The Panasonic S5 is a 24MP mirrorless full-frame camera with the same sensor as the Panasonic S1, but in a smaller and cheaper body. Even though it has a full-frame sensor, the S5 is smaller in every way than the GH5, which is a Micro Four Thirds camera.
It has updates to Panasonic’s DFD autofocus system, new creative photo modes, and video features that come close to matching both the GH5 and the much more expensive S1H. It is made for both photographers and videographers.
While Panasonic’s first full-frame cameras were more specialised, the S5 is more of a generalist. Its body and price point put it in direct competition with the Nikon Z6 and Sony a7 III. It’s kind of like a full-frame GH5 or a mini S1H for videographers, while photographers should benefit from an updated AF system and a number of performance improvements that are geared towards photography.
Specifications
- 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor with no AA filter
- Full-frame oversampled 4K/30p; 4K/60p with APS-C crop
- Panasonic contrast-detect DFD AF with improved face, body and head detection
- 2.36M-dot OLED EVF w/ 0.74x magnification
- 3” 1.84M-dot fully articulating touchscreen
- Dual SD card slots (1x UHS-II, 1x UHS-I)
- 96MP Multi-shot high-resolution mode
- 7 fps burst shooting (5 fps with continuous autofocus)
- 2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with one-touch image transfer
- Dust and splash resistant
- 460 shots per charge when used with EVF
Where to get Panasonic LUMIX S5 camera?
One of the main things that people didn’t like about the original Panasonic Lumix S1 and S1R cameras was that they were very big and heavy. With the S5, Panasonic tried to solve this problem by putting all the important parts in a body that is smaller and lighter than one of its Micro Four Thirds models, the Lumix GH5.
This seems like the camera Panasonic should have used to start the S series. They could have kept the shape that was already popular but made the sensor inside bigger.
At this point, it’s also important to talk about the 20-60mm lens, which comes with the S5 kit. This lens is small and neat, making it a perfect match for the S5. The problem is that other L Mount lenses, especially the ones made by Panasonic, aren’t always as small. Still, a new camera that is smaller could mean that lenses will also get smaller. Since the S5 is part of the L Mount alliance, you can also use it with lenses from Sigma and Leica, giving you more options.
The Lumix S5 is very similar to other Lumix cameras in how it feels and how it works. Even though that means it might not be the most stylish or pretty camera on the market, it is very useful. The chunky grip fits very well in your hand, and the back of the camera has a rest that makes it easy for your thumb to rest there.