Panasonic Lumix S5 II in-depth overview

Panasonic Lumix S5II at a look:

• $1,999 / £1,999 physique solely
• $2,299 / £2,299 with 20-60mm lens
• 24.2MP full-frame sensor
• ISO 100-51,200 (normal)
• As much as 30 fps capturing
• C4K 60p video recording
• 5-axis in-body stabilisation
• 3.68m-dot, 0.78x viewfinder
• 3in, 1.84m-dot vari-angle LCD

Again in 2020, Panasonic launched its first mass-market full-frame mirrorless digicam, the Lumix S5. With a 24MP sensor in a compact physique and a powerful characteristic set – particularly by way of video – it was a likeable digicam that dealt with nicely and delivered high-quality outcomes. However as with all Lumix fashions, it was barely held again by its use of a proprietary Depth from Defocus (DFD) autofocus system, which couldn’t match its opponents for steady AF or easy focus transitions throughout video recording. Now the agency has relented to strain from customers and reviewers alike, with the brand new Panasonic Lumix S5 II lastly gaining part detection autofocus. It’s troublesome to overstate how essential that is for Panasonic followers.

Whereas PDAF is clearly the headline information, the S5II naturally features various different updates and enchancment. Maybe essentially the most attention-grabbing, in technical phrases, is the addition of a cooling fan above the sensor, with vents on both aspect of the viewfinder housing. This enables the digicam to help prolonged video recording instances (in precept restricted solely by card house or battery energy), with no need a cumbersome fan unit on the again.

On this view, you possibly can clearly see one of many S5II’s fan vents beside the drive mode dial. There’s one other on the opposite aspect. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

At $1,999 / £1999 physique solely, the S5II seems somewhat inexpensive subsequent to its latest opponents, such because the Canon EOS R6 Mark II ($2,499 / £2,779) and the Sony Alpha A7 IV ($2499 / £2399). It’s additionally very shut in worth to the broadly related Nikon Z6 II, which has lately dropped beneath the $2000 / £2000 mark. Unsurprisingly, although, this counts as a substantial a premium over the unique Lumix S5’s $1499 / £1,499 avenue worth. So does the S5II have what it takes to draw fanatic photographers on this essential part of the market?

Panasonic Lumix S5 II: Options

Like its predecessor, the S5II is predicated round a 24MP full-frame sensor. After all, it’s not an identical, because it now incorporates part detection pixels for autofocus. However as earlier than, it supplies a regular sensitivity vary of ISO 100-51,200, which will be prolonged to ISO 50-204,800 through the digicam’s menu.

Whereas the S5II’s full-frame sensor has the identical 24MP decision because the S5’s , it now embody part detection components for autofocus. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

Nonetheless, the S5II now provides significantly faster burst capturing, at as much as 30 frames per second with steady autofocus utilizing its digital shutter. Make use of the mechanical shutter and it’ll shoot at 9 fps with focus mounted, or 7 fps with AFC, which in each circumstances is 2 fps quicker than earlier than. Panasonic says it may well shoot a formidable 200 uncooked+JPEG frames earlier than slowing down.

The massive replace, in fact, is the brand new ‘part hybrid AF system’, which mixes part detection for velocity and distinction detection for accuracy. There are not any fewer than 779 selectable factors overlaying your complete body, proper into the intense corners. As with the agency’s earlier fashions, the S5II additionally features a topic detection system that’s able to recognising and monitoring people and animals. Nonetheless, not like different latest cameras, you don’t get any type of car recognition mode.

The BLK-22 battery guarantees 370 pictures per cost, or 1500 in energy save mode. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

Like older Lumix S cameras, the S5II contains in-body picture stabilisation, which is rated for as much as 5 stops of shake suppression by itself. Mount an optically stabilised lens resembling one of many agency’s telephotos zooms, and the 2 techniques work collectively through the Twin IS 2 system to extend this by an additional 1.5 stops.

With the digicam mounted on a tripod, the IS mechanism will also be used for a 96MP high-resolution multi-shot mode. Not like many opponents’ techniques, this generates a composite uncooked file in-camera, with the choice of movement suppression processing to stop ghosting with objects that transfer between frames.

The S5II information recordsdata to 2 UHS-II SD card slots – there’s no CFexpress help Right here, you too can see the distant launch socket on the aspect of the handgrip. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

Unsurprisingly, there’s a powerful deal with video. Not solely is the S5II able to capturing in 4K at as much as 60fps in 4:2:2 10-bit color, with no laborious restrict to the recording time, however it may well additionally output 6K 30fps footage in both 17:9 or 3:2 side ratios. The in-body picture stabilisation now helps ‘Energetic IS’ for video recording, which Panasonic says supplies 200% better shake compensation in comparison with the S5.

Each microphone and headphone sockets are onboard, handily positioned out of the best way of the articulated display screen. Customers of exterior screens and recorders shall be delighted by the incorporation of a full-size HDMI socket.

Microphone and headphone ports are positioned excessive on the aspect the place they gained’t impede the articulating display screen. Videographers shall be happy to see a full-size HDMI output above the USB-C port. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

Smartphone connectivity is supplied through built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, with a complete set of options. You should utilize your telephone as a easy Bluetooth shutter launch, or take full management of the digicam remotely, full with a stay view feed. Then after capturing, you possibly can import pictures from the digicam onto your telephone. Panasonic additionally features a notably well-designed in-camera uncooked converter so you possibly can tweak your pictures earlier than sharing them. The Lumix Sync app is properly laid out and works nicely.

Panasonic Lumix S5II: Key options

Panasonic has used a lot the identical design as the unique S5, however with a number of main updates

• Energy:  Panasonic’s acquainted DMW-BLK22 battery is rated for 370 pictures per cost utilizing the viewfinder, however this may be prolonged by partaking energy saving mode
• Connectors:  On the aspect there are USB-C and full-size HDMI ports, together with 3.5mm stereo microphone and headphone sockets positioned so that they don’t block the articulated display screen
• Distant launch:  On the aspect of the handgrip, there’s a socket for Panasonic’s DMW-RS2 cable launch. Its 2.5mm connector is incompatible with similar-looking releases for different manufacturers
• Storage: The S5II has twin UHS-II SD card slots, which can be utilized both concurrently in backup mode, sequentially, or recording totally different file varieties to every
• Battery Grip: The S5II is suitable with the DMW-BG35 vertical grip, which supplies a replica set of controls and accommodates a second battery for prolonged capturing
• L-Mount: A variety of full-frame L-mount lenses is now obtainable to suit the S5II at a variety of costs: 14 from Panasonic, 13 from Leica, and 21 from Sigma

Panasonic Lumix S5 II: Design and dealing with

In relation to the physique design, the Panasonic Lumix S5 II sticks to basically the identical tried and examined format of its predecessor, with all the identical controls in all the identical locations. It’s a chunky, strong digicam with a big grip that feels comfy and safe in your hand. It’s a contact bigger and heavier than the unique S5 although, at 134.3 x 102.3 x 90.1 mm and 740g, so don’t anticipate the identical equipment resembling cages to nonetheless match. As tends to be the case with Lumix fashions, the physique is sort of solely unfettered by styling, with a purposeful angular look that stands in distinction to the softer, extra natural strains favoured by Canon and Nikon.

The S5II’s high controls are the identical as its predecessor’s together with a distinguished pink video file button. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

As beforehand talked about, the S5 II features a built-in fan unit to offer energetic cooling throughout video recording, which is uniquely positioned on high of the physique in entrance of the EVF. Because of this, the viewfinder protrudes additional behind the digicam, whereas the fan housing additionally juts out in entrance. I discovered this has no sensible drawback; the truth is, some customers could admire the extra clearance of the viewfinder eyepiece from the LCD, particularly when utilizing the touchscreen to maneuver the AF space.

Disconcertingly, the fan vents means which you can see throughout the digicam from one aspect to the opposite. However regardless of this, Panasonic says the physique continues to be mud and splash resistant.

Panasonic Lumix S5 II cooling vent. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

Panasonic supplies three digital dials for altering publicity settings, though the default setup makes mystifying little use of them. Out of the field, the entrance and rear dials do the identical factor in all publicity modes besides Handbook, whereas the wheel on the again doesn’t do something with out urgent a button first. Fortunately, you possibly can reconfigure the top-plate thumb dial to vary publicity compensation and the wheel on the again to set ISO straight, which I a lot choose to utilizing the row of buttons behind the shutter launch.

You get a devoted a dial to set the drive mode, with two configurable high-speed capturing positions. By default, one routinely engages the digital shutter for 30fps capturing, whereas the opposite makes use of the mechanical shutter. Notably, this dial additionally provides direct entry to the pixel-shift multi-shot and intervalometer choices. On different manufacturers, these choices are usually inconveniently buried in menus.

The S5II’s rear controls once more mirror its predecessor’s. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

Similarly, the controls governing the autofocus system are all extraordinarily nicely arrange. A change on the again units the main target mode between AF-S, AF-C and MF, with a button within the centre to pick out the main target space mode and allow topic detection and monitoring. In guide focus mode, this button engages magnified view for extra correct focusing.

Beside this management, and falling completely beneath your left thumb, is an AF space joystick, with an AF-ON button above and to its proper. One very welcome replace over earlier S-series cameras is that the joystick is now 8-way (somewhat than 4-way), which means that it may well transfer the main target level diagonally in addition to vertically and horizontally. This makes it a lot faster to maneuver the main target level manually over massive areas.

The Q Menu offers fast entry to secondary settings, and settings will be adjusted utilizing the touchscreen. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

Different settings are accessed by urgent the Q button, which supplies entry to things like the Photograph Fashion, white steadiness, and side ratio. Unusually – and somewhat helpfully – the digicam shows a small preview picture that exhibits the impact of any adjustments you make. Like a lot of the digicam’s interface, the Q menu will be operated utilizing the touchscreen as nicely the bodily controls. The primary menus are additionally comparatively well-organised and understandable, and will be solely navigated by contact.

Panasonic has historically supplied a excessive degree of customisability, and that continues right here. You possibly can reassign the capabilities of all of the buttons, construct a ‘My Menu’ with all of your most-used objects, and retailer as much as 5 customized digicam configurations (with two straight accessible through C positions on the mode dial). With the latter, although, it’s essential to do not forget that focus and drive settings are all the time outlined by their respective dials.

The S5II suits properly in your hand, with a safe, good-sized grip. Picture credit score: Beginner Photographer

Not like the Canon EOS R6 Mark II or Sony Alpha A7 IV, the S5II doesn’t have a change to pick out between nonetheless and video modes. As a substitute, in a long-running Panasonic custom, there’s a film place on the publicity mode dial, together with S&Q for sluggish and fast movement. Right here you get a separate interface, with a video-specific standing panel and menus. Publicity settings are shared between photograph and video modes by default, which will be inconvenient should you commonly change between the 2. However this may be mounted through the obscurely named CreativeVideo Mixed Set menu.

Panasonic Lumix S5 II: Viewfinder and Display

One noteworthy improve over the unique S5 comes with the viewfinder, which at 3.68m dots and 0.78x magnification, is each bigger and better decision than earlier than. It’s clear and detailed, previewing each color and publicity throughout a +/-3EV vary. Depth of area preview is supplied by a button on the entrance, with a second faucet of this button additionally previewing any movement blur results out of your chosen shutter velocity.

The viewfinder housing protrudes unusually far again, and is surrounded by a big rubber eyecup. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

You get the choice to show all the same old aids resembling gridlines, a degree gauge, and stay histogram. There are additionally just a few less-common choices, together with an IS scope that helps visualise how steadily you’re holding the digicam. What you don’t get, although, is the choice to indicate a extra impartial preview akin to an optical viewfinder, which a number of different manufacturers provide, and will be actually helpful in darkish or excessive distinction circumstances.

The S5II’s totally articulated display screen will be swung out and set to face in nearly any course. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

Beneath the EVF there’s a 3in, 1.84m-dot totally articulated touchscreen, which is way the identical as that on the S5. It may be set to face nearly any course, which makes it useful for capturing at awkward angles or on a tripod. Set dealing with straight ahead, it’s helpful for selfies or vlogging. In latter case, it’s now attainable to set the digicam to indicate a brilliant pink define onscreen as visible affirmation that it’s recording.

Panasonic Lumix S5 II: Autofocus

Whereas the S5II’s headline replace is its new hybrid part detection AF, in different respects the autofocus system stays similar to earlier than, at the least by way of options. You get a complete alternative of focus space configurations and dimensions, which you’ll be able to cycle by simply by urgent the AF space button repeatedly. There’s a traditional topic monitoring mode based mostly on sample and color, Panasonic’s lengthy working and really efficient face and eye detection, plus two topic detection modes, ‘Human’ or ‘Animal + Human’. This may look fundamental in comparison with the most recent techniques from Sony and Canon, but it surely does at the least perceive that you simply may need to {photograph} your loved ones and pets on the similar time. Oddly, you possibly can’t mix the Human and Face/Eye modes.

Click on on any pattern picture to see the full-size model

The S5II’s topic recognition will focus particularly on animals, together with birds. Panasonic Lumix S5 II, Lumix S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro OIS at 300mm, 1.5x crop, 1/1000sec at f/5.6, ISO 1600. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

I examined the S5II utilizing the Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 and Lumix S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro OIS lenses, with the latter being the longest telephoto that the agency at the moment provides. The excellent news is that the addition of part detection is simply as optimistic a step ahead as we’d anticipate, bringing the digicam’s autofocus capabilities broadly into line with its rivals. This is applicable whether or not you’re filming your self with the equipment zoom, or capturing bursts of nonetheless pictures utilizing the telephoto zoom.  Nonetheless, part detection doesn’t convey any actual benefits for photographing static topics utilizing AF-S, because the outdated DFD system was already greater than satisfactory for that.

There’s nothing thrilling about this image of an oncoming prepare, except for the truth that it’s the one hundred and thirtieth body in a 30fps uncooked burst utilizing AF-C, and each single one is in focus. Panasonic Lumix S5II, Lumix S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro OIS at 300mm, 1/1000sec at f/5.6, ISO 800. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

When confronted with comparatively massive, predictably transferring topics resembling trains or vehicles, the S5II performs very nicely certainly. When the topic is approaching the digicam, it nails deal with virtually each shot, even when capturing at 30fps. Nonetheless, when the topic is retreating, it has a noticeable tendency to lag ever so barely behind, giving softer outcomes when inspecting your pictures close-up onscreen.

With extra erratic movement, I discovered that the AF system continued to carry out nicely, particularly with animals that the topic detection may recognise (together with birds). The digicam often dropped focus for just a few pictures, or drifted onto the background as an alternative, however total, it did a lot better than any earlier Lumix mannequin that I’ve used.

A 70-300mm lens isn’t the very best greatest for birds in flight, however the the S5II nonetheless did an honest job conserving observe of this heron. Panasonic Lumix S5II, Lumix S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro OIS at 300mm, 2.9x crop, 1/1000sec at f/5.6, ISO 250. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

There are nonetheless just a few caveats, although. Capturing at 7fps in AF-C with the mechanical shutter comes with a disconcertingly lengthy viewfinder blackout time that hinders your capability to comply with the topic. Additionally, when utilizing the 70-300mm telezoom, I usually skilled a brief however noticeable delay earlier than the digicam began capturing, whereas the lens locked onto the topic. However I think that is at the least as a lot to do with the lens because the digicam. On this topic, it’s value noting that to get the very best out of the S5II, present Lumix customers might want to replace the firmware of their lenses, which permits steady AF throughout zooming.

Panasonic Lumix S5 II: Efficiency

In use, the S5II seems to be a dependable performer. It normally involves life nearly immediately after you turn it on, though now and again it may well take a few seconds for the stay view show to look, which I think is expounded to the digicam establishing a Bluetooth connection together with your telephone. As soon as it’s up and working, it’s fast and responsive in direction of each the bodily controls and the touchscreen. One level value noting is that the mechanical shutter is a bit louder than its friends, and whereas it’s not massively intrusive, there are higher choices obtainable if it’s worthwhile to be discreet.

The S5II delivers uncooked picture high quality at the least on a par with its 24MP full-frame friends. Panasonic Lumix S5II, Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 at 48mm, 1/20sec at f/8, ISO 100. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

Steady capturing efficiency could be very spectacular certainly. In my exams, not solely did the digicam don’t have any hassle capturing 200 uncooked frames in a burst with the digital shutter, however this elevated to 300 frames at 10fps (i.e. in S-AF), and 330 frames at 7fps with C-AF. This actually needs to be sufficient for even essentially the most enthusiastic of sports activities or wildlife shooters.

Panasonic Lumix S5II, Lumix S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro OIS at 300mm, 1/2000sec at f/5.6, ISO 6400. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

In my expertise, battery life was a combined bag. When capturing lots of high-speed bursts, you possibly can surpass the desired 370 pictures per cost by a large margin. However however, when simply snapping the occasional body on occasion, I discovered the battery drained surprisingly shortly. I’d suggest setting a shorter sleep time on the Energy Save settings, and should you have a tendency to make use of the viewfinder somewhat than the LCD more often than not, enabling the LVF Energy Save Mode. For video, the battery is nice for 2 hours of steady recording.

Panasonic’s IBIS means that you can hoot hand-held confidently at sluggish shutter speeds. Panasonic Lumix S5II, Lumix 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 at 20mm, 1/4sec at f/5.6, ISO 200. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

Panasonic’s picture stabilisation works very nicely certainly, permitting you to shoot hand-held at very sluggish shutter speeds. I used to be in a position to get sharp outcomes at shutter speeds of round 1 second utilizing the 20-60mm zoom in direction of its large and, which matches different related full-frame fashions. Equally impressively, I acquired completely usable pictures from the 70-300mm zoom at its lengthy finish at 1/20sec.

Sync IS 2 works with OIS lenses for even better stability. Panasonic Lumix S5II, Lumix S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro OIS at 300mm, 1/20sec at f/8, ISO 200. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

Likewise, the high-resolution multi-shot mode is strikingly simple to make use of and efficient. You do want to make use of a tripod, however then it’s merely a case of setting the drive mode dial and taking an image. You get a single uncooked file generated in-camera, which is packed stuffed with element and with no ugly artefacts. The digicam saves a single-shot uncooked file alongside, which is useful should you inadvertently shoot hand-held with out altering the drive dial again. This all makes the mode genuinely helpful, which actually isn’t the case with each different model. In reality, it makes you surprise why Sony and Fujifilm’s implementations are so clunky and ineffective.

The 96MP excessive decision multi-shot mode works nicely and is way more sensible than different producers’ implementations. Panasonic Lumix S5II, Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 at 23mm, 1/50sec at f/8, ISO 100. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

The picture above was shot within the 96MP mode, and beneath, you possibly can see a element crop comparability to the accompanying 24MP single-shot file. The distinction is spectacular – the multi-shot model information way more element and eliminates color aliasing artefacts.

Left: Crop from a 24MP file, upsampled to 96MP utilizing Adobe Protect Particulars 2 (click on thumbnail for full-size model). Proper: 100% crop from high-resolution multi-shot picture.

My greatest disappointment with the S5II lies with its out-of-camera JPEGs. They’re OK in brilliant, sunny climate, though not as enticing as these you’ll get from the Canon EOS R6 Mark II, for instance. However in much less very best circumstances, it returns in decidedly dull-looking outcomes.

This digicam JPEG from the S5II is only a bit insipid and uninspiring. Panasonic Lumix S5II, Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 at 60mm, 1/60sec at f8, ISO 500. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake. This picture was shot on a pre-production digicam; the manufacturing mannequin behaved the identical manner.

There are a number of causes for this. Firstly, the metering is extraordinarily conservative, to the extent that I brightened nearly each image I shot in uncooked processing, generally by as a lot as a cease. Secondly, the auto white steadiness tends in direction of over-neutralisation, with most pictures benefiting considerably from a hotter rendition. Then there’s Panasonic’s Normal Photograph Fashion, which supplies a distinctly subdued and impartial color palette, which isn’t going to offer a lift in boring circumstances. Which means that the S5II isn’t essentially your best option for sharing your pictures straight from the digicam, particularly now that smartphones make some extent of manufacturing superbly completed picture recordsdata with minimal person intervention.

A slight warming of the white steadiness and saturation increase in uncooked conversion makes for a way more interesting picture. Panasonic Lumix S5II, Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 at 60mm, 1/60sec at f8, ISO 500. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake. This picture was shot on a pre-production digicam.

Pull the uncooked recordsdata into your favorite converter, although, and the image is remodeled. Now, the conservative metering implies that you hardly ever lose out on spotlight element as a consequence of underexposure. As a substitute, you possibly can play with tonal controls to your coronary heart’s content material, secure within the information that noise is unlikely to spoil your pictures, nearly no matter what brightness and shadow/highlights adjustments you select to make. The latitude for adjustment is huge – you possibly can push ISO 100 recordsdata by 5 stops in Adobe Digicam Uncooked with out seeing any problematic shadow noise. End off by tweaking the white steadiness and pepping up the color, and also you’ll be rewarded with some spectacular picture recordsdata.

At low ISO, you possibly can increase the shadows in uncooked processing just about so far as you want. Within the digicam JPEG, the boat’s hull is deep brown. Panasonic Lumix S5II , Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 at 20mm, 1/15sec at f/8, ISO 100. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

Video efficiency is each bit as spectacular as we’d anticipate from Panasonic. Nonetheless, you do have to get used to some operational quirks. For instance, by default the digicam operates utilizing a steady AF mode which solely comes into play whenever you begin recording. This seems to be managed by its personal menu setting that’s solely impartial of the digicam’s AF mode change. It really works nicely for conserving a presenter in focus (and at last with out the dreaded DFD wobble), however in different conditions, it may well trigger the digicam to hunt and drop focus fully. Equally, enabling Energetic IS can assist easy out massive digicam actions, but it surely makes deliberate panning movement look jerky.

Panasonic Lumix S5II, Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 at 60mm, 1/60sec at f/11, ISO 800. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

Crucially, although, the digicam captures an excellent degree of element, and the recording time actually is virtually limitless. I examined it indoors at an ambient temperature of 20°C, recording internally on the highest obtainable high quality (6K, 3:2, 24p, 200Mbps), and the digicam saved on going for 2 hours till the battery ran out. I may inform that the built-in fan was working, however solely by placing my ear in opposition to the digicam in an in any other case silent room. The highest shell additionally turned to the contact, however not uncomfortably so. That is actually spectacular, and I think we’ll see different digicam makers copying Panasonic’s fan design sooner somewhat than later.

Panasonic Lumix S5 II: ISO and Noise

Generally, the S5 II delivers precisely the type of output we’d anticipate from a 24MP full-frame sensor. At ISO 100, pictures are finely detailed and very clear and freed from noise, and it’s solely at ISO 1600 that a little bit luminance speckling turns into clearly discernible, though even then, solely at 100% onscreen.

Picture high quality at reasonably excessive ISOs is excellent certainly, with barely any seen noise. Panasonic Lumix S5II, Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 at 27mm, 1/60sec at f/8, ISO 2000. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake. This picture was shot with a pre-production digicam.

Enhance the sensitivity to ISO 6400 and the best element begins to blur away; at ISO 25,600, it’s just about gone altogether. Nonetheless, I’d nonetheless be fairly pleased utilizing this setting as a matter in fact when the state of affairs required. Even ISO 51,200 is usable at a pinch, however I wouldn’t use the prolonged greater settings.

Beneath are 100% crops from our normal studio scene, shot in uncooked and processed in Adobe Digicam Uncooked utilizing default settings. Click on on any crop to see the full-size picture.

Panasonic Lumix S5II, uncooked + Adobe Digicam Uncooked, ISO 100, 100% crop

Panasonic Lumix S5II, uncooked + Adobe Digicam Uncooked, ISO 400, 100% crop

Panasonic Lumix S5II, uncooked + Adobe Digicam Uncooked, ISO 1600, 100% crop

Panasonic Lumix S5II, uncooked + Adobe Digicam Uncooked, ISO 6400, 100% crop

Panasonic Lumix S5II, uncooked + Adobe Digicam Uncooked, ISO 12,800, 100% crop

Panasonic Lumix S5II, uncooked + Adobe Digicam Uncooked, ISO 25,600, 100% crop

Panasonic Lumix S5II, uncooked + Adobe Digicam Uncooked, ISO 51,200, 100% crop

Panasonic Lumix S5 II: Our Verdict

There’s little doubt that the Lumix S5 II is a major step ahead for Panasonic. The addition of part detection brings its autofocus efficiency just about into line with its friends, whereas the virtually limitless video recording shall be a significant promoting level for some customers. The truth that Panasonic has achieved the latter with out including a cumbersome fan unit on the again is especially welcome.

Panasonic has made a critical competitor to different fashions in the same worth bracket. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

Certainly, there’s an incredible deal to love right here. The physique is comparatively compact and feels very strong, whereas the management format is great. To my thoughts, there are just a few suspect default management assignments and settings, however the digicam is sort of infinitely customisable, to allow them to be mounted by a visit into the menu. As soon as I’d acquired the S5II set as much as my liking, I discovered it a likeable digicam to work with. Panasonic makes it notably simple to vary all of your key settings whereas capturing, whereas giving unusually direct entry to capabilities that always get buried within the menus, such because the intervalometer and high-res multi-shot modes.

You additionally get a superb viewfinder and display screen, extraordinarily efficient picture stabilisation, and spectacular steady capturing. The film capabilities are each bit nearly as good as you’d anticipate from Panasonic, whereas the uncooked picture high quality is great. However this actually is a uncooked shooter’s digicam, because the in-camera processing is usually so boring. And to me, that’s a much bigger drawback than simply the JPEG output, because it additionally impacts all the pieces you see within the viewfinder, and the way uncooked recordsdata are previewed in your pc. Not solely can it discourage you from processing a wonderfully good uncooked file, but it surely may also even make you suppose twice about urgent the shutter button within the first place.

The Lumix S5II can ship actually spectacular picture high quality, however you’ll have to be ready to shoot nearly all the pieces in uncooked. Panasonic Lumix S5II, Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 at 60mm, 1/60sec at f/8, ISO 3200. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake

Apart from this, although, it’s clear that the S5II is now a really critical various to the likes of the Canon EOS R6 Mark II, Nikon Z 6II, and Sony Alpha 7 IV, at a really eager worth. It’s a very spectacular device for hybrid customers who worth video functionality as extremely as stills. The L Mount has been in sore want of a digicam with actual mass-market attraction, and the Panasonic Lumix S5II goes an extended technique to hitting that spot.

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Panasonic Lumix S5II: Full specs

The Panasonic Lumix S5 II fitted with the Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 equipment zoom.. Picture credit score: Andy Westlake