What’s the Difference? The S1 IIE is the exact same camera as the S1 II with one crucial difference: the sensor. While the S1 II features a partially-stacked sensor, the S1 IIE is equipped with the same BSI sensor as the S5 II. Even though this sensor doesn’t offer the kind of readout speeds the S1 II has, the S1 IIE is no slouch with full-resolution shooting at up to 30 fps with the electronic shutter and UHD 6K video capture.

Smooth Performance. The S1 IIE delivers detailed images and footage with an extremely good low-light response. The S1 II has a sensor architecture built for speed but this camera’s architecture is built for smoother readout and low rolling shutter.

Bridging the Photographer/Videographer Gap. In-body image stabilization, 6K30p open-gate capture, ProRes RAW internal recording, 15 stops of dynamic range, anamorphic support, tally lights, and a new Cinemascope video format all help make the S1 IIE a reliable tool for video. For photographers, the 30 fps burst shooting is a good feature for event photographers. The 370-shot battery rating is a slight improvement over prior models. Photo and video shooters alike can take advantage of a nearly-no-lag EVF, dual card slots, and articulating LCD.

Expanded Workflow. Panasonic has beefed up their connectivity with the LUMIX Flow app for monitoring and organizing scenes with your smart device. The LUMIX Lab allows you to shoot with your smartphone, download creator LUTs, and stream up to 4K30p. The S1 II is also tether-compatible with Capture One and you can dump footage directly to an SSD over USB-C. It has a built-in streaming encoder so you won’t need any extra hardware to stream with this camera. If you don’t have access to WiFi you can tether off your smartphone via USB-C. Direct IP streaming over Ethernet is possible with an adapter. When paired with the DMW-XLR2, 32-bit float audio recording is unlocked.

A Few Physical Features. Dual record buttons can be programmed as something else when in photo mode and a locking feature will prevent controls you choose from being adjustable mid-shoot, adding a layer of security to your workflow. The carbon fiber shutter mechanism has a protective curtain to keep dust away from the sensor when changing lenses. While most of the L-mount Lumix cameras have dual SD card slots, this one is equipped with one SD slot and one CFexpress Type B slot for recording internal RAW video (and for faster writing performance overall). The sealed buttons and magnesium alloy shell ensure weatherproofing. The S1 IIE is an excellent hybrid powerhouse for indie filmmaking, pro and consumer photography, documentary work, and B-cam footage.