Engadget review recap: Panasonic S1R II NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti and more
The new tech is piling on Engadget’s desks! Were you out for the last fortnight? We shot the sights on camera technology, picked apart earbuds, benchmarked speedy GPUs, and compared a quite portable display demanding some limelight. Also, we’ve got two TV giants from the spring re-rereviewed and a power-up for gamers. All the Engadget deep dives that you have been yearning for.
Quick Overview
Panasonic Lumix S1R II
$3,298 at B&H Photo Video
NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti (16GB)
$429 at PNY
One of the best premium portable monitors
Espresso 15 Pro
$699 (with an included Stand+) at Espresso Displays
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2
$149 at Audio-Technica
Panasonic S1R II
Panasonic/Engadget
Panasonic Lumix S1R II
Panasonic S1R II: Crowned as the hybrid king! It takes gorgeous still shots and amazing video, one at a time. However, shutter rolling might be a dead giveaway for anything action-oriented.
Pros
- Fast shooting speeds
- Excellent photo and video quality
- Innovative cropless stabilization
- Lower price than rivals
Cons
- Poor battery life
- Rolling shutter
$3,298 at B&H Photo Video
Stop giving away your money for pro-level photo and video. Dent puts the spotlight on the Panasonic S1R II as the sweet spot that “hybrid mirrorless marvel punching above its weight.” He calls it “Panasonic’s best hybrid yet,” a champion of balance that will not break the bank. Think Canon R5 II or Nikon Z8 performance minus all that premium price tag – that is, the S1R II, which stands for affordable excellence.
NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti (16GB)
PNY
NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti (16GB)
Push those graphics settings to the max, but don’t go broke! This little devil of a card excels with silky smooth 1080p and 1440p gaming just under $500. Holding NVIDIA’s magic hammer known as DLSS 4, the minds will surely get blown with those frame rates.
Pros
- Excellent 1080p performance and solid 1440p frame rates
- DLSS 4 frame gen significantly boosts fps
- 16GB of VRAM
Cons
- Pricing could go up quickly
- Slow Blender performance
$429 at PNY
She patiently reviews the NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti, which is being challenged loudly on pricing itself before tariffs can finish it off. Will the entry-level card be a champion-killer or a saviour for budget buyers?
“[NVIDIA] has nailed the spec sheet with the 16GB GeForce RTX 5060 Ti,” says Devindra, and smooth buttery 1080p and 1440p gaming is promised-even with ray tracing turned all the way up. The snag here is: this performance very much does rely on DLSS 4 upscaling, and a few have since wondered about 5060 Ti’s raw muscle. Is it really there without AI crane?
Espresso 15 Pro
The good thing about the Espresso Display line is that the highest level has just been made more excellent. According to Sam Rutherford, the senior reviews editor, the Espresso 15 Pro is just right with premium features yet not carrying the sky-high price tags of its flagship models. Blindingly bright display, sexy and solid design, practically telepathic setup. But hold your ears–else where Espresso put in the magic! Glide plus enhanced Mac touch support lets you unlock hidden potential in your existing gear. For the rest, a toolbox of accessories makes sure the 15 Pro can adapt to any workflow, anywhere.
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2
Audio-Technica/Engadget
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2
Audio-Technica’s ATH-CKS50TW2 earbuds deliver knockout sound and marathon battery life, all while delivering a stunning blow to flagship prices.
Pros
- Long battery life
- Neat magnetic on/off switch
- Warm, pleasing sound
- Wireless charging
Cons
- Bulky, unbalanced design
- No wear detection
- Cumbersome controls
$149 at Audio-Technica
Are there 25 hours of wireless earbud bliss? Believe it. The ATH-CKS50TW2 by Audio-Technica is really in laughter at battery anxiety. No more charging days- actually these provide about twice the endurance of more pricey noise canceling competitors, especially if one doesn’t use the ANC. But the wonder does not end there. That classic warmth of A-T really shines through, with a very kept open and pleasant sound. The bass hits hard when the track needs it and then recedes politely when it doesn’t, avoiding the grossly over-tuned dirtiness that most of the competitors carry. Think satisfying thump, not overwhelming boom.
The Last of Us, Andor and Clair Obscur Expedition 33
Craving post-apocalyptic thrills or a galaxy far, far away? Nathan’s diving deep intoThe Last of Usseason two, dissecting each episode’s fungal horrors one by one. Meanwhile, Devindra’s delivered a verdict onAndor‘s latest rebellion, offering a full review that’s sure to ignite debate. For gamers, UK bureau chief Mat Smith journeyed into the surreal world ofClair Obscur: Expedition 33, finding a game that masterfully crafts a universe ripe for exploration.
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