Two months ago we already pondered 
where Panasonic would have to move with its L-mount in order to become interesting for even more filmmakers. Now the first rumours about an upcoming S1H II have surfaced and maybe Panasonic can really make filmmakers' hearts beat faster with this camera. At first glance, the specs do not sound completely unbelievable:
The camera is supposed to be able to record 8K with 24p (4:2:0, 10 bit, 600Mbits) thanks to a moving 34Megapixel sensor. Scaled down from the full sensor area with all sensors, 6K with 24-30p is supposed to be possible (4:2:2, 10-bit, 400Mbits). For recordings with more than 30p, cropped sensor formats are available (e.g. 6K with a crop factor of 1.33 or C4K with a crop factor of 1.42).
6K should be possible with up to 60p, C4K with up to 120p, 4K with 180p and FHD with up to 300fps. All full-pixel downscaling formats are to be supported with 10-bit 4:2:2.
Should the advanced DFD autofocus catch up with the competition, we would be dealing with a highly exciting camera that is not far away from a much-desired "egg-cellent".
The rumours not only speak of a dynamic range of over 14 f-stops (despite 8K resolution). An electronic ND filter is also to be built into the upcoming S1H II. The latter has been on the wish list of many filmmakers for years and has not yet been realised in any DSLM body.
In terms of streaming and broadcasting functions, an upcoming S1H II should certainly be in no way inferior to a BGH1 or a GH5 II, which is why our prediction (that Panasonic will soon release an L-mount large sensor camera body for all professional applications) is still ageing well so far.
Here again are the specs in detail as picked up from L-Mount Rumors:
34mp full frame sensor
14+ stops Dynamic Range
Built-in eND (up to 8 stops)
6.5 stops IBIS
V-Log included
Brand new DFD AF
8K 24p 4:2:0 10-bit 600M
6K 60p 4:2:2 10-bit 200M (cropped)
6K 24p / 30p 4:2:2 10-bit 400M
C4K 60p 4:2:2 10-bit 400M
C4K 120p 4:2:2 10-bit 400M
4K 180p 4:2:0 10-bit 200M
FHD 240p 4:2:2 10-bit 100M
FHD 300p 4:2:0 8-bit 50M
Note: recording in C4K will be downsampled from 5.6K resolution.
Note: the built-in eND technology is similar to Z-Cam's eND module add-on for the Z-Cam E2 6F, 6S and 8F. The transition from one stop to another won't be smooth like the ones found in both the Sony FX9 and FX6.
A bit bulkier than the original S1H due to both improved built-in IBIS and eND.
