The latest Petapixel podcast featured an in-depth discussion on the state of full-frame mirrorless systems, and the L-Mount Alliance was not left out. Despite the welcome firmware support, both Jordan and Chris criticized Panasonic’s strategy of abandoning the traditional $2,000 mid-range segment. Jordan asked, “Where is Panasonic’s mid-tier full-frame camera?” noting that everything now is either high-end or stripped-down.

Chris added that while the S5 II is still their go-to recommendation for video shooters on a budget, there’s a real need for a new, modern camera between the S5 II and the high-end S1 II line.

While the L-Mount Alliance continues to offer excellent optics and solid pro bodies, the glaring hole remains the lack of fresh, affordable mid-range cameras. With Canon and Nikon pushing aggressively into that space, Panasonic and Sigma may need to rethink their strategies—or risk being left behind.

Venus Optics just announced the new Laowa 12mm f/2.8 autofocus Full Frame E-mount lens. You can preorder it now at BHphoto, Venus-store, Amazon.

Official product video:

First reviews:

Panasonic is in a market situation where they cannot “play it safe” to win over Canon-Sony-Nikon photographers. They cannot afford to think “incrementally”, as Sony did with the introduction of the Sony A1II, for example. With the future S1HII, they have to do everything they can to make this camera as good as possible.

To ensure the Lumix S1HII competes effectively in the high-end hybrid and cinema camera market, Panasonic needs to prioritize the following features to match or surpass its competitors:

Sensor and Image Quality

1.High-Resolution Sensor:

• At least 33MP full-frame sensor offering flexibility for stills and video.
• Dual Native ISO to maintain excellent dynamic range and low-light performance.
• Possibly offer a global shutter (like the Sony A9III). or rolling shutter reduction for smoother motion capture.

2.Color Science:

• Improved color reproduction for skin tones, matching or exceeding Canon’s reputation for cinematic color.

3.Dynamic Range:

• Target 15+ stops of dynamic range for HDR workflows.

4.Improved Autofocus:

• Phase-detect autofocus (already implemented in newer Lumix models like the S5II) for reliable subject tracking, even in low light.

Video Capabilities

1.Resolution and Frame Rates:

• 8K 60p recording with minimal overheating.
• 6K ProRes RAW internal support for easier workflows.
• 4K 120p with no crop for slow-motion enthusiasts.
• Offer 12-bit internal video recording options.

2.Codecs and Compression:

• Support for ProRes, ProRes RAW, BRAW, and H.265 for flexibility in post-production.

3.Anamorphic Support:

• Enhanced anamorphic recording modes with better de-squeeze previews and stabilization tailored for anamorphic lenses.

4.Heat Management:

• Advanced active cooling to allow unlimited recording times without overheating issues.

Stabilization and Handling

1.Improved IBIS:

• 7.5+ stops of in-body image stabilization, optimized for video with enhanced “Boost IS” for handheld work.
• Support for horizon leveling to compete with Blackmagic and Canon’s stabilization systems.

2.Body Design:

• Weather-sealed, magnesium alloy body.
• Compact and lighter than the S1H to remain competitive with the likes of the Sony A7S series.

3.Fully Articulating Screen:

• A bright, high-resolution touchscreen, ideal for vlogging and angled shots.

Connectivity

1.Professional Ports:

• Full-size HDMI for reliable external monitoring.
• Dual XLR audio input module support for professional audio capture.
• USB-C with Power Delivery for continuous power options.

2.Networking and Remote Options:

• Built-in Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless wireless tethering and control.
• Support for Ethernet for live streaming and remote shooting workflows.

3.Dual Card Slots:

• CFexpress Type B and SD UHS-II slots to ensure high-speed recording and compatibility.

Usability Features

1.Menu System:

• Improved, intuitive menu system with better touch and control functionality, rivaling Sony’s revamped menus.

2.Custom Buttons and Dials:

• Customizable physical controls, including direct access to frame rate, resolution, and other key video settings.

3.Battery Life:

• Optimized power consumption for extended shooting times, possibly with support for V-mount adapters.

Competitive Pricing

• The Lumix S1HII should be priced between $3,500–$4,500, undercutting competitors like the Canon EOS R5C and Sony FX3 while delivering comparable or superior features.

Additional Unique Selling Points

1.LUT Previews and Integration:

• Real-time LUT previews and the ability to bake LUTs directly into footage.

2.Multicam Support:

• Enhanced multicam support with timecode sync options for studio or live event setups.

3.RAW Video Updates:

• Built-in support for RAW video formats, eliminating the need for external recorders in some workflows.

By addressing these areas, the Lumix S1HII would stand a strong chance of competing with or even surpassing its primary rivals in the hybrid and cinema camera markets. What do you think about that?

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Aiarty Video Enhancer Debuts – Next-Gen AI for Low-Light Denoise and Texture Recovery

Whether you’re shooting handheld street footage, cinematic slow-motion, or low-light vlogs with your gear, getting the most out of your footage matters. That’s where Aiarty Video Enhancer comes in —a next-gen AI desktop tool designed to restore old footage and make high-definition videos sharper, smoother, and more natural-looking — all in less time.

Limited-Time Launch Offer

• Claim a Free License Code – Try all features instantly, with no watermark
• 30% Release Discount on the Lifetime License – One-Time Payment, Free Updates Forever

Aiarty addresses common video flaws like noise, blur, and lack of detail using advanced AI models —all through a clean, intuitive interface with no complicated settings. It’s built for quality, speed, and simplicity, combining the latest AI technologies with GPU acceleration for NVIDIA, Intel, and AMD systems. Everything runs locally on your computer, ensuring the fastest possible processing with zero upload delays and no privacy concerns.

Denoising Optimized for Low-Light Video

When capturing moody interiors, night cityscapes, or golden-hour portraits with deep shadows, high ISO settings are often unavoidable—and that’s when noise tends to creep in. Even with top-tier sensors like those in your Sony α7S III or FX30, high ISO footage can show grain crawling in the shadows or produce blotchy, unnatural skin tones.
Aiarty Video Enhancer is specially optimized to improve video quality in low-light and high ISO conditions. Unlike traditional noise reduction that can smear details, erase texture, or give faces a waxy, unnatural look, its superVideo vHQ model works differently. It intelligently distinguishes between real detail and unwanted grain, removing noise while preserving the subtle textures that define your scene.
Test 1: De-noise Low-night Video

Test 2. De-noise Low-Night Video

Zoom out — details remain well preserved and enhanced.

Restore Lost Detail with 4K AI Upscaling

Have old footage shot on early DSLR or mirrorless cameras? Maybe it’s handheld B-roll from a wedding, a quick travel vlog segment, or a client interview captured in HD to save card space.
With Aiarty Video Enhancer, you can upscale your footage by 200% or 400% to true 4K — and not just stretched pixels. Powered by cutting-edge AI, it analyzes frame-by-frame and reconstructs natural detail, making it look like it was shot natively in 4K. It recovers subtle intricacies often lost in compression or low-resolution formats—hair strands, delicate edges of flower petals, swaying tree branches, or the texture of clothing and stone walls. The results aren’t just bigger—they’re richer, sharper, and truly professional.

Test 1. Restore Old Footage

Test 2. Enhance Outdoor Shots with Sharp Clarity and Vibrant Colors

Eliminate Low FPS Choppiness with AI Frame Interpolation

Even with a powerful Sony camera, the capture footage is not always smooth. When filming a dynamic night-time travel scene, pushing the ISO in dim light, shooting a long-form event, or choosing a lower FPS to maintain exposure, it can result in in choppy or low frame rate clips.
Aiarty Video Enhancer comes to help. With advanced AI frame interpolation, it analyzes the motion between existing frames and intelligently generates entirely new, realistic intermediate frames. It doesn’t just duplicate frames—it predicts motion, fills gaps, and maintains natural movement without introducing ghosting or artifacts. That means, you can easily turn 24fps or 30fps clips into ultra-smooth 60fps (or even 120fps) with professional-grade fluidity without any expensive high-speed camera gear.

Crystal-Clear Sound Even in the Chaos

Street noise, wind, or distant chatter — they sneak into your footage more often than you’d like. Whether you’re filming a wedding, a vlog, or an event with your Sony camera, background noise can ruin an otherwise perfect take.
Aiarty Video Enhancer isn’t just about visuals — it also removes background noise with its AI-powered audio denoise. It removes hums, hisses, and other background sounds without flattening the life out of your audio. The result? Clean, natural-sounding speech and a more immersive listening experience.

Boost Your Workflow with Optimized AI Models

Powered by SOTA-level AI technology, Aiarty’s optimized AI models and Turbo Mode are designed to keep up with your workflow—delivering up to 3× faster processing compared to other AI tools.
Real-world testing:
A 25-minute 2K@30FPS video was upscaled to 4K in just 25 minutes on a system with RTX 5090, Intel Core i7, and 8GB RAM—while most desktop tools take over an hour for the same task.
Additionally, Aarty’s models are also finely tuned for GPU acceleration and fully optimized for NVIDIA, AMD, and Apple Silicon. With up to 95% GPU utilization, you’ll get the most out of your hardware for faster, smoother video enhancement.
Powerful AI Models for any Videos
Aiarty Video Enhancer includes 3 AI models, designed to enhance different videos for the best results.
moDetail-HQ
It offers powerful deblurring and denoising, recovering fine textures like hair, petals, and outdoor elements. Best for daylight scenes and high-detail restoration.
Smooth-HQ
It offers balanced enhancement—removing flaws while preserving authentic color and texture continuity. Ideal for indoor shots, portraits, and general footage.
SuperVideo
Specialized for extreme low-light, this model removes heavy noise while preserving critical details in dark scenes like nightscapes or dim interiors.

Aiarty Video Enhancer is a best-in-class AI video enhancement tool that uses advanced AI models to deliver professional-quality results quickly and easily. Ideal for creators, it sharpens, denoises, and upscales videos for stunning clarity and detail.

Wandrd’s new PRVKE V4 camera bag is a massive success on Kickstarter (Click here) — already over $500,000 raised!
A perfect all-in-one bag for mirrorless shooters: quick side access to your camera gear, weatherproof materials, expandable roll-top, laptop sleeve, and minimalist design. Great for everyday carry and travel with your L-Mount system. No wonder so many photographers are backing it 🚀.

More Kickstarter projects:

• Peak Design announce the new Pro Tripod on Kickstarter (Click here).
• The new magnetic camera sling is now available on Kickstarter (Click here)
• The EuFy Make 1 UV printer has raised over $44 million on Kickstarter (click here).
• For $99 you now can preorder the new Echolens on Kickstarter (Click here)

Matthew has a bunch of film simulation LUT’s for you!