Panasonic LUMIX S5II - Review and Footage

I have used a GH4 for years as a hobbyist and now that I want to take it more seriously I was thinking about upgrading to the R6II. Now I will get the S5II/S5IIX

Thank you for this quick overview! I am one of those people looking to upgrade their camera package (GH cameras, JVC300s) and seeing how good the AF is, I’m tempted by this model. The digital edge distortion at wide angle settings is a bit distracting, what does it look like with only OIS on the lens? Also, is Panasonic planning a more ENG camera person friendly version? Side controls instead of rear controls?

If only could record raw internally!

Great video overview, Do you happen to know, if S5 ii X external record 5.8K prores, Will support 3:2 or not ?

I have been waiting for almost 3 years for this camera in this price range. I just hope to see some third party prime lenses

Can it record 4K 120P?

It is time for Lumix to upgrade the FZ2500

Auto focus has never been an issue for me.

Nice video footage showing the AF.

Great video. No I’m not planning on Panasonic LUMIX camera.
I’m shooting Sony a7siii’s and now a Nikon Z9.
I’m struggling with the Z9’s video and menu settings. I’ll figure it out . As a long time Nikon user this camera is a pain with the setup unlike older dslrs. The Sony a7siii was simple and a breeze. What happened Nikon ?

GH5 was a game changer for Panasonic. Now S5II is a new step

Thanks Johnnie. I would like if you can comment on dynamic range, noise in dark areas during low light handling with or without high iso, battery life, auto focus speed, auto focus reliability in low light, being loyal to recover the colours properly in low light shoot, image stabilization quality compared to competitors, etc. I know this was a preliminary review so hopefully the more in-depth review will come in near future. Can you ask Panasonic that some image stabilization artifacts can be addressed by future firmware updates or it is inherent to the limitations of the stabilization? Thanks a lot.

what a great camera 📷 best in-class stabilization + reliable autofocus is a very potent combo

Any Panasonic interview coming ? Love
their products philosophy

Thanks for the review. Now, I'm most interested to see a IQ and AF comparison on this camera with the Sony A7S3 or A74 or A7R5, as well as IQ with Pocket 6K and 4K. My main interest is on their color science, real life DR and low light performance. As for the S1H vs A7S3/A7R5, I definitely prefer IQ on the S1H mainly because of Sony's bad handling on light roll off, which looking amateurish and unable to be saved in post.

With the Panasonic S5 Mark ii and Panasonic S5 Mark ii X out within the same year. I am looking at the Panasonic S5 Mark 1 as a full frame Panasonic Gh4 and Panasonic G9 combined

Could you do me a favor? I’ve asked a few people but can’t get an answer….

With the original S5 the focus peaking (manual focusing) would work well (on the rear screen) when shooting 1080, but when shooting 4K the peaking would not be as apparent.

This is a known issue and I’m wondering if this is still the case with the S5 II

I had planned to leave panasonic for another brand because of their poor autofocus. It would have meant a lot of investment for me. But after this announcement I think I will not only continue to work with Panasonic but I will buy two. Hurray

Amazing review as usual

So exciting. I'm about to leave the Sony system for this camera. The only thing that holds me back is the form factor as it is more on the heavy side. However, this is personal preference as the perfect size would be something like the Sony A7C for me.

No actual RAW photo files from the cam just proresraw to SSD ? That sucks , come on panasonic ? People want real raw data not apple compressed raw thats not working properly in resolve !!! Just give us RAW photo frames and audio file in folder with raw files , thats it.People want raw data off sensor.Vloggers can use vlogs if they skimp on cards and storage

Thanks Johnny...nice review...really appreciate it.

As a Lumix shooter, I understand the limitations of the cameras thus far. And truthfully, I have always felt that if Panasonic implemented a competitive PDAF system, it would be hard to beat. Now, it may be too little too late as many are heavily invested in Sony and Canon. It's also very clear for these other brands the upgrade path, from a Sony A7IV to an FX3 or an A1, etc. or from a Canon R6 to an R5. Panasonic needs to bring out a new flagship to give people more faith in the entire system. I read an S1ii may be coming next, which I think is smart. People definitely can't count Panasonic out anymore. Their cameras are really well-designed and give a great user experience.

S5 name is a great name. So idea of just making a S5ii is a great idea! Especially if it looks the same as old one

Finally! I’m upgrading to the X when it comes out later this year. It’s time to leave MFT behind - although I will miss it.

so sad they fell so short. should have included all-i and internal pro-res. I had one ordered hoping to switch systems from canon to Panasonic. I canceled the order after finding out there would not be a firmware update that would enable this on the plain s5ii. It seems the two cameras are identical except for blackout aesthetics, why could they not include firmware to enable? bad marketing?

As soon as Panasonic brings the Phase Detection Auto Focus to their Micro Four Thirds Cameras I'm in! I''ll buy. Been holding off purchasing for years waiting for this!

Can the S5iiX record to USB-C and internally at the same time?

S5 II HAS 4k live cropping?

I only wish they included an OLPF. Moire was always an issue in S5, S1 and S1R. S1H had an OLPF.

I will NEVER understand why it took Panasonic this long. People have been asking for it since GH3, even Olympus was able to implement it, Fuji was the last to introduce a digital ILC and even they were able to implement PDAF, so why the heck Panasonic took so long? Panasonic has given a lot of excuses like it was already deeper into development, which is fine for one generation, but not really when it's several generations of users asking for PDAF. It's not an exclusive tech, and it's not a new tech either, Panasonic also had several incentives to do it since they lost a LOT of ground to Sony and Canon for simply not having it after Panasonic got their color science right, they only needed to implement PDAF and most videographers would gladly become a Panasonic user, but they didn't, until now, why? I'll NEVER understand, really. It's not too late, but a lot of users are already invested in Sony or even Canon R, Panasonic basically lost a lot of money by being so inexplicably stubborn about this.

Thanks for the video. It really looks like this time panasonic nailed it.

excellent cineD
i don't think any sane person can complain a thing from LUMIX S system now
doesn't mean that panny boys doesn't need to improve on it .. but just that
they deliver the best system of their time
as for me even S1 and S5 were good enough!
thanks

good 11min review on the S5 mk II

I’m planning to move from canon to Panasonic this may!

Valencia!!

Perfect complement for the S1R and TL2. Will we see a mini-documentary with this soon?

Not happy about the wobble in ibis

Great review, looks like a very promising camera....I am curious for the X-version.....will follow.

I could be convinced to switch from Sony to the IIX. But there's all my glass

Do I understand well that the sensor is not a Sony product?

Is it true that in FHD the camera disables the PDAF and reverts baco to Contrast and DFD like the original s5?

Sold my a7IV, excited to come back to LUMIX

I have the S5 and love it. At $2000, even that camera is a steal today. With these upgrades, the S5II is a lot more than just a good deal and we'll balanced. It might be the best bang for the buck camera to come out in the last 20 years.

will be buying the X

Very nice review! I wonder when will Canon R3 lab test will come up? keep up the good work!

Nice review. Probably worth mentioning the 4 channel audio too.

Is there 8 bit 1080HD and 4K recording internally on the Panasonic S5 Mark 2 ad i would use that for long form interviews