LUMIX Listens to Creators: LUMIX Rolls Out Major Firmware Update with Extended S1II and S1RII Recording Times

Is your camera holding back your creativity? You need one that evolves to meet your needs

Lumix S1II series
(Image credit: Panasonic)

Camera features always look fantastic on day one. But can they keep up with your needs, months down the line? Can they overcome limitations that might impede your creativity, productivity or professional work?

LUMIX is committed to continuous innovation and improving the user experience. And the brand has been paying attention to the needs of its creators, launching game-changing firmware for its trio of full-frame S1 cameras along with an update of the revolutionary LUMIX Flow app.

In particular, LUMIX listened to creators’ feedback and delivered extended recording times by improving thermal management in the LUMIX S1RII, S1II and S1IIE – reinforcing these flagship bodies as serious professional tools for wedding videography, documentary filming and other long-form video.

The thermal reliability delivered by the new firmware is quite remarkable. The S1RII and S1II are now capable of recording 8.1K or 6K Open gate until the battery dies – and with a quick battery swap, they are ready to keep on recording, with creators like Josh Cameron recording for over two and a half hours "before I decided to throw in the towel and go to bed"!

Game-changing firmware

Here’s what’s new in the LUMIX S1RII (Ver. 1.3), S1II (Ver. 1.2) and S1IIE (Ver. 1.2) firmware updates:

  • Improved Thermal Control Algorithm for Longer Recording Time:
    The thermal control algorithm has been improved to make the recording time less affected by environmental factors.
  • Addition of Lower-Speed Option for SH Burst Shooting:
    A lower-speed option has been added to SH burst shooting, including pre-burst shooting.
  • AF Improvements:
    Auto-recognition frames for only the main subject can now be set for display while using autofocus.
    AF frame display for human eye recognition can be set to 'rectangular' while using autofocus.
    Enhanced tracking AF stability through algorithm improvements.
  • Added Video Features:
    The option for the low-bitrate video format "MP4(Lite)" can now be selected.
    3.8K (3840x2560) 29.97p/25.00p 50Mbps
  • Improved compatibility:
    Compatibility with our interchangeable lens S-R100500 and teleconverter (DMW-STC14/STC20) has been improved.
  • Support for LUMIX Smartphone App, LUMIX Flow Ver.1.4:
    External monitor function allows applying LUTs to live view, displaying multiple frame markers, and showing focus frames.

Other functionality improvements and enhancements:

  • An icon indicating that the preview effect is disabled will be displayed on the shooting screen when [Constant Preview] is set to [OFF].
  • ISO Auto can be set in the [ISO Displayed Setting] menu in the Custom Menu.
  • A bug where the live view quality differed between standby mode and video recording mode when applying false color has been fixed.
  • Added a 1.6x display option for the Anamorphic Desqueeze Display.
  • The base ISO sensitivity can now be visible on the ISO sensitivity setting screen when Dual Native ISO is set to AUTO.
  • The default setting for functions registered to the sub video rec. button has been changed to “No Setting” in both Photo Mode and Playback Mode.
  • The processing time for focus stacking has been improved through algorithm enhancements.
  • A menu that allows you to display the live view with the same quality during both standby and video recording modes has been added.

An improved workflow app

It’s not just the camera bodies that have received heavy duty improvements. The celebrated smartphone app, LUMIX Flow, also sees the following updates in Ver. 1.4:

  • Support for LUT view assist
    LUT live view is available in the app and can be toggled ON or OFF.
  • Support for multiple frame marker display
    The same frame markers shown on the camera is output to the app as live view.
  • Improved AF frame display for various recognition in Automatic Detection

The community verdict

The proof in the pudding is in the eating. And the LUMIX community overwhelmingly feels that its feedback has been listened to and that their requests for longer recording times have been answered – and then some.

“This is a big deal,” says Stronz Vanderploeg of tographer. “A lot is changing for the better with these flagship cameras. There have been some massive gains in terms of thermal performance for the S1 lineup.

“But it's not just about thermals. We've got autofocus changes. There's new video codecs. New ways, some of my favorite stuff that's in this firmware is the new ways ISO is being handled from a user interface, user experience perspective. We've got anamorphic enhancements and some other really cool stuff. All part of this one single firmware upgrade.”

His experience has been echoed by professionals, creators, YouTubers and filmmakers across the industry. “The new firmware is a must for every S1II and S1RII user,” adds respected filmmaking authority, Media Division.

“If you’ve been considering buying the LUMIX S1II, the S1IIE or the S1RII, you should

Probably get one before they sell out after [this] firmware update,” concludes YouTuber Matthew Dangyou. “It’s making these cameras way more valuable, way more trustworthy.”

LUMIX continues to be the leader in innovation – and keeps on proving, again and again, that no takes the needs of its creators more seriously. To find out more about the flagship lineup and to join the satisfied S1 community today, head to the LUMIX website.