Excellent video with lots of great points! I've used the S5, owned it for a few months, and it was an amazing camera. I sold it for nearly what I paid in anticipation of the S5ii, and I probably should have just kept it.
December 2023, I just sold my Fujifilm X-T1, 16f2.8, 23f2, 35f2 and bought the brand new S5+20-60+50f1.8 Kit for €1599. I used it a lot plus 2 Event Photography with really low lighting setup. I am so happy, the price to feature ratio is just perfect for my budget and for what I want to have in a camera. The S 50mm f1.8 is a beast, the S 20-60 is a really good Kit. I am glad that I decided to change brand and format instead of buying the Fujifilm X-S10 and stay with Fujifilm. Fujifilm APSC is really good but this Lumix Full Frame is a league of its own. One thing I have learned, I really don't need the Film Simulations. Now, I have started learning and doing videos as well. Hope Lumix release a Rangefinder Style Full Frame like their MFT GX9 series....
I've owned the S5 for nearly 2 years and have taken it on many trips, mainly for photography. Overall very happy with the purchase, but the moment an updated S1 comes out, I'll switch. It has mainly come down to two reasons, the poor EVF and the autofocus. My main focus is street photography and the DFD auto focus system has led to many cases of soft or completely out of focus shots. Shooting in AF-S helps, but it is still far from perfect. When it comes to lowlight, I often just shoot in manual focus, as the time it takes to acquire focus, if it even can, is just not fit for the style of shooting I enjoy. I have also fully given up on using the EVF. It very well may be my copy, but I've found the EVF to be color inaccurate and due to the low resolution it has been hard to determine if an object is fully in focus. With that said, the rear screen on my unit is fantastic for shooting and image review. With the negatives out of the way. I've found the lens selection to be excellent for my needs. Especially the 1.8 primes, the 85 in particular stays glued to my S5, love it. The low light performance is excellent. I have also been very impressed with the colors SOOC from the standard picture profile. Lastly, I've found the weather resistance to be top notch. I've taken my S5 out in heavy rain and in some cases hail, and it has not let me down once. I entered the Panasonic ecosystem with extreme apprehension, but I've been thoroughly impressed. Realistically speaking, once I get my hands on a better focusing camera, ideally with a faster sensor speed, I'll likely have my perfect setup. Looking forward to their future releases.
How are you getting out of focus shots with the S5 ? I too shoot street photography and a tap of the screen tells the camera exactly what you want. Street photography has so many layers to it that the best Autofocus in the world wont know what you want to focus on...a face, a cat, a car, lights, signs, a bicycle etc. Maybe because I also shoot film I have the patience, but I used a phone to take pics too. In video I can agree without settings dialed in there can be some issues, but for stills I really struggle to see how you miss focus. Issue with low light is people go straight for the widest F stops and get caught out with shallow DOF. The S5 has crazy ISO so again have never struggled in low light for stills.
Thank you for the review and real world comments regarding the AF. I have just ordered the S5 kit as it is such a bargain in the UK - S5 + 20-60 Lens + spare pnasonic battery + Vlogging grip + 50mm f.18 lens all for £1299. A bargain for such a capable hybrid camera setup!
I'll agree with that. I've just been manually focusing my videos for years, so it wasn't an issue. But, yes. PDAF is way better than earlier CDAF-DFD technology. Cheers.
Thank you for an honest review. Last year I got myself a nearly new S5 with the 20-60 mm kit lens and a 50mm prime and I will not part with it. It is my go to camera. I have watched reviews of other cameras that came out at the same time or later than the S5 and I have been tempted, but here is the thing, the S5 cost me less than the other cameras I have considered and it does everything I need a camera to do better than any of the cameras I have owned previously so what would I gain by switching to another brand ?
Hey, thanks for your comment. I appreciate real world use, and user experiences. I love my S5. Panasonic made a beast of a camera. It's true, I would love to have the new phase detect autofocus, but I'm not hindered by the autofocus the camera has. I do use manual focus on most of my critical shots, but that doesn't take away from my experience and use with the camera. In fact, probably makes me practice my focusing more. In any event, I love the camera. I have also considered upgrading, but to what? For me, I'd probably get another Panasonic S5!
im interested in in 12 bit, I think you can increase AF performance if its Contrast Based with a profile adjustment, and the newer lenses. I want one but wont spend more than 500-600 given its not perfect auto focus. I have a G9 but chose the Sony ZV-E1 which I'm learning to love still really new with it, but I love the 500$ G9 image quality so much
Thanks for your very good analysis - and right you are. I got the original S5 with the 20-60 and the 50 kit lens. And use it with adapted Canon EF lenses. The latter hunt. Sure they do. They also hunt on every other non Canon camera. But the Panasonic glass? Yes it’s no face detect on Sony level. So what? I don’t need it. I also got a Sigma fp. And if someone complains about the old Panasonic AF… well, have fun with Sigma 😂 Seriously, the S5 is a fantastic camera and for the price tag at this moment in time it’s by far the best bang for the buck. I don’t see any reason to upgrade at the moment. Let’s see a generation or two ahead.
I totally agree. I own two S5's - the second one was £750 used mint. Also, the quality of image is better out of the OG S5. The S5II has slightly less dynamic range (due to the PDAF sensor) and the image is sharper - looks more digital. I'd rather get an S1H than either of the S5II/X cameras.
The new Cameras are great, but that didn't make the original bad. And you got one heck of a deal. Great work. I love my S5. I don't see a reason to buy the mark 2 orx at the moment. Maybe one day, but it's not an upgrade path for me just because of the AF improvement. To be fair, it is a huge improvement in autofocus- but just not that big of a deal for me. Cheers.
@@RobertHamm Oddly enough, I've just ordered the PDMovie Lidar Focus thingy. I prefer to use manual focus - but the Lidar AF will be great for certain shots and you can use it with any lens (photo or manual/cinema lenses) - and it only cost me just over £300....and it's a manual follow focus too and you can set A and B points either on the controller or via the app. I hope it's as good/useful as I think it will be!
@@mex5341 That's the opposite of the tests done by Gerald Undone. The S5mk2 had a dynamic range of 14.2 - with 12.3 usable stops - while the original S5 had a dynamic range of 14.7 - with 12.5 usable stops. Either way, both sensors are very similar. The S5mk2 image is quite a bit sharper than the original S5, great for detail in photos - but not great for video. Let's hope the next S series camera fixes this.
Sure the S5ii has a better auto-focus. But the original S5 has a FAR, FAR better image quality than either the S5ii or the iix, and at the end of the day it's Image Quality that rules the roost. You want faster AF? Go'head and spend your money. I'll keep my OG S5 and spend less time editing still shots, thank you very much.
That is interesting to hear because I want to upgrade to the S5II since I heard from people on UA-cam that the photo colors of the S5II rival those of Leica's. Do you think the photo colors from the S5 is better than the S5II?
After two years with my S5 I still love it to death. I just wish the L mount glass wasn’t so expensive, I still only ave my kit lense. Good lense but I need something for portrait business. F 3.5 is cool but 1.8 is nicer.
Its actually amazing price wise compared to Canon R which I ran from and Nikon for prices. Sony is the most affordable all round. Sigma and others make it quite affordable. Leica stuff is crazy yes.
How’s the read speed of the photos taken? I tried the s5ii in a local store and it’s sluggish. Plus there is also a delay when u try to zoom into your photos in the review mode.
The old S5 also has the 96Megapixel mode. I would like to ask you about what is your AF setting for the wedding when the peoples are static, but you orbit around them and don"t lose focus, because I have struggles with it losing focus when I do exactly it.
@@RobertHamm doesn't matter it loses focus even keeping the distance, also it always loses focus when backing up or getting closer to the subject even very slowly. It's just not good at all. I bought this camera for mainly photography but things have changed, and now videos are being pushed, so need more and more vids. Bummer.
You reply tells me you don't have enough practice. I can't go into all of it man, if you know how to manual focus, it's not a problem. I'm sorry you have an issue with it, but I don't. It's not the camera, it's the operator. It's practice.
It works great in low light. AF isn't a problem for mez but canons AF is likely better. This more noticable in video than photo. But it's never botherd me.
I’m regretfully selling my Fuji XT3 and jumping to the S5, not S5II. Full frame and IBIS plus great image quality are huge factors. Hope I don’t regret the change!
if you can keep both. I have both cameras and I really love them! X-T3 with a little manual lens as the ttartisan 25mm f2 can became a trusty friend for everyday situatiuon. S5 is full frame and so a bigger camera, but well suited for events, videos and low light situations (also colours of S5 are amazing!!)
how would you say the S5 performes for photo at Concerts? I'm using a pair of X-H1 from fuji and have a window of opportunity to change system and that is awfully tempting IF it can perform where I need. If not then I'm just going X-H2 or X-H2s
I chose the S5 over the XH1 when I made the choice. I would do the same again. But it's always expensive to switch systems, so upgrade to the x h2 and keep all of your glass. It's a lot less expensive and you're already familiar with the system. That's probably the best way to go.
@@RobertHamm That's what I did haha except I kept my pair of XH1 and got the 8-16 f2.8 for RE and Concerts. I'll get the H2S when I can get 2 of them and sell both my Xh1's
S5II has Apple ProRes and Blackmagic RAW. I agree that the S5 is a good camera for stills. For the price right now i think the S5 is great and the best value camera out. For me better then Nikon Z5 and Canon EOS RP.
Thanks for your comment. The S5ii only has Raw output as a paid firmware upgrade. It does not come out of the box with that ability enabled. Panasonic said as much in theiroriginal press release and it's on their official website under the specifications section (scroll to the bototom of the page here: lumix.na.panasonic.com/ ). The sS5iiX has it out of the box, which is why I said that i would get the X if I were buying one of the new models. Cheers.
Bro stop with this excusemaking. You CANNOT work around the terrible pulsing of this trash s5 AF. You have to go manual which means hundreds of bucks in additional gear purely for reliable manual focus. All for an old ass sensor and camera. The s5 at 600 bucks is fine, at 1200-1500 it’s horrific.
Excellent video with lots of great points! I've used the S5, owned it for a few months, and it was an amazing camera. I sold it for nearly what I paid in anticipation of the S5ii, and I probably should have just kept it.
December 2023, I just sold my Fujifilm X-T1, 16f2.8, 23f2, 35f2 and bought the brand new S5+20-60+50f1.8 Kit for €1599. I used it a lot plus 2 Event Photography with really low lighting setup. I am so happy, the price to feature ratio is just perfect for my budget and for what I want to have in a camera. The S 50mm f1.8 is a beast, the S 20-60 is a really good Kit. I am glad that I decided to change brand and format instead of buying the Fujifilm X-S10 and stay with Fujifilm. Fujifilm APSC is really good but this Lumix Full Frame is a league of its own. One thing I have learned, I really don't need the Film Simulations. Now, I have started learning and doing videos as well. Hope Lumix release a Rangefinder Style Full Frame like their MFT GX9 series....
Nice. Yeah, I really like mine, too. The 20-60 is a really good lens. Good luck.
I've owned the S5 for nearly 2 years and have taken it on many trips, mainly for photography. Overall very happy with the purchase, but the moment an updated S1 comes out, I'll switch. It has mainly come down to two reasons, the poor EVF and the autofocus. My main focus is street photography and the DFD auto focus system has led to many cases of soft or completely out of focus shots. Shooting in AF-S helps, but it is still far from perfect. When it comes to lowlight, I often just shoot in manual focus, as the time it takes to acquire focus, if it even can, is just not fit for the style of shooting I enjoy. I have also fully given up on using the EVF. It very well may be my copy, but I've found the EVF to be color inaccurate and due to the low resolution it has been hard to determine if an object is fully in focus. With that said, the rear screen on my unit is fantastic for shooting and image review.
With the negatives out of the way. I've found the lens selection to be excellent for my needs. Especially the 1.8 primes, the 85 in particular stays glued to my S5, love it. The low light performance is excellent. I have also been very impressed with the colors SOOC from the standard picture profile. Lastly, I've found the weather resistance to be top notch. I've taken my S5 out in heavy rain and in some cases hail, and it has not let me down once.
I entered the Panasonic ecosystem with extreme apprehension, but I've been thoroughly impressed. Realistically speaking, once I get my hands on a better focusing camera, ideally with a faster sensor speed, I'll likely have my perfect setup. Looking forward to their future releases.
How are you getting out of focus shots with the S5 ? I too shoot street photography and a tap of the screen tells the camera exactly what you want. Street photography has so many layers to it that the best Autofocus in the world wont know what you want to focus on...a face, a cat, a car, lights, signs, a bicycle etc. Maybe because I also shoot film I have the patience, but I used a phone to take pics too. In video I can agree without settings dialed in there can be some issues, but for stills I really struggle to see how you miss focus. Issue with low light is people go straight for the widest F stops and get caught out with shallow DOF. The S5 has crazy ISO so again have never struggled in low light for stills.
the S5 prices are dropping off a cliff. Honestly i think its so underrated.
Thank you for the review and real world comments regarding the AF. I have just ordered the S5 kit as it is such a bargain in the UK - S5 + 20-60 Lens + spare pnasonic battery + Vlogging grip + 50mm f.18 lens all for £1299. A bargain for such a capable hybrid camera setup!
Pls where did u make ur order
You are totally right! Excellent video ... I'll keep my S5 for a long time.
Certainly is! I upgraded from ASP-C don't need a flash half the time either. It also moves me into video. So its a leap into the future.
I'll agree with that. I've just been manually focusing my videos for years, so it wasn't an issue. But, yes. PDAF is way better than earlier CDAF-DFD technology. Cheers.
Thank you for an honest review. Last year I got myself a nearly new S5 with the 20-60 mm kit lens and a 50mm prime and I will not part with it. It is my go to camera. I have watched reviews of other cameras that came out at the same time or later than the S5 and I have been tempted, but here is the thing, the S5 cost me less than the other cameras I have considered and it does everything I need a camera to do better than any of the cameras I have owned previously so what would I gain by switching to another brand ?
Hey, thanks for your comment. I appreciate real world use, and user experiences. I love my S5. Panasonic made a beast of a camera. It's true, I would love to have the new phase detect autofocus, but I'm not hindered by the autofocus the camera has. I do use manual focus on most of my critical shots, but that doesn't take away from my experience and use with the camera. In fact, probably makes me practice my focusing more. In any event, I love the camera. I have also considered upgrading, but to what? For me, I'd probably get another Panasonic S5!
Ive been working with my Nikon D3500 for 5 years and now looking to get one of thees.
im interested in in 12 bit, I think you can increase AF performance if its Contrast Based with a profile adjustment, and the newer lenses. I want one but wont spend more than 500-600 given its not perfect auto focus. I have a G9 but chose the Sony ZV-E1 which I'm learning to love still really new with it, but I love the 500$ G9 image quality so much
Thanks for your very good analysis - and right you are. I got the original S5 with the 20-60 and the 50 kit lens. And use it with adapted Canon EF lenses. The latter hunt. Sure they do. They also hunt on every other non Canon camera.
But the Panasonic glass? Yes it’s no face detect on Sony level. So what? I don’t need it. I also got a Sigma fp. And if someone complains about the old Panasonic AF… well, have fun with Sigma 😂
Seriously, the S5 is a fantastic camera and for the price tag at this moment in time it’s by far the best bang for the buck. I don’t see any reason to upgrade at the moment. Let’s see a generation or two ahead.
I totally agree. I own two S5's - the second one was £750 used mint. Also, the quality of image is better out of the OG S5. The S5II has slightly less dynamic range (due to the PDAF sensor) and the image is sharper - looks more digital. I'd rather get an S1H than either of the S5II/X cameras.
The new Cameras are great, but that didn't make the original bad. And you got one heck of a deal. Great work. I love my S5. I don't see a reason to buy the mark 2 orx at the moment. Maybe one day, but it's not an upgrade path for me just because of the AF improvement. To be fair, it is a huge improvement in autofocus- but just not that big of a deal for me. Cheers.
@@RobertHamm Oddly enough, I've just ordered the PDMovie Lidar Focus thingy. I prefer to use manual focus - but the Lidar AF will be great for certain shots and you can use it with any lens (photo or manual/cinema lenses) - and it only cost me just over £300....and it's a manual follow focus too and you can set A and B points either on the controller or via the app. I hope it's as good/useful as I think it will be!
not true . DR is better on s5II according the tests from dxomark . Sensors have the same PDAF technology .
@@mex5341 That's the opposite of the tests done by Gerald Undone. The S5mk2 had a dynamic range of 14.2 - with 12.3 usable stops - while the original S5 had a dynamic range of 14.7 - with 12.5 usable stops. Either way, both sensors are very similar. The S5mk2 image is quite a bit sharper than the original S5, great for detail in photos - but not great for video. Let's hope the next S series camera fixes this.
Sure the S5ii has a better auto-focus. But the original S5 has a FAR, FAR better image quality than either the S5ii or the iix, and at the end of the day it's Image Quality that rules the roost. You want faster AF? Go'head and spend your money. I'll keep my OG S5 and spend less time editing still shots, thank you very much.
That is interesting to hear because I want to upgrade to the S5II since I heard from people on UA-cam that the photo colors of the S5II rival those of Leica's. Do you think the photo colors from the S5 is better than the S5II?
After two years with my S5 I still love it to death. I just wish the L mount glass wasn’t so expensive, I still only ave my kit lense. Good lense but I need something for portrait business. F 3.5 is cool but 1.8 is nicer.
Its actually amazing price wise compared to Canon R which I ran from and Nikon for prices. Sony is the most affordable all round. Sigma and others make it quite affordable. Leica stuff is crazy yes.
Canon lenses can cost 3,000 dollars and up. Canon lenses make the most expensive S Pro Lumix lenses look like nothing.
While I like the S5 II sometimes when fast AF is needed in video, the S5 has really better details.
How’s the read speed of the photos taken? I tried the s5ii in a local store and it’s sluggish. Plus there is also a delay when u try to zoom into your photos in the review mode.
The old S5 also has the 96Megapixel mode.
I would like to ask you about what is your AF setting for the wedding when the peoples are static, but you orbit around them and don"t lose focus, because I have struggles with it losing focus when I do exactly it.
It's just practice. Use your aperture to help you set depth of field, turn on focus peaking, and be a good judge of distance.
@@RobertHamm doesn't matter it loses focus even keeping the distance, also it always loses focus when backing up or getting closer to the subject even very slowly. It's just not good at all. I bought this camera for mainly photography but things have changed, and now videos are being pushed, so need more and more vids. Bummer.
You reply tells me you don't have enough practice. I can't go into all of it man, if you know how to manual focus, it's not a problem. I'm sorry you have an issue with it, but I don't. It's not the camera, it's the operator. It's practice.
@@RobertHamm Nah, it not always the operator. :D
For photography. In low light work well ? I have the eos rp and the camera can focus in almost any situation
It works great in low light. AF isn't a problem for mez but canons AF is likely better. This more noticable in video than photo. But it's never botherd me.
@@RobertHamm its 1297 with a 50mm 1.8 free. I will buy it
That's a great deal. Get it and enjoy.
I’m regretfully selling my Fuji XT3 and jumping to the S5, not S5II. Full frame and IBIS plus great image quality are huge factors. Hope I don’t regret the change!
Are you happy with the change?
I just got an S5 about a few days ago, totally worth it...the video quality is mind blowing
Good choice. Im pretty sure the S5 is smaller as well. I was making a similar decision couple years ago when I chose the S5 over the XT3.
if you can keep both. I have both cameras and I really love them! X-T3 with a little manual lens as the ttartisan 25mm f2 can became a trusty friend for everyday situatiuon. S5 is full frame and so a bigger camera, but well suited for events, videos and low light situations (also colours of S5 are amazing!!)
how would you say the S5 performes for photo at Concerts? I'm using a pair of X-H1 from fuji and have a window of opportunity to change system and that is awfully tempting IF it can perform where I need. If not then I'm just going X-H2 or X-H2s
I chose the S5 over the XH1 when I made the choice. I would do the same again. But it's always expensive to switch systems, so upgrade to the x h2 and keep all of your glass. It's a lot less expensive and you're already familiar with the system. That's probably the best way to go.
@@RobertHamm That's what I did haha except I kept my pair of XH1 and got the 8-16 f2.8 for RE and Concerts. I'll get the H2S when I can get 2 of them and sell both my Xh1's
S5II has Apple ProRes and Blackmagic RAW. I agree that the S5 is a good camera for stills. For the price right now i think the S5 is great and the best value camera out. For me better then Nikon Z5 and Canon EOS RP.
Thanks for your comment. The S5ii only has Raw output as a paid firmware upgrade. It does not come out of the box with that ability enabled. Panasonic said as much in theiroriginal press release and it's on their official website under the specifications section (scroll to the bototom of the page here: lumix.na.panasonic.com/ ). The sS5iiX has it out of the box, which is why I said that i would get the X if I were buying one of the new models. Cheers.
Lumix S1 is even better and more underrated.
prores raw 4k 12bit upto ???? 60p
But the price right now is very high!
yes!!!!!!!!!!! abo ...
Bro stop with this excusemaking. You CANNOT work around the terrible pulsing of this trash s5 AF. You have to go manual which means hundreds of bucks in additional gear purely for reliable manual focus. All for an old ass sensor and camera.
The s5 at 600 bucks is fine, at 1200-1500 it’s horrific.
Is the photo color better on the S5II? If so, I will upgrade.