The Panasonic Lumix S5 is the company’s newest full-frame mirrorless camera. It is essentially the younger sibling of the Panasonic Lumix S1 and previous models in the Panasonic Lumix S series.
It also features a considerably smaller and lighter body than the rest of the S1 range; it is even smaller than the Panasonic Lumix GH5, which uses a Micro Four Thirds sensor. Additionally, it can be purchased at a lower price point than the rest of the S1 range.
Because the 24.2-megapixel full-frame sensor at the core of the Panasonic S5 is the same one we’ve already seen in the Panasonic S1, we know it can generate some remarkable photos.
It is intriguing because it will be housed in a body similar to a camera using the Micro Four Thirds format. This should, in theory, provide you with full-frame capability in a far smaller device. So does what exists live up to what was promised? The answer is yes, in the majority of respects.
Panasonic Lumix S5 Design and Handling
The vast size and heavy weight of the original Panasonic Lumix S1 and S1R cameras were one of the primary points of contention about these cameras. One of Panasonic’s models that uses the Micro Four Thirds format, the Lumix GH5, has a more extensive and heavier body than the S5. However, Panasonic has managed to fit all the essential components into a more compact body and weighs less than the Lumix GH5.
This seems very much like the camera that Panasonic should have used to debut the S series, maintaining the form factor previously shown to be popular but expanding the sensor’s size.
The 20-60mm lens, included as part of the S5 kit package, is another accessory that needs to be mentioned. Because of its compact size and clean appearance, this lens is an excellent complement to the S5.
The issue is that other lenses designed for the L Mount don’t necessarily have to be as compact as this one, particularly the Panasonic-exclusive options. Nevertheless, introducing a more compact camera may signal that smaller lenses are coming. Moreover, the fact that the S5 is compatible with lenses manufactured by Sigma and Leica, thanks to its membership in the L Mount alliance, provides you with more alternatives.
Panasonic Lumix S5 Features
The Lumix S5 employs the same sensor as its predecessor, the older and more robust Lumix S1, which is excellent news. However, this implies that you will receive a 24.2-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor that has previously been demonstrated to work exceptionally well in other contexts.
Because it is a less expensive model, the Lumix S5 inevitably has significant shortcomings in other areas. An excellent illustration of this is the electronic viewfinder. The viewfinder of the S1 boasts a resolution of 5.76 million dots, making it one of the best available.
It should not be surprising to discover a less sophisticated version on the S5, which sports an OLED display with 2.36 million dots and 0.74 times magnification. It is an excellent viewfinder that provides a superb scene overview and is relatively easy to use. Therefore, unless you also own a Panasonic S1 or S1R, it is doubtful that you will be very dissatisfied with the features included in this package.
Panasonic Lumix S5 Performance
The Panasonic Lumix S5 will probably not be the camera you choose if you want to take many pictures of sports or other types of activity. It provides a maximum burst shooting speed of 7 frames per second. It is in the middle of the range and is excellent for catching predictable movement or the occasional moment of your children or pets rushing about. Still, it is pretty restricting for people who practice filming the action.
However, the S5 does compensate slightly with Panasonic’s 4K/6K Photo choices, allowing you to record at 30 frames per second and then extract the photo you need later.
You can get 18MP stills from the 6K option, which should be more than adequate for most situations. However, when the photo is taken, you will need to work to sort among the images that were born and save the one you want.
Panasonic Lumix S5 Image & Video Quality
Since we were familiar with the S5’s camera sensor from prior experience with other Samsung devices, we weren’t expecting the Galaxy S5 to blow us away with its picture-taking capabilities. However, it can produce highly detailed photos with warm and brilliant colors in various settings, as promised, and it did turn into a fantastic performance.
The performance of a full-frame camera can be obtained with a body designed for the Micro Four Thirds format. This is inspiring news for photographers who routinely work in dimly lit environments.
At an ISO of 6400, there is almost no discernible noise, and the smoothing of the image is maintained rather well under control. When seen up close at 100% magnification, there are a few spots that have a trace of smudging, but other than that, the overall impression is fantastic.
The outcomes here are likewise rather satisfying regarding video, precisely what we would want from a Panasonic camera. Image stabilization performs a respectable job of keeping photos clean and smooth, and the AF-C setting was able to follow us as we moved around the frame while walking and chatting. Image stabilization is a feature that comes standard on many modern cameras.
Even when it doesn’t seem like you’re in very windy circumstances, the sound quality is decent, but the built-in microphones suffer considerably from wind interference. This is the case even when the sound quality is high (as seen in the videos above). Therefore, you should have an internal microphone to capture significant video outside. This will allow you to get better sound quality.
Panasonic Lumix S5 Specs
| Body type | SLR-style mirrorless |
|---|---|
| Body material | Magnesium alloy |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 6000 x 4000 |
| Image ratio w h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 24 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 25 megapixels |
| Sensor size | Full frame (35.6 x 23.8 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | Venus Engine |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 100-51200 (expands to 50-204800) |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 50 |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 204800 |
| White balance presets | 5 |
| Custom white balance | Yes (4 slots) |
| Image stabilization | Sensor-shift |
| Image stabilization notes | 5-axis Dual IS 2 |
| CIPA image stabilization rating | 6.5 stop(s) |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, standard |
| File format | JPEG (Exif v2.31)Raw (Panasonic RW2, 12-bit)HLG (CTA-2072) |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View. |
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 225 |
| Lens mount | Leica L |
| Focal length multiplier | 1× |
| Screen/viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 1,840,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.74× |
| Viewfinder resolution | 2,360,000 |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 sec |
| Exposure modes | ProgramAperture priorityShutter priorityManual |
| Built-in flash | No |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe) |
| Flash modes | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Syn./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/250 sec |
| Continuous drive | 7.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedHighlight-weighted spot |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±3 (3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) |
| Videography features | |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 |
| Modes | 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3328 x 2496 @ 30p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3328 x 2496 @ 23.98p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1) |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) |
| USB charging | Yes (Power Delivery supported) |
| HDMI | Yes (micro HDMI) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | Yes |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11ac (dual-band) + Bluetooth |
| Remote control | Yes (wired or via smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | DMW-BLK22 lithium-ion battery and charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 440 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 714 g (1.57 lb / 25.19 oz) |
| Dimensions | 133 x 97 x 82 mm (5.24 x 3.82 x 3.23″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes |
| GPS | None |
Panasonic Lumix S5 Verdict
Panasonic has matured as a company due to the feedback it received on its first generation of full-frame mirrorless cameras. As a result, the Panasonic S5 incorporates a full-frame sensor into a body that is both compact and ergonomically designed.
The result is a camera that should appeal to various artists. Featuring a solid range of video characteristics, it is an excellent hybrid that comes highly recommended.
