Panasonic has rolled out a substantial firmware update for its Lumix S1 II, S1 IIE, and S1R II mirrorless cameras, bringing considerable improvements to their video recording functionalities. This update, a direct response to valuable user input, not only extends recording durations but also refines thermal management, introduces new recording formats, and enhances autofocus performance, solidifying Panasonic's commitment to empowering content creators with superior tools.
The core of Panasonic's recent firmware release revolves around a re-engineered thermal control algorithm, significantly extending video recording capabilities across its S1 II, S1 IIE, and S1R II models. This crucial enhancement minimizes the impact of environmental factors on recording limits, a direct answer to common user concerns about overheating during prolonged shooting sessions.
For the Lumix S1 II, recording at C4K 120p (4:2:0 10-bit) on an SD card sees an increase from approximately 20 minutes to 30 minutes under 'Standard' thermal settings, and to an impressive 60 minutes when 'High' thermal management is activated. Even more notably, C4K 60p (4:2:2 10-bit) now offers unlimited recording time, constrained only by memory card capacity or battery life, a feature mirrored for Full HD 60p (4:2:2 10-bit) capture.
The S1 IIE also benefits significantly, particularly in 6K 60p (4:2:0 10-bit) recording. While the 'Standard' setting extends recording to 30 minutes, the 'High' setting removes all limits when saving to an SD card, offering filmmakers unprecedented flexibility. Cropped C4K 60p (4:2:2 10-bit) in APS-C mode also now supports unlimited recording across all thermal management configurations.
Perhaps the most dramatic improvements are observed in the S1R II. Its 8K 30p (4:2:0 10-bit) recording time on an SD card jumps from 20 minutes to 25 minutes in 'Standard' mode and up to 50 minutes with 'High' thermal management. C4K 60p (4:2:2 10-bit) also sees a boost, with recording limits extended to 30 minutes when 'High' settings are engaged. Furthermore, C4K 30p recording now boasts unlimited duration in 'High' mode. Full HD 60p (4:2:2 10-bit) recording times have also been significantly prolonged across the board.
Beyond thermal management, Panasonic has introduced several other notable enhancements. Both the S1R II and S1 II now feature a lower-speed option for SH burst shooting, enabling faster continuous capture at 30 frames per second for the S1 II and 20 frames per second for the S1R II. The autofocus interface has been redesigned, offering users the option to switch from a box and crosshairs display to a more conventional single rectangular box for eye focusing, addressing specific user preferences. The company also refined autofocus stability through algorithm optimizations and added an 'MP4(Lite)' low bitrate format for 3.8K open gate recording. Compatibility with Panasonic's 100-500mm lens and teleconverters has been improved, and external monitor functions now support LUT application, multiple frame markers, and focus frame display in live view. Additional quality-of-life updates include a disabled preview effect icon, ISO Auto setting in the custom menu, a fix for live view quality inconsistencies with false color, an expanded Anamorphic Desqueeze Display option, and improved focus stacking processing. These comprehensive updates underscore Panasonic's dedication to evolving its Lumix S series cameras, ensuring they meet the dynamic needs of professional videographers and photographers.
This extensive firmware update from Panasonic clearly signals their dedication to the Lumix community. By actively listening to user feedback and implementing such significant enhancements, particularly in crucial areas like thermal management and autofocus, Panasonic not only improves the current generation of cameras but also fosters a stronger, more confident relationship with its user base. For creators, these updates mean greater reliability, extended creative freedom, and an overall more efficient workflow, allowing them to focus more on their craft and less on technical limitations.
