Panasonic DC-S1M2BODY9

The S1II brings 70fps burst, 8-stop IBIS, and 1,150 shots per charge, all top-tier numbers in our database. Video is excellent with 6K open gate and 4K at 120fps, but there's no full-frame internal RAW. Owners love the autofocus and color science, but the menu system is a common complaint.

The burst rate is the headline here: 70fps with autofocus, mechanical or electronic. That's top of the charts in our database, and it's paired with a blackout-free viewfinder. For sports or wildlife, you're getting a tool that can keep up with almost anything. The 779 AF points with Eye AF, Animal AF, and subject detection put autofocus in the 98th percentile, and owners agree. Multiple reviews mention the AF as a standout, especially for soccer and concert work.

Video is where this camera earns its keep. The partially stacked sensor enables 6K 30p open gate, 5.1K 60p open gate, and oversampled 4K. Dynamic Range Boost is a first for the LUMIX S series, and it shows in smoother gradations. The EVF is a 5.8M dot panel in the 97th percentile, so you're not squinting when you frame a shot. And the 8-stop IBIS means handheld video looks steadier than it has any right to. The one spec that doesn't impress is the sensor resolution itself, which is middle of the pack. But for this camera's intended use, speed beats megapixels.

Against the Sony a7R V, the S1II gives up a lot of resolution. The Sony's sensor is in a different league for stills, but the Panasonic fights back with 70fps burst and 8-stop IBIS, both of which beat the Sony in our database. The Canon EOS R5 Mark II is a closer match on video, but the S1II's open gate recording and battery life give it an edge for run-and-gun work. The Nikon Z9 is a monster, but it's also much heavier and pricier. The Fujifilm X-H2S is smaller and cheaper, but it's APS-C, so you lose the full-frame look. The OM System OM-1 is a wildlife specialist with great stabilization, but its sensor is smaller still. For a full-frame hybrid that prioritizes video and speed, the S1II sits in a sweet spot, as long as you don't need high-res stills.

Pricing is all over the place. In the US, listings range from USD 2,785 to USD 3,998, a spread of USD 1,213 across 9 listings. That's a huge gap for the same body. If you're shopping in the US, the low end around USD 2,785 is a genuinely strong deal for what you get. In Canada, the spread is even wilder: CAD 4,295 to CAD 7,621, a CAD 3,326 difference across just 2 listings. Shop carefully. At the low end, this camera undercuts several competitors while offering better battery life and stabilization. At the high end, you're paying flagship money for a camera with a mid-pack sensor.

The Panasonic LUMIX S1II lands in our database with a battery rating in the 99th percentile and stabilization in the 99th percentile. That's a combo you don't see every day. 1,150 shots per charge means you can leave the spare battery at home, and the 8-stop IBIS is genuinely best-in-class right now. For a hybrid shooter, those two numbers alone cover a lot of ground.

But the sensor sits at the 52nd percentile, which tells you this isn't a resolution monster. It's a 24.1MP partially stacked CMOS sensor built for speed and video, not pixel-peeping stills. The video score of 93.5/100 backs that up. If you need a camera that shoots 6K open gate, 4K at 120fps, and 1080p at 240fps without breaking a sweat, this thing delivers. Just know that the travel score of 72.8/100 is the weak spot, mostly due to the 798g body and the size of the lenses it wants.

Skip this if you're a video-first shooter who needs full-frame internal RAW. The cropped internal RAW modes are a real limitation, and owners are vocal about it. Also skip it if you need high-resolution stills. The 24.1MP sensor is only in the 52nd percentile, and while the High Resolution mode can produce 96MP-equivalent images, that's a workaround, not a native solution. Travel shooters should think twice too. The 72.8/100 travel score reflects the 798g body and the size of full-frame glass. If you're hiking or traveling light, there are smaller options that won't weigh you down.

The LUMIX S1II is a hybrid workhorse that nails the fundamentals: autofocus, stabilization, battery life, and video. The 70fps burst and 8-stop IBIS are genuinely impressive, and owners consistently praise the color science and open gate video. The 72/100 sentiment score reflects a real split, though. Video-focused buyers are frustrated by the lack of full-frame internal RAW, and the menu system gets called out repeatedly. If you shoot stills and video in equal measure and value battery life and stabilization above all else, this is one of the best options on the market. If you need high-res stills or internal RAW video, look elsewhere.