Qvs S1 II
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Street, Travel & Fine Art Photography — Q (2015): The camera that redefined luxury compact photography — a full-frame sensor, the finest 28mm compact lens available, and a shooting feel that is uniquely Leica.
Hybrid & Video — S1 II (2025): The S1 II is the full-frame L-mount hybrid camera Panasonic's system has been waiting for — phase-detect AF, 4K/120p, class-leading IBIS, and a professional build in one complete package. It addresses every weakness of the original S1 and positions Lumix firmly back in the conversation for serious hybrid shooters.
Who should buy what
Q (2015)
- Street and documentary photographers who want a full-frame fixed-lens camera with iconic character
- Travel photographers who want the finest compact image quality available
- Leica enthusiasts who want an autofocus alternative to the M system
- Photographers who value build quality and shooting experience as much as spec sheets
S1 II (2025)
- Hybrid photographers who need excellent stills and serious video capability
- Video professionals who want full-frame quality with 4K/120p
- Landscape and portrait photographers who want maximum stabilisation
- L-mount system users upgrading from S1 or S5 II
Quick take: The q is the most affordable; only the s1 ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Q (2015) | S1 II (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,999 | £2,200 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 24.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 1080p/60p | 6K/30p, 4K/120p, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, 49 AF fields, face detection | Phase-detect AF with subject recognition (human, animal, vehicle) |
| Stabilisation | None | 5-axis IBIS, up to 8 stops |
| Burst Rate | 10fps | 30fps (electronic), 9fps (mechanical) |
| Battery Life | ~270 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 640g (with battery and card) | 680g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 130.0 × 80.0 × 93.5mm | 138.5 × 100.0 × 91.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.68M dots, 0.68× magnification | Electronic, 3.68M dots, 0.78× |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.84M dots |
| Mount | Fixed Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH | Leica L-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual slot: CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Q | S1 II |
|---|---|---|
| Street | ||
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Wildlife | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history