MIRRORLESS: S1H MKII?

I have not heard anything. But I'd certainly be interested in what Panasonic could potentially do with an S1H Mk II.

I just wonder if they have a need to make it at this point, with their current crop of full frame mirrorless cameras.
 
In fairness I don't ever remember anyone ever able to predict what Japanese camera companies will do. They don't leak information and their goals and plans aren't relatable to people who use their cameras.
 
There were a solid few years, like 2014-2018, when the rumor sites had some good info, but then it seemed like they were off a lot more or only had some real news pretty close to the release dates.

I haven't followed cameras for about two years now and it's surprising how much I've forgotten about the specs and models already.
 
NorBro said:
There were a solid few years, like 2014-2018, when the rumor sites had some good info, but then it seemed like they were off a lot more or only had some real news pretty close to the release dates.

I haven't followed cameras for about two years now and it's surprising how much I've forgotten about the specs and models already.
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I've lost my appetite for it too. We're out of the wild west era where we had new and exciting cameras breaking new ground each year. There are so many models with tiny differing features its become a blur of marketing nonsense.
 
From what the rumor mongers have been saying, it seemed a release should be happening right about NOW. I suppose maybe S5IIX might have to do, but I feel like the MKII of the S1H would be the cat's ass.
 
Peter C. said:
I forgot what distinction between the S and H Panasonic cameras. Why is there a need for both?
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The S1H is targeted at filmmakers. It is considerably more expensive than the S5 II, but I don't know off the top of my head what makes it so valuable for video/filmmaking. It is full-frame with a 24-megapixel sensor, so it doesn't do 8K. But it is about twice the price of the S5 II camera.
 
My two cents.

Seeing as the S1H is listed as discontinued on BH's site, I would suggest that there isn't a S1H2 or replacement for it coming. In every other case of a discontinued product from a specific model line from Panasonic, like the various Varicam models along with the EVA, once discontinued that has been the end of the line. Sad but true.

For photographers primarily, a good family of lenses is the heart of a system. Amongst the Japanese manufactures, Panasonic's line of FF 'L' lenses is the smallest on offer. Totalling 18 lenses in all, 8 prime and 10 zooms. Sony are offering about 52 lenses in total, primes and zooms. This was also Canon's strength. A large family of EF glass to suit a range of bodies. A lens for almost every situation. After three and a half years of a rumoured S1H Mk II, I think it would have surfaced by now. I could be wrong, but I fear not.

It has been reported.
Panasonic sold their last chip factories in Japan to Nuvoton in 2020. Part of this deal was also the remaining 49% that Panasonic still owned from the previous Tower deal in 2014. Nuvoton itself is majority owned by Winbond, which is best known as a memory chip manufacturer.

By 2020, Panasonic completely exited the semiconductor industry. They had been active in semiconductors for 67 years, and in the late 80's were even amongst the 10 largest producers worldwide.

A new S1H2 would really need a fast readout BL low noise stacked sensor to compete on today's market. Panasonic do not have access to such a thing in-house. They would have to go back to Sony or elsewhere, as they have done in the past. They would have to do something like that, as their current phase AF sensor technology as used in the S5II got a not too glowing summary on CineD's lab testing. Today's competition is very strong.

Chris Young
 
FWIW, I see Panasonic as a fading entity in the camera market. They are a darling of many but it seems they are not active enough to gain enough traction to be active enough... A viscous circle and a tough market.
 
Why would any mirrorless camera need to record 8K video??? I could think of applications, but that's expecting a lot from an inexpensive camera.

Man, I sure hope Panasonic doesn't ever drop out of camera manufacturing. Canon and Sony are fine but just don't compare.
 
I don't think they'll drop out but the only reason there was so much chit chat over the years about them doing so is because they were so behind Canon and Sony what felt like forever.

And then when they finally made a few good moves, it was too late...Sony was far ahead of everyone, even Canon to some small degree.
 
Chris Santucci said:
Why would any mirrorless camera need to record 8K video???
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I would be interested in a camera that can shoot 8K, especially if was a Panasonic and can use the lenses I already have. (I prefer Panasonic because I'm already familiar with the menus and how to access the features I like.) Yeah, it's not critical, but I thought Panasonic missed a chance to stay relevant by not having 8K capability in the GH6. By the time the GH6 came out, other manufacturers had higher-resolution sensors and a few could do 8K.
 
I have plenty of criticisms of Panasonic but the lack of 8k isn’t one of them. My opinion is all these companies are too concerned how they can take a given tech and offer it as in many price points with a confusing hierarchy of features to justify the pricing differences. Where Canon, Nikon and Sony identified professionals are their primary customers and offer consumer more affordable options, Panasonic strategy is muddled. They don’t excel at photography and their delay in offering good af has put them at a disadvantage, relegating them as a marginalized player.
 
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Chris Santucci said:
Behind in terms of full frame mirrorless cameras? I can see that, but Lumix are so much better than Canon and Sony.
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That's crazy, never seen anyone say that, ha. Panasonic was behind in every single way possible besides IBIS. The gap was narrowed in the last 3-4 years but I still think Sony and Canon cameras are far superior (and, yeah, FF; the other two don't make MFT cameras).
 
Far from being out of camera production, Panasonic are just concentrating in much more profitable areas. The Paris Olympics, the Le Mans 24 hour race and many other big sporting events are being well and truly covered by Panasonic Broadcast.

Panasonic's AK-UCX100 4K studio / OB camera is a beast of a thing, running a 1" 19.29 million pixel 4K sensor with a very good S/R of 62 dB. Along with their big push into PTC cameras, they are doing very well. I'm on their mailing list and received this just the other day. Just make sure you select the English subtitles when watching this following video of Panasonic Broadcast involvement in the Le Mans 24 hour.

Even Panasonic's erstwhile partner. Leica are facing some torrid sales times if the major discount's BH are offering are anything to go by. What this says for the whole 'L' Mount coalition for the future, who knows?

Chris Young

https://www.cined.com/gear-guides/b...-prices-on-leica-sl2-s-and-leica-sl2-cameras/

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7265314935885197312/

Panasonic's new
AK-UCX100 4K studio / OB camera

https://www.bpm-media.de/en/products/cameras/system-cameras/studio-cameras/panasonic-ak-ucx100/
 
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