Upgrades unveiled for Panasonic's Lumix S series cameras, enhancing photographic and video capabilities significantly.
Revamped Panasonic Firmware Boosts Lumix S Series Cameras
Get ready, creators! Panasonic has just dropped a bombshell with a major firmware rollout for its Lumix S Series full-frame mirrorless cameras—the S1R II, S1 II, and S1 IIE. This update, available from June 24 via the Lumix Global Customer Support site, is packed with practical enhancements designed to elevate your hybrid shooting game while cementing Panasonic's commitment to system longevity and creative flexibility.
Video-Centric Upgrades with the S1R II
The S1R II is the big winner, receiving Firmware Version 1.2, a whopping upgrade that transforms it into a formidable tool for video creators and hybrid pros. Prepare to tile your job with these jaw-dropping additions:
- 8.1K and 7.2K (3:2) Open Gate recording: Aiming like a sniper at the king of resolutions, this feature enables you to capture detailed footage without sacrificing cropping freedom, particularly when tackling those vertically dominated platforms like social media megastars.
- Raw video output via HDMI: Acompiler's dream! This feature allows external recording, opening the gates to complex grading and color correction previously reserved for high-end cinema cameras.
- ARRI LogC3 support via DMW-SFU3A paid upgrade: For mixed-camera environments, this upgrade is a practical and often vital addition that guarantees headache-free color matching between your Panasonic and ARRI devices.
Joining the party is HEIF recording in 10-bit 4:2:0, an efficient format that maintains tonnes of color data without the hefty file sizes of raw. Perfect for balancing image quality and storage efficiency.
Say adieu to amateur fumbled focus with the update's meaningful autofocus upgrade. The S1R II now supports what Panasonic calls 'Urban Sports recognition,' expanding its existing human detection system to recognize rapid, unpredictable movements such as skateboarding, breakdancing, or parkour.
Lastly, the update brings several professional workflow enhancements, allowing users to transfer files directly from Cfarexpress Type B or SD cards to an external SSD. Proxy file recording during RAW HDMI output is now possible, making post-production a breeze.
Networked and tethered workflows also get a significant boost with integrated Capture One support and Bluetooth timecode sync for multi-cam setups. Streaming and webcam use is covered with HLG View Assist, and user comfort is addressed with a customizable control ring and manual focus rotation reversal options.
S1 II and S1 IIE Tunes-Up
The little sisters of the S1R II, the S1 II and S1 IIE, don't miss out on the fun with Firmware Version 1.1. They get some significant improvements that bring them closer to their high-end sibling's capabilities:
- ARRI LogC3 support via DMW-SFU3A Software Upgrade Key: Say hello to better color matching and consistency across your camera systems in video mode.
- Focus stacking: Blend multiple images captured at different focal planes into a single frame with an extended depth of field, ideal for macro photography or controlled studio shoots.
- Expanded aspect ratio options: From ten to seventeen, the options sound like a rapper's dream. Now display up to three guides simultaneously, making multi-platform planning a cinch in one frame.
From the hyper-demanding filmmaker integrating Lumix bodies into a massive production setup to the daily hybrid shooter juggling various content platforms, this update has something valuable for everyone. Users already in the Lumix ecosystem have a great reason to stay, while those on the fence can't afford to ignore this update—it's a call that a camera body can and should evolve over time.
- In the revamped Panasonic Lumix S Series, the S1R II, after receiving Firmware Version 1.2, offers enhanced video capabilities.
- The S1R II now features 8.1K and 7.2K (3:2) Open Gate recording for capturing detailed footage without cropping restrictions.
- With the new firmware, the S1R II supports Raw video output via HDMI, enabling external recording for complex grading and color correction.
- ARRI LogC3 support via DMW-SFU3A paid upgrade is now available for the S1R II, providing seamless color matching with ARRI devices in mixed-camera environments.
- The update introduces HEIF recording in 10-bit 4:2:0, an efficient format for balancing image quality and storage efficiency.
- The S1R II's autofocus performance is boosted with urban sports recognition, expanding its human detection system to recognize fast and unpredictable movements.
- The S1 II and S1 IIE, with Firmware Version 1.1, receive improvements such as ARRI LogC3 support and focus stacking, bringing them closer to the S1R II's capabilities.
- Focus stacking allows users to blend multiple images into a single frame, extending depth of field, ideal for macro photography or studio shoots.
- With this revamp, Panasonic demonstrates its commitment to system longevity and creative flexibility, making it an attractive option for both existing Lumix users and potential newcomers.
