Panasonic Lumix S5II overview

• Design
• Connectivity and shows
• Photograph efficiency
• Video efficiency
• Verdict

We have been severely impressed with the Lumix S5 when it launched again in 2020, and now Panasonic is again with a brand new and improved model. To be clear, the S5II hasn’t changed the S5, however is as an alternative accessible alongside it as a extra premium possibility.

As a lot as we love the model’s cameras, there’s been one ever-present problem with Panasonic’s choices: the lacklustre autofocus efficiency. That each one adjustments with the S5II and the introduction of its new section hybrid autofocus system.

So, has Panasonic hit the nail on the pinnacle and created top-of-the-line cameras to purchase right this moment? On paper, it definitely looks like it.

We have spent loads of time with the digicam, capturing each images and movies in a wide range of situations, here is what we discovered.

Design

• Dimensions: 134.3 x 102.3 x 90.1 mm
• Weight: 740g
• New 8-direction joystick

The S5II has a really comparable feel and look to its predecessor. The button format stays unchanged, as do the supplies and hues used on the digicam’s physique.

The spec sheet tells us that it is truly barely bigger in all dimensions, in addition to being about 26 grams heavier, however if you happen to aren’t holding them facet by facet, you’d by no means have the ability to inform. The one apparent change is the S5II badge on the entrance of the digicam.

A lot of the adjustments are efficiency oriented and located on the within of the digicam, except for a brand new 8-direction joystick. That is present in the identical place because the 4-direction joystick on the unique S5 and means that you can transfer your focus diagonally.

We have a tendency to make use of the touchscreen extra regularly than the joystick for shifting the focus, however if you happen to spend quite a lot of time wanting via the EVF, you may little question be happy with this enchancment. Alternatively, it may be assigned as additional perform buttons, however you may nonetheless solely get 4 instructions if you happen to select to do this.

Connectivity and shows

• Full-size HDMI, USB-C, Headphone and Mic sockets
• Twin SD card slots, 1x UHS-II and 1x UHS-I
• 3,680k OLED LVF and 1,840k flip-out LCD

Beginning with connectivity, issues stay functionally very comparable, as effectively. Fortunately, although, this mannequin ditches the micro HDMI in favour of a full-sized HDMI port – very welcome information for many who use an exterior monitor.

There is a USB-C port, which has been upgraded to USB 3.2, and separate 3.5mm headphone and mic sockets. When the display screen is flipped out, neither of the three.5mm jacks or USB-C get in the best way of the articulation – nevertheless, the HDMI will get blocked, which is not any huge deal within the majority of instances.

It is price noting that the S5II cannot report externally to USB-SSD, you may want the pricier S5IIX mannequin if you wish to try this. Since there aren’t any heavy ProRes codecs on the usual mannequin, SD playing cards get the job finished simply wonderful.

Across the different facet, we discover twin SD card slots, identical to the S5. These have been upgraded, too, each at the moment are UHS-II appropriate, whereas the S5 solely incorporates a single UHS-II slot.

The opposite huge information is a brand new and improved OLED EVF. This appears nice, it’s extremely sharp and clean, and it made it very simple to dial in our settings and body our photographs. We weren’t capable of check it side-by-side with the S5, so it is arduous to say precisely how a lot it has improved, however from reminiscence, that is definitely a step up.

The flip-out LCD seems to be the very same as its predecessor, however no complaints there, it’s extremely responsive and is simple to see in a wide range of lighting situations. It could have been good to see the GH6‘s tilting performance make its technique to this mannequin, too, however the usual flip-out articulation is greater than sufficient for many eventualities.

Photograph efficiency

• New 24.2MP sensor with IBIS and Lively I.S.
• Part hybrid AF, 779-point
• As much as 30fps digital burst capturing with 200 body buffer

We have been actually happy with the images we have been capable of seize on the Lumix S5II. The pictures are sharp and detailed, whereas the colors are pure and lifelike. The RAW information maintain as much as some severe color grading, and the JPEGs do not fare too poorly, both.

Capturing on the S5II is a breeze, the brand new autofocus is quick and dependable and the topic monitoring works excellently, even in difficult situations like a busy metropolis avenue. In animal monitoring mode, the reliability wasn’t fairly as rock stable, but it surely nonetheless carried out admirably.

We reckon the brand new autofocus system goes toe-to-toe with the likes of Canon and Fujifilm. It is not fairly on Sony’s degree but, however we are able to think about it getting there finally.

Being long-time customers of cameras just like the GH5, we discovered the menu system and button format to be acquainted and intuitive. One among Panasonic’s strongest options is the diploma to which you’ll be able to configure and remap buttons to fit your particular wants, and we’re huge followers of this. Although, for these much less acquainted with the system, we are able to think about the sheer breadth of choices being just a little overwhelming.

We have been extraordinarily impressed with the upgraded picture stabilisation system, and although it could be of essentially the most profit to video shooters, it is glorious for images, too. We have been capable of take as much as one-second-long publicity photographs, handheld, with tack-sharp outcomes. Spectacular stuff.

Low-light dealing with is sweet, too. The digicam handles noise exceptionally effectively, and due to twin native ISOs of 640 and 4000, you may must get into the vary of 25,600 and above earlier than the graininess begins to negatively influence your images.

A key function of the S5II is its potential to shoot at as much as 30fps bursts with the digital shutter. This can be a huge enchancment over the meagre 7fps provided by the S5, and makes it way more interesting to sports activities and wildlife shooters. You will should be cautious with rolling shutter results at these excessive speeds, although, because the sensor readout is not the quickest. After all, you may haven’t any such points utilizing the mechanical shutter, which now permits for as much as 9 fps bursts.

Video efficiency

• 6K recording at as much as 30fps in 4:2:0 10-bit
• 4K recording at as much as 60fps in 4:2:2 10-bit
• Limitless recording time and onboard LUTs

Simply as we discovered with images, it is once more the autofocus and stabilisation that steal the present in video modes. The autofocus is great for video capturing – it is extraordinarily dependable and whereas, once more, we predict Sony has the sting total, the Lumix S5II just isn’t far behind in any respect. It is particularly good at monitoring individuals and faces, and there is not one of the irritating focus pulsation that comes with Panasonic’s contrast-based modes.

We expect the video picture stabilisation is one of the best that you will discover on any mirrorless digicam right this moment. It is exceptionally clean, to the purpose the place you possibly can depart the gimbal at residence in most conditions. Plus, there are none of these annoying nook wobbles that you will discover on different IBIS methods – not less than at 20mm and above, as we did our testing with the 20-60mm package lens.

You aren’t getting Apple ProRes choices on the S5II (you want the S5IIX for that), however the resolutions and body charges that assist 4:2:2 10-bit color have been expanded considerably on this mannequin, and that features Cinema 4K at 60fps. You’ll output ProRes RAW and BRAW over HDMI quickly, too, since there’s firmware on the best way that unlocks these capabilities.

Our greatest disappointment with the video capturing on this digicam was the truth that it is advisable use an APS-C crop to shoot at 4K resolutions above 30fps. If you happen to primarily shoot at 4K60, as many individuals do, this might show to be a deal breaker. On the plus facet, although, 6K capturing might be finished with no crop in anyway.

There aren’t any recording time limitations on this digicam, and the cooling has apparently been examined at 40 levels Celsius, which is much too heat for our British our bodies. We have used this digicam extensively, generally out in direct daylight, and have by no means seen any of the temperature warnings that so usually plague high-spec mirrorless shooters.

In relation to audio, the S5II helps as much as four-track 96kHz/24-bit LPCM recording, and it may be used with Panasonic’s XLR adapter, too. The audio high quality is great, and the preamps work brilliantly. If there was one factor we might change, although, it will be the power to modify to two-track recording. It is not an enormous deal, however the digicam is all the time recording 4 tracks, even when utilizing a stereo mic, which leaves us with additional traces of empty audio in our video enhancing software program.

Verdict

We cherished the unique Lumix S5, however the unreliable contrast-based autofocus system all the time held us again from recommending it over the competitors. The S5II fixes that with the introduction of its new section hybrid system, which is what has actually offered us on this mannequin.

Apart from that, the opposite enhancements are very welcome, too. Burst capturing is far improved on this mannequin, and the added decision and elevated bitrate for video capturing is nice information for filmmakers. Add to this one of the best picture stabilisation system that we have seen on a full-frame digicam, together with a full-size HDMI port, and you have your self a particularly compelling digicam physique.

In all honesty, the one actual gripe we’ve with this digicam is that it might probably’t shoot 4K 60fps video with out a crop. That is one thing that is potential with the cheaper Canon R8, however then you definately’ll lose out on many of the different skilled video perks that include the S5II, and crucially, you do not get that splendidly clean IBIS.

In relation to the entire different specs, the S5II is extra in step with the Canon R6 Mark II or Sony A7 IV, each cameras that price $500 extra, and it bests them in lots of areas. So, whereas $2000 is not precisely low-cost, comparatively talking, the S5II is a little bit of a cut price.