1R II is the direct successor to your Panasonic LUMIX S1R, released 6 years later. Across the full spec sheet it improves 10 items and steps back on 4. The changes that matter most: burst jumps from 9fps to 40fps; 8K video arrives; subject-detection AF is added. The Panasonic LUMIX S1R II lists at $3,299 (the Panasonic LUMIX S1R launched at $3,699, 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 S1R II over the Panasonic LUMIX S1R?
Across the spec sheet the Panasonic LUMIX S1R II improves 10 items. The most significant: 40fps burst plus dedicated subject-tracking AF keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 9fps would drop frames. it brings 8K capture (up to 30p) and 10-bit internal colour. a higher native ISO ceiling (51,200) and AF that focuses down to -6 EV give it the edge after dark. at 795g (1.75 lb) it's noticeably lighter than the 1030g (2.27 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
What does the Panasonic LUMIX S1R still do just as well as the Panasonic LUMIX S1R II?
23 spec items are identical between the two, including sensor size (Full-Frame), image processor (Venus Engine), lens mount (L-Mount), mechanical shutter (1/8000), flash sync speed (1/250), built-in flash (No). If those cover your needs, the older body remains fully capable.
Does the Panasonic LUMIX S1R II give anything up compared to the Panasonic LUMIX S1R?
Yes — 4 items on the spec sheet move the other way: effective resolution (47.3 MP → 44.3 MP), lcd resolution (2.10M dots → 1.84M dots), battery life (evf) (380 shots → 340 shots), battery life (lcd) (400 shots → 380 shots).
Full side-by-side spec table →Panasonic LUMIX S1R II full specs →