Until recently, I’d never really touched a Panasonic LUMIX camera. I’ve been a Sony shooter for years, and like a lot of creators juggling full-time jobs and side projects, I didn’t have the time or headspace to add a whole new system to the mix.
Full disclosure: This sponsored article is brought to you by LUMIX.
But after spending some time with the LUMIX S1II, and especially after getting early access to the upcoming firmware update, I’ve been thoroughly impressed by this camera. And for anyone else shooting solo video content (like me), there are some super exciting tools packed into this body that make creating for YouTube, social, and everything in between easier than ever. I think a lot of people are in on that not-so-well-kept secret, but for someone who is still new to Panasonic cameras and even the world of video production, I’m just sharing my personal experience and discovery as it happens in real-time.
Open Gate = One Take For All Platforms
Let’s start with my favorite feature of this camera: Open Gate video.
This mode lets you shoot using the full 3:2 sensor, giving you a massive image that you can crop into 16:9 horizontal for YouTube, 9:16 vertical for Reels/TikTok, or even square for carousels, all from the exact same clip. That means I don’t need to record multiple takes in different orientations anymore, and I can just shoot everything in horizontal (which is way more comfortable to frame and compose; no more tweaking my shoulder to shoot in vertical all day), and then pick out the frames I need in post.
For someone like me who’s always shooting solo and on the go, this is huge. I don’t have the time (or the extra hands) to redo takes for different formats. And now I don’t have to!
My Favorites From the Firmware Update
With the latest firmware update that came out this week, the S1II is getting even more capable. Here are three of the new features that stood out most to me as a creator:
1. Focus Stacking (Photo)
I just tried this for the first time, and wow—it’s honestly one of my favorite tools in the update.
You can easily set the number of steps and frames, add a shutter delay, and the camera automatically captures and stacks the images to create one super crispy final shot with a deep depth of field, fully in-camera. It’s perfect for YouTube thumbnails (something I actually have to think about now but didn’t previously), product shots, or any editorial content where you want every detail to be tack sharp.
As someone who’s never used focus stacking before on any camera, this felt super intuitive and powerful. Definitely something I’ll be using regularly now that I know it exists.
2. ARRI LogC3 Support
This is more of a niche feature and one I haven’t personally tapped into yet, but still think it’s really cool. If you’re working on higher-end productions or collaborating with colorists, this is huge.
LogC3 allows you to match the LUMIX S1II’s footage with ARRI cinema cameras, which opens the door for blending LUMIX footage into more professional-grade workflows. I usually grade in Final Cut Pro and keep things very simple, so this might not be for me yet, but I love that it’s available for when I’m ready to level up or work with others who need this kind of compatibility. Also note: This feature requires the DMW-SFU3 software key, sold separately.
3. Multiple Frame Display Markers
This one might sound niche, but it’s one of the coolest updates for solo creators, in my opinion.
With this new update, you can overlay up to three different aspect ratios on your screen at once. Want to see how your shot looks in 16:9, 9:16, and 1:1? Just toggle the feature, assign different colors to each frame (more fun than you think), and then you can even move them around using the touchscreen while you’re shooting.
It’s not just about having outlines on the screen so that you know where the center of the frame is but you can have all these aspect ratios in different areas of your entire frame throughout the shoot so that you can frame all ratios simultaneously and know what your final crop is going to look like on all formats.
It’s such a small thing, but it saves so much time and guesswork in post. You’re not guessing what might be in frame later—you’re planning for every format right then and there. This is easily one of my favorite tools for creators who are constantly thinking about cross-platform content.
Shooting Solo with the LUMIX S1II
I shoot solo almost 100% of the time these days. Between juggling work, creative projects, and just life in general, I rarely have the bandwidth to coordinate extra help or a second set of hands, so my setup has to be simple and reliable. Most of the time, it’s just a tripod, my lav mics, and the camera I’m using.
What’s impressed me about the LUMIX S1II is how well it supports that kind of minimal setup. I’m still new to the LUMIX system, so I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but the in-body stabilization and autofocus have both been pleasantly solid, which honestly surprised me a bit coming from Sony. I didn’t feel like I was sacrificing anything in terms of performance, which is a big deal when you’re relying on the camera to do most of the work while you’re also in front of it.
Physically, it feels familiar in size and weight to my a7R V, so I didn’t have to adjust much in terms of muscle memory or packing my gear. But what sets it apart is how much more functionality it offers for creators who lean heavily into video, and the LUMIX S1II is clearly built with that in mind.
For where I’m at right now (doing everything myself, with limited time and gear), this camera honestly just makes sense. It’s simple, powerful, and gives me the flexibility to do so much more with very little equipment.
Here’s What I Learned (Coming From Another System)
Learning a new menu system always takes time. It’s worth it for anyone on any camera to really sit down and learn your camera, learn the menu functions, and do some research when you get a chance – because every time I’ve done this, I’ve found so many hidden features that I never knew about that would’ve helped me or saved me a lot of time. And it’s all just because these cameras are so much more capable than we care to acknowledge.
I’m a firm believer that the best gear is the gear you have. This is the first time I’ve used a LUMIX camera, and I’m super happy to get the experience. I’m really impressed by its capabilities, especially considering I know fewer people who use this system. This gear is just as capable, if not more capable in many ways, than all the other gear people are constantly hyping up. It really just comes down to who you are, what you value in your equipment, what type of content you shoot, and, at the end of the day, what your budget is – and the LUMIX S1II packs a lot of features and functionality for the price.
In this day and age with so many cameras out there, you really can’t go wrong with any of them. They’re all fabulous and capable in their own ways, and they suit different users differently. I will 100% be utilizing this camera for video more often because it works better for me right now – especially with the different aspect ratios and formats I can get from one take. That’s not to say I won’t still be using my Sony a7R V, which I’ve used for so long and grown to love. But builders have different tools in their toolboxes for a reason. Different tools for different jobs, and that’s totally fine.
The LUMIX Full-Frame Lineup: Which One Should You Get?
If you’re curious about the rest of the LUMIX full frame lineup, here’s a quick cheat sheet:
- S1II: The camera I’m using now. Great for hybrid shooters and video creators. Especially strong with Open Gate and new firmware features.
- S1RII: Prioritizes high-resolution stills with a 44.3MP sensor, making it ideal for commercial, landscape, or editorial photography. It shares the same body as the S1II but is maybe more focused on photography. However, this new firmware update unlocks 8.1k / 7.2k Open Gate video on this higher-resolution camera.
- S1IIE: A budget friendly pro-level hybrid camera with high-speed AFC burst shooting. New firmware update has added multiple frame markers, Capture One Wireless tethering, focus stacking, and more, including ARRI LogC3 (available with Upgrade Software Key DMW-SFU3A, sold separately)
- S5IIX: More compact, budget-friendly, and still a beast for video. Lighter body with many of the same video features. Perfect for travel content or lighter setups.
- S5II: Another budget-friendly hybrid option. Solid features with Phase Hybrid autofocus, live view composite, and unlimited recording
- S9: An entry-level, compact and travel-ready camera with a sleek design available in six colors. It has easy-to-use functions, and a dedicated LUT button that allows you to apply signature presets directly in-camera. You can quickly connect it to your phone with the LUMIX Lab app for quick content sharing on social.
Basically, no matter your level or budget, there’s a LUMIX full frame camera that fits your workflow, and with firmware updates like this one, they just keep getting better.
Visit the LUMIX website to learn more.
Full disclosure: This sponsored article is brought to you by LUMIX.
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