Panasonic LUMIX S1IIE Review

The little brother to the new S1II, the LUMIX S1IIE forgoes the partially stacked sensor, one stop of dynamic range, and certain video aspect ratios at higher resolutions, in favour of being a more cost-effective hybrid camera. For those who don’t need the 70fps electric burst or the 5.1K60p open gate, it seems like a smart middle-ground between the sleek S5IIX and the flagship S1II. But how does it perform?

	S5IIX	S1IIE	S1II
Sensor	24MP	24MP	24MP Partially Stacked
Dynamic Range	14+	14+	15+

Built for motion

Let’s get one thing straight: this camera may be more budget-friendly, but it’s no slouch. My first thought at seeing this camera was ‘that’s a lot of buttons’. There are dials and buttons for anything you could want, and an LCD menu for everything else.

You’re getting 4K60p and even 6K60p in a gorgeous cinematic 2.4:1 aspect ratio. That’s fast, fluid video perfect for everything from skate park slow-mos to cityscape timelapses. Oh, and did I mention the Slow & Quick (S&Q) mode? This feature lets you flip between high-speed slo-mo and buttery time-lapses without even blinking. Flexibility is the name of the game.

The handheld video I captured seemed both clean and smooth, and the 8 stops of in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) certainly helped me when tracking fast-moving subjects.

Whether you’re filming yourself on a bustling street or chasing down BMX riders in an underpass, the footage will stay smooth and steady. Pair it with a gimbal for panning, and you’re undefeatable!

VIDEO	S5IIX	S1IIE	S1II
4K120p	-	-	FULL 16:9 / 17:9 / 2.4:1
4K60p	APS-C CROP	4K60p FULL (2.4:1)	4K60p FULL (16:9 / 17:9 / 2.4:1)
6K60p	-	6K60p FULL (2.4:1)	6K60p 2.4:1 / 5.9K60p 16:9 / 5.8K60p 17:9 FULL
OPEN GATE	6K30p	6K30p	6K30p / 5.1K60p
INTERNAL PRORES RAW	-	YES	YES

A screen that swivels

Gone are the days of awkward low angles or squatting in the dirt to get that perfect shot. The new tilt vari-angle screen is the kind of clever design update that vloggers, solo shooters, and low-angle lovers dream of. It tilts, it flips, it flexes; it’s practically yoga for your LCD.

Add with dual video record buttons and a front tally light, and the S1II E is practically shouting, “Hey! I’m made for video!”

Meet Urban Sports AF

Panasonic didn’t just slap a fancy name on the autofocus; Urban Sports AF mode means real, tangible tracking improvements for fast-paced action in unpredictable environments. Think parkour, skaters, streetdance; this mode sticks with the subject like peanut butter to toast.

Plus, the burst photo mode was great for taking shots where I’d already chosen my background and set the focus. Working alongside the 1.5-second pre-burst, this really helped take a snapshot of subjects in motion.

Shoot smart and stylish

The Cinelike D2 and Cinelike V2 profiles are back, but wait, there’s more. The S1II E introduces Cinelike A2, a new colour style that brings a fresh, film-like look to your footage straight out of the camera. It’s got warmth, it’s got drama, it’s got vibes.

And for the creatives, there’s a new Multiple Exposure mode built in. Layer your shots in-camera, get dreamy effects or experimental looks without spending a second in post. It’s a surprisingly powerful tool for storytelling or just flexing your artistic muscles. While shooting things in motion, I didn’t make use of it, but if you’re a landscape or portrait photographer, it might help you line up shots you never thought possible before.

Stills that sing

The focus peaking was excellent for grabbing static shots and, while tricky, was even good for pre-setting the focus to where a subject would be. This was the first time I’d shot in fully manual mode, tending to stick to Auto and Priority modes, but I found it a lesson in both patience and appreciation of photography as a whole. There were some shots I know I would have gotten easily with Auto, but others where I knew the only way to get the camera to see what I wanted was through this tedious trial and error.

Of course, all of this was made possible with the 24MP sensor and 14+ stops of dynamic range featured in the S1II E. This ensured dark shadows, bright highlights, and an overall crisp image.

PHOTO	S5IIX	S1IIE	S1II
BURST (ELEC)	30fps	30fps	70fps
BURST (MECH)	9fps	10fps	10fps
CAPTURE ONE	-	YES	YES
MULTIPLE EXPOSURE	-	YES	YES
HEIF PHOTO	-	YES	YES
AI AWB	-	YES	YES

A few practical notes…

A note on the battery life, this one took a decent time to charge and seemed to drain quickly in the field, so if you're heading out for a full day of shooting or plan to go heavy on 6K and high-speed bursts, definitely bring a spare. Secondly, this camera and the S1II both feature dial locks and a lock switch, so even though they have a lot of functions easily accessible, you won't accidentally make an adjustment you didn't want; really helpful when positioning the camera during a shoot.

Glass to match

As for the new LUMIX S 24-60mm, it feels tailor-made to this camera, being a much more affordable and lightweight substitute for the 24-70mm that most seasoned shooters are likely to already own. The f/2.8 was great at working with the natural light while the range of focal length was perfect for dynamic street shots.

While I didn’t have time to test out the 24-105mm f/4 kit lens for the S1IIE and S1II it is sure to be great for short-medium telephoto work. A good portrait lens because of its wide variety of focal lengths, but since it’s f/4 it may be limited in bokeh. Similar to the 24-60, it will be most suited as a ‘take one’ lens. A good choice when shooting at events where you want to travel light and don't need a super shallow depth of field.

Final thoughts - Who’s it for?

The S1IIE is for creators who want power, versatility, and cinematic capability without breaking the bank. If you’re a hybrid shooter who leans into video but still loves snapping sharp stills, or a vlogger who wants that premium feel in a manageable body, this might just be your new best friend.

It’s a confident camera, packed with features that matter. For me, it was probably a step too far in the deep end, with buttons and switches galore, but that won’t be the case for a lot of people. Panasonic didn’t just trim the fat, they kept the meat and made it leaner. That means more people get access to the tools that help tell better stories.

So whether you're filming high-octane action or slow cinematic scenes, the LUMIX S1IIE comes ready to roll.

Thank you!

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By James Spires
13 May 2025