2025 was once a very good 12 months for Panasonic’s full-frame Lumix S gadget and an eerily quiet one for Micro 4 Thirds. The 12 months was once headlined via the Lumix S1 II, a dynamite full-frame hybrid digital camera, and the S1R II, the long-awaited high-res replace.

Sooner than attending to the excellent news, and Panasonic delivered quite a lot of it this 12 months, let’s get the dangerous information out of the way in which first. Micro 4 Thirds was once omitted completely this 12 months: no new cameras, no lenses, not anything. Panasonic’s Micro 4 Thirds releases had been fewer and farther between lately, however 2024 nonetheless noticed the GH7 and G97 (plus the FZ80D and ZS99 point-and-shoot cameras, via the way in which). However 2025 had no new Micro 4 Thirds digital camera in any respect. Will 2026 have the GM-5 successor Chris so desperately desires? Fats likelihood. 2025 and 2024 have this in commonplace, a minimum of: No new Micro 4 Thirds lenses.

The writing for Panasonic’s Micro 4 Thirds ambitions, or lack thereof, is not only at the wall anymore. It’s large, daring, and surrounded via flashing lighting fixtures.

I in my view like Micro 4 Thirds fairly somewhat and suppose it nonetheless warrants consideration as a valid photographic gadget for fanatics or even some pros, however Panasonic doesn’t appear to agree. So let’s see what the corporate had in retailer for full-frame shooters in 2025.

Panasonic Launched Very good Complete-Body Cameras in 2025

I will be able to need to battle laborious towards recency bias on this one, as a result of Panasonic launched all its new cameras via mid-Might this 12 months. That seems like an entire life in the past.

The corporate’s first digital camera of the 12 months was once the long-awaited S1R II. The digital camera debuted a brand new 44.3-megapixel symbol sensor, 40 frames in step with 2nd taking pictures, AI-powered autofocus, and 8K video recording. The video recording not too long ago were given even higher due to firmware, via the way in which.

The S1R II was once a long time coming. The unique S1R was once introduced along the S1 long ago in February 2019, marking Panasonic’s access into the full-frame images house. The S1R was once fairly just right, however somewhat cumbersome, clunky, and gradual. The S1R II, arriving six years later, solves some of these problems after which some. This can be a powerhouse of a hybrid digital camera.

“The S1R II is probably the most well-rounded Panasonic complete body frame to this point, and takes a crack at cameras just like the Nikon Z8 and Canon R5 Mark II. Even supposing the loss of a stacked sensor makes it much less succesful for sports activities and motion, the usable mechanical shutter speeds nonetheless permit it to care for some sooner taking pictures scenarios,” Chris Niccolls wrote.

Whilst the S1R II stays Panasonic’s maximum well-rounded full-frame digital camera up to now, the S1 II (and S1 IIE) that arrived in Might went all-in on video-first hybrid efficiency. The cameras characteristic a 24-megapixel partly stacked sensor, just like the Nikon Z6 III, however extract even higher imaging efficiency out of the sensor the use of a groundbreaking method: Twin Acquire Output.

We’ve got now noticed an identical generation within the new 33-megapixel Sony a7 V, and it displays that Panasonic is a real chief within the generation division. Frankly, Panasonic has all the time controlled to extract so much out of its digital camera’s symbol sensors, despite the fact that the inventions have basically fascinated with video efficiency. This time round, it’s photographers who receive advantages. Alternatively, the S1 II has heaps of options for videographers. It faces stiff festival, however it should rather well be the most productive video-first full-frame hybrid digital camera in its elegance, particularly after contemporary firmware updates.

“It’s simple to love the Lumix S1 II. Panasonic has made a succesful and dependable hybrid digital camera that may care for many alternative forms of images and, on the identical time, supplies most likely one of the most highest video-based mirrorless cameras ever,” Niccolls wrote. Niccolls speculated that it might turn out particularly well-liked by videographers, and making an allowance for simply what number of of PetaPixel‘s YouTube episodes had been shot at the S1 II this 12 months, it’s transparent Niccolls was once spot-on.

There was once additionally the Panasonic S1 IIE, launched concurrently the S1 II. We didn’t overview this explicit style, however right here’s an outline of what makes it other. The S1 IIE’s listing value is $800 much less, despite the fact that it’s if truth be told $1,000 not up to the S1 II presently. The numerous compromise is that the S1 IIE doesn’t have the brand new partly stacked sensor, opting as a substitute for the standard 24MP BSI CMOS chip. This makes the S1 IIE a lot slower for each steady photograph taking pictures and video recording. The S1 IIE remains to be a just right digital camera, nevertheless it doesn’t be offering anything else particular, in contrast to the S1 II. For a similar value, customers can get the Nikon Z6 III, which is a far more straightforward promote.

Two New Lumix S Zooms

Panasonic closely advantages from the L-Mount Alliance in terms of glass. Its customers can get most commonly similar efficiency and lines from the numerous nice Sigma and Leica lenses in the marketplace, so it’s simple to wonder whether that has enabled Panasonic to focal point extra on its cameras and not more on glass. I’m no longer positive if that’s true, however 2025 wasn’t a particularly prolific 12 months for Lumix S lenses. We were given simply two, however a minimum of they’re just right.

First up was once the Lumix S 24-60mm f/2.8 introduced along the S1 II and S1 IIE cameras. It is a great, reasonably priced compact zoom lens with a quick consistent aperture. For simply $899, L-Mount shooters get maximum of the similar vary as a 24-70mm f/2.8, however at a fragment of the fee and weight. It’s laborious to move flawed with an reasonably priced f/2.8 zoom, proper?

“I to find the Panasonic Lumix S 24-60mm f/2.8 to be superb worth for the greenback. Positive, it has some softer corners on the telephoto vary and middling bokeh nevertheless it additionally provides you with a compact, light-weight shuttle lens that delivers sharp effects at f/2.8. If shuttle and vacation spot images is a keenness of yours, this lens will supply skilled high quality with a hefty dose of comfort. If you need a well-built lens for general-purpose images and you wish to have the speedier f/2.8 aperture, this lens will provide you with the products at an overly low value,” Chris Niccolls stated.

We absolutely intend to study Panasonic’s 2nd and ultimate lens of the 12 months, the telephoto zoom Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1. Panasonic’s first full-frame extremely tele zoom is the primary Panasonic Lumix S lens to hit the 500mm threshold, and is geared toward flora and fauna and sports activities photographers.

Grading Panasonic in 2025

Smartly, Panasonic indubitably delivered much less variety this 12 months than remaining, however there’s no query that the Lumix S1 II and S1R II are superb cameras.

If I had been to grade Panasonic’s Micro 4 Thirds efforts, the corporate would earn an F. Not anything came about. No paintings was once became in. The loss of Micro 4 Thirds merchandise impacts the overall grade beneath, however I’m no longer giving every gadget equivalent weight. Panasonic obviously doesn’t give each its programs equivalent weight, so why will have to I?

Panasonic’s full-frame Lumix S gadget will all the time be relatively area of interest and specialised, however the corporate makes nice cameras with fascinating options and generation. With the addition of the S1 II, S1 IIE, and S1R II in 2025, the Lumix S gadget has nice choices throughout all of the spectrum of value issues and use instances. The S1 II is arguably the most productive hybrid digital camera in the marketplace for challenging videographers, and the S1R II is a dynamite digital camera for photographers. The corporate’s two new Lumix S zoom lenses also are welcome additions, even though they aren’t all that thrilling.

Symbol credit: Panasonic. Header photograph created the use of belongings authorized by means of Depositphotos.