Panasonic LUMIX S5 Review | 108 Data compared

Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 The Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 is a compact full-frame mirrorless camera (DSLM) that stands as a strong competitor against established models from Sony, Canon, and Nikon. Despite its smaller body and lightweight design of around 700 grams, it delivers an impressive and highly consistent 24-megapixel resolution across all ISO levels. Testing reveals exceptional image quality and a robust dual-ISO architecture that keeps image noise minimal until high sensitivities like ISO 3,200. Designed with enthusiasts in mind, the camera features an ergonomic grip, a flexible 3-inch touchscreen display capable of flipping 180 degrees for selfies, and an excellent 120Hz electronic viewfinder. The camera's absolute standout feature is its professional-grade video functionality. It supports UHD recordings at up to 60 frames per second with 4:2:2 10-bit color depth, includes flat profiles like V-Log, and achieves a massive 180 fps in Full-HD mode. Key strengths include built-in body image stabilization, a weather-sealed magnesium shell, and dual SD slots. However, the review highlights notable downsides: the maximum continuous shooting rate is somewhat average at around 7 frames per second, the autofocus tracking...

The Digitalkamera.de comparative review highlights the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 as a robust, compact, and highly capable full-frame mirrorless camera featuring excellent image quality up to ISO 6,400, a flexible touchscreen, and effective 5-axis image stabilization. Key advantages include its durable weather-sealed, magnesium alloy construction and a comfortable, ergonomic handgrip. Conversely, the review identifies limitations, such as a lack of official low-temperature protection and only one of its dual SD slots supporting the faster UHS-II standard. Furthermore, the DFD autofocus system, while reliable in general, lags behind phase-detection competitors, particularly in fast-tracking scenarios.

The Panasonic Lumix S5 is a compact and lightweight full-frame mirrorless camera that punches well above its weight class by packing advanced technology from the larger S1 professional series into a highly portable body. It features an excellent 24-megapixel sensor that delivers superb image quality and impressive low-light performance on par with its more expensive competitors. For landscape or still photography, it offers a High-Resolution mode capable of stitching together multiple exposures into a single 96-megapixel image. Videographers will highly appreciate its professional-grade capabilities, including 4K video recording at 60 frames per second, 10-bit colour depth, V-Log support, and unlimited recording times when shooting in 4K at 30fps. Additionally, both the camera body and the included 20-60mm kit lens are weather-sealed against dust and rain, making it a rugged option for outdoor creators. Despite its strong overall performance, the Lumix S5 has clear trade-offs, particularly for action and sports photography. Its primary drawback lies in its continuous autofocus performance; because it uses Panasonic's contrast-based Depth from Defocus (DFD) system instead of phase-detection autofocus, the camera struggles to accurately track moving...

The Panasonic Lumix S5 is a compact, full-frame mirrorless camera that punches well above its weight by inheriting premium technology from the larger S1 series. It delivers exceptional 24-megapixel photo quality, even in challenging low-light conditions, and features a unique 96-megapixel High-Resolution mode for highly detailed, stationary shots. The camera is a powerhouse for videographers, supporting 4K video at 60 frames per second with 10-bit color depth, V-Log formatting, and unlimited recording times at 30fps under optimal conditions. Its lightweight, weather-sealed body, coupled with an articulating touchscreen display, makes it highly versatile for travel, vlogging, and everyday shooting. Furthermore, users are not restricted to Panasonic lenses alone; the L-mount alliance provides access to high-quality lenses from Sigma and Leica. However, the Lumix S5 falls short in a few key areas that make it ill-suited for sports and action photography. Its Contrast-Detection Autofokus system, which uses Depth from Defocus (DFD) technology, provides reliable eye and face tracking for stationary subjects but struggles with accuracy during high-speed action tracking. This is compounded by a mediocre burst shooting speed of just 5 frames...

The DER SPIEGEL review highlights the Panasonic Lumix S5 as an ambitious full-frame camera that successfully brings professional-grade imagery to advanced hobbyists at a more accessible price. Retailing at €1,949 for the body or €2,241 as part of the "DC-S5K" kit (including a 20-60mm lens), the S5 delivers stellar, low-noise performance in dim indoor environments and evening settings. The camera heavily targets videographers by offering color profiling tools and up to 50 frames per second (fps) in UHD video using standard European PAL settings (or 60 fps in NTSC), surpassing many rivals constrained to 30 fps. Physical highlights include an exceptionally robust, dust- and splash-protected build that weighs just over a kilogram with its kit configuration, a highly adaptable fully articulating touchscreen, and integrated image stabilization that keeps handheld long exposures remarkably sharp. However, the reviewer explicitly identifies a few shortcomings. The complex control scheme—which features multiple command dials, a joystick, a directional pad, and nine customizable buttons—creates a dense layout that will easily overwhelm beginners, making the instruction manual absolute mandatory reading. On the image quality front, test shots...

Overview of the Panasonic Lumix S5 The Panasonic Lumix S5 is a compact 24-megapixel full-frame mirrorless camera that offers an excellent balance between resolution and file handling. Tested alongside the unconventional 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens, the camera body excels in ergonomics, featuring an intuitive three-button layout for white balance, ISO, and exposure compensation directly under the shutter button. Its fully articulating, rotatable screen facilitates effortless low-angle shots and vlogging. Part of the L-Mount Alliance alongside Sigma and Leica, the system ensures cross-brand lens compatibility, allowing users to build highly versatile setups. Pros and Cons Pro: Exceptional dynamic range that allows for extensive shadow and highlight recovery. Pro: Highly effective built-in image stabilisation capable of compensating for 5 to 6 exposure stops, enabling handheld long exposures. Pro: Highly compact, ergonomic body design that handles easily with one hand. Con: Noticeable image noise begins to appear and become disruptive at settings above ISO 3,200. Con: The camera relies purely on a contrast-detect autofocus system, which faces industry criticism for being outdated. Con: The system lacks an emotional "soul" or retro appeal compared...

The Panasonic Lumix S5 is a solid and versatile full-frame mirrorless camera introduced in September 2020 as a lighter, more affordable hybrid generalist compared to the bulkier S1 series. Equipped with a 24-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor without a low-pass filter, it delivers high image quality, a 14-stop dynamic range, a 96MP high-resolution pixel-shift mode, and an effective 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system. Video creators benefit significantly from its dual-native ISO setup, robust 4K recording up to 10-bit 4:2:2 internally, and advanced tools like V-Log, waveforms, and anamorphic support. It is well-regarded for its compact magnesium alloy weather-sealed body, dual SD card slots (one UHS-II), and a fully articulating touchscreen display—a first for Panasonic full-frame cameras. Despite its strong hybrid performance, the camera has notable limitations, particularly regarding its autofocus. Relying on Panasonic's contrast-based DFD (Depth from Defocus) technology, the autofocus suffers from erratic pulsing or "hunting" in continuous mode (AFC) and can lose track of subjects unexpectedly. Furthermore, 4K/60p recording is restricted to a heavily cropped APS-C sensor area, the electronic viewfinder (EVF) features a below-average resolution of 2.36...

The Digitalkamera.de review highlights the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 as a compact, robust, and weather-sealed full-frame camera offering exceptional 24MP image quality, high-resolution shooting modes, and 5-axis IBIS, alongside a very bright, fully articulating screen. While praised for its, ergonomic handling and professional video tools, the camera is noted for compromises including a low-resolution 2.36-million-dot EVF and the lack of a full-size HDMI port.

The Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 is a compact, lightweight full-frame mirrorless camera featuring a 24-megapixel sensor with Dual Native ISO technology (ISO 100 and ISO 640). It delivers exceptional image quality with highly detailed, low-noise photos up to ISO 6,400, and remaining usable even at ISO 12.800. The camera includes a 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilisation system that provides up to 6.5 stops of compensation when paired with optically stabilised lenses. It stands out significantly for its class-leading video features, offering 4K video recording up to 60fps (albeit with a crop), Full-HD up to 180fps for slow motion, flat colour profiles, and RAW output via HDMI. The robust magnesium alloy body is weather-sealed against dust and splashes, freezing-resistant down to -10°C, and incorporates dual SD card slots for instant data backup. Despite its strong performance, the review highlights notable limitations in continuous shooting speeds and autofocus. The maximum burst rate of 7.3 frames per second is only achievable in AF-S mode; switching to continuous autofocus (AF-C) drops the burst rate to a sluggish 5.0 frames per second, making it poorly suited for...

The Nikon Z5 and Panasonic Lumix S5 are competitive entry-level full-frame mirrorless cameras that excel in different areas based on user needs. The Nikon Z5 stands out for its superior electronic viewfinder, featuring a large 0.8x magnification and a crisp 3.7-million-dot resolution. It includes 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS), dual UHS-II SD card slots, and an aggressive noise reduction filter that keeps JPEG images clean up to ISO 6400. However, the Z5 falls short with a slow continuous shooting speed of just 4.5 frames per second. Its video capabilities are heavily limited by a severe 1.7x crop factor during 4K/30p recording, and its contrast autofocus struggles in low-light environments down to -2 EV. The Panasonic Lumix S5 offers superior build features and faster performance, but at a slightly higher price point. On the positive side, it delivers uncropped 4K video oversampled from 6K, supports advanced 10-bit internal recording, and features a 96-megapixel High-Resolution composite mode for tripod shooting. It captures faster burst shots at 7 fps, provides a side-flipping touchscreen fully capable of selfies, and utilizes an upgraded DFD contrast...

Several key pros and cons emerge from the camera's design and physical layout: Pro: Complete physical control set layout mimicking the premium S1-series. Pro: Highly responsive control joystick that operates much faster than older models like the GH5. Pro: Front control dial seamlessly rings around the shutter button for maximum comfort. Pro: Massive customization with up to five virtual touchscreen Fn keys and saved setups. Con: The mode dial completely lacks a lock mechanism to stop accidental adjustments. Con: The body lacks a top-plate status display, which is reserved for the larger S1H model. Con: The control joystick sits too close to the "AF ON" button, risking accidental dual presses with larger thumbs. Con: Very large hands may find the body too short, causing the pinky finger to slip underneath without the optional battery grip.