Despite being smaller and lighter, the S1RII also introduces faster phase-detect autofocus and improved stabilization.

The full-frame L-mount camera is the first to use a 44MP BSI CMOS sensor that reads out quickly enough to realize 40fps image capture and 8K video.

The S1R II has a newly designed, much more compact body that is almost identical to the Lumix S5 II, which measures 134.3 x 102.3 x 91.8mm and weighs 712g / 1.57 lb body only. This does mean that the the large status LCD on top of the S1R which was useful for quickly checking the camera's key settings has been removed on the newer model.