Following the launch of the L-Mount alliance, Panasonic has revealed a pair of full-frame L-Mount mirrorless cameras, the 47-megapixel Lumix S1R and 24-megapixel S1. Both have built-in image stabilization, a large, high-resolution EVF, triaxial tilt LCD for both selfie photographers and vloggers, the highest flash sync speeds on the market, and double slots for SD and XQD cards. Both models are set to arrive in spring of 2019, with further specifications to be revealed later.
To take on its larger rivals, Panasonic isn't going it alone. It has partnered with Sigma and Leica, and will be using Leica's existing full-frame-L mount system. That's a practical move, as Panasonic and Leica have worked together in the past, and Leica already has nearly a dozen SL lenses and adapters. The mount is compatible with its APS-C TL lenses, too.
Leica lenses are very costly, but Panasonic announced a few of its own, including a 24-70mm, 70-200mm and a 50mm f/1.4 prime, and promised up to 10 lenses by 2020. Sigma will also develop lenses for the system.
Much like Nikon did with the Z7/Z6, Panasonic has created high- and medium-resolution cameras to take on Sony's A7R III and A7 III, respectively. With 4K 60fps video, the S1 and S1R cameras will be equally suitable for photography and video.
Spec-wise, Panasonic's S1R and S1 cameras appears to trump Canon and Nikon, and even better Sony's A7R III and A7 III mirrorless cameras for video. On the other hand, Sony's cameras are proven quantities and Canon and Nikon will release their cameras in October. Panasonic's new models, meanwhile, will arrive at an unknown time next year, and we still don't know all the specifications.