Panasonic LUMIX Interview – S1H Successor, Cinema Cameras, MFT Commitment, and More

by Johnnie BehiriMarch 2^nd, 2026

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We sat down with Toshiyuki Tsumura-san, Executive Vice President of Panasonic and Director of the Imaging Business Unit, at CP+ 2026 in Yokohama for a Q&A session covering everything from the brand’s fruitful 2025, their approach to compact cinema cameras, the future of the BS1H, Micro Four Thirds, and what LUMIX fans can look forward to in 2026.

Following the April 2024 merger of Panasonic’s consumer and professional AV divisions, the company has been on an accelerated development path. With three full-frame S series cameras launched in 2025 (the S1RII, S1II, and S1IIE), a rapidly expanding lens lineup, and a growing presence in professional broadcast, there was plenty to discuss. As a reminder, we named the LUMIX S1II our CineD Camera of the Year 2025 (overall winner in the Mirrorless/Hybrid category), so we were particularly curious to hear Tsumura-san’s perspective on the camera’s technical achievements and the road ahead.

A fruitful 2025 for LUMIX

We began by asking Tsumura-san how 2025 shaped up for Panasonic’s imaging division. His answer covered significant ground: the introduction of three full-frame S series models, the expansion of the L-mount lens lineup to 20 interchangeable lenses (including the long-awaited 100-500mm super-telephoto zoom and the 24-60mm f/2.8 standard zoom), and software developments like the “Magic LUT” feature in the LUMIX Lab smartphone app, which uses AI to generate personalized color tones from uploaded reference photos automatically.

But the story extended well beyond consumer cameras. The merger of consumer and professional AV divisions has begun to bear fruit. Panasonic released the AW-UB50 and AW-UB10 large-format sensor box cameras for professional use, strengthened the professional camcorder lineup with the AG-CX370, CX20, and the AK-UCX100 (the industry’s first 4K studio camera with AF), and actively proposed the “Media Production Suite,” a software platform using AI and proprietary face recognition technology for high-precision human detection, tracking, and auto-framing.

As Tsumura-san put it: “2025 was a fruitful year where both the consumer and professional AV divisions worked together to meet customer needs, and those efforts truly began to bear results.”

What makes the LUMIX S1II special

Naturally, we asked Tsumura-san about the S1II’s greatest technical achievement from his perspective as an engineer. He expressed genuine gratitude for the Camera of the Year recognition, noting that “the whole business department was very encouraged.”

The S1II was developed to serve hybrid users who shoot both photos and video with a single camera, inheriting the acclaimed color expression, robustness, and reliability of the original S1 series while incorporating changes based on recent market trends. Tsumura-san highlighted the partially stacked CMOS sensor’s contribution to high-speed continuous shooting performance for photographers, along with a wide dynamic range and improved depiction performance. On the video side, internal RAW recording and 4K 120p from the high-speed sensor received strong positive feedback from creators.

He also pointed to real-time LUTs (streamlined through the LUMIX Lab app), the LUMIX Flow scenario production app, and the implementation of ARRI LogC3, which enables ARRI workflows for cinema productions. As we noted in our own lab test, the S1II achieved exposure latitude results on par with the ARRI Alexa Mini LF in 5.8K ProRes RAW with DR Boost enabled, which remains remarkable for a consumer full-frame camera.

Bridging the gap between recognition and market share

We raised a question many in the community have discussed: despite strong recognition and a loyal user base, LUMIX’s overall camera market share remains relatively small compared to the competition. Tsumura-san acknowledged the disparity but framed it in terms of trajectory rather than position.

The LUMIX brand celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Panasonic introduced mirrorless cameras 18 years ago and entered the full-frame mirrorless market just six years ago. According to Tsumura-san, the number of LUMIX fans has been “rapidly increasing within the hybrid user community that shoots both videos and photos,” and market share is rising. He described LUMIX as being in “a transitional phase of growth” and expressed confidence that the gap is gradually narrowing.

What to expect in 2026

On the topic of upcoming announcements, Tsumura-san pointed to the new DMW-DMS1 digital shotgun microphone, which was revealed at CP+ 2026. The compact microphone connects directly to the hot shoe of compatible LUMIX S and G series cameras for cable-free, high-quality recording. It supports 32-bit float recording on the S1II, S1IIE, and S1RII, and also enables float recording when connected to the S1 series or GH models. Priced at $399.99, it is scheduled to ship in late March 2026.

Beyond the microphone, Tsumura-san teased that Panasonic is “preparing numerous exciting products and new workflow proposals throughout the year,” encouraging the community to stay tuned.

The compact cinema camera question

This is a topic that comes up frequently in our editorial discussions. The growing market segment of compact, video-centric “cinema” cameras, led by products like the Sony FX3, Canon EOS C50, and Nikon ZR, currently lacks a LUMIX entry. We asked Tsumura-san directly about this.

His response acknowledged existing LUMIX models like the GH7, S1H, and S1II that are already widely used for cinema work, along with the ARRI LogC3 implementation utilized by many creators. He then made a noteworthy statement: “Cinema cameras are gaining the ability to evolve even further, thanks to the earlier mentioned integration of the consumer and professional AV divisions.” He concluded with a promise to “continue to strengthen this area,” but stopped short of confirming a specific product.

The BS1H has evolved, not disappeared

For users who appreciated the original BS1H box-style cinema camera and have been waiting for a successor, Tsumura-san offered an interesting perspective. The BS1H “has not disappeared,” he said; rather, “it has evolved into a new product.”

Following the business integration, Panasonic advanced the LUMIX BOX concept and introduced the 4K multipurpose cameras AW-UB50 and AW-UB10, which support a common IP control protocol enabling integration with Panasonic’s remote camera systems. According to Tsumura-san, the new cameras retain the cinematic expression of the BS1H while evolving through IP control and other enhancements. He emphasized that the fusion of technologies from the consumer and professional divisions will enable Panasonic to develop “unique products” in the future.

The S1H successor: still no timeline

Perhaps the most anticipated question from our readership concerns the successor to the LUMIX S1H, Panasonic’s dedicated video-centric full-frame camera. Tsumura-san acknowledged the demand directly: “I have heard from many of you who are eagerly awaiting a successor to the S1H.”

However, he could not comment on future product lineups. He assured us that Panasonic is “sincerely listening to customers’ feedback and carefully considering how we can meet the expectations of video creators.” The answer was diplomatic but notably did not dismiss the idea; rather, it affirmed that the feedback is being heard.

LUMIX S9 and the EVF debate

The LUMIX S9 was designed with a compact, lightweight, and stylish ethos, assuming a shooting style using the LCD similar to a smartphone. We asked about market feedback, particularly regarding the lack of an EVF. Tsumura-san confirmed that photographers who compose through viewfinders “strongly request the inclusion of an EVF,” and that Panasonic is considering the balance between compact size and EVF inclusion as they work to “meet the expectations of as many customers as possible.”

MFT is not on the sidelines

With the full-frame S series demanding so much attention, we wanted to know whether Micro Four Thirds cameras have been pushed to the side. Tsumura-san pushed back on this notion, pointing to recent releases including the GH7, G9II, G97, and G100D, as well as renewed MFT lenses like the 100-400mm LEICA and 35-100mm f/2.8 LEICA.

He described the dual-mount strategy (L-mount and MFT) as one of LUMIX’s strengths, noting that the mobility and speed achieved through the compactness of the MFT system, including lenses, remain an enduring appeal. Panasonic intends to “continue to make new proposals that further highlight the unique charm of MFT.”

The FZ line and compact camera market

For those hoping for news about the FZ bridge camera line, Tsumura-san pointed to the broader compact camera market resurgence. According to CIPA, compact camera shipments in 2025 increased significantly, reaching 149% year-on-year in value. The FZ85 continues to perform well, and last year’s TZ99 with its 30x optical zoom was well received.

While he could not comment on specific new products, Tsumura-san affirmed that Panasonic intends to “continue offering value in the compact camera market by leveraging our strengths in providing high-quality, high-performance images and videos that smartphones cannot achieve.”

The AK-UBX100 and broadcast ambitions

On the professional broadcast side, we asked about the recently announced AK-UBX100 box-style multi-purpose camera, a 4K model with a B4 mount compatible with 2/3-inch bayonet lenses. The camera is designed for broadcast applications, including studio shoots, sports broadcasting, and live event stage productions. The AK-UCX100 already received its world-first AF function for 4K studio cameras in 2025, and the AK-UBX100 is scheduled to receive AF support via firmware update in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026.

When asked about a potential large-sensor version, Tsumura-san could not provide details but confirmed Panasonic will “continue to release products that meet market needs.”

The camera market outlook for 2026

Tsumura-san closed with an optimistic view of the broader market. CIPA shipment results for 2025 reached 107% of the previous year’s level, marking the global camera market’s expansion for the fifth consecutive year. This growth is driven by renewed demand for entry-level models aimed at new users and point-and-shoot cameras. Panasonic plans to accelerate new proposals targeting these new users while also paying attention to the steady growth of cinema cameras aimed at prosumers and stable growth in the professional AV sector around studio automation and solutions.

As he put it: “There are many growth opportunities in the camera industry, and we aim to contribute to revitalizing the industry by offering numerous new proposals.”

This interview was conducted at CP+ 2026 in Yokohama, Japan. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Tsumura-san and the entire Panasonic team for their time and openness.

What are your thoughts on the state of LUMIX and the road ahead? Are you still holding out for that S1H successor, or is the S1II already meeting your cinema needs? Do you want to see a dedicated compact cinema camera from Panasonic? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!