Camera rumors in 2024: what cameras are coming, officially and otherwise!

Panasonic rumors 2024

Panasonic rumors

Panasonic rumors (Image credit: Panasonic)

The Panasonic rumors are still swirling, with the manufacturer having plenty to whisper about when it comes to both full frame mirrorless cameras and Micro Four Thirds cameras

Last year saw a gigantic shift from Panasonic, as the company has at long last accepted that phase detect autofocus is what the market demands. As such, we've seen the AF incorporated in both the Panasonic S5II and Panasonic S5IIX, as well as the long-awaited Panasonic G9 II

So, what can we expect this year from the first manufacturer to make a mirrorless camera certified by Netflix? Here are the latest Panasonic rumors…

Panasonic Lumix S1R II / S2R

Rumor is that the Panasonic S1R II (in some places being referred to as the S2R) is going to be a rebodied Leica SL3, launching in the second half of 2024. And a fascinating report claims an agreement between the two companies that, unlike the past (where Panasonic released its camera first), Leica got timed exclusivity on the technology this year. 

In case you were unaware, the Leica SL2 and Panasonic S1R were essentially the same camera. Leica has a history of rebadging Panasonic cameras, such as the Leica V-Lux 5 (a Panasonic FZ1000 with a red dot on the front) and Leica D-Lux 7 (a Panasonic LX100 II in a new body). 

So, if history again repeats and the two cameras are spec-identical, the Lumix S1R II is going to be a 60MP camera, potentially with triple resolution (30MP and 18MP), 8K 30p video and phase detect autofocus. 

Panasonic Lumix G100 II

(Image credit: Jon Devo)

While the Panasonic G100D launched late last year, it's a very minor update with a new EVF and USB-C port. However, it's been reported that a full Panasonic G100 II is on the way. 

It will apparently possess phase detect autofocus – something that was sorely, sorely missing on the original, which was marketed as a vlogging camera but often struggled to keep vloggers in focus. It will also feature the same 25.1MP image sensor as the Panasonic Lumix G9 II and boast 4K 60p 4:2:2 10-bit video, but keep the same single memory card setup. 

Panasonic Lumix S1 II & S1 IIX

The flagship Panasonic Lumix S1 has been discontinued, and it's also five years old, which means that a successor is almost certainly on the way. And some wild specs have surfaced suggesting that we might actually get two successors, following the template set by the hugely successful S5 II and S5 IIX.

We could be looking at a 34MP stacked CMOS sensor in a smaller, weather-sealed, magnesium-constructed body with an active cooling system and built-in ND filters, and video that offers both 6K and 4K uncropped at 120fps.

Panasonic Lumix S1H II

(Image credit: Panasonic)

There are whispers afoot that a successor to the Panasonic Lumix S1H, the company's full-frame video specialist, is on the way. It is being suggested that the camera could have a 50MP sensor, along with a much-needed bump to CFexpress for at least one of its dual memory card slots. 

However, while 50MP is enough resolution for 8K video, don't get your hopes up for 8K support; as outlined below, Panasonic doesn't believe there is sufficient demand for 8K yet. Instead, the S1H will focus on oversampled 6K and 4K. 

An interesting development is that Panasonic has patented a camera with built-in ND filters – something usually reserved for cinema cameras (or, bizarrely, the Ricoh GR III). That would be a killer feature in the S1H II, and would make a huge amount of sense. 

Panasonic Lumix GH7

(Image credit: Jon Devo)

The Panasonic GH5 was released in 2017, the Panasonic GH5 II in 2021 as a stopgap, then the Panasonic GH6 finally came in 2022. So is a Panasonic GH7 in 2024 coming a bit too soon? 

Given how very good the GH6 is, it certainly feels a bit fast to put out a replacement. However, something pretty significant happened not long after the GH6 hit the market: Panasonic finally embraced phase detect autofocus, addressing the sole technological Achilles' heel that has been holding its cameras back. 

So, the company's hugely successful GH line needs this new tech. However, rather than releasing a GH6 II, it is rumored that Panasonic is looking to jump straight to a GH7 – no doubt incorporating many of the tricks introduced by the Panasonic G9 II

Again, just don't go expecting 8K…

Panasonic Lumix S5R

Could the S1R's days be numbered?

Recently there has been mention of an entirely new camera: the Panasonic S5R. This is an interesting one, as it would mark a divergence from manufacturer's previous product segmentation: the flagship Panasonic S1 (recently discontinued), the resolution-focused Panasonic S1R, the video-focused Panasonic S1H and the enthusiast-level Panasonic S5

Of course, when the Panasonic S5 II became the company's first camera to feature phase detect autofocus, it threw the wider product line into disarray – to the point where the S5 series may not be the primary point of interest.

Indeed, the Panasonic S5 IIX is so video-savvy that many question the need for the S1H II. And now, with chatter of a resolution-oriented S5R, it feels as if the market is demanding the S5 as its champion and leading Panasonic in a different direction.

Panasonic Lumix S1X

If you think the S5R rumor seems like a stretch, then you're going to love the reports of a Panasonic S1X. It feels super sketchy to us; at least there is some merit to the thought process of Panasonic expanding the newly successful S5 product line, but to introduce another new one? Not impossible, just implausible.

Much like the whispered specs, as shared by L-Rumors, which include the likes of a 49MP BSI sensor, 8.5K 48p video, 60fps bursts, 17 stops of dynamic range and omnidirectional phase detect autofocus. More salt, please, waiter… 

The Panasonic verdict

It may feel like hyperbole, but now that Panasonic has embraced phase detect autofocus it really is in the hunt (pun intended). The Micro Four Thirds product line feels increasingly sidelined in favor of the full frame bodies, with the Lumix S1R II set to continue the trend when it appears in the second half of the year (likely looking very Leica-like).

More camera rumors: Canon rumorsNikon rumorsSony rumorsFuji rumorsOlympus rumorsSigma rumorsHasselblad rumorsLeica rumors • Ricoh rumors

James Artaius
Editor

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon MagazineN-Photo: The Nikon MagazineDigital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.