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The Latest News:

Panasonic’s New Advanced Hybrid Cameras

Panasonic has announced two new full-frame hybrid cameras for the L-mount system: the Lumix S1 II and the S1 IIE. Both are designed for photo and video use and feature Phase Hybrid AF with real-time recognition tracking, improved eye and face detection, and a new “Urban Sports” mode that helps track fast, unpredictable movement like skateboarding or breakdancing.

The cameras share many core features, including 8-stop in-body stabilization, dual card slots (SD and CFexpress Type B), and internal ProRes RAW recording at up to 5.8K 30p and C4K 60p. Panasonic has also added a new 2.4:1 Cinemascope aspect ratio for video, a high-res 5.76M-dot EVF, and a tilting 1.84M-dot LCD.

The key difference between the two cameras lies in the sensor: the S1 II uses a new 24.1MP partially-stacked sensor that enables faster readout speeds, 4K 120p, 5.8K 60p, and up to 70 fps bursts. It also includes a new Dynamic Range Boost mode offering up to 15 stops in V-Log at lower frame rates. The S1 IIE uses the 24.2MP sensor found in the S5 II and tops out at 6K 30p and 30 fps bursts, with Panasonic promising 14+ stops of dynamic range in V-Log. Both cameras launch in late June. The Lumix S1 II is priced at $3,199, while the S1 IIE will retail for $2,499.

You can see full details on B&H’s website here

HONOR Wants To Transform Mobile Photography

HONOR has unveiled its upcoming HONOR 400 Series, which includes the HONOR 400 and HONOR 400 Pro smartphones. Positioned as AI photography powerhouses, both devices are designed to deliver advanced imaging with a so called ‘‘AI Camera’’, fast charging, and a bright, durable display.

At the heart of the HONOR 400 is a 200MP Ultra-clear AI Camera System, which pairs a large 1/1.4-inch sensor with f/1.9 aperture and dual OIS + EIS stabilization to ensure sharp, detailed images even in low light. The main camera supports an AI Super Zoom feature offering up to 30x telephoto capabilities, making it the first smartphone to offer this level of zoom directly from the main sensor.

AI-powered features continue with AI Erase, which removes crowds or unwanted elements from photos, and AI Image to Video—a creative tool co-developed with Google Cloud using its Veo AI model. This feature converts still images into short, dynamic videos in either landscape or portrait formats, with each five-second clip generating in about a minute. HONOR is offering this feature for free use up to 10 times a day from May 15 to August 31.

You can see full details on HONOR’s website here

Something Worth Checking Out

AI is something that most photographers/creatives see critically, and for absolutely good reason. HOWEVER the fact at the end of the day is that there sadly is no stopping AI, so the best thing you can do is learn how to use AI to your own advantage, whether that be with helping you with daily tasks, writing, editing, your day-job etc.

This is where ‘‘The Rundown AI’’ Newsletter comes in. It will teach you how to use AI to your advantage, increase your work efficiency (something every creative needs) etc. 

Feel free to check it out, I read it myself (+its free) ⬇️

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Photo Analysis

Welcome to a new addition to the magazine: the photo analysis, where I will analyse a photo and talk about the composition, lighting what’s positive, what’s negative etc. so that you can learn and better your own photography from it ;)

This week’s photo by: Lars Hengstler

You can find him on Instagram as: @occ_44

Let’s Analyse this Image:

Composition

What works well:

• The reflection in the car is genius. It turns this ordinary scene into something interesting.

• Framing the person under/with the arch (and the reflection) makes them the obvious hero of the shot. Your eye doesn’t wander, it lands exactly where it should.

• The passing train above adds a layer of movement, frozen just enough to register but blurred enough to feel energetic.

What could be better:

• There's a lot of dark space on the left, cropping tighter or adjusting the angle might concentrate the energy and balance the whole image better. (also you could work on it in post)

• The man walking is not exactly in the centre of the frame, now is that a deal breaker? No, but some people would say that taking this photo a millisecond later (and waiting until the man is dead centre) would have made this shot even better. Others would say that not centring the man is the right call, since it adds dynamism and a sense of movement/direction. (so depends on your philosophy)

Lighting

What works well:

• The warm neon glow from the shop contrasts beautifully with the cool tones. It’s that classic Tokyo-at-night palette: electric and alive.

• The lights outlining the arch give it this soft theatrical look, like a stage set waiting for that scene to unfold for us.

• The way the reflection keeps the light balanced across the whole image is very nice, it mirrors the energy of the shop without overpowering the original.

What could be better:

• The train’s light trails could’ve been used even more dramatically, either brighter streaks or a slower shutter to stretch the motion further.

Framing & Perspective

What works well:

• Shooting from this angle with the reflection in play gives the shot a cinematic punch. It feels more like a still from a movie than a documentary street photo.

• The alignment of the train track above the arch mirrors the horizontal plane of the car roof, its clean geometry, layered framing.

• It’s a smart use of limited space; everything stacks vertically but feels balanced.

What could be better:

• A slight shift left might have included more of the third arch (the one that is coming in on the right) and tightened the rhythm of those repeating shapes.

• The left side of the car is just shy of sharp (it now fades into the ground) pulling the plane of focus forward a touch could’ve fixed this. (however this depends on your preference - some like the fact that there is a flowing transition).

Storytelling

What works well:

• It captures that in-between moment you only get in cities that don’t sleep—someone grabbing food, the train flying past.

• The image feels alive, even though it’s a still. You can hear the train and the buzz of the signage. Yes It’s not telling a dramatic story, but it is telling a true one.

• There's a strong sense of place. You know this isn’t just any city. This is Tokyo.

What could be better:

• Adding a second person, someone exiting the shop, for example, might have pushed the sense of interaction and narrative just a little more. (however that is out of your control for the most part (unless of course you wait in that spot until something like that happens))

• If the shop had a bit more visible interior detail, like steam or a cook behind the counter, it might have added more texture to the story. What I am really trying to say is: before you take your shot always scout and see what small storytelling detail you could add to your picture (then reposition/recompose accordingly)

The Rest of this Issue is for Premium Subscribers

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